AI Consulting & Architecture
AI Strategy & Solution Design
AI Consulting · Lisbon, Portugal
AI Consulting, Agents and Automation in Portugal
We build AI agents and automation for companies — from focused SME projects to larger organisations — scoped end to end and integrated with the systems they already use.
BigLearn is a Portuguese applied AI boutique, with direct senior involvement from diagnosis to implementation.
Lisbon, Portugal · working in English and Portuguese
We have been doing this since 2017 and there are six of us: AI architecture, software engineering, DevOps and security, design and copy, operations, and legal counsel and compliance. We work mostly with Portuguese SMEs of 20 to 200 people — the size where processes are already written down and someone owns them, but there is no in-house AI team yet. The number is the size of the unit we work inside, not a ceiling on the company: several of our clients are groups with many hundreds of employees, on projects scoped to a department or an operation of that size.
Most AI projects fail in the same place: someone picks a tool and then goes looking for a problem it might solve. We work the other way round. We take one process that is costing the company time, map how it actually runs today, and only then decide whether AI is the right instrument for it. Sometimes it isn't, and saying so early is worth more than a project that quietly goes nowhere.
What we build integrates with what you already run — ERP, CRM, email, the spreadsheets that hold the business together. Replacing working software is expensive and is rarely the reason a process is slow.
We reach for the simplest mechanism that solves the problem, and we can justify every choice line by line when a client asks why. That is not purism: it is what still works three years later, after the fashionable framework has been abandoned.
Who We Are
BigLearn is a Portuguese artificial intelligence consulting company, founded in Lisbon in 2017. We specialise in AI consulting for SMEs, mostly companies of 20 to 200 people that already have structured processes but do not yet have an in-house artificial intelligence team. We also work with large groups and multinationals, usually on projects scoped to a single department, business unit or operation. What matters is the size of the unit we work inside, not the organisation’s total headcount.
We are not a digital agency that added AI to its catalogue. We are a boutique of applied business AI. When the problem calls for it, the work comes close to technological haute couture: bespoke AI solutions, designed and integrated into the company’s own processes and systems. Internally we prefer architects — of AI and of IT, with business judgement and the ability to speak the corporate language.
We work with a senior team directly involved in the diagnosis, architecture, development and implementation. Whoever takes part in the first conversation follows the solution being built, with no sales layer in between. Before accepting a project, we assess whether it solves a real problem. When the honest answer is that it is not worth it, we say so — it is written into our case studies.
We have been writing software since long before the current wave of generative AI. That is why we start with the process and only then talk about technology. The first question is not «which model do we use?», but «what happens today, how much time is lost and what is that time worth?». After implementation we measure again, so that the ROI is a result rather than a promise.
Full profile & credentials
Senior IT Architect & AI Strategy Leader | Agentic AI & Business Automation | Enterprise Architecture | CIO / CISO Advisory | Cloud, Cybersecurity, Resilience & Digital Transformation | Lisbon, Portugal
Background & Credentials
- 🎓 M.Sc. & B.Sc. in Computer Science Engineering — NOVA FCT/UNL
- 🎓 PhD in Management — in progress, Universidade Europeia
- 🎓 Former University Specialist Lecturer in IT — Portuguese Banking University (ISGB/IFB)
- 💼 Former IBM — Project Management, IT Architecture Programme & IT Sales certifications
- 💼 Information Security Management System (ISO 27001) — Bureau Veritas
AI & Technology Leadership
AI strategy and architecture, Agentic AI, Generative AI, business automation, enterprise systems integration and digital transformation. Experience spanning technology strategy, solution architecture, project leadership, cybersecurity, resilience and business development, with a strong focus on turning AI capabilities into measurable business outcomes.
Combines technical depth with business and management experience, from identifying high-value AI use cases and defining architecture to governance, implementation, adoption and executive stakeholder management. Experienced in multidisciplinary, multicultural and complex international environments.
Beyond Technology
Portuguese Gen X, husband, father, skipper and entrepreneur. Strong interpersonal skills, multicultural mindset and a practical, problem-solving approach to leadership.
Bruno Marques Horta is a Portuguese entrepreneur, Gen X, AI consultant and founder of BigLearn in 2017. In 2006 he left IBM to found Biclas.com, a bicycle and urban mobility venture that grew from online retail to physical stores in Lisbon and was sold in 2016. In 2012 he co-founded Viva Superstars, a technology and digital experiences company now named Magycal. Between 2019 and 2024 he invested in real estate, creating Alcantara Palace SMI. That path through technology, mobility, media, real estate and management underpins his practical approach to consulting and to building artificial intelligence solutions.
Top skills: Artificial Intelligence Strategy • AI Architecture • Agentic AI • Business Automation • Strategic Planning • Enterprise Architecture • Digital Transformation • Project Management • Cybersecurity • Executive Advisory
Full profile & credentials
Lawyer and Legal Counsel at BigLearn | Compliance and AI Governance | GDPR and the EU AI Act | Banking Law and Operational Risk | Lisbon, Portugal
Background & Credentials
- ⚖️ Lawyer — Portuguese Bar Association licence no. 12901L
- 🎓 Law degree — University of Lisbon
- 🎓 Four postgraduate qualifications in Law — University of Coimbra
- 💼 Senior Legal Advisor — Banco Comercial Português, 1991–2003
- 💼 General Manager, responsible for Legal, Compliance and Operational Risk — BBVA Portugal, 2003–2008
- 💼 General Counsel, responsible for Internal Audit, Legal, Compliance, Operational Risk and Customer Complaints — Barclays Bank PLC Portugal, 2008–2012
Legal Counsel, Compliance & AI Governance
More than 30 years of legal experience, including two decades in the banking sector. His background combines legal advisory, compliance, operational risk, internal audit and customer complaint handling in international financial institutions.
At BigLearn, he oversees the legal framework and governance of artificial intelligence projects, with a focus on data protection, GDPR and the European Artificial Intelligence Regulation (EU AI Act), working alongside the technical team from the solution design stage onwards.
Top skills: Legal Counsel • Compliance • Banking Law • Operational Risk • GDPR • EU AI Act • AI Governance • Internal Audit
AI CONSULTING SERVICES
Applied Artificial Intelligence Engineering
Artificial Intelligence Solutions for Real Business Needs
AI Automation & Agents
AI Business Automation
Increase productivity with AI automation and intelligent agents applied to business processes (BPM). We develop bespoke AI solutions to automate administrative, sales and operational tasks, reduce repetitive work and accelerate critical processes. Our AI agents can interpret information, execute tasks, interact with systems and support teams across business workflows. Solutions integrate with your existing applications, data and processes, delivering efficiency gains without replacing your entire technology infrastructure.
Digital Transformation, SEO, AEO
Digital Visibility & AI First WebDesign
We specialise in Digital Transformation (DX) with an AI-first approach, combining consulting and development across Web Design, UI/UX, WordPress and other CMS platforms. We complement traditional SEO with AEO (Answer Engine Optimization), structuring content to improve brand visibility both in search engines and in answers generated by Artificial Intelligence platforms. We integrate Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) into your digital presence and develop effective, scalable business solutions for SMEs, focused on measurable business outcomes.
AI Boutique & Bespoke Solutions
Custom AI Engineering
We select and integrate standard market solutions when they are the right answer. When your processes, data or competitive differentiation require it, we build bespoke AI agents, applications and software, with direct senior involvement and world-class engineering standards. Always with a focus on ROI, scalability, security and integration with existing systems.
AI Training for Business
AI Training & Adoption
Practical AI training for management and teams, adapted to real roles and business processes. Our 360° support includes safe AI use, onboarding, documentation, handover, best practices, data governance, human oversight and compliance with GDPR and the EU AI Act. We enable teams to apply Artificial Intelligence independently, confidently and with measurable impact.
AI Governance, Compliance & Audit
AI Governance, EU AI Act, GDPR and Cybersecurity
We audit the company’s AI systems against the regulations currently in force, covering data transparency, AI explainability and cybersecurity. We define AI governance and data governance, including the location, sharing, retention and sovereignty of the data. We combine the technical and organisational analysis with legal counsel from a specialist lawyer to assess regulatory compliance for AI and data, delivering prioritised gaps, recommended controls and a remediation plan for the business.
AI SOLUTIONS BY BIGLEARN
Artificial Intelligence Solutions by Industry
We provide Artificial Intelligence solutions for industries where we already understand the processes, terminology and systems — hospitality, local government, real estate, HR and media. We develop AI solutions, agents, automation and integrations adapted to the specific requirements of each industry. This sector knowledge enables us to adapt solutions faster to your business, reducing implementation time and accelerating results.
See the solutions by industry →WE ARE IN LISBON, PORTUGAL
Talk to us
Your AI consultancy in Portugal — working in English and Portuguese.
+351 960 010 800
Charged at national mobile rate
Mon–Fri 09:30 – 18:00
Frequently asked questions
What does an AI project with BigLearn actually look like?
It starts with one process, not with a technology. We map how the work is done today, where the time goes and what the data looks like. If there is a case worth building, we scope it with a defined outcome, timeline and cost before anything is built. If there isn't, we say so.
Do we have to replace our existing systems?
No. Most of what we build runs against the systems a company already has — ERP, CRM, email, spreadsheets. Replacing working software is expensive and rarely the reason a process is slow. We integrate first, and only recommend replacing something when it is genuinely the blocker.
What is an AI agent, in practical terms?
A workflow that can take several steps on its own — read a document, look something up, decide what to do next, write the result somewhere. The useful ones are narrow and supervised: they handle a specific task end to end and hand back anything they are not sure about, rather than trying to run the business.
How long does a project take?
It depends on the project. A proof of concept can be delivered in 2-4 weeks. Process automation projects typically take 1-3 months. Broader digital transformation programmes can take 3-6 months. We also have clients on retainers and on annual or multi-year contracts, where that makes sense for their business. A first working version that people can actually use tends to matter more than a complete one, because it changes what the next decision should be.
Do you work with companies outside Portugal?
We are based in Lisbon and work mainly with Portuguese companies, from SMEs to larger organisations. We work in English and take on international projects where the work suits remote delivery.
What does BigLearn not do?
Some things, and we say so upfront. We do not build spam, cold-calling or unsolicited mass-contact systems. We do not take projects without an owner on the client side who has time allocated. We do not resell licences or take vendor commissions, which keeps the technical recommendation independent. When a simple rule solves the problem better than AI, we say so. We also do not build systems that make decisions affecting people without transparency and effective human oversight. And we do not proceed without data governance: the origin, processing, location, sovereignty, access, security, retention and any reuse of the data must be known. Finally, we do not take on work that goes against the law, applicable regulation or ethical principles — even where it is technically possible.
How does BigLearn help companies implement AI Governance?
BigLearn assesses the company's AI systems and defines responsibilities, approval processes, usage policies, human oversight, documentation, monitoring and incident response. We combine AI architecture, engineering, cybersecurity and legal advisory to turn the EU AI Act and GDPR into controls that can be applied to real business operations.
How does BigLearn address Data Governance and Data Sovereignty?
BigLearn analyses how data is collected, processed, protected, stored and deleted, including its quality, access controls, retention and traceability. We also assess where data is processed, which providers, subcontractors and jurisdictions can access it, and whether the company retains effective control over its data, models and business knowledge.
How much does an AI project with BigLearn cost?
Turn-key AI consulting and development projects typically range from €5,000 to €25,000, and retainers for maintenance, monitoring, support and continuous improvement from €250 to €2,500 per month. These are indicative ranges: the figure depends on scope, the size of the operation, integrations, data, cybersecurity and governance requirements. In selected cases the proof of concept is free, so you can see real results before any commitment, and we always present a proposal with defined deliverables, timeline and cost before starting.
Does BigLearn only work with SMEs?
No. We work mostly with Portuguese SMEs of 20 to 200 people, but also with smaller companies when there is a process with enough value, frequency or impact to justify the project. A small company can have a more valuable problem to solve than an entire department of a multinational. We also work with large groups and multinationals, usually on projects scoped to a business unit, department or operation.