Notables in AI

Movers & Makers asked Greater Cincinnati leaders working in artificial intelligence to introduce their notables to our readers, part of a regular feature highlighting individuals making a difference in our community. Given AI’s incursion into our daily lives, we believe the nonprofit sector should become familiar with this technology. 

John Cavanaugh, executive director and privacy evangelist, Plunk Foundation 

How are bad actors using AI and what can we do about it? Along with 31 professors from the University of Cincinnati, John Cavanaugh leads a Cincinnati-based nonprofit called the Plunk Foundation. Its mission is to empower vulnerable families from being exploited online by bad actors, fighting AI exploitation through awareness, education, research and open-source solutions. The Plunk Foundation, with Cavanaugh as executive director, is working to bring the nation’s first privacy economy to Cincinnati, uniting the city’s efforts on implementing responsible AI and strengthening Ohio’s nationally recognized approach to cybersecurity. Outside of community work, you can catch Cavanaugh at a local concert, a drum circle, or any of Cincinnati’s classical music performance venues. 

Michael Beck, president, Code for Kids 

As a board member of the Cincinnati AI Catalyst, Michael Beck leads the AI Education team with a passion for embedding responsible usage principles in Greater Cincinnati’s schools. His mission is empowering students of all backgrounds to become AI innovators and leaders. Beck’s approach integrates AI into curicula and educational policy, aiming for an AI Club in every school across the region. Through his nonprofit, Code for Kids, Beck has made strides in narrowing the digital divide for underprivileged youth, reflecting his dedication to inclusivity in tech. When he’s helping to shape the future of AI, you’ll find him teaching or dancing salsa, traveling the globe (60 countries and counting), or practicing taekwondo – he’s a black belt and two-time U.S. champion. Beck also collaborates globally with developers on open-source projects. Fun fact: His code is stored in the GitHub Arctic Code Vault, preserved for the next 1,000 years.

Helen Todd, founder and podcast host, Creativity Squared + CincyAI Co-Host

Helen Todd is the first resident of Cincinnati to digitally clone herself with a hyper-realistic AI avatar. She’s also part of the grassroots movement championing responsible AI as CincyAI co-host and Cincinnati AI Catalyst (CAIC) member. CincyAI, the largest AI meetup in Ohio, sees over 150 attendees monthly at UC Digital Futures to connect, learn and collaborate. CAIC is dedicated to leveraging AI to ensure the region’s 2.5 million residents all benefit. Todd’s podcast, Creativity Squared, explores the intersection of AI and creativity with guests from Google DeepMind, SXSW, Adobe, IBM and Groq. She even interviewed the AI-recreated Salvador Dalí. Ten percent of all revenue goes to ArtsWave’s Black and Brown Artist Program, elevating underrepresented voices and bridging cultural divides through art. She graduated from Xavier University and holds a master’s degree in integrated marketing communication from Emerson College. Todd loves trying new restaurants and walking her dog at Winton Woods.

Carl Fraik, executive director Cincinnati AI Catalyst 

Carl Fraik is a prominent leader in Cincinnati’s AI sector, serving as co-founder and executive director of the nonprofit Cincinnati AI Catalyst. He leads efforts to establish the region as a top AI hub, fostering inclusive, human-centered, responsible AI adoption. He is also founder and leader of the Cincinnati AI Builders Forum, a platform that brings together AI professionals and enthusiasts to drive innovation and collaboration. Fraik wrote the “AI Blueprint for the Cincinnati Region,” a strategic document outlining the path to making Cincinnati a global model of AI-driven prosperity. His work focuses on bridging the gap between public, private and academic sectors to harness AI’s potential, while prioritizing ethics, safety and societal benefits. Fraik enjoys hiking, running and international travel. He is also a board member and volunteer with Build Your Future Today, an NGO based in Cambodia. 

Kelly Cohen, chair and director, AI Bio Lab, University of Cincinnati

Kelly Cohen is an expert in aerospace engineering and artificial intelligence, specializing in fuzzy logic systems (Look it up!). He serves as the president of the North American Fuzzy Information Processing Society (NAFIPS) and holds an endowed chair at the University of Cincinnati. Cohen’s research focuses on applying fuzzy-logic-based AI to decision-making in aerospace systems, enhancing their efficiency and reliability. He is widely recognized for his contributions to advancing AI, particularly in integrating fuzzy logic with engineering applications, and his work bridges the gap between theory and real-world technological solutions. Cohen enjoys traveling with his family, in North America as well as in Europe, appreciating the culture and history of people. He has also toured extensively in the Far East and the Indian subcontinent where he was born. He is well-versed in English, Hebrew and Hindi. 

Pete Blackshaw, founder and CEO, BrandRank.ai 

Pete Blackshaw is a prominent AI leader working to elevate the region nationally through BrandRank.ai, a startup he founded to help brands measure, protect and grow trust via AI search and discovery. In under five months, he raised $1.2 million in seed and angel funding from John Pepper, Sheryl Sandberg, Ed Rigaud, Jack Wyant and Peg Wyant, as well as local investors. As former Cintrifuse CEO, he championed AI’s untapped role in startup growth, and in partnership with Yale Cosset, Kroger’s chief information officer, introduced the concept of Cincinnati being a national leader in “Responsible AI.” Blackshaw co-founded the Cincinnati AI Catalyst and has hosted dozens of AI training workshops for local
nonprofits. He also has served as chairman of the national Better Business Bureau.

Kendra Ramirez, CEO, KR Digital

Kendra Ramirez is dedicated to advancing AI implementation to empower businesses and nonprofits. As finding enough talent becomes increasingly challenging, AI emerges as a critical solution for driving innovation and efficiency. By educating leaders on AI, KR Digital helps them compete, streamline operations and spark progress. As a co-host of CincyAI and member of Cincinnati AI Catalyst, Ramirez believes her true reward comes when a leader says, “You just changed our whole organization,” as their teams experience a lighter mental load. Ramirez and KR are guided by the mantra, “Lift all ships.” Ramirez is determined to ensure no one is left behind in the AI revolution. When not working, she decompresses by spending time in nature, and with family, friends and her church group. 

Katie Trauth Taylor, CEO & co-founder, Narratize

Katie Trauth Taylor is CEO and co-founder of Narratize, a rapidly growing artificial intelligence startup in Cincinnati, empowering professionals at some of the world’s most innovative companies to write documentation 20 times faster. Narratize works with innovators, from startups and nonprofits to enterprises like Boeing and Comcast. Her team is building an AI platform that helps professionals get nine hours per week of their life back – time they reallocate to innovative and strategic work. She’s proud to be a Cincinnati native, growing here in her hometown with incredibly talented team members, champions, advisers and customers. Putting responsible, applied AI to work is key to Narratize’s mission.

Elisha Herrmann, worldwide solution leader, Amazon Web Services 

Before her first day of school ever, Elisha Herrmann’s response to what she wanted to be when she grew up was “The smartest person in the world.” In the age of AI, she says, she can rely on technology and colleagues for intelligence, but she continues to be curious. A builder by nature, she is passionate about empowering customers and the community to use technology. She is now a worldwide solution leader at Amazon Web Services. Professionally, she has used AI to solve such problems as utilizing satellites for precision irrigation on row crops to reduce water usage. She is part of the Cincy AI Catalyst, WomenInIT Conference and volunteers to produce local AI conferences because she believes technology is a great equalizer. As a small business owner, she has created two AI products and recently filed for a patent. She is around town at concerts, soccer games, running or volunteering with JLCincy.

Matthew Sias, founder, Innovation Acceleration, LLC

After a 20-year career in AI, technology and R&D at The Kroger Co., Matthew Sias launched Innovation Acceleration, an AI-driven startup to help corporate innovators, researchers and entrepreneurs develop better ideas and accelerate the path to market. Based out of UC’s 1819 Innovation Hub, Sias and his team combine scientifically proven methods of ideation with the latest generative AI models to help clients create better ideas faster. Sias is a thought leader in the Cincinnati AI community, fostering connections, sharing knowledge and training others on the fundamentals of generative AI and prompt engineering. A UC alum, Sias enjoys cooking for family and friends, honing his game on the golf course and college football. Sias is a lifelong learner, always looking to challenge his thinking – have a good book recommendation for him? Reach out on LinkedIn.

Jon Salisbury, founder, Nexigen

Jon Salisbury founded Nexigen, an information technology, cloud and cyber company in 2003. For years, Salisbury has worked with colleagues to develop several other companies including a payroll company, smart-city platform, software and now a data and events AI company. They also have an AI consulting practice, an AI security practice and an AI research division focusing on AI safety. Through the growth of these businesses, Salisbury has learned many lessons through success and failures. These lessons led to not only professional growth but personal as well. He finds value in challenging his mind and body through long-distance running, biking and swimming. These long workout sessions allow time to reflect and problem-solve the challenges he faces at work. Strong vision, curiosity, courage and drive keep Salisbury driving forward.