I've been researching AI since 2016 in the robotics labs of EPFL — leading AI/ML at Canonical, founding 3 AI startups, and teaching 2,500+ people to use AI with intention. Now I speak, teach and advise at the intersection of deep technology and human potential.
I studied robotics at EPFL, published at IROS, then shipped machine learning at Canonical working daily with the founder of Ubuntu. I founded three startups across Silicon Valley and Europe — some worked, one crashed. I teach from having been in the arena, not from a textbook.
Then the arena took its toll — I burned out, and rebuilt. That rebuild taught me what no lab could: the hardest part of technological change isn't the technology. It's the humans being asked to keep up with it. So I don't just teach the tools — I make the people using them feel capable, not afraid.
Most speakers understand the technology or the people. I've lived both sides deeply enough to translate between them — that's where the future actually gets built.
Conferences, summits and accelerator openers. I make AI vivid and human for non-technical audiences — energy, real stories, and a map people actually use on Monday. Opened the European Innovation Academy accelerator; keynoting the Lisbon AI Summit.
Practical training for teams and faculty — from prompting to agents. Delivered for FEUP engineering faculty and bank executives.
For companies & universitiesOngoing guidance for organizations putting AI into real workflows — strategy, tooling, and adoption that sticks.
For leadership teamsI help universities and education hubs build AI curricula and academies from the ground up — the structure, the journey, and the teaching that turns curious people into confident builders. Currently shaping new AI education initiatives in Lisbon.
For universities & education hubsThe people who'll thrive in the AI era aren't the smartest — they're the most adaptable. Drawing on the idea of rugged flexibility: a stable identity paired with the ability to adapt fast. Part field report from the frontier, part practical map.
Unedited notes from the people in the room — LinkedIn messages, live-session chats, and 119 post-class ratings of 9 or 10 from the Mindvalley AI Mastery community calls.
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I’ve taken several theory courses in AI & cloud computing, but Rui gave the best description of how RAG and vector files work with other memories I’ve seen. His schematics are so clear. He’s a true systems thinker and really organizes information in a way that is easy to communicate. Very rare skill indeed.
Rui is an amazing instructor. He knows how to make the complex, simple.
Wow, Rui’s session was so valuable and FANTASTIC! His organized visuals really helped me understand and clarify the technical things a lot better. Rui is so patient, angelic, and a wonderful instructor! I’m very grateful to Rui for providing such amazing support throughout the AI Mastery.
Rui always does an incredible and thorough job of explaining the key concepts. He really understands the intricacies of AI. I really value these community calls with Rui. He is present and ensures that everyone understands. Bravo Rui.
Excellent overall. Rui teaches very well: clear, thoughtful, and step-by-step rather than jumping around or skipping things we ‘should already know’ but may not.
I love his style of teaching. He walks through step by step which makes it so much easier and faster to learn as a beginner. The steps are clear and easy to follow.
Rui has a very lovely demeanour, and you know he is really putting thought into how to meet us where we are.
Loved the schematics explaining Claude — chat, cowork, code. Also the new understanding of Git and GitHub. Breakout rooms help because I don’t feel like I am the only one having challenges!
Keynotes, workshops, advisory, or designing an AI academy from scratch. Tell me about your event or organization and let's see if it's a fit.
Prefer to reach out elsewhere? LinkedIn · @the.ainaut