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Looking ahead with Geert Vromman: what CROPLAND expects from 2026

Interview with Geert Vromman

CEO of CROPLAND, outlook on 2026

To kick off the year, we asked our CEO, Geert Vromman, to share his perspective. In this in-depth interview, he reflects on the momentum AI built in 2025 and what’s next for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Geert talks about the shift from experimentation to structure, why AI agents are finally ready to deliver real productivity gains, and how conversational AI is entering workflows in both chat and voice. He also addresses a recurring blind spot: too many leaders still see AI as a tech add-on, when it’s really an organizational shift that exposes weak processes, scattered data, and missing governance.

Beyond AI strategy, Geert also shares his personal vision for CROPLAND, what drives him in his role as CEO, and why he believes trust and long-term thinking will define real digital transformation in the years to come.

For anyone looking to move from pilot to production in 2026; this is required reading.

What do you see as the biggest opportunity for SMEs working with AI in 2026?

“In my view, 2025 was the year AI truly went mainstream. For some, that meant holding an initial training day; for others, it was rolling out paid Copilots or tools like ChatGPT and Gemini to select teams. Today, it’s rare to find a company still starting from scratch.

The real opportunity in 2026 lies in full-scale implementation, structurally deploying Copilots to make teams faster, sharper, and more efficient. Beyond that, I see massive potential in identifying specific workflows where AI agents can take the lead. Agents were the buzzword of 2025, but they often didn’t get past the boardroom. Since the summer of 2025, we at CROPLAND have been deploying the first generation of functional workflow agents, increasingly powered by sophisticated conversational AI across both text and voice.

In 2026, I expect a breakthrough where agents drive a tangible leap in productivity. I’m particularly keen to see how users adapt to interacting with them—that’s going to require a focused approach to change management.”

Which development in AI are you personally most looking forward to?

“The rise of intelligent agents handling client-facing roles through conversational AI. Human talent is a premium resource, and companies are finally starting to treat it as such. During the pandemic, we learned that hybrid work could be more efficient—even if rush-hour traffic sometimes suggests otherwise. I believe we’re now entering a ‘second wave’ of efficiency driven by these autonomous tools.”

Where do you see the biggest gap in 2026 between the perception and reality of AI?

“Many organizations still view AI as just another IT project or a fancy chatbot. In reality, AI is an organizational model. It is unforgiving; it exposes exactly where processes are messy, data is siloed, and decisions are being made based on ‘gut feeling.’

The biggest gap isn’t technological, it’s a matter of leadership and governance. If your data and processes aren’t AI-ready and you push forward anyway, you’ll find out the hard way. That realization, however, can be the catalyst companies need to finally get their house in order.”

What is the biggest mistake organizations can make with AI in 2026?

“Using AI to speed up a broken process. That’s simply automating chaos.

The mistake isn’t a lack of experimentation; it’s scaling prematurely without a solid foundation. You cannot succeed without clear ownership, high-quality data, defined decision logic, and robust GRC (Governance, Risk, and Compliance). Too many pilots fail to reach production because GRC was an afterthought. These frameworks are what determine whether AI is a liability or a safe, scalable asset.”

What advice would you give to Flemish SME leaders for the coming year?

“Don’t start with the ‘AI.’ Start with the business case. Ask yourself:

Where are we making predictable, repetitive decisions every week?
Which administrative processes still require manual data entry between systems?
Where can technology provide a genuine edge?

That’s where AI belongs. Think big, start small, and move beyond the ‘gadget’ mindset. Also, remember that the EU AI Act is now a reality alongside GDPR. Solid governance isn’t just a hurdle, it’s the only way to ensure your proof-of-concepts actually survive the transition to a production environment.”

What motivates you most in your work at CROPLAND today?

“The fact that we help entrepreneurs stop ‘firefighting’ and start building for the future. We bring a sense of calm and confidence to the table.

We’ve been in this space since 2013, so we have over a decade of experience in digital transformation. We know how structured data leads to a competitive advantage. AI might be uncharted territory for many companies, but it’s our home turf. Knowing that business leaders trust us to guide them through these pivotal choices, that’s what keeps me driven.”

AI may be new for many companies, but it is not new for us. The fact that business leaders and executives trust us to help them make smart choices is what truly motivates me.

- CEO, Geert Vromman -