Darren Kimura is the CEO and President of AI Squared, bringing over 25 years of experience in technology and leadership to the role. With a background in computer science and electrical engineering, Darren has built a career around scaling companies and connecting AI with practical business solutions. Before joining AI Squared in 2024, he led organizations in the energy sector and served as a venture capitalist, giving him a broad perspective on both technology and entrepreneurship.

In this episode, Darren shares insights from his journey, including the lessons he learned through persistence and mistakes, like the long road of fundraising and navigating market ups and downs. He talks about how his early work in energy tech shaped his approach to real-world problems and how his time in venture capital deepened his empathy for founders. Darren also explains AI Squared’s mission to make artificial intelligence accessible and trustworthy, focusing on tools that help everyday users benefit from AI without needing specialized skills. Throughout the conversation, he emphasizes the importance of responsible AI, leadership that empowers others, and a lasting legacy built on people and culture rather than just technology.