Edgar Kalns, Ph.D., leads multi-disciplinary teams of researchers and software engineers to design and deliver prototypes for commercial clients who are seeking novel, AI-based capabilities to enhance their product portfolios.  These innovations comprise machine learning components from multiple SRI research labs with expertise in voice interactions, natural language, text analytics, and computer vision. Kalns also leads SRI’s Microservices Platform which facilitates lab-to-product transition of AI software assets. Previously, Kalns directed SRI’s Studio on Aging, a set of R&D projects focused on monitoring the health of seniors in their homes.

Prior to joining SRI, Kalns was Head of Products & Engineering at [24]7.ai, a company that enables chat- and voice-based customer care interactions for Global 100 enterprises. In his role, he was responsible for all product management and engineering activities for the company’s digital virtual assistant and automated speech recognition products.

Kalns received Ph.D. and M.S. degrees in computer science from Michigan State University and a B.S. degree with honors from the University of Michigan. He holds six U.S. patents.