Tom Gruber

Tom Gruber is a computer scientist, inventor, entrepreneur, and product designer whose work has influenced the development of artificial intelligence and human-computer interaction. Gruber has focused on systems for knowledge sharing and collective intelligence, contributing foundational work in ontology engineering and providing a widely recognized definition of ontologies within artificial intelligence. He served as a research associate at the Knowledge Systems Laboratory in the Computer Science Department at Stanford University, where he contributed to projects such as How Things Work, SHADE, and Knowledge Sharing Technology. At Stanford, Gruber was an early adopter of the Web for knowledge sharing and collaboration, and is credited with giving the term ontology a technical definition in computer science.

Gruber co-created Siri with Dag Kittlaus and Adam Cheyer, releasing the original Siri as an app on the iOS App Store. He served as cofounder, chief technology officer, and head of design for the team that developed Siri, which became the first widely available intelligent assistant. Siri Inc. was acquired by Apple, and Siri became an integral feature of iOS, used billions of times each month in multiple languages worldwide. After the acquisition, Gruber led the Advanced Development Group at Apple, exploring new product ideas. Prior to Siri, he founded and served as chief technology officer of Intraspect Software, an enterprise software company specializing in collaborative knowledge management for large distributed communities.

As a speaker and writer, Gruber advocates for "Humanistic AI"—artificial intelligence designed to augment and collaborate with humans. He draws on decades of experience in AI development to offer principles and practical advice for ethical technology application. In his TED talk, "How AI Can Enhance Our Memory, Work and Social Lives," Gruber introduced the philosophy of Humanistic AI and discussed the potential for AI to support perception, creativity, and cognitive function. He addressed the impact of augmented memory for individuals affected by Alzheimer's and dementia, emphasizing the potential for AI to improve quality of life.

After his tenure at Apple, Gruber transitioned to advisory work, focusing on maximizing human impact through Humanistic AI. He curates a portfolio of companies and organizations that use AI to augment human abilities for societal benefit. In his work with Cognixion, Gruber consults on using AI to assist individuals with severe speech impairments through wearable communication devices that interpret EEG signals. Gruber's experience spans artificial intelligence, cognitive science, and design, with a primary focus on Humanistic AI and collective intelligence to drive positive change in society and culture.