What made this programme stand out was its promise to explore that two-way relationship. It did not treat technology as neutral or inevitable, but as something deeply embedded in politics, the economy, and culture. I was excited by the idea of studying in a place where people cared about the human side of tech, asked difficult questions, and saw digital change as something we all have a stake in. The programme gave me both the analytical mindset and the practical tools to engage with digitalisation, not just as an observer, but as someone who wants to help shape the direction it takes.

What was your favourite course and why?
Up until my second year, I couldn’t really pick a favourite. There were many courses I found interesting and truly enjoyed (especially Digitalisation and Politics). But then Artificial Society happened, and I could not stop talking about it.

What made Artificial Society so special was that it did not just look at AI as a technical tool, but as something deeply social and historical. We traced eight decades of thinking about AI, from early dreams of machines taking over manual labour to today’s complex debates about surveillance, datafication, and regulation.

In a way, AI holds up a mirror to society. Artificial Society made me aware of that mirror, but also of the fact that we’re not just passive observers of what it shows us. The course helped me see how we can make that reflection better by questioning who is building the technology, whose values are embedded in it, and who gets left out of the picture.

After that course, nearly all of my papers and projects somehow circled back to AI. You could even ‘blame’ the course (and Dr Katleen Gabriels, who brilliantly coordinated it) for the career path I am on right now. It gave me the vocabulary, the historical context, and the critical frameworks to ask better questions—not just about technology, but about humanity in the digital age.

Looking back, what are some of the things you learned during your studies that have truly helped you in your current career, personal life, or other experiences? 
First, we have to start with the basics, our beloved PBL (Problem-Based Learning) system. It was genuinely one of the most valuable aspects of the programme for me. PBL gave me the space to actively develop communication, time management, and leadership skills in a collaborative, hands-on environment that felt far closer to real-world work than traditional lectures ever could.

Equally important was learning to get comfortable with the unfamiliar. In an interdisciplinary programme like Digital Society, you are constantly shifting between topics and methods—coding in one tutorial, critical theory in the next. That trains you to think across disciplines, apply transferable skills, and adapt quickly—abilities that have made me feel confident navigating diverse professional settings since graduating.

And then something a bit more niche, but worth highlighting: the Honours(+) programme. If students get the chance, I would strongly encourage them to take it. It was intense and occasionally stressful, especially alongside regular coursework and extracurriculars, but it made me far more efficient and productive. More importantly, it gave me the chance to work in cross-faculty teams with students from law, business, and biomedicine. That kind of interdisciplinary collaboration was a true preview of life in the workplace, where different types of expertise and perspectives come together.

Could you tell us more about your current career?
I now work as a digital transformation and AI consultant at Eurolink. One of the leading providers of project management and consulting services in Montenegro where I help organizations navigate AI and digital transformation in ways that are not just effective, but responsible and human-centered. A big part of my work is translating complex AI concepts into clear, actionable insights for everyone whether I’m advising a business, collaborating with a public institution, or speaking at tech events and in the media.

What I enjoy most is being in those moments—often right after a lecture or workshop—when someone tells me that, for the first time, they really understand what AI is, what it can (and can’t) do, and what they bring to the table in that landscape. That is one of the most rewarding parts of my work: helping people not just understand the technology but feel confident in their own value within a digital future. 

And, to be honest, many of the meetings I am having bring me back to PBL. I get to ask the kinds of questions we used to debate in class, but now in real-world contexts: How do we ensure fairness in algorithmic systems? What does meaningful human oversight look like? How do we make sure a certain digital solution is enhancing, rather than replacing, human potential?

As for future ambitions, I want to keep building on the ethos I had from the start: using digital technologies for the good. I want to continue researching, learning, and creating towards that goal whether through consulting, policy work, public speaking, writing, or cross-sector collaboration. I want to promote approaches to AI and digital technologies that are not only innovative, but also inclusive, ethical, and reflective of the diverse societies they are meant to serve.

Which milestone in your career are you most proud of?
As for the milestones, it’s still early in my career, but I’ve been very fortunate to receive a number of public speaking opportunities—at conferences, on panels, and in the media. Every time someone hands me a mic, I have that moment of: Wow, people actually want to hear what I have to say. It truly means a lot to be trusted to speak on topics like AI and digital transformation, in front of audiences that range from policymakers to students and the general public. A few moments stand out like presenting on AI ethics and the EU AI Act at INFOFEST 2024, one of the biggest ICT events in the Western Balkans, or joining the panel on digital transformation and entrepreneurship at the 2nd Conference on Entrepreneurship in my home town, Bar. Events like these are a great chance to engage with leading voices, challenge assumptions, and help push the conversation, and the industry, forward.

One area I particularly enjoy working on is AI in education, especially here in Montenegro. It’s a highly relevant, yet underexplored field, and I’m honoured to be helping lay the groundwork for how these technologies are introduced and understood in such a critical sector. I recently had the opportunity to give a lecture at the National Institute of Textbook Publishing and Teaching Aids, where I supported their exploration of how AI can be integrated into educational content and strategy.

What is your fondest memory from your time in Maastricht as a FASoS student?
This is probably the most difficult question to answer. My time in Maastricht was incredibly formative, both personally and academically, and honestly, it was just so much fun. Occasional after-tutorial coffees at Bandito’s turned into years-long friendships that are still a big part of my life. Maastricht gave me my best friends, and that’s something I’ll always be grateful for.

There were picnics in Stadspark, coffees by the river Maas, King’s Day celebrations, carnivals, and study sessions at the Inner City Library (where we often hung out more than studied) so many memories to look back on. But what stands out most is how fun the day-to-day life was. It did not take a special occasion to have a special day. I always describe living in Maastricht as ‘living in a postcard’and it truly felt that way. Looking back, I think the real magic was in how easy it was to feel at home. 

What advice or tip would you give to current or prospective students?
You do not need to have it all figured out by the time you graduate, but if you can pick up a few pieces along the way, that’s already a great start. What I mean is: pay attention. Notice the topics that make you feel genuinely excited, the courses you love and the ones that don’t quite resonate, the tutorial dynamics that bring out the best in you, and the role you naturally take on in group projects. These small observations add up. And when the time comes to make career choices, they can be a surprisingly solid foundation to build on. So, keep checking in with yourself. You’re not just learning the content you are learning how you work, what energizes you, and what kind of environments help you thrive.

May 2025