Ashwin Ram

Ashwin Ram is an Innovation Fellow at PARC, where he leads socio-cognitive computing and healthcare. His team focuses on social computing technologies to augment human cognition in several application areas, including health and wellness. His research expertise includes artificial intelligence and cognitive science -- spanning natural language processing, case-based reasoning, machine learning, educational technology, social media, and AI applications.

Ashwin brings to PARC a proven track record in driving research to successful commercialization. A serial entrepreneur, Ashwin specializes in technology innovation and business strategy. He has co-founded four startups: OpenStudy, the first large-scale open social learning network for students and educators; Enkia (acquired by Sentiment360), which developed AI software for social media applications; Cobot Health, a social network for healthcare information; and Ardext, which provided software for testing electronic components and systems. 

Prior to PARC, Ashwin was Director of Georgia Tech’s Cognitive Computing Lab and Associate Professor in the College of Computing. He has also been an Associate Professor of Cognitive Science, an Adjunct Professor in the School of Psychology, and an Adjunct Professor in Department of Math & Computer Science at Emory University.

Dr. Ram earned his Ph.D. from Yale University, M.S. in Computer Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and B.Tech. in Electrical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology in New Delhi, where he received the President of India's Gold Medal for valedictorians. He has over 100 research publications and is a co-editor of three books: on Goal-Driven Learning; Understanding Language Understanding: Computational Models of Reading; and Case-Based Reasoning Research and Development. 

Ashwin is a closet anthropologist and loves travel, people, and culture.