Welcome to Extra Mile by HiTechNectar, an exclusive interview series with industry leaders, discussing the latest innovations, tech trends, marketing practices, expert insights, and a lot more.
For today’s discussion, we are pleased to introduce Liran Hason, CEO and Co-founder of Aporia, the leading AI observability and monitoring firm. With top-notch guardrail facilities for AI workloads, the company has become the most preferred service provider of Fortune 500 companies. Let us learn about Aporia’s services, operations, challenges, and much more from the company’s visionary leader.
Hello Liran! We are thrilled to host you today!
Q1. We’d love to know about your fascinating journey. From starting to code at 10 to becoming the CEO & Co-Founder of Aporia, your path is truly inspiring. Can you share more about the experiences and milestones that have shaped your career and vision for the future of AI?
Ans. Certainly! I have always been passionate about solving complex problems. My career has been defined by a relentless pursuit of challenges that allow me to develop innovative solutions, implement them, and validate their effectiveness through real-world testing with real users.
My journey began at the age of 17 as a Software Engineer in a cybersecurity firm, where I tackled intricate issues head-on. I then advanced to serve as a Captain at Israel’s National Security Agency, further honing my skills in high-stakes environments. Most notably, I was a core team member at Adallom, a startup acquired by Microsoft for $320 million, where I contributed to groundbreaking advancements that were pivotal to our success.
These diverse experiences have profoundly influenced my approach as the CEO and Co-Founder of Aporia. My journey has instilled a relentless drive for creativity in me, continuous learning, and a commitment to developing impactful AI solutions. Looking ahead, my vision for Aporia is to harness these experiences to shape the future of AI, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible and delivering transformative technologies that address real-world challenges.
Q2. Can you highlight any specific events or challenges that led you to recognize the need for an AI control platform like Aporia? What was the pivotal moment you decided to find Aporia, and how did you achieve such remarkable success?
Ans. The concept for Aporia – delivering secure & reliable AI for every use case, first came to my mind over a decade ago when I was building an iris-biometric identification system – at a time when the field was still emerging. Two pivotal insights emerged during this project:
- AI’s Transformative Potential: I observed firsthand the remarkable capabilities of neural networks and AI, which offered solutions that traditional software couldn’t achieve, such as image processing. I later applied these insights to develop early detection methods for hepatocellular carcinoma, a type of cancer often diagnosed too late. This experience underscored AI’s profound potential to revolutionize fields, like healthcare, and save lives.
- The Need for Reliability in AI: Despite its promise, I found that AI systems, unlike traditional software, often lack the reliability we depend on. As an engineer with extensive experience in production applications, it became evident that AI’s inherent unpredictability necessitates robust solutions. Rather than altering the technology itself, it became clear that we need another way to build trust in this technology. Thus, the idea of deterministic guardrails to manage its uncertainties was born.
These realizations highlighted a critical need for an AI control platform capable of providing reliable, secure, and trustworthy AI solutions. This vision drove the founding of Aporia, with the goal of creating a platform that addresses these challenges and enables society to fully harness the benefits of AI. Our success has been built on this foundational understanding and our commitment to developing solutions that offer both security and reliability.
Q3. AI is constantly evolving and taking centre stage in every field. How do you see the global adoption of AI progressing in the coming years? Will it even integrate into everyday life for the average person?
Ans. Great question! AI is increasingly woven into the fabric of our daily lives, often in ways that go unnoticed. From the personalized ads we see while browsing the web to the AI systems that support loan approvals, these technologies are already making significant impacts. At the more advanced end of the spectrum, autonomous vehicles are becoming a reality, with self-driving cabs operating in various locations.
Looking ahead, I am confident that by 2025, AI will be even more deeply integrated into every aspect of our lives. Its influence will expand beyond the background systems and tools we use today, becoming a more visible and integral part of our daily routines. As AI technology continues to evolve, its role in shaping and enhancing our everyday experiences will only grow more pronounced.
Furthermore, as AI technology evolves and becomes more pervasive, ensuring that it is safe and reliable is crucial. The need to establish robust safeguards and reliability measures now is key to fully realizing AI’s potential while maintaining trust and security for all users.
Q4. Aporia has quickly become a leader in AI control and observability, gaining the trust of Fortune 500 companies and AI teams worldwide. How does Aporia provide state-of-the-art guardrails for AI workloads, and what makes them stand out in the Industry?
Ans. Aporia’s success in becoming a leader in AI control and observability is deeply rooted in the exceptional team behind our AI Control platform. Our strength lies in our unique blend of AI experts, cybersecurity specialists, and software architects. This diverse expertise enables us to design and deliver state-of-the-art AI guardrails that are both highly effective and user-friendly.
What sets Aporia apart in the industry is our commitment to performance and usability. Our AI guardrails are engineered to provide unparalleled protection and oversight while ensuring a seamless experience for our clients. This combination of cutting-edge technology and a user-centric approach has earned us the trust of Fortune 500 companies and AI teams around the world.
Q5. Security is of utmost importance in today’s digital landscape. How does Aporia ensure that AI systems remain secure against various threats and vulnerabilities? Can you share your takeaway on this?
Ans. At Aporia, security is paramount, and we take a proactive and comprehensive approach to safeguarding AI systems against threats and vulnerabilities. Our dedicated team of cybersecurity experts continually researches emerging vulnerabilities and threats, developing and implementing real-time mitigation techniques.
While there are parallels to traditional cybersecurity, AI security demands a deep understanding of the unique aspects of AI systems. Aporia’s platform is designed to be dynamic and adaptive, continuously evolving to address the latest AI attacks and incorporate effective countermeasures. This ongoing vigilance ensures that our clients’ AI systems remain secure and resilient in the face of ever-evolving threats.
Q6. Being named a Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum and Forbes’ “Next Billion-Dollar Company” are significant accolades. How have these recognitions impacted Aporia’s growth and your leadership approach?
Ans. Being recognized as a Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum and named a “Next Billion-Dollar Company” by Forbes are tremendous honors that have significantly influenced Aporia’s growth and my approach to leadership. These accolades affirm the validity and impact of our vision to deliver secure and reliable AI solutions.
The recognition from such esteemed organizations has not only validated our efforts but also amplified our reach and credibility in the industry. It has reinforced our commitment to driving innovation and excellence in AI. As a leader, these accolades inspire me to continue pushing boundaries and striving for greater impact, ensuring that our solutions remain at the forefront of AI technology while adhering to the highest standards of security and reliability.
Q7. Liran, you’re truly an AI fan! Would you share a piece of advice with individuals aspiring to build a career in AI? What essential skills or experiences should they focus on to excel in this fastest-growing field?
Ans. For those aspiring to build a career in AI, my advice is to dive in and get hands-on experience. Embrace the challenges, tackle problems head-on, and stay committed to finding innovative solutions.
The journey will have its ups and downs, but if you’re passionate about what you do and focused on making a meaningful impact, the effort will be well worth it. Prioritize practical experience, develop a problem-solving mindset, and continuously update your knowledge with the latest advancements in AI. Most importantly, stay resilient and enthusiastic—your passion and perseverance will be key to your success.
