The team that teaches machines to think

Our AI experts build systems for tasks that used to cost time, headcount, and nerves — so businesses become more robust, efficient, and competitive.

Our Team

AI expertise that strengthens businesses

Our team combines strategic understanding with technical depth. AI consultants and product managers work closely with data engineers, AI developers, and ML specialists — with deep knowledge of industries, business models, processes, and regulatory requirements.

This is how we close the gap between what businesses need and AI systems that are technically sound, strategically meaningful, and economically effective.

How we work

Our principles for good AI

1. Think strategically, solve technically

Strategic goals set the direction. Technology is the tool we use to deliver on them — precisely and effectively.

2. Focus on impact

Everything starts with the outcome. Our work is driven by our clients' business goals. Pragmatic, focused, no detours.

3. Challenge the status quo

No AI boost for broken processes. A brief step back reveals what truly needs to change before technology accelerates what doesn't work.

4. Clarity through data

We rely on measurable results. Data analysis is the foundation for sound decisions.

5. Speed with substance

In projects, we tackle the biggest challenges first and work in short, fast cycles: test, fail, learn, improve, stabilize, and perfect.

6. Built for the real world, not the lab

We build robust AI for messy data, complex processes, and human error — not for ideal lab conditions.

7. Responsibility in every line of code

We build AI systems that are secure, transparent, and compliant. Clean architecture, robust standards, and a clear view of data protection and the EU AI Act.

8. As much AI as necessary

AI is a tool, not a goal. Solutions with less complexity, fewer dependencies, and better economics take priority.

9. Solutions, not slides

In projects, what works is what counts. We build prototypes, analyze data, and develop models. Solutions at PLAN D are built in practice, not just on slides.

Competencies

Everything modern AI requires

We unite the AI expertise that delivers results: clearly structured, technically solid, and focused on impact.

Consulting

Strategy

We develop strategies, use cases and business models that measurably translate AI into your business goals.

AI product management

We design and develop AI products from the initial idea to testing, validation, deployment and development.

UX design

Our UX designers make your AI easy to use for all target groups with user-friendly and intuitive interfaces.

Governance

We create clear guidelines, processes and responsibilities so that AI can be used securely, comprehensibly and in compliance with regulations.

Data storytelling

We transform complex data into understandable and compelling narratives and management presentations.

Development

Data Analytics

Through targeted analyses of your data, our data analysts provide reliable facts for well-founded decisions.

Data Engineering

Our data engineers structure and clean data and create a solid foundation for powerful AI.

Data Science & Machine Learning

Our data scientists develop tailor-made models in the areas of machine learning and deep learning.

AI agents

We develop AI agents who carry out operational tasks independently, from analysis and decisions to implementation in connected systems.

Fullstack Development

Our full-stack developers implement complete software solutions, from business logic in the backend to the front end.

Infrastructure

IT architecture

We integrate solutions securely and seamlessly into your IT infrastructure, with a clear architecture and open interfaces.

Cloud infrastructure

We build scalable, efficient and future-proof cloud environments for secure AI development and reliable operation.

Data platforms

We develop data platforms that securely bundle and structure data and make it usable for analysis, training and operation.

Operation

ML-Ops

We automate training, evaluation, deployment, and monitoring of your AI models.

Monitoring

We constantly monitor your systems and ensure performance, reliability and rapid detection of deviations.

IT Security

We protect your systems and data with modern security concepts, clear guidelines and verifiable standards.

Support

We support your AI systems in operation, solve technical problems and ensure stable, smooth deployment.

Contacts

Sebastian Bluhm

Geschäftsführender Gesellschafter

Sebastian Bluhm ist Gründer und Geschäftsführer von PLAN D sowie der KI-Plattform Galilea. Seit rund zehn Jahren entwickelt er mit seinem Team KI-Systeme, die Entscheidungen und Prozesse automatisieren und damit Effizienz und Geschwindigkeit neu definieren. Sein Fokus liegt darauf, deutschen Unternehmen dabei zu helfen, dem Fachkräftemangel zu begegnen, wertvolles Wissen zu sichern und Ressourcen gezielt einzusetzen – für mehr Wettbewerbsfähigkeit, Zukunftsfähigkeit und Resilienz.

Dirk Schmachtenberg

Geschäftsführender Gesellschafter

Dirk Schmachtenberg ist Mitgründer und Geschäftsführer von PLAN D und verantwortet die Bereiche Strategie, Geschäftsmodelle und Organisationsentwicklung. Seit vielen Jahren begleitet er Unternehmen dabei, den digitalen Wandel strukturiert zu gestalten und neue Wertschöpfungspotenziale zu erschließen. Sein Schwerpunkt liegt darauf, Organisationen resilienter, anpassungsfähiger und zukunftsfähiger zu machen – mit klaren Strategien, modernen Arbeitsmodellen und dem gezielten Einsatz datengetriebener Lösungen.

Til Loose

New Business Manager

Til Loose ist bei PLAN D die Verbindung zwischen Kunden und Technologie. Er übersetzt geschäftliche Anforderungen in klare, machbare Umsetzungen. Mit Empathie, analytischer Stärke und tiefem Technologieverständnis identifiziert er echte Mehrwerte und führt Organisationen sicher durch komplexe Veränderungsprozesse.

Pia Zillmann

Executive Assistant

Pia Zillmann ist Executive Assistant bei PLAN D und sorgt dafür, dass Führung, Projekte und operative Abläufe reibungslos ineinandergreifen. Sie koordiniert Prioritäten, steuert interne Prozesse und schafft Strukturen, die Tempo, Klarheit und Verlässlichkeit ermöglichen. Mit organisatorischer Präzision, vorausschauendem Denken und hoher Eigenverantwortung hält sie dem Führungsteam den Rücken frei und trägt entscheidend dazu bei, dass PLAN D schnell, fokussiert und wirksam arbeiten kann.

Questions & Answers

What qualifications do the AI experts at PLAN D have?

Our team consists exclusively of experienced professionals with deep specialization in machine learning, agentic AI, data engineering, cloud computing, and software development. They come from industry, research, software engineering, and strategic consulting.

This mix is deliberate. AI projects rarely fail because of technology. They fail due to missing domain knowledge, unclear requirements, or solutions that work technically but don't fit the organization. That's why PLAN D only employs senior profiles who combine technical depth with an understanding of how organizations think, decide, and operate.

How does PLAN D assemble project teams for AI projects?

Every project team is assembled individually based on requirements and industry. A typical team consists of three to five people and covers all disciplines the project demands: from strategy and data engineering to machine learning, infrastructure, and operations.

Every project has a dedicated point of contact on the client side. This creates short communication paths, clear responsibilities, and decisions without detours.

How does the PLAN D team stay up to date technically?

Through daily exchange on new technologies, papers, and repositories. In addition, we hold internal tech talks, attend conferences, and run hackathons. We deliberately invest time in understanding, testing, and evaluating technologies early.

At the same time, we constantly question our own methods and tools. Every project is an opportunity to assess whether we can deliver things better, faster, or more scalably. Our own AI platform Galilea also serves as a testing ground for new approaches before they flow into client projects.

What sets experienced AI experts apart from traditional IT consultants?

Traditional IT consultants analyze requirements and recommend solutions. AI experts must go further: working with data, developing and training models, and deploying them into production systems. This requires a different skill set: statistical understanding, experience with ML frameworks, knowledge of data architectures, and the ability to critically evaluate results.

There's more to it: AI projects are iterative. Results aren't fixed at the start but emerge through experiments, data analysis, and step-by-step optimization. Anyone who only delivers concepts but doesn't build can't truly judge AI. At PLAN D, the same people advise and build.

What competencies are needed to execute AI projects from strategy to operations?

At least six disciplines must work together: strategic consulting, data engineering, machine learning, software development, cloud infrastructure, and operations. If any one is missing, gaps appear. Strategies without technical validation remain theory. Models without stable infrastructure never make it to production. Systems without monitoring lose quality over time or run incorrectly.

PLAN D unites all these competencies in-house. No patchwork of freelancers, no dependency on third-party vendors. The result is AI that doesn't just work but delivers lasting impact.