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In this series of interviews, Future of IT, our aim is to give a voice to IT leaders who have something to say about our sector. It’s safe to say that Jan Čurn, the Co-Founder and CEO of Apify, has something to say. And not merely about the rise of AI and other technologies, but about ethics.
“Ethics in IT will become a central focus as technologies like AI and big data evolve,” he responded when we asked about the rise of ethical considerations. “AI should be a tool for good, reducing inequalities rather than reinforcing them. Ethical IT isn’t just about avoiding harm; it’s about actively contributing to a fairer, better world.”
He also tackles a topic that refuses to go away: hybrid working. And we couldn’t help but nod along to Jan’s thoughts on the matter. “Collaboration tools that integrate AI can foster a deeper connection between team members by making communication easier and workflows smoother,” he said. “As remote and hybrid work models become the norm, these innovations will bridge gaps that once seemed insurmountable.”
Let’s hope so.
Once you realise that Jan holds two PhDs – one in Artificial Intelligence from Trinity College Dublin, another in Computer Science from Charles University – it should be no surprise to realise why his answers are so thought through.
Jan says that he started his “entrepreneurial career” when he co-founded VirtualRig Studio in 2009, where he still serves as CTO. But one company simply isn’t enough, and in 2015 he founded Apify with Jakub Balada. Apify’s tagline is “your full‑stack platform for web scraping,” and Jan says its greatest achievement so far is to “make life easier for people and companies” through automation. Another subject that crops up in this interview!
Our thanks to Jan for his time and his insightful answers.
In the years to come, IT professionals will play a key role in shaping how technology integrates into our lives and businesses. Their focus will increasingly shift toward creating systems that use specialized AI agents to handle specific tasks efficiently. These agents can work with people and systems to deliver results that are more adaptable and precise. This mimics how natural systems manage complexity and problem-solving, and I think it will transform IT in many ways.
Beyond their technical expertise, IT professionals will need to help teams embrace and use AI responsibly. I believe their role will include guiding others in understanding how AI can help reduce repetitive tasks, freeing up time for creativity and decision-making. It’s not just about using AI as a tool but integrating it as a trusted partner that complements human work. I firmly believe that devs and engineers will be at the forefront of this new future, not necessarily because they can code, but because they have the right mindset.
Additionally, IT professionals will take on more cross-disciplinary roles, working closely with teams outside of traditional IT, like marketing, operations and product development. By fostering this kind of cooperation, they’ll help to make sure that AI technologies are applied to solving real-world problems. This evolution is less about being a specialist in one area and more about being adaptable, understanding both the technical and human aspects of technology adoption.
AI will undoubtedly continue to lead technological transformation, particularly with the rise of AI agents designed to handle specific problems. These agents don’t work in isolation – they collaborate within ecosystems to take on complex tasks. For instance, one agent might handle real-time data collection while another processes the information, and another acts on it. This modular approach is more efficient than relying on a single, generalized AI system.
What makes AI so impactful is its adaptability. Unlike traditional systems that require manual updates or rigid configurations, these agents can evolve in response to new inputs and environments. This mimics the flexibility of natural systems, where specialized components work together to achieve larger goals. I believe this kind of innovation will not only drive efficiency but also open new possibilities in industries like healthcare, education, and logistics.
Regulations like the EU AI Act will shape how these technologies are developed and used. By setting boundaries for high-risk systems and ensuring ethical practices, the Act encourages innovation that’s both responsible and sustainable. This ensures that while AI continues to solve problems and create opportunities, it also addresses societal concerns like privacy, fairness and trust.
As these agents become more widespread, they’ll enable organizations to achieve more with fewer resources, making them indispensable for the future of IT.
Ethics in IT will become a central focus as technologies like AI and big data evolve. One of the most pressing concerns is data privacy. Without clear guidelines, sensitive information could be misused, whether by accident or design. For example, an AI system might process private customer data without proper safeguards, leading to unintended consequences. Establishing strong protocols to protect this data will be essential.
Algorithmic transparency is another critical area. As AI systems make more decisions, understanding how these decisions are made becomes vital. Bias in AI models can have far-reaching implications, particularly in areas like hiring or lending. Ensuring fairness and accountability in algorithms is a challenge we must address head-on.
The EU AI Act has already set a precedent for regulating high-risk systems, emphasizing oversight and accountability. I think this is a step in the right direction. It’s about finding a balance – pushing forward with innovation while ensuring technologies are used responsibly and with public trust.
Lastly, there’s the question of societal impact. AI should be a tool for good, reducing inequalities rather than reinforcing them. Ethical IT isn’t just about avoiding harm; it’s about actively contributing to a fairer, better world.
IT, especially AI, will reshape how we work and collaborate. By taking over repetitive tasks, AI allows people to focus on creative and strategic projects that drive real value.
At Apify, we’ve made it a priority to give our teams access to AI tools and share insights about them. This frees up skilled teams to concentrate on solving bigger, more complex challenges. A great example is how Intercom uses Apify to feed web data to its AI chatbot, Fin, for customer support. We’ve been using Fin ourselves and it’s helping our support team deal with routine queries, giving them more time to spend on customers with tricky issues.
Remote work will also benefit immensely from AI-driven tools. Real-time language translation can make global teams more connected, while predictive analytics can help teams anticipate and solve problems faster. While I see huge value in having teams regularly collaborate in a shared environment and in person, remote work gives people the flexibility to fit work into their lives.
I also believe IT will redefine what it means to work together. Collaboration tools that integrate AI can foster a deeper connection between team members by making communication easier and workflows smoother. As remote and hybrid work models become the norm, these innovations will bridge gaps that once seemed insurmountable.
Ultimately, IT won’t just improve efficiency – it will change the way we think about work itself. By removing barriers to communication, IT enables teams to focus on innovation, creativity and meaningful collaboration, no matter where they are.
The most valuable skills for IT professionals will combine technical expertise with adaptability and communication. Staying current with emerging tools and technologies is, of course, essential. But, again, I think it’s just as important to be flexible – to learn quickly and adapt to new challenges as the world changes.
Going back to AI, it will be absolutely crucial for IT professionals in the near future to be competent at using AI tools, coding agents and copilots. Some devs remain sceptical of these, but they could easily find themselves left behind while others brainstorm and do market research with AI, develop tools and software faster with AI, and then get to market quickly with the help of AI-written copy and docs.
Finally, curiosity and a willingness to experiment will be invaluable. AI is acting as an accelerator and we’re starting to think in terms of weeks and months, rather than years when it comes to refreshing skills. It’s not enough to learn a programming language and assume that it will provide you with a career for the next decade. You have to keep learning, get involved in open-source software projects, find communities and generally become an active participant in creating the tools you want and others need.
Again, I’ll mention AI agents. They’re a huge opportunity that’s only starting to be explored. These smaller, purpose-built systems offer a more efficient way to solve problems than general-purpose AI. By working together, they can tackle complex challenges that no single system could handle. I think businesses that embrace this approach will find themselves better positioned to innovate.
I also think IT has a huge role to play in addressing larger societal challenges, like sustainability. From smarter AI-powered energy systems to tools that help reduce waste, there’s a lot of potential for IT to contribute to a greener, more sustainable future.
Another overlooked area of opportunity lies in IT’s role in bridging the digital divide. While access to technology has improved globally, many communities still lack the infrastructure or skills to fully participate in the digital economy. Developers can help change this.
For instance, localized AI applications, such as educational platforms tailored to underserved areas, could transform access to learning and career opportunities. Apify is deeply involved in finding ways to open up the global market to developers anywhere in the world, both by supporting and attending meetups and making it easy to earn revenue from their software on Apify Store.
Finally, IT’s contribution to predictive analytics could transform disaster response and resource allocation. Imagine using real-time data and AI to anticipate supply chain bottlenecks or coordinate relief efforts during a natural disaster. These are areas where IT could make a significant difference beyond traditional business applications.
