Best known as creator of Siri, Apple’s AI assistant, Adam Cheyer is a visionary pioneer in AI and computer human interfaces, an inventor holding 39 patents, an author with more than 60 publications and an engineering executive. He has been a co-founder or founding member of five successful startups, four of which were acquired for their breakthrough AI technology. These include Siri, Viv Labs, Sentient, and Gameplanner.AI. He also co-founded Change.org, the world’s largest petition platform, empowering more than 500 million people in 197 countries to drive change in their communities.
Currently, Cheyer is VP of AI Experience at Airbnb, where he is working to use generative AI to radically transform the platform into an intuitive “travel concierge.” He is also an advisor to several companies including Project Voice Capital Partners, Otter.ai, Riva Health, Evolv Technology, Disruptel (acquired by Samba TV), Brilliant Labs, AI Sprouts, and Spatial Labs. Previously, Cheyer was VP Engineering at Verticalnet (enterprise software) and Dejima (mobile software). Cheyer also spent more than a decade at SRI International, where his most recent role was as Chief Architect of CALO/PAL, the US government’s largest-ever funded AI project.
In addition to his pioneering work in technology, Cheyer is an award-winning magician who sometimes incorporates magic and mentalism into his keynotes. He has performed in front of heads of state, stadium crowds, and some of the most recognised magicians in the world, including David Copperfield, David Blaine, and Shin Lim. Cheyer also appeared before millions on TV as a guest on Penn & Teller Fool Us. He graduated with the highest honors from Brandeis University and received the Outstanding Masters Student award from UCLA School of Engineering.
