Umut Bakın is the founder of Cognitive Industrial, a founder-led operational improvement practice. He works where strategy meets the reality of operations, with a focus on global supply chain, ERP transformation, AI, and the operating models that make change stick. His work starts with a simple question: has the transformation changed how the business makes decisions and gets work done, or has it only changed the system? He helps leaders simplify processes, clarify accountability, and connect investment in technology to better service, lower inventory, stronger cost control, and faster decisions.

Umut Bakın is the founder of Cognitive Industrial, a founder-led operational improvement practice. He works where strategy meets the reality of operations, with a focus on global supply chain, ERP transformation, AI, and the operating models that mak... Show more

KJ Kaushik is a seasoned Security Architect and DevSecOps & AI-Security Strategist with over a decade of expertise building and implementing secure, scalable frameworks and controls for modern enterprises. Through rigorous Threat modeling and risk management disciplines, he applies both quantitative and qualitative analytics to turn complexity into clarity, enabling organizations to prioritize the optimal controls for maximum ROI. With deep domain mastery spanning AI/ML security, SaaS, cloud, DevSecOps, application and platform security, KJ blends innovation with structured execution—elevating security from a checkpoint into a strategic growth accelerator.

KJ Kaushik is a seasoned Security Architect and DevSecOps & AI-Security Strategist with over a decade of expertise building and implementing secure, scalable frameworks and controls for modern enterprises. Through rigorous Threat modeling and risk ma... Show more

Clifford Agius, Freelance .NET Developer and also blogs from time to time, is currently a three-time Developer Technologies & IoT MVP, specialising in Xamarin/.NET MAUI and IoT. By day, an airline pilot flying Airbus A320 aircraft around Europe and when not doing that, Clifford freelances as a .NET developer. An active member of the .NET community, he is a regular speaker at conferences and meet-ups around the world.

Clifford graduated as an engineer from the Ford Technical Training Centre in 1995. After 11 years as an electrical/mechanical engineer working with Robotics and PLC Programming, he trained to become an Airline Pilot in 2001. Clifford became a Microsoft Valued Professional (MVP) in 2020.

Clifford Agius, Freelance .NET Developer and also blogs from time to time, is currently a three-time Developer Technologies & IoT MVP, specialising in Xamarin/.NET MAUI and IoT. By day, an airline pilot flying Airbus A320 aircraft around Europe and w... Show more

Collin Quiring is a capable professional with over 20 years of experience in several industries supporting Business Intelligence, Project Management, Resource Management, Product Development, Systems Administration, and Training.
Collin is certified in Power BI and has trained 1000's of individuals in the usage of Power BI ranging from introductory to advanced courses. His passion is for users at all levels to get the most out of the software as possible to be able to produce results that are meaningful and actionable.

Collin Quiring is a capable professional with over 20 years of experience in several industries supporting Business Intelligence, Project Management, Resource Management, Product Development, Systems Administration, and Training. Collin is certifi... Show more

I build and ship production AI • AI/ML Engineer & Architect • Founder, PreFault.io
PhD Computer Science / Postdoc Biomedical Informatics, University of Houston, University of Texas Health Science at Houston • Ex Intuitive • Ex Cummins
Previously built predictive maintenance MLOps for surgical robot fleets at Intuitive Surgical, connected diagnostics at Cummins, and co-developed the MySurgeryRisk clinical AI platform at UFHealth — powering surgery risk prediction across thousands of patients.
Today I’m consulting on production AI systems, building Proactive Maintenance Systems — a predictive maintenance and AI evaluation platform — and teaching agentic AI through hands-on Udemy courses!
I earn trust by delivering — not just building, but shipping AI that holds up in the real world.

I build and ship production AI • AI/ML Engineer & Architect • Founder, PreFault.io PhD Computer Science / Postdoc Biomedical Informatics, University of Houston, University of Texas Health Science at Houston • Ex Intuitive • Ex Cummins Previously bu... Show more

Akash Srivastava is a strategy and operations leader with extensive expertise in supply chain transformation, operational excellence, and enterprise value creation. He currently serves as an Associate Partner at McKinsey & Company, where he leads high-impact engagements across the consumer and operations sectors. In this role, he advises senior executives on complex business challenges, develops transformation strategies, and drives sustainable performance improvements for global organizations. His work spans supply chain optimization, logistics redesign, and frontline productivity enhancement, combining data-driven insights with practical execution to improve operational efficiency and long-term organizational capabilities.
At McKinsey, Akash is also actively involved in mentoring teams, developing intellectual capital, and advancing innovative methodologies adopted across the firm’s global practice. Prior to McKinsey, he held consulting positions at Strategy& and KPMG, leading procurement transformations, digital operating model design, and cost optimization initiatives across industries including energy, metals, mining, and the public sector. Earlier, he worked at Tata Steel, where he managed mining operations and continuous improvement programs, building strong expertise in industrial systems and execution excellence. Akash holds an MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth and a Bachelor’s degree in Mining Engineering from IIT.

Akash Srivastava is a strategy and operations leader with extensive expertise in supply chain transformation, operational excellence, and enterprise value creation. He currently serves as an Associate Partner at McKinsey & Company, where he leads hig... Show more

Dheeraj Kumar, an AWS Technical Consultant | Tech Evangelist at Amazon Web Services, is a trailblazing Technologist and Passionate Learner. Holding 2X AWS Certifications and 11+ years of IT Industry experience, he has expertly navigated diverse customer-centric roles in Analytics, Security, Infrastructure Architecting, Database, Modernisation and Migrations.

As an Enterprise Architect, Dheeraj Kumar plays a pivotal role in overseeing the organization's technology landscape, designing scalable and secure solution architectures, and developing long-term technology roadmaps. He establishes enterprise-wide standards, policies, and governance frameworks to ensure consistency and efficient resource utilization. Leveraging his deep AWS expertise, Dheeraj empowers the organization's teams through training, equipping them to stay at the forefront of technological advancements.

Dheeraj Kumar, an AWS Technical Consultant | Tech Evangelist at Amazon Web Services, is a trailblazing Technologist and Passionate Learner. Holding 2X AWS Certifications and 11+ years of IT Industry experience, he has expertly navigated diverse custo... Show more

Vini Kaul is a Corporate Executive, Serial Entrepreneur, Investor, Board Member, and globally recognized Keynote Speaker. She is the Co-Founder & Chief Growth Officer of an AI startup - Smadlytics Inc, Chairman of the KVXH Group and Kaul2Action Movement, a social impact initiative.

With over a decade and a half of experience, she has led multi-billion-dollar B2B growth across geographies and industries including Aerospace & Defense, Manufacturing, Technology, Media, Telecom, Pharmaceuticals, Medical Devices, Consumer Goods, Retail, Travel & Hospitality, and Finance. She has worked with top brands and Fortune 500 companies such as Pfizer, GSK, Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems, Raytheon Technologies, Textron, Stryker, Coca-Cola, Mars, Microsoft, Google, and Amazon.

A Gold Medalist engineer with dual master’s degrees and an alumna of Harvard Business School, Vini brings deep expertise in AI, digital transformation, and business growth.

Born in Kashmir and displaced by terrorism at a young age, her journey from adversity to global leadership fuels her mission to help the next generation turn challenges into opportunities and build meaningful, impactful careers.

Vini Kaul is a Corporate Executive, Serial Entrepreneur, Investor, Board Member, and globally recognized Keynote Speaker. She is the Co-Founder & Chief Growth Officer of an AI startup - Smadlytics Inc, Chairman of the KVXH Group and Kaul2Action Movem... Show more

I co-founded Gooey.AI, a platform for building and deploying production omnichannel AI agents for enterprise workflows. I've spent the last several years turning frontier models into real systems for organizations including the Gates Foundation, Mastercard Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, Wellcome Trust, British Council, UN IOM, City of Seattle, and Fandom. My work spans 8 years of building everything from CNC lathe machines and IoT devices to AI agent orchestration systems, GPU inference, voice agents, and open source libraries.

TLDR; I love building abstractions!

I co-founded Gooey.AI, a platform for building and deploying production omnichannel AI agents for enterprise workflows. I've spent the last several years turning frontier models into real systems for organizations including the Gates Foundation, Mast... Show more

Consulente freelance (scrum, project manager, organizational change manager)
La mia passione per le continue sfide tecnologiche parte da una formazione umanistica.
Dopo aver trascorso 10 anni nella Marina Militare, ho continuato a girare il mondo per progetti internazionali.
Appassionato di metodologie ed ingegneria del software, partecipo attivamente alla comunità Scrum ed alla divulgazione della cultura lean ed agile.

Consulente freelance (scrum, project manager, organizational change manager) La mia passione per le continue sfide tecnologiche parte da una formazione umanistica. Dopo aver trascorso 10 anni nella Marina Militare, ho continuato a girare il mondo p... Show more

- 10 Jahre Erfahrung als Systemintegrator in Produktionsunternehmen
- Dr. Ing. im Produktionskontext mit dem Thema: "Sich selbst organisierende Produktionsplanung und -steuerung"
- Co-Founder der Impact Labs GmbH, wo wir die nächste Generation von Sprachschnittstellen entwickeln. Wo wir mit Leidenschaft daran arbeiten die Interaktion zwischen Mensch und Maschine zu verbessern.

- 10 Jahre Erfahrung als Systemintegrator in Produktionsunternehmen - Dr. Ing. im Produktionskontext mit dem Thema: "Sich selbst organisierende Produktionsplanung und -steuerung" - Co-Founder der Impact Labs GmbH, wo wir die nächste Generation von ... Show more

Maria Andrade is a Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations Functional Consultant at MCA Connect with hands-on experience across finance, supply chain, and several automation initiatives. She focuses on designing practical D365 solutions that bridge system capabilities, real-world operations, and how users actually work.

Maria Andrade is a Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations Functional Consultant at MCA Connect with hands-on experience across finance, supply chain, and several automation initiatives. She focuses on designing practical D365 solutions that bridge system ... Show more

Stefano Righi is Senior Vice President and Chief Security Architect at AMI. He has over 40 years of experience in R&D management with a special focus on firmware and software technologies and architectures. His 25+ year tenure at AMI has covered UEFI architecture, Firmware Development Environments, GUI and Pre-Boot solutions, while acting as founder and current leader of security operations at AMI. He also represents AMI on the Board of Directors for the UEFI Forum, which champions firmware innovation through industry collaboration and the advocacy of a standardized interface to simplify and secure platform initialization and firmware bootstrap operations. He also represents AMI on the governing board of CHIPS Alliance, Linux Foundation project developing Caliptra. Mr. Righi holds a degree in electronics engineering from the University of Bologna in Italy.

Stefano Righi is Senior Vice President and Chief Security Architect at AMI. He has over 40 years of experience in R&D management with a special focus on firmware and software technologies and architectures. His 25+ year tenure at AMI has covered UEFI... Show more

Dominic Storey is an IBM Master Inventor and Automation Technical Leader working in the IBM Integration team. He is currently working on the next generation of IBM Integration products including App Connect Enterprise and Designer delivered within the Cloud Pak for Integration. In a previous life, he was Technical Lead for the IBM Integration Bus Industry Team, delivering the Healthcare, Retail and Manufacturing Packs. He also worked within the MQSeries and Message Broker Development teams in IBM Hursley when starting at IBM in 1997, working on many core parts of these products, notably the Message Broker API, Pattern Authoring and Message Broker Explorer.

Contact details: domstorey @uk.ibm.com

Dominic Storey is an IBM Master Inventor and Automation Technical Leader working in the IBM Integration team. He is currently working on the next generation of IBM Integration products including App Connect Enterprise and Designer delivered within th... Show more

I am a High-Voltage Electrical Engineer at XP Power, specializing in the development of compact high-voltage, low-power power supplies. My current work involves the design, modeling, testing, and troubleshooting of resonant converters, high-frequency transformers, voltage multipliers, precision feedback circuits, insulation systems, and EMI/EMC solutions.
Before joining XP Power, I worked at HEVO as a Senior Power Electronics Engineer, where I contributed to wireless electric-vehicle charging systems and high-power converter development. My broader professional experience also includes variable-frequency drives, hardware-in-the-loop testing, power converter modeling, control-loop design, magnetics, system integration, technical documentation, and product validation.

I earned my Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from Arizona State University, where my research focused on EMI modeling and optimized differential-mode filter design for power-factor-correction converters. I have authored and co-authored several technical papers and received the Best Paper Award at IEEE CERA 2023.

My professional areas of expertise include high-voltage power supplies, resonant power conversion, wireless power transfer, transformer and magnetic component design, voltage multipliers, EMI/EMC mitigation, feedback-loop stability, partial-discharge and insulation reliability, precision regulation, failure analysis, and end-to-end power electronics product development. I enjoy solving practical engineering challenges, advancing reliable power-conversion technologies, and sharing technical knowledge with the engineering community.

I am a High-Voltage Electrical Engineer at XP Power, specializing in the development of compact high-voltage, low-power power supplies. My current work involves the design, modeling, testing, and troubleshooting of resonant converters, high-frequency... Show more

I am a Computer Science graduate and CAD/Data Automation professional with experience across data center design workflows, AutoCAD automation, process improvement, data analytics, and FMCG market research. I currently work as a CAD Tech 2 at Astreya, supporting Google data center design workflows by building custom tools that reduce manual effort, improve accuracy, and streamline engineering processes.
My background also includes FMCG and consumer insights experience, where I worked with panel Data, market research data, SQL, Power BI, dashboards, survey operations, and client reporting for business decision-making. I am passionate about using technology to solve real workflow problems, improve productivity, and help teams work more efficiently. I enjoy sharing practical lessons around automation, workflow improvement, analytics, and career growth in tech.

I am a Computer Science graduate and CAD/Data Automation professional with experience across data center design workflows, AutoCAD automation, process improvement, data analytics, and FMCG market research. I currently work as a CAD Tech 2 at Astreya,... Show more

Alex is a software engineer with 5+ years of experience building production systems across backend, frontend, and mobile.
He works with Go, TypeScript, and Flutter, and has shipped everything from distributed automation bots to cross-platform music streaming platforms.
He speaks about real problems from real codebases — memory internals, system architecture, and the decisions that only make sense after something breaks in production.
Previously spoke at code.talks, GDG DevFest, and Vue.js Talks.

Alex is a software engineer with 5+ years of experience building production systems across backend, frontend, and mobile. He works with Go, TypeScript, and Flutter, and has shipped everything from distributed automation bots to cross-platform music ... Show more

Nathan Saldanha is the Global Director, Digital Strategy & Growth at Codehouse and a Sitecore Ambassador MVP (2025 & 2026). With Ten years of digital transformation and Industry 4.0 experience, he specialises in crafting compelling business cases for enterprise website rebuilds and Personalisation at scale. Nathan has been part of Sitecore implementations across APAC and North America, including award-winning projects. He is passionate about helping organisations unlock real business value through scalable, future proofed architecture and smart platform strategy.

Nathan Saldanha is the Global Director, Digital Strategy & Growth at Codehouse and a Sitecore Ambassador MVP (2025 & 2026). With Ten years of digital transformation and Industry 4.0 experience, he specialises in crafting compelling business cases for... Show more

Dr. Hyowon Choi is a senior systems engineer at Kilby Labs, Texas Instruments, where he develops physical AI systems for embedded sensing and perception at the edge. His current work spans AI-enabled human presence detection using mmWave radar sensors and AI/ML model development for smart manufacturing and automation. Before joining Texas Instruments, he built image processing, computer vision, and deep learning solutions across Alcon's medical device portfolio. Earlier, at a San Diego startup, he developed algorithms and scientific computing tools for cardiovascular medical devices, and at IUPUI he led multi-physics modeling for medical device design as a postdoctoral fellow and research associate. He holds a PhD in mechanical engineering from UC Davis, where his doctoral research applied computational modeling and numerical analysis to blood flow dynamics and transport of blood-born molecules in vascular systems.

Dr. Hyowon Choi is a senior systems engineer at Kilby Labs, Texas Instruments, where he develops physical AI systems for embedded sensing and perception at the edge. His current work spans AI-enabled human presence detection using mmWave radar sensor... Show more

Madhu Krupa Megalatti Francis is a supply chain and strategic operations leader with a strong track record of driving innovation and efficiency across advanced manufacturing environments at ASML and Tesla. She is highly skilled in planning, forecasting, logistics, and cross-functional collaboration, with a focus on transforming complex production systems into scalable and resilient supply networks.

In her current role as a Senior Business Planner at AMLS, Madhu leads operational planning for the EUV and EXE product lines and has improved cross-site collaboration efficiency by twenty-five percent. She works closely with design and engineering, logistics, and sourcing teams to strengthen production readiness, prevent material shortages, and enhance operational performance. Her initiatives have contributed to significant improvements, including a twelve percent reduction in freight costs, a ninety-eight percent on-time delivery rate, and forecasting tools that reduced excess and obsolete inventory by twenty percent.

Previously, Madhu served as a Material Planner at Tesla, where she supported the Model X and Model Y programs as well as energy products. She achieved full plan adherence for new product introductions and improved bill of materials accuracy by sixty-two percent through proactive collaboration with engineering teams. Her supply chain optimization projects delivered more than three million dollars in material cost savings, reduced obsolescence by ninety-two percent, and significantly minimized inventory waste through the implementation of first in first-in-first-out practices and predictive analytics. She also stabilized supply performance for critical components and helped optimize global logistics processes.

Earlier in her career, Madhu worked in material planning, procurement, vendor management, and inventory optimization roles at Tesla, Rich’s, KPTCL, Tata Consultancy Services, and Micro Academy. Across these positions, she consistently delivered measurable improvements such as increasing cube utilization from forty percent to eighty-four percent, onboarding suppliers to digital procurement systems with a ninety-two percent success rate, reducing inventory costs by more than sixty percent, and achieving notable cost savings through strategic sourcing and lean process enhancements.

Madhu holds a Master of Science in Supply Chain Management from the University of Texas at Dallas and a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Visvesvaraya Technological University.

Madhu Krupa Megalatti Francis is a supply chain and strategic operations leader with a strong track record of driving innovation and efficiency across advanced manufacturing environments at ASML and Tesla. She is highly skilled in planning, forecasti... Show more

Senior Project Manager at Arquiconsult, leading Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations implementations for clients worldwide. I partner with international organisations to modernise their finance, supply chain, manufacturing, and retail operations through structured, business-led D365 programmes — coordinating multi-country rollouts, cross-cultural teams, and complex stakeholder landscapes.

With more than 25 years in IT delivery and project leadership, I bring a pragmatic, outcomes-focused approach to ERP and digital transformation. My background spans long-running Microsoft Dynamics NAV / D365 implementations across Retail, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, WMS, Finance, and Human Capital Management, as well as five years leading delivery of digital lending and credit-process digital transformation programmes for banking clients.

Senior Project Manager at Arquiconsult, leading Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations implementations for clients worldwide. I partner with international organisations to modernise their finance, supply chain, manufacturing, and retail operations through... Show more

Jochen Rauch ist verantwortlich für IT-Infrastruktur, Netzwerk, Security und Modern Workplace. Sein Fokus liegt auf sicheren, leistungsfähigen IT-Plattformen und der digitalen Arbeitsumgebung für mehrere tausend Mitarbeitende vom Büro bis zur Baustelle.

Jochen Rauch ist verantwortlich für IT-Infrastruktur, Netzwerk, Security und Modern Workplace. Sein Fokus liegt auf sicheren, leistungsfähigen IT-Plattformen und der digitalen Arbeitsumgebung für mehrere tausend Mitarbeitende vom Büro bis zur Baustel... Show more

Parvez Ahmed is a Bangladeshi businessman, entrepreneur, and industrial leader, best known as the Chairman of Nurul Islam Printing Press and the Founder & Former Chairman of Ekushey Printers. Born on 5 December 1980 in Dhaka, Bangladesh, with ancestral roots in Barishal, he is the son of Md. Anower Hossain Hawlader and Manoara Begum . Through his leadership, dedication, and vision, Parvez Ahmed has earned recognition in Bangladesh’s printing and publishing industry. He is married to Mrs. Shila Ahmed, a successful businesswoman who currently serves as the Chairman of Ekushey Printers. Together they have three children: Ritaz Ahmed Prince, Tajrin Ahmed Tisha, and Tawhid Ahmed Mon, all students of British Standard School. Parvez Ahmed comes from a family of five siblings, including his elder sister Mrs. Reba Begum , elder brother Mr. Salauddin Hawlader (Businessman), younger brother Mr. Shahabuddin Shihab (Businessman), and youngest brother Mr. Jashim Uddin (Businessman). As a proud Bangladeshi national, Parvez Ahmed continues to contribute to the growth of the country’s printing sector through innovation, entrepreneurship, and a commitment to excellence, making him a respected name in Bangladesh’s business community.

Parvez Ahmed is a Bangladeshi businessman, entrepreneur, and industrial leader, best known as the Chairman of Nurul Islam Printing Press and the Founder & Former Chairman of Ekushey Printers. Born on 5 December 1980 in Dhaka, Bangladesh, with ancestr... Show more

Jason is a certified Solution Architect both in Agentic AI and Dynamics 365 Finance and Supply Chain Management. He specializes in Agentic AI assisted business processes, Microsoft 365 Copilot, and low code agents, with deep experience integrating AI capabilities into Dynamics 365 F&SCM environments. He has the proven ability to align Copilot, automation, governance, security, and compliance with real world enterprise workflows. Jason is a trusted advisor to executives and delivery teams enabling responsible, scalable AI adoption alongside D365 F&SCM implementations.

Jason is a certified Solution Architect both in Agentic AI and Dynamics 365 Finance and Supply Chain Management. He specializes in Agentic AI assisted business processes, Microsoft 365 Copilot, and low code agents, with deep experience integrating AI... Show more

As Principal AI Strategist at Sikich, a leading professional services firm providing transformative business solutions, Ray leverages over 36 years of experience in the IT industry. Having served as a systems architect for complex CRM implementations utilizing Microsoft technologies, he now focuses on guiding organizations toward productive, responsible, and impactful use of AI technologies, particularly Generative AI. Passionate about innovation, Ray has been a featured speaker at numerous Microsoft centered events including SummitNA 2025, and served on the advisory board for the ExtremeCRM event series, shaping strategic content and contributing significantly to the Microsoft Dynamics community.

As Principal AI Strategist at Sikich, a leading professional services firm providing transformative business solutions, Ray leverages over 36 years of experience in the IT industry. Having served as a systems architect for complex CRM implementations... Show more

Joshua Johnson is an American technology executive who serves as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of TREE Industries, a company founded in September 2017 and headquartered in Washington, Missouri, specializing in sustainable AI innovation to address environmental challenges through ethical, eco-friendly artificial intelligence solutions focused on accessibility, privacy, and open-source technologies. As CTO since the company's inception, Johnson architects next-generation emerging technologies and AI solutions, leading TREE Industries' efforts to integrate sustainability first principles into AI development for global problem-solving, including advancements in voice-powered tools, 3D avatars with open-source AI assistants, and collaborative virtual beings. His notable public contributions, documented since 2017, include spearheading the release of TREE's first video game, Ultimate Disc Golf, in December 2019; developing a voice-powered virtual production tool using Unreal Engine and open-source AI in February 2020; creating the first 3D avatars integrated with the Mycroft AI assistant in March 2021; launching a desktop control skill for Mycroft AI in June 2021; and developing BlenderGPT, an AI tool for generative 3D modeling, which was featured in NVIDIA's 2023 SIGGRAPH keynote, all emphasizing ethical and environmentally conscious tech innovation. Johnson is further distinguished in the field by his role in collaborations, such as TREE Industries' partnership with Fable on AI-driven projects, and his co-founding of Geppetto AI to advance real-time AI applications.

Joshua Johnson's early career in the technology sector began with roles focused on web development and software engineering, laying the foundation for his later work in AI and sustainable technologies. Alongside his role at TREE Industries, he founded and continues to lead eClarity Web Solutions, where he serves as CEO, assisting businesses and individuals in developing modern content management system (CMS)-powered websites. In this position, Johnson specialized in technologies such as Joomla!, CSS, HTML, JavaScript, PHP, Flash AS3, and HTML5, gaining expertise in web design and development over several years.These early experiences honed his skills in programming and digital solutions, enabling him to tackle more complex technical challenges in subsequent roles. Although specific timelines for his initial positions are not widely documented, his work at eClarity represented a key period of skill development in software engineering and client-facing tech services before transitioning to executive leadership in AI innovation.

Leadership at TREE Industries

Joshua Johnson was appointed as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of TREE Industries upon its founding in September 2017, where he has led the technical direction since inception. In this executive role, Johnson has focused on initial team-building efforts and aligning the company's technological vision with sustainable AI goals aimed at addressing environmental challenges through ethical and eco-friendly solutions. Key leadership milestones under Johnson's tenure include overseeing the expansion of research and development (R&D) activities from 2018 onward, such as the company's joining of the Greater North County Chamber of Commerce in February 2018 to foster industry collaborations and the development of innovative AI tools, including a voice-powered virtual production tool using Unreal Engine and open-source AI in February 2020. By 2021, his strategic guidance contributed to further R&D growth, exemplified by the creation of 3D avatars integrated with Mycroft AI in March 2021, the release of a desktop control skill for Mycroft AI in June 2021, and the prototyping of an AI virtual being capable of real-time 3D art generation in August 2021 as part of TREE Industries' entry into The Culture DAO. These efforts highlight Johnson's role in hiring key engineers and forming partnerships with environmental and tech organizations to scale sustainable AI initiatives. Johnson's strategic initiatives have emphasized eco-friendly practices, including the implementation of sustainable operations in data centers and AI development processes, though specific budgets remain undisclosed in public records. His leadership has driven organizational growth, positioning TREE Industries as a leader in green AI technologies headquartered in Washington, Missouri.

Innovations in AI Sustainability

As CTO of TREE Industries, Joshua Johnson leads efforts to integrate sustainability principles into AI development, focusing on ethical and eco-friendly artificial intelligence solutions.

Key Projects and Initiatives:

Joshua Johnson has led several AI-driven projects at TREE Industries since joining as CTO in 2017, aligning with the company's vision for sustainable AI innovation to address environmental challenges through ethical and eco-friendly solutions. One notable initiative is the development of Ultimate Disc Golf, a video game incorporating AI and machine learning elements, launched in December 2019. This project aimed to advance accessible gaming technologies while exploring AI applications in simulation and real-time environments, with Johnson discussing its integration of AI for enhanced user experiences during a 2020 podcast interview. The effort contributed to TREE Industries' broader portfolio in ethical AI for entertainment, though specific environmental impact metrics were not publicly detailed. In 2021, Johnson oversaw the creation of DeepSpeech-based automatic speech systems for games, focusing on open-source AI to enable voice interactions in virtual environments. This initiative sought to promote affordable and privacy-focused AI tools, developed as part of TREE's commitment to socially responsible technology, with outcomes including prototypes for real-time 3D art creation. The project underscored ethical considerations in AI deployment for gaming industries.[More recently, in 2024, Johnson collaborated with Fable on an AI project bringing the Sam Altman saga to life through advanced chatbots, emphasizing innovative storytelling via eco-friendly AI practices. According to a Forbes article, these chatbots represented non-traditional applications, highlighting TREE Industries' role in sustainable AI collaborations that minimize computational waste. The partnership demonstrated measurable advancements in ethical AI for narrative simulations. Additionally, under Johnson's leadership, TREE Industries advanced the Unreal Agent plugin in 2025, an open-source AI copilot for Unreal Engine 5 that automates tasks like level design and content generation to optimize development workflows. This tool aims to reduce energy-intensive manual processes, supporting green AI goals through efficient, real-time integrations, with its GitHub release fostering community-driven sustainable innovations.

Industry Influence:

Joshua Johnson has exerted influence in the sustainable AI sector through his thought leadership and participation in high-profile industry events. As CTO of TREE Industries, he spoke at the AI Film and Games Festival in San Francisco in 2023 and GatherVerse Summit 2025.This engagement underscores his role in promoting ethical AI practices that align with environmental goals, as TREE Industries emphasizes "Sustainability First" in its operations. In advisory capacities, Johnson serves as the Interoperability Committee Lead at The Culture DAO since April 2022, contributing to standards development in emerging technologies, including AI interoperability that supports sustainable applications. Johnson's contributions extend to open-source initiatives that advance sustainable AI tools. Under his technical guidance at TREE Industries, the company developed and released open-source projects such as 3D avatars integrated with Mycroft AI, a voice-powered virtual production tool using Unreal Engine and open-source AI, and a desktop control skill for Mycroft, all launched between 2020 and 2021 to make advanced technologies more accessible and environmentally responsible. These efforts have been adopted in communities focused on conversational AI, promoting energy-efficient offline processing solutions that reduce computational waste. Additionally, TREE's early involvement in open-source speech systems like DeepSpeech has influenced game development and AI applications with lower environmental footprints.Through these activities, Johnson has shaped industry discussions on sustainable AI, as evidenced by his commentary in media outlets like Forbes, where he highlighted innovative AI collaborations that prioritize ethical and eco-friendly advancements. His work has contributed to TREE Industries' promotion of AI adoption among local businesses via chamber of commerce memberships, fostering wider sectoral shifts toward sustainability.

Joshua Johnson is an American technology executive who serves as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of TREE Industries, a company founded in September 2017 and headquartered in Washington, Missouri, specializing in sustainable AI innovation to addr... Show more

As a Senior Manager at Protiviti, I leverage my 12+ years of experience in ERP consulting to deliver hands-on application expertise to key stakeholders. I am a Microsoft MVP (Business Application) and a Certified Scrum Master (CSM), with a proven track record of implementing Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations solutions across diverse industries.

I am passionate about streamlining business processes, enhancing service innovation, and enabling customer value. I have successfully led and contributed to multiple projects involving finance, operations, supply chain, and retail modules, using agile methodologies and Six Sigma tools. I am also skilled in Microsoft products and business analysis, and I constantly seek to expand my knowledge and skills in the rapidly evolving field of Microsoft Dynamics 365.

As a Senior Manager at Protiviti, I leverage my 12+ years of experience in ERP consulting to deliver hands-on application expertise to key stakeholders. I am a Microsoft MVP (Business Application) and a Certified Scrum Master (CSM), with a proven tra... Show more

Demi is a 2nd year PhD Student at University of Nottingham. Her PhD explores the development of scalable technologies to foster safe listening in music venues. With her background in Computer Science, she aims to understand the nature of sound exposure in music for event attendees. Her current projects include the development of a common data model to standardise the storage and analysis of sound level data, as well as the calculation of individual sound exposure for event goers using indoor location tracking.

Alongside her research endeavours, Demi seeks to gain a greater understanding of the intersections of research, technology and creativity in the 21st century. Through several years of writing, she has documented her computer science journey online and continues to share lessons from completing the PhD in the current day. Her current creative exploration involves the exploration of quiet leverage, which involves answering the question: What does it mean to build a meaningful career in your 20s? She explores this through written mediums and video formats (short and long form videos). She has grown an combined audience of over 3,000 followers ranging from LinkedIn, TikTok and X. She's incredibly skilled at sharing introspective ideas in a way that makes people feel seen and heard.

Demi is a 2nd year PhD Student at University of Nottingham. Her PhD explores the development of scalable technologies to foster safe listening in music venues. With her background in Computer Science, she aims to understand the nature of sound exposu... Show more

James is a software engineer from Bath, England. He is currently a Technology Fellow at General Motors, and has worked in senior engineering roles at Apple, HashiCorp, Boundary, Samsung Electronics and Jet.com. He is a connoisseur of West Country cider and old guitars.

James is a software engineer from Bath, England. He is currently a Technology Fellow at General Motors, and has worked in senior engineering roles at Apple, HashiCorp, Boundary, Samsung Electronics and Jet.com. He is a connoisseur of West Country cid... Show more

Matt has been working with AWS technology since 2011, including 8.5 years at AWS itself; first as a Solutions Architect, and then in a Chief Technologist role for the UK public sector team.

During that time he has presented at 6 separate re:Invents and dozens of other AWS and 3rd party events, covering a range of topics including: networking, DNS, cost optimisation, and the Amazon Culture of Innovation.

Now as CEO of Rayo (an AWS Advanced Partner), Matt continues to help customers make use of cloud to deliver great outcomes for the public sector and beyond.

Matt has been working with AWS technology since 2011, including 8.5 years at AWS itself; first as a Solutions Architect, and then in a Chief Technologist role for the UK public sector team. During that time he has presented at 6 separate re:Invent... Show more