Ron Kohavi

Ronny Kohavi is a pioneering figure in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and online controlled experiments. His career, spanning several decades, has left an indelible mark on the tech industry, driving significant innovations in data-driven decision-making.

Ronny\’s journey into technology and data science began with a strong academic foundation, which set the stage for his future work in machine learning and controlled experiments. His professional path took him to Silicon Valley, where he worked with influential companies like Amazon and Microsoft. At Amazon, he was instrumental in driving innovation through data, and at Microsoft, he made a lasting impact by founding the Experimentation Platform team.

At Microsoft, Ronny built a team of over 110 data scientists and developers, enabling the execution of experiments across more than 15 major product groups. His leadership in using controlled experiments accelerated software innovation, unveiling new ideas that enhanced user experience and generated substantial revenue.

Ronny\’s expertise led him to Airbnb, where he served as Vice President and Technical Fellow. His role at Airbnb continued his legacy of pushing the boundaries of data science and controlled experiments.

Beyond his corporate achievements, Ronny is highly regarded in the academic world. He was named the 5th most influential scholar in AI and the 26th in Machine Learning in 2016. His research has introduced practical improvements in accuracy estimation, feature selection, and controlled experiments, with his work being cited over 42,000 times.

A prolific writer and thinker, Ronny is a top-viewed author on Quora, especially on A/B testing topics, and a frequent keynote speaker at major conferences. He holds 15 patents in machine learning, visualization, and experimentation, reflecting his innovative contributions to the field.

Ronny co-authored \”Trustworthy Online Controlled Experiments: A Practical Guide to A/B Testing\” with Diane Tang from Google and Ya Xu from LinkedIn. This book, translated into several languages, is a key resource for practitioners. He also shares his knowledge through consulting and teaching, offering a 10-hour live class on A/B testing.

Ronny Kohavi\’s career is a testament to his profound impact on technology. His work in AI and machine learning has fundamentally changed how companies innovate through controlled experiments. As a leader, mentor, and innovator, Ronny continues to inspire and influence the next generation of data scientists and technologists, ensuring his legacy will endure in the rapidly evolving world of AI and data science.