Artificial Intelligence
Sapir Hadad, Executive Director Of AI Innovation At Fiverr On What AI Can’t Replace: Creativity And Empathy
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Overview
In this edition of Discover Dialogues, Nikhil Sonawane, Media Relations Lead talks to Sapir Hadad—an entrepreneur turned AI innovation leader—about how organizations can build AI systems that deliver more than just speed: systems that deliver trust, value and human dignity.
In a world where artificial intelligence is one of the most debated topics in business and society, Sapir Hadad stands out for one reason: she insists on putting humans before machines. As Executive Director of AI Innovation at Fiverr, she guides a global freelance marketplace through the opportunities—and challenges—of embedding AI into everyday work.
From Wall Street to Startup Founder
Sapir’s story began in finance and analytics, where she developed an early appreciation for data and structure. What followed was a leap into entrepreneurship: founding two AI companies that ultimately exited, before stepping into a leadership role at Fiverr. These experiences form the backbone of her belief that innovation must be grounded in operational discipline, human insight and ethical clarity.
Defining Responsible and Ethical AI
When we asked her how she defines "ethical AI," her answer was concise: “Any system should protect the person who builds it, the person who uses it, and the person who’s impacted by it.” She lays out three non‑negotiables: human oversight, bias mitigation, and user control. For her, ethics is not a checkbox—it’s design thinking in motion.
She explains how AI tools at Fiverr have been developed with these principles in mind, ensuring creators retain usage rights, clients understand how outputs are generated, and internal workflows are kept transparent.
The Future of Work in a Gig Economy Era
With Fiverr at the centre of the freelance world, Sapir is acutely aware of the shift in work models. She argues that while AI will automate many tasks, it will also create new roles and value chains. For freelancers, the message is clear: harness AI as a creative partner—not dread it as a competitor. She points out the importance of curiosity over credentials: “You don’t need to study computer science to use AI—but you do need to start playing with it.”
Agentic AI: Ambition vs Reality
There’s plenty of buzz around autonomous agents and fully independent AI systems. However, Sapir cautions that those systems are not yet broadly usable. She articulates how the current state of agentic AI often relies on heavy human orchestration behind the scenes. The takeaway: treat agentic concepts as future vision, not present execution.
Fiverr’s AI Strategy and Real‑World Impact
Under her leadership, Fiverr is deploying AI across over 800 service categories—from design and voice to complex workflows. One key internal example: the Fiverr AI assistant, which reportedly increased freelancer conversion rates by 8% and live session conversion by 50%+. She frames Fiverr’s scale and diversity of services as a “candy shop” for AI experimentation, enabling multiple real‑world learnings about what works and what doesn’t.
Leadership and Empathy in Tech
Sapir’s leadership philosophy blends empathy and agility. She rejects the traditional notion of long hours and face‑time. Instead, she emphasises outcomes over hours, allowing team members to go home once goals are met. As both a mother and a leader, she advocates for workplace cultures that empower rather than burden. For her, leading in the AI era is not about being the smartest in the room—it’s about being curious, inclusive and forward‑looking.
If you’re navigating AI in your business or career, Sapir offers this advice: Start using AI. Be curious. Don’t let the hype scare you. Technology will change—but how we lead, create and empathise will remain the differentiators.
About Sapir Hadad:
Sapir Hadad is an entrepreneur, product strategist, and Forbes 30 Under 30 honouree, currently serving as the Executive Director of AI Innovation at Fiverr. With a background in economics and machine learning, she has founded and successfully exited two AI startups—one in no-code financial modelling and another in generative content optimization. At Fiverr, Sapir leads the development of responsible, human-cantered AI solutions that empower freelancers rather than replace them. Her leadership is marked by a unique blend of technical depth, ethical clarity, and empathetic decision-making, making her a standout voice in the evolving conversation around AI, innovation, and the future of work.
Ready to embrace AI not just as a tool, but as a partner? Dive into this full conversation with Sapir Hadad and reflect on how you can lead with empathy, build responsibly and scale for human impact.
Tue, Nov 11, 2025
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