We never tire of mentioning how instrumental our people are to our success—because it is so incredibly true. Everything we have achieved and continue to do at Intelligencia AI and in the industry is because of our dedicated, intelligent, motivated professionals who spot areas of opportunity and tackle challenges every day with enthusiasm, creativity and the dogged determination needed to raise the bar.
But our people are more than just senior developers, customer experience experts or machine learning gurus; they are exceptional, unique and interesting individuals we want you to get to know.
Throughout our “Day in the Life” blog series, we’ll introduce you to our global team and the intelligence – our people – behind Intelligencia AI.
This profile is with our Customer Experience & Insights Associate, Elena Hilario Martinez. Elena learned about Intelligencia AI through her own research. Connect with her on LinkedIn and read the Q&A below to learn more.
When did you start at Intelligencia AI? And how did you learn about the company and the role?
I started at Intelligencia AI about two and a half years ago. I was working in Spain at the time, and I began seeking new challenges abroad. I came across the company through LinkedIn, and I found their mission to be very compelling. I was interested in learning more about how I could apply my skills in the pharma industry.
I also wanted to join a smaller company where I could interact with people across different departments in a more personal and direct way. After seeing Intelligencia AI on LinkedIn, I initiated conversations with them, and they offered me the opportunity to relocate to Athens, which was very exciting for me. I looked forward to starting work in a new city and meeting new people.
What inspired you to say ‘yes’ to your first role at Intelligencia AI?
What inspired me to say yes and join the company was the way the entire interview process was handled. I had the opportunity to meet and interact with people from various roles within the company, which gave me a great sense of how they operate. I even had the chance to interview with the CEO, which showed me that it was an all-hands-on-deck effort to find the right fit.
The way they approached the interview process, involving everyone, really demonstrated to me that they were genuinely interested in my application and wanted to find the best match. I also personally found Intelligencia AI’s focus on building an international environment to be very appealing.
Can you describe your role and a typical week for you?
I primarily focus on managing accounts and working with various stakeholders within those accounts. A significant part of my work involves creating materials to share with customers, as well as understanding their requests and finding ways to represent the insights they’re looking for visually.
I also leverage our AI tools to provide the best service and risk assessment for our customers. So a typical week for me involves a lot of account management, content creation, data analysis, and collaborating cross-functionally to meet our customers’ needs. It’s a very dynamic environment that keeps me on my toes and allows me to develop new skills continuously.
What’s your favorite part of your role and working at Intelligencia AI?
My favorite aspect of my current role is the opportunity to work on cross-functional projects. I enjoy interacting with different people across the company and understanding how they think and approach various challenges.
It’s so interesting to see how people with diverse backgrounds and expertise can come together to move a project forward. This dynamic environment enables me to continually adapt and learn new approaches to tackling problems.
However, beyond the cross-functional aspect, I also appreciate the creativity that my role enables. I’m always looking for new and innovative ways to visualize data and present insights to our customers. Combining the analytical side of my work with a more creative, visual approach is something that I find incredibly fulfilling.
What advice would you give someone wanting a career in AI and life sciences?
The first thing I would suggest is to focus on learning the basics as thoroughly as possible. Developing a strong foundation in the scientific and technical aspects of these fields is so important.
At the same time, I emphasize the importance of cultivating adaptability and flexibility. This is a rapidly evolving space, so you need to be eager and willing to constantly learn new things. Avoid getting stuck in old habits or processes; instead, be open to embracing new challenges and approaches.
The ability to adapt and be versatile will serve you incredibly well in a career that straddles both AI and life sciences. You’ll need to be able to navigate different disciplines, collaborate with diverse teams, and be comfortable with ambiguity and change.
What accomplishment have you been most proud of since working with Intelligencia AI?
One of the accomplishments I’m most proud of during my time at Intelligencia AI is the personal development I’ve experienced in terms of adaptability and flexibility.
When I first joined the company, I was coming from a much larger organization where everyone had their own defined roles and responsibilities. The siloed nature of that environment didn’t require the level of adaptability that Intelligencia does.
But here, I’ve had to learn to be much more versatile and comfortable working across different functions and teams. I’ve had to develop the ability to shift gears quickly, take on new challenges, and collaborate with a wide variety of people and perspectives.
This has been a significant growth area for me, and I’m proud of how I’ve evolved and thrived in this more dynamic, cross-functional environment. It’s allowed me to become a much more well-rounded and adaptable professional.
Tell us more about yourself outside of your work life.
- Dream destination: Australia and New Zealand
- Favorite book: The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende
- Favorite meal: My mother’s Spanish Omelette. It’s just eggs, onions, and potatoes, but the way she prepares it, is simply the best.
- Favorite movie: Interstellar
- 3 things for a deserted island: If I were stranded on a deserted island, the three things I would bring are a boat (to hopefully find my way off the island), a good book that I could read over and over again, and a close friend or loved one to share the experience with, so I wouldn’t be completely alone.
How do you enjoy spending your free time?
In my free time, one of my biggest passions is traveling. Whenever I get the chance, I love to explore new destinations and immerse myself in different cultures. Traveling is something I prioritize and do as often as I can. I’m also a big movie lover. I enjoy going to the cinema and watching a wide range of films, from thought-provoking dramas to epic sci-fi movies. It’s an excellent way for me to unwind and get lost in a story.