Jim Spohrer directs IBM’s open source Artificial Intelligence (AI) efforts.  Previously at IBM, he led Global University Programs,  co-founded Almaden Service Research, and was CTO Venture Capital Group.  After his MIT BS in Physics, he developed speech recognition systems at Verbex, an Exxon company, before receiving his Yale PhD in Computer Science/Artificial Intelligence. In the 1990’s, he attained Apple Computers’ Distinguished Engineer Scientist and Technology title for next generation learning platforms.  With over ninety publications and nine patents, he won the Gummesson Service Research award, Vargo and Lusch Service-Dominant Logic award, Daniel Berg Service Systems award, and a PICMET Fellow for advancing service science.