Sebastian Thrun is an internationally recognized technologist, entrepreneur, and academic leader, best known for founding Google X (now X, the Moonshot Factory) and for serving as the founding CEO of Waymo, the world’s leading autonomous driving company. He is widely regarded as one of the foremost experts in robotics and physical artificial intelligence, with pioneering contributions spanning autonomous systems, machine learning, and large-scale AI deployment in real-world environments.

Professor Thrun has authored more than 400 peer-reviewed scientific publications and 12 books, reflecting decades of foundational research and sustained influence across robotics, artificial intelligence, and computer science. In addition to his academic achievements, he has founded and scaled multiple high-impact technology ventures, including Kitty Hawk, an advanced aviation company focused on electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, and Udacity, a global online education platform that has transformed technical education for millions of learners worldwide. He currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of Sage AI Labs, where he is leading the development of next-generation, AI-native consumer technologies.

Professor Thrun’s contributions have been recognized with numerous prestigious academic and industry honors. He was inducted into the U.S. National Academy of Engineering at the age of 39, one of the youngest individuals ever to receive this distinction, in recognition of his groundbreaking work in autonomous systems and robotics. Over the course of his career, he has received many additional awards acknowledging his profound impact on both scientific research and the commercialization of artificial intelligence at global scale.