Interview with Julián Colombo, CEO of N5
In a conversation with Julián Colombo, CEO and founder of N5, we had the privilege of addressing topics that go beyond the current state of banking and the technologies that power our solutions. This time, we also ventured into asking for his thoughts on the future of our industry—and of the world ahead.
Guided by his clarity, we embarked on a journey that offers reassurance… and invites us to look toward the future with enthusiasm. Let’s hear what Julián has to say, here and now:
With your extensive experience in technology and your observation of how it’s transforming the job market, how do you envision the work of the future?
I believe the work of the future will not revolve around production, but around value creation. Technology will free us from many repetitive and operational tasks, and that will require us to focus on what truly makes us human: creativity, empathy, solving complex problems… At N5, for example, we use artificial intelligence to automate tasks, but that doesn’t mean replacing people—it means giving them more time to think strategically. The work of the future will be less about “doing for the sake of doing,” and more about “thinking to do better.”
Many philosophers and sociologists agree that what’s coming are societies largely funded by governments, where people won’t be devoted to production, but rather to consumption, through some form of Universal Basic Income. What’s your take on this?
I think it’s a possible scenario, but an incomplete one. It’s true that automation may displace jobs, and universal basic income is one way to mitigate the impact. But I also believe human beings need a sense of purpose beyond consumption. The key will be to find new ways to contribute—perhaps not tied to traditional employment. We’ll see the rise of social, cultural, creative, and scientific roles… ones that were previously marginal or unprofitable, and that now can become central because technology will have made that leap possible.
What human role will be required in the development and use of AI? How does it work at N5?
AI needs direction. It can do many things, but it doesn’t know what’s important, what’s ethical, or what’s relevant for a business strategy. That’s where the human role comes in. At N5, we use AI to speed up our processes—from development to customer service. But there’s always a person defining objectives, interpreting results, and adjusting the course. AI is a powerful tool, but without human judgment, it’s useless. We need people who know how to think with AI, not against it.
How important is education in taking advantage of these new tools?
Crucial. And I’m not just talking about learning to code or use digital tools. I mean education that teaches you how to think, how to adapt, how to question, how to learn continuously. Soft skills will be just as important—or even more so—than technical ones. At N5, we value the ability to learn quickly and adapt more than deep knowledge of a specific technology. The education of the future won’t be confined to classrooms, but will come from ongoing experience.
What do you think people will do with the time saved thanks to the systematization offered by new technologies? Or will constant innovation keep us focused solely on updating ourselves, endlessly chasing the latest trends?
Technology gives us time, but doesn’t tell us what to do with it. That’s the real challenge. Some people will use it to grow, to create, to connect more with others or with themselves. And others will get caught in an endless race to “stay up to date.” The real change isn’t technological—it’s cultural. Are we going to keep chasing everything, or will we consciously choose where it’s truly worth investing our energy?
What’s left for human creativity in a world where anyone has access to the best answers for every question?
That’s exactly why questions will be the most valuable thing. Human creativity won’t die because we have answers—it will flourish with new questions. In a world where everyone has access to the same information, the difference will lie in how people combine, interpret, and question it. AI gives you answers. But dreaming, imagining, connecting unlikely ideas… that remains a human domain. And at N5, we see this every day: the most disruptive things we do don’t come from a machine—they come from a good conversation between people who dare to think differently.
