About 

Kris Krüg

My name is Kris Krug – a boundary-pushing creative explorer, an intuitive tech whisperer, and a tenacious culture hacker. In the fabric of the digital era, where technology often overshadows humanity, I’ve taken it upon myself to chart a different course.

I’m on a relentless mission to humanize technology, to infuse it with empathy, ethics, and emotion. I’m not just tinkering with gadgets and algorithms; I’m reprogramming the very core of our interactions with the digital world to resonate with the heartbeat of human experience.

But that’s only part of my mission. I’m also in the ring, gloves on, ready to battle the creeping villain of apathy that threatens to numb our society. I challenge indifference with passion, confront disconnection with engagement, and replace the passive consumption of media with active creation.

I stand firm in the belief that art shouldn’t be a rarefied luxury, but a common language for all. By democratizing art, I aim to unlock a universal creative potential. Art is a right, not a privilege, and I strive to make it accessible to everyone, everywhere – breaking down the walls that confine creativity to the few.

In parallel, I’m a champion of communities, believing in the colossal power of collective action. Empowering communities is not just about giving a voice to the voiceless; it’s about amplifying that voice until it echoes across the globe. It’s about lighting a fire in every individual to contribute, connect, and collaborate.

Peter Bittner

Peter is the founder and CEO of The MindStudio Academy, dedicated to AI upskilling. For the past 8 years, Peter has been a visiting lecturer of new media at UC Berkeley's Graduate School of Journalism and an instructor at the Advanced Media Institute, where he has taught emerging media. He was formerly a visiting instructor at CELSA-Paris Sorbonne. Additionally, Peter leads custom media workshops for organizations.

His photography and videography have been published on the front page of The New York Times and in CNN, Bloomberg, NBC, Reuters, Vox, Business Insider, Hearst Digital, Al Jazeera, Popular Mechanics, VICE News, and other major outlets. Peter is a Fulbright Scholar and has covered science, sports, travel, politics, and culture — and has a special knack for projects that get him outdoors and off the grid.

Kevin Friel

Kevin Friel, known in creative circles as the “Pixel Wizard,” is a dynamic visual director based in Vancouver, British Columbia. With over two decades of experience as a Camera Operator and Director of Cinematography, 18 years as a Motion Designer and VFX Artist/Manager, and a decade as a Producer, Writer, and Director, Kevin has established himself as a master of pre-production, production, post-production, and technical workflow innovation.  

His portfolio boasts collaborations with award-winning artists worldwide, delivering top-tier storytelling across various scales. Notably, Kevin served as the Associate Virtual Production Manager for BRON Digital’s ‘Fables,’ leveraging Unreal Engine to pioneer new frontiers in content creation.  

In his latest ventures, Kevin has been at the forefront of integrating artificial intelligence into media production. His “Teleporter” project is an AI-assisted, real-time cinematic lighting system designed for high-end music and performance-based content, exemplifying his commitment to pushing the boundaries of technology and creativity.  

As the lead instructor for the 2-Week AI Video Upgrade program, Kevin imparts his extensive knowledge and innovative techniques to participants, guiding them through the transformative landscape of AI-driven video production. His passion for democratizing technology and fostering community empowers creators to experiment, tinker, and redefine what’s possible in the realm of visual storytelling.

Shane Gibson

Shane Gibson is a trailblazing sales futurist and international keynote speaker renowned for his expertise in digital reinvention, social selling, and sales performance. With a dynamic career spanning over two decades, he has empowered more than 200,000 professionals across continents, including North America, Africa, Asia, and South America.

As the founder of the Professional Sales Academy, Shane has been instrumental in shaping modern sales methodologies. His thought leadership earned him a spot as #5 on Forbes.com's list of the Top 30 Social Salespeople globally.

In the rapidly evolving landscape of sales, Shane emphasizes the critical role of artificial intelligence. He advocates for sales leaders to harness AI tools to enhance decision-making and optimize team performance. His insights into integrating AI with traditional sales strategies have made him a sought-after speaker and consultant for organizations aiming to stay ahead in the digital age.

Shane's commitment to ethical tech and community building is evident in his approach to sales training. He champions the use of technology as a catalyst for creativity and a tool to unite people, encouraging professionals to experiment and redefine what's possible in the realm of sales.Through his leadership in the AI Upgrade for Sales Leaders program, Shane continues to inspire and equip sales professionals to navigate the complexities of modern sales environments, blending cutting-edge technology with authentic human connection.

Dr. D'vorah Graeser

D'vorah Graeser, a Harvard graduate and founder and CEO of RocketSmart.io, leads an AI-powered platform that helps universities and research institutions commercialize their intellectual property through smart licensing deals. With an impressive academic background spanning computational biology and business, she has dedicated her career to making patent protection more accessible to innovators of all sizes, not just large corporations.

Through her work at KISSPatent and Graeser Associates International, she has developed streamlined processes for patent filing and IP strategy that help startups increase their valuations while protecting their innovations. Her latest venture, RocketSmart.io, applies AI technology to analyze ideas, identify optimal industries for commercialization, match innovations with potential corporate partners, and generate strategic pitches - transforming what was once a manual, time-intensive process into an efficient, data-driven system for bringing university research to market. She holds degrees from University of Michigan (PhD in Pharmacology with focus on Computational Biology) and University of Missouri-Columbia (MBA).

Pete Pachal

Pete Pachal, founder of The Media Copilot and veteran technology journalist, helps media professionals navigate the intersection of AI and content creation through training, consulting, and his daily newsletter. A frequent commentator on AI and tech trends for major networks like CNN and NPR, he brings over 20 years of editorial leadership experience from roles at CoinDesk, Mashable, and NBC Universal to help newsrooms and content creators harness AI effectively while preserving journalistic integrity.

Drawing from over two decades of technology journalism and editorial leadership at major outlets like CoinDesk, Mashable, and NBC Universal, he combines deep industry expertise with practical insights to help newsrooms and content creators leverage AI tools effectively while maintaining editorial standards.

Through The Media Copilot's daily newsletter and training programs, he helps media professionals cut through the hype around generative AI, providing actionable strategies for implementing AI in content workflows while preserving journalistic integrity. His experience driving digital transformation and audience growth—from growing CoinDesk's newsletter subscribers to over 100,000 to building DVICE.com to 1 million monthly visitors - informs his practical, results-oriented approach to AI adoption in media.

Kevin Vandever

Kevin Vandever is a former seasoned technology consultant and AI developer who brings together deep technical expertise with exceptional communication skills and leadership abilities. His career highlights include automating manufacturing operations, revitalizing underperforming teams, and contributing to a patented user experience process, while also establishing himself as a published author and technical columnist in the software development field.

With his recent AI development certification from MindStudio, Kevin continues to expand his capabilities in creating cutting-edge solutions, particularly in workflow automation, chatbots, and content creation. His approach combines technical innovation with practical business sense, enhanced by his trademark sense of humor and empathetic leadership style that consistently delivers high-quality solutions while building and mentoring effective teams. As both a consultant and developer, he excels at understanding complex technical concepts and making them accessible to diverse audiences, ensuring that technology solutions directly address business challenges while fostering a culture of innovation.