How I Digitally Twinned Myself – And Why You Should Too
- Richard Keenlyside
- May 4
- 3 min read
TL;DR
I created a professional digital twin to amplify my reach, streamline communications, and future-proof my presence. Here’s how I did it—and why every executive should consider the same.
How I Digitally Twinned Myself – And Why You Should Too
By Richard Keenlyside
In today’s fast-paced, data-driven world, the way we present ourselves professionally is undergoing a significant transformation. As Global CIO at LoneStar Group and a seasoned transformation leader, I’ve always advocated leveraging technology to gain strategic advantage. So, it only made sense to apply that ethos to myself.
In short, I digitally twinned myself. Not just a digital profile—but a smart, interactive, AI-driven version of me, accessible 24/7. This digital twin encapsulates my expertise, thought leadership, and personal brand in a way that’s scalable, consistent, and ready for tomorrow.
Let’s break down what that means—and why you should seriously consider doing the same.
What is a Digital Twin in the Professional Context?
Originally rooted in manufacturing and engineering, a digital twin is a virtual replica of a physical object. Applied to people, it’s a living, learning digital persona that mirrors your experience, decision-making style, and communication tone. Imagine an AI-enhanced version of yourself that can network, advise, or even simulate your responses.
Why I Built Mine
For over three decades, I’ve been in boardrooms, data centres, M&A war rooms, and transformation programmes, always driving change through technology. With over 600 global team members, multiple advisory roles, and countless transformation projects under my belt, my time is finite. My knowledge, however, doesn’t have to be.
I digitised my professional profile into an AI-powered digital twin that can:
Answer routine stakeholder questions
Assist start-ups with advisory support
Deliver guided walkthroughs of transformation strategy
Interact on platforms like LinkedIn or embedded blog chatbots
It’s scalable executive presence—without the time drain.
How You Can Do It
Digitise Your Knowledge: Start with your CV, presentations, whitepapers—train a model (like ChatGPT) on them.
Define Your Tone: I gave mine a professional, strategic tone with conversational clarity—mirroring my leadership style.
Choose Your Use Cases: Mine focuses on mentoring, advisory roles, and business transformation Q&A.
Deploy Across Platforms: Embed it into your website, use it as a chatbot, or integrate it with Slack or Teams.
Iterate and Train: Like any AI, your twin improves with feedback. Let your network interact with it, and refine as needed.
The Business Case for Your Own Digital Twin
The advantages are compelling:
Time Multiplication: Focus your attention on high-impact activities, while the twin handles the rest.
Personal Brand at Scale: Reach more people in a consistent, authentic way.
Succession Planning & Knowledge Retention: Capture critical tacit knowledge.
Future-Proofing: AI-enhanced identity is the next evolution in executive branding.
Whether you're a CIO, startup founder, or thought leader, your digital twin is not just a novelty—it’s a strategic asset.
Real-World Application: My Experience at LoneStar & Quollify
At LoneStar Group, where I manage a five-year global IT strategy across six countries, time is precious. My twin helps support internal stakeholders by addressing policy questions and guiding cyber strategy adoption.
As an adviser at Quollify, I use my twin to interact with early-stage entrepreneurs, offering instant insights on MVP scaling, platform monetisation, and AI implementation. It’s a tool that enhances—not replaces—my engagement.
FAQs
Q: Does a digital twin replace you? No. It augments your reach. It’s your digital ambassador—not a substitute.
Q: Isn’t it expensive or time-consuming to create? Not necessarily. Tools like GPT, LinkedIn datasets, and chatbots can be integrated affordably and incrementally.
Q: What’s the biggest benefit you’ve seen? Time savings and brand consistency. My network gets value even when I’m not online.
Q: Can it evolve as I grow? Absolutely. Like any AI, it learns and updates, just like your career trajectory.
Closing Thoughts
Creating my digital twin was not just a tech experiment but a strategic move. As we approach an era of AI-driven interaction, your digital identity is as critical as your physical presence. If you lead, advise, or influence, your digital twin is your next big step.
Embrace it. Shape it. Lead with it.
Richard Keenlyside is the Global CIO for the LoneStar Group and a previous IT Director for J Sainsbury’s PLC.
Follow me on X https://x.com/cioinpractice & LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardkeenlyside/
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