You’re not entirely new to Groth & Co, but you are stepping into a new role – what is it like to become Head of Patents?
It’s above all inspiring and enjoyable. I already know the company and many of my colleagues, so I don’t have to deal with the “new job shock”. At the same time, the Head of Patents role is a natural next step, allowing me to draw fully on my background, expertise and leadership skills to strengthen our services and client advice. We already have an excellent patents team in place, and I’m looking forward to developing and supporting them.

In short, I’m stepping into this new role with humility but also with a strong “let’s do it” attitude and great confidence in my colleagues here at Groth & Co.

What drives you in your work with intellectual property and patent matters?
Curiosity about innovation. I’ve worked in the industry for over ten years and I’m still just as fascinated when I see an invention for the very first time or collaborate with a passionate inventor or entrepreneur. Being able to help the inventor or company – whether it’s a start-up team or a global enterprise – to protect their idea or keep it confidential, and thereby contribute to societal progress and innovation, is a powerful motivator.

You have a strong background in AI – how did your interest in that area begin?
‍It really took off when I worked with some highly skilled colleagues at RightHub on AI solutions for the IP sector. There, I saw how machine learning and Large Language Models (LLMs) can improve efficiency while enhancing quality, ultimately delivering greater value to clients.

My father was always deeply curious about new technology, and I think I’ve inherited that from him. You need to embrace technology and keep learning throughout life, which also means staying curious and flexible in your thinking – that’s how you end up exploring new tools like LLMs.

What opportunities do you see for AI to contribute to the patent field and intellectual property in general?
As a consultant, you must always think from the client’s perspective, not from the habits of old-school patent consultants from the 1980s. What does the client want? Can I create added value by providing an AI-generated report instead of producing a complex document full of patent jargon? Or can I enhance the way I deliver information using AI? (The answer is yes!) At the same time, there are some important ground rules when working with AI, such as “Think for yourself first before asking an LLM.”

Are there any risks with AI that you think the IP industry should pay special attention to?
‍Yes, two areas stand out. The first is data integrity: if you train models on confidential material, you must know exactly where that data goes. Generally, data is considered “publicly disclosed” if it is used for model training. The second is “hallucinations” – AI’s tendency to sometimes make up sources or answers. This requires clear processes and human quality control; otherwise, we risk compromising client confidentiality, legal certainty and quality. That said, hallucinations are becoming less of an issue with the latest models.

As Head of Patents, what do you hope to bring to Groth & Co’s clients?
‍My aim is to work as closely as possible with clients and actively drive the changes that are needed. Our industry today is slow, traditional and expensive – and I doubt that will be sustainable in the long run. By working closely with clients and really understanding their challenges, we can continuously develop and improve our services. Younger entrepreneurs in particular – and their numbers are growing – are no longer willing to pay high fees for ‘standard services’ in our field.

Finally – what do you enjoy doing when you’re not thinking about patents, IP and AI?
Then I’m just a normal person who enjoys spending time outdoors with my partner and daughter, being with friends, reading and keeping active.