Researcher in Residence · Co-Founder

Leonardo De la Hoz Borrego.

Co-Founder & Director — jAvIer Institute MTÜ
First Researcher in Residence
Co-founder — LedeLab Group OÜ
e-Resident Estonia · Based in Barranquilla, Colombia

Researcher at the intersection of conversational AI, preventive health behaviour, and educational communities. MA in Educational Technology, University of Tartu 2026. Co-Founder of jAvIer Institute — an AI-native independent research institution registered in Estonia.

jAvIer Institute MTÜ · Researcher Profile
Active
Full name
Leonardo Javier De la Hoz Borrego
Role
Co-Founder · Director · Researcher in Residence
Institution
jAvIer Institute MTÜ
Tallinn, Estonia · Est. 2026
Education
MA Educational Technology
University of Tartu, 2026
Research
AI Extender Framework TTM · COM-B Behavioural Change EdTech Preventive Health
Location
Barranquilla, Colombia
Legal seat: Tallinn, Estonia
Research

Founding work &
active inquiries.

My research centres on conversational AI as a behavioural intervention tool — studying how AI agents can support, extend, and guide lasting human change in health and educational contexts.

✦ Foundational · MA Thesis 2026

AI Extender Framework

Original empirical contribution of jAvIer Institute. The AI Extender is a mechanism by which conversational AI agents extend human reflective capacity — supporting early-stage behavioural readiness without replacing human relationships. Derived from a qualitative study with 20 Colombian parents using the jAvIer GPT agent.

MA Thesis · University of Tartu, 2026

Reflecting on Health and Sustainability: A GPT-powered Intervention

Qualitative study exploring how a custom GPT agent (jAvIer) facilitated health behaviour reflection among Colombian school parents. Five emergent themes: invisible routine awareness, emotional tension, emergent agency via micro-decisions, family dynamics as behavioural reinforcer, and ambivalence toward sustainability.

In preparation · BJET target

TTM Stage Estimation via AI Conversation Language Analysis

Methodological paper derived from the MA thesis. Novel contribution: estimating Transtheoretical Model readiness stages through natural language analysis of AI conversations — without structured instruments. Target journal: British Journal of Educational Technology (BJET).

PhD · Proposal stage 2026

Conversational AI as Preventive Health Behaviour Change Tools in Educational Communities

Doctoral research agenda: scaling, cross-cultural validation, and theoretical deepening of the AI Extender mechanism. Theory-driven framework for AI-mediated lifestyle interventions. Affiliated with jAvIer Institute as primary research seat.

Built from
many worlds.

Over two decades spanning engineering, business, and digital innovation across Colombia, Estonia, and the Caribbean. Now focused entirely on the research question that has always been underneath: how does human behaviour actually change — and how can AI help?

2026
Founded jAvIer Institute MTÜ
Registered in Estonia on May 25 — his 53rd birthday. First AI-native independent research institution in the group. First Researcher in Residence.
2026
MA — University of Tartu
Master's degree in Educational Technology. Thesis: AI-mediated health behaviour change with Colombian parents. Foundational empirical work for the AI Extender Framework.
2023
LedeLab Group OÜ — Estonia
Founded LedeLab as the technology and commercialisation arm. e-Resident Estonia. Platform for AI product development and institutional infrastructure.
2020+
be360 · GrupoProtemad · I+DE
Preventive health venture (be360), materials bioprotection (Protemad), and R&D (I+DE). Multi-sector portfolio across Barranquilla, Miami, and the Caribbean.
1994+
Engineering · Industry · Barranquilla
Over three decades of work in engineering, construction, and industrial services. Foundation of operational discipline and real-world systems thinking.
Contact

Research.
Collaboration. Ideas.

Open to academic collaboration, research partnerships, speaking invitations, and conversations about AI-guided behaviour change in health and education.

Research & Institute
leonardo@javierinstitute.org
For academic collaboration, research partnerships, speaking invitations.
Technology & Business
leonardo@ledelab.group
For technology partnerships, LedeLab ventures, and commercial enquiries.
jAvIer Institute
javierinstitute.org
Research, programs, and institutional information.
LedeLab Group
ledelab.group
Technology ventures and AI infrastructure. Estonia.