Karl F. Hirsch
President and CEO
TinMan Systems, Inc.,
USA
Biography
Karl Hirsch is President and CEO of TinMan Systems (www.tinmansystems.com), a Seattle WA based provider of software and professional services for the development and deployment of next generation artificial intelligence (AI systems). With 27 years of experience in rapid growth, high-technology companies providing software and internet technologies, Hirsch is recognized as a pioneer in digital rights management (DRM) and electronic software distribution (ESD). In 1994, he personally programmed one of the earliest commercial software development kits (SDK) for remote software authentication, digital licensing and copy-protection technologies, which is still in use today by many companies. For the last 12 years, Hirsch has focused his attentions to pattern recognition and autonomous machine intelligence, where in 2010 he founded TinMan Systems. TinMan technology provides an innovative, user-friendly PC and web-based tools framework and deployment library to develop and integrate expert human-like decision making into commercial systems operating in dynamic environments. Hirsch also served 2 years as chairman of the SIIA (Software and Information Industry Association) Internet and Electronic Distribution Division, and as CompTIA (Computer Trade Industry Association) Board member and RosettaNet architect. As a three-time CEO, Karl is familiar with all aspects of rapid business growth in early to mid-stage companies. He founded two internet technology companies, Preview Systems (IPO Dec '99) and OneChannel.net. More recently, Karl was CEO of Protexis, where he worked with his team and investors to restructure and redirect the company into a leading global platform for distribution of digital content. This platform is used by Microsoft today to securely market and distribute its PC Windows OS and office software digitally. Hirsch successfully completed the sale of Protexis in 2009 to Bertelsmann AG, a multi-billion dollar global media company. Karl has also raised over $70m dollars in venture financing over the last 17 years.
Research Interest
Software and internet technologies