Specialization (2024-Present):

#1. Building with AI requires balancing development with thoughtful design

Through creating my AI journal analyzer and digital twin projects, I learned that AI tools can accelerate development but don't replace thoughtful product process. The most valuable skill isn't prompt engineering—it's developing frameworks for what you want to build and understanding the full development lifecycle, from concept to implementation to scaling considerations.

#2. Product adoption hinges on understanding user anxiety, not just features

While promoting Perplexity at Yale, I discovered that technical superiority isn't enough to drive adoption. Non-technical users approach new AI tools with specific concerns and workflows in mind. By addressing their anxieties first rather than highlighting capabilities, I'm learning to position products as solutions to existing pain points rather than novel technologies requiring behavioral change.

Planning Yale's Responsible AI Conference revealed that AI isn't just about understanding how it works—it's about bringing together voices from policy, enterprise, academia, and government to shape how it should work. The most impactful innovations happen when we connect technical capabilities with broader societal needs and considerations.

#3. Responsible AI requires diverse perspectives, not just technical expertise

Key Lessons Learned (So Far)

Driving AI adoption by addressing non-technical user pain points

As Perplexity's Campus Strategist, I focus on understanding why non-technical users hesitate to adopt new AI tools despite clear advantages over existing solutions. Coming from a non-CS background myself, I recognize the intimidation factor that prevents many from exploring AI's benefits. This insight shapes my approach to product education and adoption—starting with user anxieties rather than technical capabilities, and connecting new tools to familiar workflows before introducing advanced features.

What I'm Doing

Leading Yale's Responsible AI Conference planning

As AI Association Co-President, I lead the planning for Yale's largest AI conference, bringing together leaders from business, academia, and government. Rather than focusing solely on technical capabilities, we structure the conference to address the interconnected challenges of responsible AI development and adoption. This work deepens my understanding of how product decisions impact various stakeholders and reinforces my commitment to building technology that serves human needs ethically and inclusively.

Building AI projects from concept to implementation

I'm creating two AI applications that push my technical boundaries while addressing personal needs. My journal analyzer processes 6 years of personal journal data to identify patterns and insights—teaching me about data privacy considerations and scalability challenges. My AI digital twin project, built from audio and journal data teaches me about implementing technical guardrails and thoughtful design decisions around sensitive personal information.

Fostering technical skill development through community building

Recognizing that AI's learning curve can be intimidating, I found "Coding with Kyle" sessions that bring together 20 Yale MBAs to learn coding with AI tools in a supportive environment. By structuring regular sessions where participants share projects, challenges, and discoveries, I create a space where technical exploration becomes less intimidating and more collaborative. This experience demonstrates how community frameworks can accelerate both individual learning and broader technology adoption.

Applying AI & Product Leadership

Transition (2023-2024):

#1. Innovation thrives when you embrace discomfort

The most valuable growth happened when I stepped outside my comfort zone—from making mistakes at Skydio to learning to code with AI tools. Each unfamiliar challenge taught me that meaningful innovation requires embracing uncertainty and viewing setbacks as stepping stones rather than roadblocks.

#2. Technical solutions need human context to create impact

Working across policy, quantum technology research, and product development showed me that technology only creates value when it addresses real human needs. My work with Connecticut's EV policy development reinforced how understanding both technical capabilities and user contexts translates complex solutions into meaningful experiences.

My journey learning to code by leveraging AI tools taught me that hands-on building is more powerful than theoretical knowledge alone. By founding "Coding with Kyle" sessions, I discovered that technology adoption multiplies when we create environments where people explore together—sharing tools, mistakes, and breakthroughs that transform individual learning into collective advancement.

#3. Learning by doing accelerates growth, especially when shared

Key Lessons Learned

Developed technical foundations through hands-on learning

Taking CS50 and specialized AI courses provided the technical vocabulary and concepts I needed to collaborate effectively with technical teams. Rather than remaining theoretical, I applied these skills by building simple AI applications. Learning to code with AI tools showed me that technical skill-building isn't linear—it's about using the right tools to solve real problems while developing a deeper understanding of fundamentals. Plus, I can bring others along the same journey thanks to "Coding With Kyle"

Researched emerging technology's workforce impact

As part of Yale's Economic Development Lab, I consulted on how quantum technologies would reshape workforce needs and community development. By interviewing stakeholders across sectors, I gained perspective on technology's ripple effects beyond its creators, deepening my commitment to building products that create opportunities rather than just showcasing technical innovation.

What I Did

Progressed from lab product exercises to real-world PM experience

My product journey began with leading a student team to prototype a self-sanitizing makeup brush container for L'Oréal—a scrappy hardware project that taught me basic PM fundamentals. This foundation proved invaluable when I later joined Skydio as a PM intern, where I experienced the full intensity of startup culture. Coming from transportation engineering, I embraced the fast pace and cross-functional collaboration required to develop drone solutions. While drinking from the firehose at Skydio, I made valuable mistakes that highlighted specific technical skills I needed to develop—insights that guided my subsequent technical learning journey and reinforced the gap between academic exercises and real-world product development.

Bridged technical innovation with policy development

Working with Connecticut's Office of the Governor on electric vehicle strategy allowed me to apply my transportation expertise to emerging technology policy. I researched implementation challenges, stakeholder needs, and infrastructure requirements—drawing parallels between public policy development and product roadmapping. This experience reinforced how technology impacts real communities, informing my approach to responsible product development.

From Engineering to Product Innovation

Transportation engineering & emerging tech leadership

#1. Bridging different perspectives unlocks hidden opportunities

Working across organizational silos—from field operations to executive leadership—taught me that innovation often happens at the intersection of different viewpoints. My ability to speak the language of both technical and non-technical stakeholders allowed me to identify opportunities that others missed and build momentum for cross-functional initiatives that might otherwise have stalled.

#2. Successful adoption requires meeting users where they are

When introducing new technologies, I discovered that resistance usually stems from workflow disruption rather than the technology itself. By spending time with maintenance crews, inspectors, and managers to understand their daily challenges, I learned to position new tools as extensions of their existing processes rather than replacements. This user-centered approach to technology introduction became the foundation of my product thinking.

The most meaningful innovations don't come from technical specifications alone but from understanding how technology intersects with human needs. By grounding technical discussions in real-world impact—like how transportation affects family opportunities—I learned to develop solutions that address core human challenges rather than just showcasing technological capabilities.

#3. Connecting human experience with technology creates impact

Key Lessons Learned

Led the Future of Mobility education initiative

Recognizing a knowledge gap about autonomous vehicles, drones, and AI, I developed and delivered presentations that reached thousands—from maintenance crews to executive leadership. Rather than focusing solely on technical capabilities, I emphasized practical applications and potential impacts on workflows, helping teams envision how these technologies would transform their daily work. This experience refined my ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear value propositions that resonate with diverse audiences.

Pioneered emerging technology adoption across departments

What began as pandemic-era exploration of drone photography and VR visualization evolved into formal programs that transformed how we worked. I established Houston's regional drone program after conducting user interviews across departments to understand their unique workflows. Simultaneously, I introduced teams to VR's potential for 3D modeling and digital twins, though with limited adoption. This journey from personal curiosity to organizational change agent taught me how to introduce new technologies in ways resonate with non-technical audiences.

What I Did

Shared my life story with 8,000+ transportation leaders

Growing up in Houston as an immigrant, I experienced firsthand how transportation impacts access to education, healthcare, and opportunity. By sharing this perspective with industry leaders, I helped shift the conversation from moving vehicles to connecting people with essential services. This authentic approach to advocacy built bridges between technical solutions and human needs—something I bring to every product I work on.

Foundation (2019 - 2023):