Get to know our new CTO – Astrid
Astrid coded her first website at 10, rocks out in mosh pits, and practices yoga to recharge. Now, as Gemz’s new Chief Technology Officer, she’s bringing her passion for design, technology, and sustainability to lead the development of a platform that’s set to revolutionize secondhand fashion.
Astrid Mathilde Boberg will be leading the product development at Gemz, ensuring that we launch a product that meets the users' needs and aligns with our vision and business strategy.
Astrid Mathilde Boberg | Head of Product @Gemz
If you were to describe yourself with 3️⃣ adjectives, what would they be and why?
Empathetic, goal-oriented, and positive. Empathetic because I feel other people's emotions deeply and often know exactly what they need. Goal-oriented because I know what I want and will do whatever it takes to achieve it. Positive because I embrace new challenges and am determined to solve any problem. If it's something I haven't done before, I find a way to figure it out!
How old are you and where are you from?
I’m 26 years old, and my roots are in Northern Troms – specifically Kvænangen and Skjervøy.
Where do you live now and what do you do?
For the last four years, I’ve been living in Oslo (mostly in Grünerløkka!), where I’m pursuing a five-year master's degree in design at the Oslo School of Architecture and Design (AHO). I also have a background as a web developer and web designer, and I have a craft certificate in graphic design.
Can you tell us a bit more about your education and what led you to pursue a master's degree? 👩🏻🎓
I started studying because I wanted to have a greater impact and contribute to solving real-world problems and challenges in society. For a long time, I was unsure whether to study design or technology, and when it was time to apply, I went through a bit of an identity crisis, especially when I unexpectedly got into AHO. I accepted and chose design, but regretted it for an entire year. I missed coding! Fortunately, AHO has allowed me to engage in coding projects alongside my studies.
Today, I’m confident I made the right choice. So far, I’ve explored everything from product design and service design to interaction design and system-oriented design. It’s been quite a broad design education! Now, in my third year, I’ve specialized in interaction design, focusing particularly on digital product development.
☕️ or 🫖, and why?
Tea in the fall and winter, but always coffee in the morning, every day of the year!
What do you do in your free time, and why do you enjoy doing it?
When I’m not at AHO or working on my own projects, I practice yoga, read books, or write. I love learning new things, not just academically, but also for personal growth. I’ve also worked a lot on improving my relationship with my body, and yoga has been key to that. Additionally, I’ve always had a love for horses and look after a Nordland Horse a couple of times a week. It helps me unwind and connect with myself, plus it’s a great motivator to get outside during the dark winter months.
“I’ve always had a love for horses and look after a Nordland Horse a couple of times a week.”
What’s one thing about yourself that not many people know? Call it a "fun fact."
I loved photography as a child and noticed that many people had their own website for their photos. I wanted one too, so I taught myself to code. That’s how I ended up coding my first website at 10 years old!
What song has been on repeat for you this past month?
"Nathan (still breathing)" by Fred Again.
Can you share a personal or professional milestone you're proud to have achieved?
It has to be this – getting the chance to work on Gemz! There’s a lot of new technology to dive into, and plenty of new challenges to tackle, like how we can use artificial intelligence in a resource-efficient and sustainable way. Working with Gemz is challenging, but it also provides a sense of accomplishment. Plus, it’s the perfect opportunity to learn more about digital product development and actually apply what I’m learning at university in real life.
It’s Friday, you’re just done with work/school, what do you do the rest of the evening?
Ideally, I’m either at a metal concert 🤘🏻 letting off steam in a mosh pit or sipping wine with friends, talking about life. But on a typical Friday, I’ll cook something delicious for dinner, drink soda, and watch a TV show. Right now, I’m rewatching Mad Men!
What "self-care" practices do you actively engage in your daily routine to take care of yourself and maintain a healthy work-life balance?
I listen to my body and pay attention to my energy levels, adjusting my work or study day accordingly. If I feel productive and full of energy, I go full speed ahead and often have longer days. If I’m feeling drained, I allow myself a slower pace, maybe starting the workday a bit later, using the morning for a walk in daylight, reading a little, or visiting my favorite café for an extra good cup of coffee. Often, my energy returns in the afternoon, and then I can be more productive!
Why did you want to join the development of Gemz? What is it about this 💡 that made you want to join the team?
Working with Gemz isn’t just the perfect opportunity to apply what I’m learning in my studies; it also aligns with my personal values and what I want to use my skills for. In many ways, Gemz is exactly what I’ve been looking for – being part of developing a digital product that I truly believe will make a huge difference for both people and our planet. I’m proud to be part of the team and look forward to what’s to come!
You’re now stepping into the role of CTO at Gemz. What does this role mean for you, and what tasks are you most excited to take on?
I’ll be leading the product development at Gemz, ensuring that we launch a product that meets the users' needs, aligns with our vision and business strategy, and is built in a resource-efficient way that minimizes carbon emissions. Right now, I’m most excited to start developing an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) so that we can quickly test the concept and iterate toward the best solution.
What does sustainability 🌱 mean to you personally, and how does this reflect in the way you work?
I’m a self-proclaimed climate pessimist and worry a lot about the climate. I’ve long been committed to making green choices in everyday life, and I believe this is also crucial when it comes to technology. All websites and digital services are stored on servers that need power 24/7 and large amounts of water to cool them down. This requires a lot of energy and contributes to huge carbon emissions. That’s why it’s so important to choose technical solutions that require the fewest resources possible and servers powered by green, renewable energy.
How do you see Gemz’s role in promoting the circular economy ♻️ and reducing the environmental impact of clothing consumption?
I believe that we can’t force people to change their habits; instead, we should encourage and make it easier to make more sustainable choices. With Gemz, we’re making it easier to keep track of the clothes you already own, and it’s even easier to buy and sell second hand. To reduce clothing consumption, we need to make reuse cool, and many actors are doing an excellent job at this. It’s made people more aware of the environmental impact of their clothing consumption, and more and more are moving away from fast fashion, but they still lack an overview of what they own. Gemz will provide that overview, and I believe that will be crucial in reducing overall consumption.
What are your thoughts on future sustainable solutions within technology and fashion? How does your interest in sustainability influence how you approach product development at Gemz?
When it comes to technology, I’m skeptical about the increasing use of artificial intelligence. I believe there’s too little focus on how large language models like Gemini and OpenAI impact the climate. Like websites, these language models run on servers that require large amounts of energy and water to cool them down. A single query in ChatGPT can use up to 25 times the energy of a simple Google search.
For me, it’s important to choose technical solutions powered by renewable energy and design digital products in a way that requires the fewest resources possible. When using artificial intelligence, I’ll avoid large language models as much as possible and instead use local language models that run on the user’s device. This reduces the resources required to use the product and gives us a digital product with the smallest possible carbon footprint.
If you were to give one tip to people who want to live more sustainably, what would it be?
Becoming aware of the clothes we wear and the food we eat is, I think, the most important thing we can do as individuals to live more sustainably. Get an overview of the clothes you own, buy second hand instead of new, and choose natural textiles with good durability. Eat less meat and more vegetables, and choose local ingredients when you can. And remember that doing a little is much better than doing nothing!
