Welcome Back Alexander Flaig – Qlik Educator Ambassador for 2026!

[ElizCayirli]

At Linköping University, Alexander Flaig isn’t just teaching analytics — he’s rethinking how we prepare students for a world increasingly shaped by AI.

Returning as a Qlik Educator Ambassador for 2026, Alexander continues to evolve his course beyond traditional boundaries, combining hands-on analytics, data literacy, and a growing focus on artificial intelligence.

[ElizCayirli]

The impact of this approach is already clear.

“Since our last conversation, another student landed a role in data governance after engaging with the data literacy content in the Academic Program”, Alexander shares. “They found the Qlik learning experience fascinating — and it directly influenced their career direction”.

It’s a simple but powerful example of how exposure to real tools and real concepts can open doors — especially in emerging areas like data governance.

While Qlik remains a core part of the curriculum, Alexander is now taking things a step further.

He’s redesigning his course from the ground up — with AI at the centre.

“I’ve already started integrating more AI into the course, and the next iteration will be a full redesign”, he explains. “It’s something I want to refine through experience, but I believe it will fundamentally change how students learn analytics”.

His goal is clear: to develop business analysts who can work with AI — while still understanding the logic behind the tools they use.

He also brings an honest perspective on the challenges facing higher education today.

“There was already a growing gap between what universities teach and what the job market needs. Now, with AI, we’re seeing something even bigger — knowledge itself is becoming more accessible, and some entry-level roles are starting to disappear”.

Rather than seeing this as a threat, Alexander sees it as a necessary shift.

He compares it to aviation:

“Modern planes rely heavily on autopilot, but pilots still need to know how to fly. In the same way, students need to understand analytics tools — even if AI handles part of the process”.

That balance — between automation and understanding — is becoming central to how he teaches.

New focus: Agentic analytics and what comes next

Looking ahead, Alexander expects analytics to evolve alongside wider changes in the economy.

“With the rise of agentic systems, we’ll likely see new types of KPIs focused on automated or agent-driven processes. This will also lead to the emergence of ‘agent analytics’ as a field”.

By introducing these ideas early, he’s not just teaching students how to use today’s tools — he’s preparing them for what’s coming next.

Alongside his teaching, Alexander has also taken on a new role within the university as an AI Ambassador.

Here, he acts as a central point of expertise, supporting how AI is introduced and managed across programmes.

“One of my key priorities is helping ensure programmes become ‘AI-proof’ — either by integrating AI effectively or by designing ways to manage its use in academic settings”.

After a strong experience last year, returning to the Qlik Educator Ambassador programme was a natural next step. Through this role, Alexander continues to expand awareness of Qlik in academia while deepening his own expertise.

With a clear focus on AI, a commitment to practical learning, and a forward-looking approach to education, Alexander represents a new generation of educators — those who are not just adapting to change, but actively shaping it.

To learn more about the Qlik Academic Program and access free Qlik Sense software and training resources, visit qlik.com/academicprogram