From PhD to AI CEO: Academic Foundation for Business
TL;DR: A computer scientist's journey from PhD research to AI business leadership reveals why academic rigor is essential for successful AI transformation.
Quick Take: A computer scientist's journey from PhD research to AI business leadership shows why academic rigor matters in today's AI transformation landscape.
When people look at the AI landscape today, they see a gold rush. But when I look at it, I see a continuation of the work we started decades ago in university labs.
My journey didn't begin with the launch of ChatGPT. It began in the quiet, rigorous halls of the University of Malaga, where I earned my PhD in Computer Science, specializing in Artificial Intelligence and Natural Language Processing (NLP). Back then, we weren't "prompt engineering"; we were architecting the fundamental structures of how machines understand human syntax.
The Academic Foundation
During my years as a researcher at CISUC (Centre for Informatics and Systems of the University of Coimbra), we learned that data without structure is noise. We learned that an algorithm without a clear objective is just wasted compute.
I spent years publishing papers, peer-reviewing research, and diving deep into translation technologies. That academic discipline—the demand for proof, validation, and clarity—is exactly what the current AI market is missing.
The Executive Transition
Today, as the Founder and CEO of First AI Movers here in the Netherlands, I don't write as many papers. Instead, I write the future of business workflows.
I realized that the gap between what is possible in the lab and what is practical for an SME is widening. My work now—whether building Core Ventures, managing Desapega NL, or providing AI strategy consulting—is about bridging that gap.
We are moving from "theoretical AI" to "applied agentic workflows." But to build these agents correctly, you need to understand the theory. You need to know why the model hallucinates, not just how to fix it.
The Unified Vision
I am still the same computer scientist who loves the intricacies of NLP. But now, I apply that science to help European businesses thrive. The "Dr." in my title isn't just for show; it's a promise of technical rigor in a world of hype.
About the Author: Dr. Hernani Costa is the CEO of First AI Movers and Core Ventures. A former academic researcher at the University of Malaga and CISUC, he now helps businesses in the Netherlands and beyond navigate AI transformation with scientific precision.
Originally published at First AI Movers. Written by Dr Hernani Costa, Founder and CEO of First AI Movers.
Subscribe to First AI Movers for daily AI insights and practical automation strategies for EU SME leaders. First AI Movers is part of Core Ventures.
Ready to automate your business? Book a call today!
