A Journey of Discovery in AI
Adam Wood, CEO of Mind Mage, has pursued a journey of continuous learning and exploration in AI. His path began in the mid-90s with a chance encounter in a local PC World, where he stumbled upon a programming book titled "More Tricks of the Game Programming Gurus" that inspired him to teach himself to write code. It took him months to track down a copy of the first book in the series and realise his learning curve would have been easier if he'd started at the beginning! Hidden within its pages, a chapter on artificial intelligence captured Adam's imagination, sparking a lifelong passion that would shape his entire career. Those early days of teaching himself to code, experimenting with game AI, and dreaming of the possibilities of artificial intelligence laid the foundation for everything that followed.
From Curiosity to Career
This self-taught foundation led to a spot in the University of Durham's dedicated artificial intelligence undergraduate program. Being part of this new, specialized course offered unique opportunities and challenges. Balancing his studies with running a small web design company to help fund his time there, Adam gained valuable experience in both the academic and practical sides of technology. The combination of cutting-edge theoretical learning and hands-on problem-solving proved invaluable in shaping his approach to AI.
Shaping the AI Landscape
Adam has consistently transformed innovative AI concepts into practical applications. He founded an AI-driven home automation company, developed eco-friendly intelligent plugins for 3D CAD software, and played a key role in Amazon Alexa's development and launch. These accomplishments demonstrate his ability to lead groundbreaking AI projects on a global scale. At Amazon, Adam's contributions were foundational. He built and patented the first dialogue management system for Alexa, led teams that expanded Alexa's knowledge base, and played a crucial role in forming Amazon's Artificial General Intelligence organization. His work spanned distributed systems, large knowledge graphs, ontology design, logical reasoning, and deep learning, culminating in pioneering advancements in multi-step reasoning and agentic AI.
The Mind Mage Vision
The idea for Mind Mage grew from Adam's longstanding interest in interactive storytelling and his belief in the potential of AI to revolutionize this field. He founded the company with the goal of creating AI agents capable of earning genuine trust and operating with greater autonomy, particularly in the realm of games and immersive digital entertainment. As CEO, Adam strives to foster an environment of collaboration and innovation, drawing on his experiences to guide the team towards new frontiers in AI. It's a responsibility he takes seriously, and he's constantly inspired by the creativity and expertise of the people he works with.
Life Beyond Work
When not immersed in the world of AI, Adam finds balance and inspiration in outdoor activities. Running, scuba diving, and wild camping help him recharge and gain new perspectives. He's also an avid board game enthusiast – finding that the strategic thinking involved resonates with his approach to both work and life. At Mind Mage, Adam and his team are working to shape the future of AI in storytelling and interactive experiences. It's a journey he's thrilled to be on, and he's excited to see where it leads next.
