Sacha Krstulovic

Sacha Krstulovic is a leading authority on artificial intelligence, audio innovation and emerging technologies, with more than 30 years of experience shaping the future of AI research and engineering. As the Managing Director of Understand-AI.today, Sacha is recognised for translating highly technical concepts into practical business applications, making him a sought-after keynote speaker for organisations navigating digital transformation and AI adoption. Renowned for his expertise in speech synthesis, machine learning and intelligent audio systems, he has held senior leadership roles across globally respected AI and technology companies while consistently driving innovation at the forefront of the industry.

Sacha began his career as a Research Assistant at the IDIAP Research Institute before progressing into research and engineering roles at IRISA, DFKI and Toshiba Research. During this period, he developed one of the first HMM-based speech synthesisers for the German language, helping to advance early speech technology systems. He later joined Nuance Communications as a Senior Research Engineer before moving to Audio Analytic, where he rose from Lead Research Engineer to Vice President of Technology and Director of Innovation. Continuing his leadership within AI, Sacha became Head of Artificial Intelligence Research at Music Tribe before taking on the role of Director of AI Engineering at Canopy.

Academically, Sacha holds a Master’s in Engineering and a PhD in Technical Sciences, underpinning his reputation as both a researcher and industry innovator. Alongside his commercial achievements, he has shared his expertise on global stages, including his TEDx talk, The Sounds Around Us, where he explored the intersection of sound, technology and artificial intelligence. His ability to connect scientific advancement with real-world impact has established him as a respected thought leader within AI and innovation.

Today, Sacha combines deep technical expertise with strategic business insight to help organisations understand the opportunities and risks surrounding AI adoption. His presentations explore innovation, emerging technologies, responsible AI and the future of intelligent systems, delivering audiences practical insights informed by decades of pioneering research and executive leadership.

Sacha Krstulovic is hired as a speaker for his rare ability to bridge cutting-edge artificial intelligence research with practical business innovation. Drawing on decades of experience across global AI organisations, he delivers engaging talks on machine learning, speech technology, digital transformation and the future of intelligent systems. His TEDx talk, The Sounds Around Us, showcased his talent for making complex technologies accessible and thought-provoking for diverse audiences. Combining technical depth with commercial understanding, Sacha equips businesses with actionable insights into how AI can reshape industries, improve innovation and drive long-term competitive advantage.

Here are some of the key milestones that define Sacha Krstulovic’s remarkable career:

  • 2024 – Became Managing Director of Understand-AI.today, helping organisations navigate AI innovation and strategy.
  • 2023 – Appointed Director of AI Engineering at Canopy, leading advanced AI engineering initiatives.
  • 2022 – Served as Head of Artificial Intelligence Research at Music Tribe, overseeing AI research and development projects.
  • 2016 – Promoted to Director of Innovation at Audio Analytic, driving innovation strategy and emerging technology development.
  • 2014 – Became Vice President of Technology at Audio Analytic, leading technical growth and product innovation.
  • 2012 – Joined Audio Analytic as Lead Research Engineer, specialising in intelligent audio recognition systems.
  • 2011 – Worked as Senior Research Engineer at Nuance Communications, contributing to speech and AI technologies.
  • 2007 – Served as Research Engineer at Toshiba Research, advancing machine learning and audio engineering projects.
  • 2006 – Worked as a Researcher at DFKI, contributing to AI and speech technology research.
  • 2004 – Held the position of Research Engineer at IRISA after beginning his research career at IDIAP Research Institute in 1996.