Askold Zimmermann is a TÜV-certified AI consultant and a 23-year veteran of the IT industry. He is the founder of the Askold Assessment Framework™, a proprietary methodology designed to help organizations bridge the “”Value Gap”” between technical AI hype and scalable, real-world return on investment (ROI). Having witnessed numerous technology waves, Askold’s mission is to rescue organizations from “”Proof-of-Concept Purgatory”” — a state in which 80% of AI projects fail to reach production due to a lack of strategic alignment and human-centric planning.He specializes in providing “”pharma-grade”” precision for highly regulated industries, including the pharmaceutical and consumer packaged goods (CPG) sectors.His expertise is currently utilized both globally and locally, including on the ground in Riga, where he consults for Latvia’s two largest pharmaceutical companies, Olpha and Grindeks.Askold is known for his “”safety-first”” engineering approach, ensuring that AI implementations respect strict data integrity standards and the European Union (EU) AI Act.At the heart of his work is a commitment to actionable results. Rather than offering abstract theory, Askold provides a battle-tested blueprint that guides organizations through a structured four-step process: Goal Definition, On-Site Process Analysis (using the Five Whys method), Use Case Discovery, and ROI-driven Prioritization.He is dedicated to empowering leadership teams with practical tools — such as the AI Use Case Canvas and Data Readiness Checklists — to ensure AI initiatives are not only innovative but also sustainable and measurable.