“Alex is an excellent partner and has a proven track record, depth of expertise, and ability to talk to both technical and non-technical leaders. We are honored to have him as our AI Expert in Residence and Why of AI as our primary AI Innovation Lab execution partner.”

Stephanie Miller, Chief Experience Officer (CXO), 1871

"Why of AI is 1871's primary execution partner for Chicago's annual three-month AI Innovation Lab featuring over 40 startups and partners such as Discover, McKinsey, Microsoft, and the Chicago Cubs. Working with the Why of AI expert team is easy and a pleasure, they are very knowledgable and have both depth and breadth of expertise in the AI space. They are an incredible partner for organizations looking to better understand artificial intelligence and create a responsible AI strategy to significantly impact business and create customer value. I highly recommend Why of AI!"

Gabby Snedeker, Sr. Director of Innovation Labs, 1871

“Alex has an uncanny ability to distill the vast complexities of AI without over simplifying. He reaches deep into his technical background to find the right formula for a given business strategy. I can't think of a better guide to help executives navigate this challenging terrain.”

Garret Smith, Founder, Guild AI

“Alex is a thought leader in data science, AI, and machine learning - he helps C-level executives and business leaders understand how to utilize data to transform their business. Alex is also an excellent leader, and will make a huge splash for any company that he works with.”

Luke Libraro, CTO, Rocket Wagon

"Working with Alex and Why of AI is a fantastic experience. He is knowledgeable, transparent, and passionate about the ways AI can improve the business being done every day. If the goal is to improve literacy and light a fire around AI-based initiatives, Why of AI is the right place."

Derrick Davis, Director of Growth Partnerships, 1871

"Why of AI is an amazing partner and go-to source for any artificial intelligence strategy and training needs!"

Zachary Burau, Founder & CEO, FlyLine

"I've loved working with Alex and Why of AI. Alex provides a wealth of knowledge helping us push AI boundaries to reshape and propel our products forward. Highly recommend partnering with them!"

Raina Christlieb, Sr. Product Manager, Govy

"Alex was an incredible keynote speaker for our STEM graduate students. He was super flexible with our schedule changes, and provided an engaging address that sparked great questions and conversation. His ability to showcase his unique background, and connect with multiple audiences makes him the ideal speaker for a wide range of events. We will definitely invite him back for future opportunities."

Trenton Dunn, ThinkChicago Program Manager, World Business Chicago

"Alex was instrumental in the development and implementation of a joint project within NEIU, Northwestern University and 1871. Alex led our team of students, helped coordinate work with the main companies and make sure that we all 'stayed on board' during the process. Alex's skills allow him to work both at the high level and the low level of the project, being a great mentor to our students and making sure that each project landed to its end successfully."

Marcelo Sztainberg, Professor and Chair, Computer Science Department, Northeastern Illinois University

“AI for Decision-Makers is a resource-rich primer on AI recommended for anyone interested in understanding the fundamentals and future promise of AI. A great starting point for executives looking to "lean in and learn" about AI.”

Ethan Machado, Entrepreneur & Former Experience Designer at Digitas

“Applied AI for Business is the ultimate survey course for business professionals who want to work on the forefront of artificial intelligence. Alex and co. do an excellent job balancing need–to–know technical concepts with their potential business applications, providing hands on experience with both real–world problems and code.”

Joey Hernandez, MBA Student, Northwestern Kellogg MBAi Program

“Alex is a fantastic teacher. His real–world experience as opposed to solely academic background made class very engaging. Alex has deep knowledge about a wide variety of AI topics which is impressive and helpful. We love Alex!”

Anonymous, MBA Student, Northwestern Kellogg MBAi Program

“Alex was the keynote speaker at our annual user conference. He tailored his presentation to our audience and the result was an overwhelming success. His engaging presentation style and in-depth technical knowledge was a big hit with our audience. He is also very accommodating and easy to work with.”

Emily Rhodes, Director of Marketing, LiquidFrameworks

“Alex's AI for Business course provided a thorough survey of the latest AI techniques and applications. The course enabled me to build my knowledge in the space and become more comfortable communicating these ideas to business leaders.”

Andrew Horton, MBA Student, Northwestern Kellogg MBAi Program

“Alex is a true professional! I enjoyed having him on The Manny Bernabe Show. We covered a range of topics from AI to IndyCar racing. Alex has a unique skill of distilling complex AI and machine learning topics and making them accessible to business leaders. I would love to have Alex back on the show!”

Manny Bernabe, Host of the Manny Bernabe Show

“Yes! Alex is immensely knowledgeable about his subject areas and cares about his students gaining an expansive knowledge of their own. He is clearly passionate about the subject and inspires the same passion in others.”

Anonymous, MBA Student, Northwestern Kellogg MBAi Program

“AI for Decision-Makers was a very informative course. Alex does a great job of explaining complex topics in simple ways using a variety of media types. The course provides a clear introduction to what AI can do and how it can benefit you and your team.”

Casey Hudetz, Senior Experience Designer, Docusign

“I would definitely recommend the AI for Decision-Makers course. It will help you understand not just the value of the field, but also what it takes to maximize your investment in AI.”

Mariano Jurich, Project & Product Manager, Making Sense

“Alex was on a Panel on ‘Bias in AI’ organized by IAOP and hosted at DePaul University. He did an amazing job demystifying some of the misconceptions surrounding AI/ML for over 40+ business leaders and executives at the event. Alex is one of the leading experts on the topic and he is extremely capable of simplifying complex AI/ML concepts so that any organization can leverage the benefits that comes with accurate implementation of AI/ML”

Olayele Adelakun, Founder & Executive Director, DePaul University iD-Lab

“Alex is an extremely knowledgeable expert in the field of artificial intelligence and provides interesting insights into the business value of AI. He has forward-looking perspectives on the subject matter. Alex is very accommodating and easy to work with. It was a great pleasure working with him!”

Jessica Qiao, Host, Northwestern Medill Newsmakers Show

"Love working with Alex! He has been such a valuable resource for our community and provides excellent coaching and commitment of time. Alex provides invaluable guidance and support and I highly recommend his expertise and dedication in helping businesses thrive."

Arantxa Valverde, Director of Early Stage Program: Pyros, 1871

"Why of AI and Alex has been an amazing resource for my personal learning as well as my central resource for my startup. Looking forward to what’s to come here!"

Russell Taff, VP Product & Technology, Ready

"I've worked with Alex for many, many years at 1871. He is my go to partner always for everything AI related."

Veronica Rodriguez, Early-Stage Program Manager, 1871

"The Why of AI courses are clear, concise and helpful for anyone looking to understand more about what AI is and what it can do. Highly recommend!"

Casey Hudetz, Senior Experience Designer, Docusign

"The courses helped me understand AI and enable me to apply the knowledge to my work. Highly recommended!"

Alain Weber, Head of School, Lycee Francais

"Alex is excellent to work with. He's been a great thought partner for us and brings a perspective on emerging technology that has shaped how we approach specific aspects of our work. He's also not afraid to get his hands dirty, dive in, and support the nitty-gritty technical work too!"

Nick Florek, Director of Strategy & Operations, Relish Works

"Alex has been an integral part of not one but two businesses I've worked on. He challenges the norm and pushes products to their greatest potential. Every meeting we have, I leave learning something new. His skills range from technical to business, from customer to product; he's truly a jack of all trades. But his ability to distill complex discussions around AI into actionable insights is at the top of the list. "

Justin Johnson, Founder & CEO, Govy

"I enjoyed the course and it taught me how to better gauge which analytics are best for me. I would definitely recommend it to other startups."

Casi Barnes , Founder, FamHub Network

"Why of AI is a good survey course for the C-Suite exec not generally familiar with the science, but aware of the need to incorporate this capability in a cost/effective manner into her organization. Alex's presentation is well organized and clearly presented. I recommend reading his excellent book has a followup to taking this course."

Richard B. Noyes, PT CFO consultant, Bartlett Asssociates

"This course on AI is useful for supplying concepts and vocabulary for AI subject-matter experts to explain AI to P&L owners, C-level executives, and members of boards of directors, who also would benefit from taking this foundational course. A useful companion to the course is the book, AI for People and Business."

John Barker , Senior Director, Digital Media Solutions, The Bonar Institute for Purposeful Leadership

"Alex is amazing. He has great knowledge about the current state of AI/ML. The timing of this class is also great as you can use some concepts learned in the class during your tech interviews."

Anonymous, MBA Student, Northwestern Kellogg MBAi Program

"This is an incredibly thoughtful professor that goes to great lengths to provide the most up to date information on the ever–changing landscape of AI. I left this class with AI tools that I had previously never heard of and expect to use in the near future."

Anonymous, MBA Student, Northwestern Kellogg MBAi Program

"Alex is fantastic when it comes to giving real world examples."

Anonymous, MBA Student, Northwestern Kellogg MBAi Program

"Applied AI for Business served as an excellent crash course on the latest developments in the AI landscape. Over the 10–week course, we were able to get up to speed on the most cutting edge technologies within the space and cover them in sufficient detail to understand how they work, how they may improve with time & investment, and how we might build a business application around them. Alex is a great teacher with great experience across a number of applications within the space."

Anonymous, MBA Student, Northwestern Kellogg MBAi Program

"This course provided me the knowledge necessary to eliminate the mystique of AI. I now understand how tools such as ChatGPT operate, but also know there is so much more to be accomplished in the space. An exciting intro to how AI can be applied in various industries!"

Harry McGraw, MBA Student, Northwestern Kellogg MBAi Program

"Great enthusiasm, great examples, loved the class"

Anonymous, MBA Student, Northwestern Kellogg MBAi Program

"Great class to touch diverse topics in AI/ML area."

Anonymous, MBA Student, Northwestern Kellogg MBAi Program

"Look no further for your go to AI strategy and training partner!"

Miguel Solari, Chief Marketing Officer, JLINC Labs

"Alex is a joy to interact with, whether on the floors of SXSW or on a podcast discussing the nuances of AI. Happy to listen and speak alike."

Evan Coopersmith, EVP of Data Science, AE Studio

"Alex Castrounis is a leading authority and innovator in the AI space. Alex is a captivating speaker and presenter, who has spoken at prominent events such as SXSW, KTECH, and GOTO Chicago. He has also appeared as a guest on numerous notable podcasts and shows. He draws from his diverse background as a former INDYCAR engineer, race strategist, and data scientist to share insights and stories on how AI can transform racing and business. If you are looking for a reliable and engaging source of information and inspiration on AI, you should definitely check out Alex’s work. He will help you understand the why, what, and how of AI, and how you can leverage it for your personal and professional success."

Simon Hughes, Distinguished Data Scientist, The Home Depot

"Alex delivered a great and informative presentation. We are getting rave reviews on the presentation."

International Metal Decorating and Packaging Association

"Alex gave an outstanding, very well received symposium last week to 130 psychologists on AI for individuals with very little background on the subject. He was very interesting, entertaining, and informative. I hope to have him speak to our group again."

Steven Rothke, Assistant Clinical Professor, Northwestern University