Ted Schmitt is the senior director of conservation at the Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence (AI2). For over 15 years, he has led efforts to bring appropriate technology for good solutions to a range of terrestrial and marine conservation issues. He led the EarthRanger program from its inception at Vulcan Inc., and now leads the Skylight program at AI2. He has worked extensively in Africa with field organizations applying technology to secure and manage protected areas.
Before joining AI2 and Vulcan, Schmitt was a senior program officer for the Computer Science and Telecommunications Board at the United States National Academies of Science. He served as business development director at several technology startups in Germany, Sweden and the United States, leading the application of technology for impact on a range of issues.
Schmitt started his career as a software engineer for IBM, earning patents and several technical achievement awards. He holds a Master of Arts in international science and technology policy from George Washington University, a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering, and a Bachelor of Arts in German from Purdue University. He is chair of the Purdue University School of Language and Culture Advisory Board.