The foundation of most current AI is neural networks, which approximate how humans and all other animals "think".  While this approach has resulted in some amazing technologies that begin to approach true reasoning, there are two large issues: we are emulating a biological system using digital computers, and that biological system is the result of billions of years of happen-chance evolution and is far less than optimal.  As Darwin said, the appearance of design is illusory.

Emulating a sub-optimal biologic process on digital computers is likely resulting in highly inefficient AI systems.

I believe modeling intelligence using neural networks is a stop-gap measure until we have true Native Artificial Intelligence.  Native AI will occur when the perceptrons of neural networks are replaced with higher order functional programming nodes.  These nodes will likely be wired together using familiar model training and fine-tuning techniques.

The first generation of Native AI will be linear, with fixed inputs, then inference, and an output. Recursive Native AI, with continuous input, inference, feedback, and output will result in parity with what a digital computer could accomplish with optimal native code.

We are the Intelligent Designers

The emergence of digital intelligence would not have happened without us.  We are witnessing a jump in evolution, as it transitions from point mutations in DNA tested over millennia, to intelligently designed architectures trained using intentional data in mere days.

The next 20 years is going to be a roller-coaster of achievements and challenges, and the most amazing period ever to be alive.

I'm diving back into AI after having meandered through government cryptographic apps, blockchain, and emergency management.  I'm fortunate that I already have two other machine learning companies, Tempo.AI (acquired by Salesforce) and Nuance Communications (went public), under my belt where I was able to layer applications and user experience on top of innovative uses of ML.

Edge Smart is bringing the power of AI to all the edge devices and I'm incredibly excited to see how we can transform the world.

Mobido

Mobido is my consulting company that helps both new startups and established companies with struggling engineering teams/projects.  In the past I've helped quickly scale teams, realign engineers with the best management and engineering practices, and hit deadlines.

Engagements last from several months, to several years.

Presdo/Hub - Blockchain Engineer

I helped Presdo explore applications of blockchain to trust protocols. I wrote token contracts derived from Open Zeppelin, and built apps using web3 and a local geth node.

Tempo.ai - Product Manager

Before Mobido I was a Product Manager at Tempo.ai. While at Tempo I also helped scale the servers, coded with the iOS team, and managed the Android engineering team. We were acquired by Salesforce in 2016 and integrated into the RelateIQ team which became SalesforceIQ.

AllTheCooks/Yum-Yum Labs - Founder/CEO

In 2011, I started Yum-Yum Labs with Raj Singh with an eye towards mobile health. Our early focus was the impact your diet has on health. After discussing our goals with Rafael Sanches, he quickly built a cooking app around our APIs, did some masterful marketing and SEO, and garnered 50K downloads in a single week. We pivoted the company, and turned the app into the #1 cooking app on Android. Two years later AllTheCooks was acquired by Cookpad.

Nuance Communications - Manager, Strategic Partnerships

I joined Nuance in 1999 to build an engineering team to create the Voyager Voice Web Server and bolster our IPO. After shipping the product my focus shifted to sales and I joined the Voyager strategic sales team. To open up the market I then moved into marketing where I managed our large strategic partnerships.

I like to tinker with mechanical things. Call it a response to years of programming computers, and the need for tanglible puzzles.

My current project is converting an M101A1 trailer into a camping setup for my kids with a roof top tent. A one-owner 1990 Vanagon has found me and I'm working through the details to acquire it. It appears to need some basic maintenance, but otherwise is in very good shape. I'm already dreaming of a Highway 1 trip with SUPs on the roof!

Adventure West is my blog for outdoor activities including Jeep and motorcycle trips, and general trip preparation.

A few years back I became active in the local emergency response community:

• Member of Disaster Management Initiative at Carnegie-Melon
• Board member of Southern Peninsula Emergency Communications System
• Volunteer for the Civilian Emergency Response Team for the Los Altos Hills County Fire District