MR. AI: BRIAN CONTE Do you call yourself a scientist, //41
TN: Wow. Ok. So, you’re kinda smart? BC: That’s not what my wife says. TN: Then what happened? BC: I started interviewing for jobs and one really stood out. The interviewer looked like a football coach and was just as rah-rah. He gave me hard technical problems to solve and then spent the rest of the time convincing me to come work at his company that I had never heard of, called Microsoft. That was Steve Balmer. I joined Microsoft as employee 225. I remember that I was so excited about my new job that I wrote this very excited acceptance letter, which Microsoft published in their newsletter. TN: Do you still have a copy of that? The Navigator: Brian, do you call yourself a scientist, or a technologist? Brian Conte: Probably a technologist. TN: Why are you a technologist? BC: I’m left brain, as they say. Although Jerry, our resident neuroscientist here says the right brain/ left brain thing isn’t really a valid concept. Anyway, I’ve always been interested in science and math because I’ve always wanted to know the exact answer; I prefer things that are black and white. TN: Tell us more about yourself. BC: Well, I’m originally from New York. And I have been in technology most of my life. TN: Tell us a little more about that. BC: I started in high school programming on a local mainframe and then one day a teacher brought in an IBM 5110 computer, the predecessor to the IBM PC. I was immediately hooked and ended up getting a job that summer programming in New York City. TN: What did you study in college? BC: I majored in physics up until my senior year and then switched to computer science because I felt that there was more opportunity to advance the state of the art in that relatively new field. TN: Where did you study? BC: I ended up getting a BSE in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from Princeton. TN: So that’s all? And, Fast Track? BC: I pulled together a unique combination of specialists who could help Fortune 50 companies and start-ups get out in front of their competition. We were agile and able to work quickly. We provided web, software and app development solutions. When I joined Launch, I found that you were the perfect extension to scale what we were doing. You folks also buy-in to the concept of working smartly and quickly. TN: And how’s that working out for you. BC: So far, so good. Leading the AI team here has already led to several engagements. TN: Tell us something we should know about you. BC: Well, my wife is a sociologist. She keeps me very honest when it comes to AI and how it could affect the global market. And how data could be utilized if in the wrong hands. TN: Wow. You must have some interesting dinner conversations. BC: Very. TN: Thanks BC. We’re very happy you’re here. BC: Thank you, and so am I. or a technologist? //42 BC: Yeah, but I rather not share it, it’s kind of embarrassing. TN: That’s understandable. Ok, what did you do at Microsoft? BC: I worked on Windows 1.0, Multi-Media, and OS2. As part of this work, I helped develop Microsoft’s first browser. TN: So, what did you do after Microsoft? BC: I started hDC, the first Windows-only software company and I ran that for about ten years. We were acquired by WRQ, where I remained as CTO for a while and helped spearhead a few of their more noteworthy products. And then I started Fast Track Team. Along the way, I helped Microsoft run its Imagine Cup worldwide student competition for 10 years. I also designed and built the Smart Home of the Year in 2006.
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