Amir Emadi, PhD, MBA - Science Chief

Founder & CEO, Airwai | Innovator in Autonomous Systems & AI

Amir Emadi is a technology entrepreneur and visionary dedicated to advancing critical infrastructure and defense through the power of artificial intelligence and robotics. As the Founder and CEO of Airwai, Amir leads the development of cutting-edge platforms, including the flagship system LAIRA—a sensor fusion and AI solution designed to detect and predict surface and subsurface defects in mission-critical environments such as airfields and roadways.

A Forbes Technology Council member with over a decade of experience in autonomous systems and machine learning, Amir has consistently operated at the frontier of commercial technology. Before Airwai, he co-founded Soaring, where he developed the Gabriel system, which successfully performed the U.S. Army's first autonomous resupply missions. His deep technical expertise is further demonstrated by his tenure as an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Caltech’s Center for Autonomous Systems and Technologies (CAST), where he bridged the gap between academic research and real-world application. 

Amir is a prolific inventor, holding multiple patents in aviation and robotics including: 

• Systems and Methods for Yaw-Torque Reduction on a Multi-Rotor AircraftSystems and Methods for Yaw-Torque Reduction on a Multi-Rotor Aircraft US20220227489A1
• High-Resolution Camera Network for Ai-Powered Machine Supervision High-Resolution Camera Network for Ai-Powered Machine Supervision US20220212792A1
• Coaxial rotor pair assembly with variable collective pitch rotor/propeller Coaxial rotor pair assembly with variable collective pitch rotor/propeller WO2024105578A1
• Collective-pitch adjustment mechanism for variable-pitch propeller or rotor Collective-pitch adjustment mechanism for variable-pitch propeller or rotor WO2024105580A1

Beyond his technical achievements, Amir is a committed advocate for democracy and human rights. He actively works with international organizations and policymakers to advance freedom in the Middle East, driven by a dual mission to empower nations through innovation and defend liberty through action. 

"My background in international security, strategy, and venture building informs how I bridge technology, policy, and business to deliver transformative impact. I remain passionate about shaping the future of autonomy, fostering innovation ecosystems, and supporting technologies that strengthen nations and safeguard those who protect them.
 

Beyond entrepreneurship, I am a dedicated advocate for democracy and human rights, working with international organizations and policymakers to advance freedom and accountability in Iran and the broader Middle East. This dual mission—empowering nations through innovation and defending human liberty through action—drives everything I build."

 He holds an MBA from the prestigious Thunderbird School of Global Management and certificates in Machine Learning & Big Data from MIT.