Adam Cheyer – AI Visionary and Inventor
Adam Cheyer is widely recognized as a visionary in artificial intelligence and computer-human interfaces. He is an inventor holding 50 issued patents across AI, machine learning, distributed computing, and conversational assistants. Over a career spanning more than 30 years, Adam has consistently been at the forefront of turning advanced research into real-world products used by millions of people. His work has helped define how humans communicate with intelligent systems, making technology more intuitive, helpful, and human-centered.
Creator of Siri and Bixby
Adam Cheyer is best known as one of the creators of Siri, Apple’s AI assistant. After Siri was acquired by Apple, he worked closely with Steve Jobs and led server-side engineering and artificial intelligence for the assistant, helping transform it into a global consumer product. He later co-founded Viv Labs, which was acquired by Samsung. As VP of R&D, Adam led product engineering and developer relations for Samsung’s voice assistant, Bixby, further shaping the evolution of conversational AI at scale.
Serial Founder and Startup Builder
Throughout his career, Adam Cheyer has co-founded or been a founding member of five successful startups. These include Sentient, focused on massively distributed machine learning and later acquired by Cognizant, and Gameplanner.AI, which was acquired by Airbnb as its first acquisition after going public. He is also a co-founder of Change.org, the world’s largest petition platform, empowering more than 500 million people across 197 countries to create social change. His entrepreneurial journey offers rare insights into building companies from early research to successful exits.
Leadership at Airbnb and Beyond
As Vice President of AI Experience at Airbnb, Adam Cheyer worked on using generative AI to transform the platform into an intuitive travel concierge. His leadership focused on making advanced AI practical, helpful, and seamless for users around the world. In addition, Adam serves as an advisor to a wide range of innovative companies, including Project Voice Capital Partners, Otter.ai, Riva Health, Evolv Technology, Brilliant Labs, AI Sprouts, and Spatial Labs, among others. Earlier in his career, he held executive engineering roles at Verticalnet and Dejima.
From Government AI to Global Impact
Before his startup successes, Adam spent more than a decade at SRI International, where he served as Chief Architect of CALO/PAL, the largest-ever funded AI project by the US government. This ambitious initiative laid critical groundwork for modern intelligent assistants and directly influenced the creation of Siri. Adam has authored more than 60 publications and has served on numerous boards and committees, reflecting his lasting impact on both academic research and commercial innovation.
An Unforgettable Keynote Experience
In addition to his work in technology, Adam Cheyer is an award-winning magician. He sometimes weaves elements of magic and mentalism into his keynotes, creating a unique and memorable experience for audiences. He has performed for heads of state, stadium crowds, and some of the most recognized magicians in the world, including David Copperfield, David Blaine, and Shin Lim. He has also appeared on television as a guest on Penn & Teller: Fool Us.
When you book Adam Cheyer for your event, you get more than a talk about AI. You get firsthand stories from the creation of iconic technologies, practical lessons on innovation and entrepreneurship, and a dynamic presentation style that informs, inspires, and captivates audiences worldwide.
