Iain Mackie is the CEO and Co-Founder of Malted AI, a cutting-edge technology company specializing in the development of custom AI solutions using distilled Large Language Models (LLMs). His career is marked by a blend of academic excellence and practical experience in finance and technology.

Professional Background

Current Position: CEO and Co-Founder at Malted AI (2022 - Present)

Location: Edinburgh, Scotland

Education: PhD in Information Retrieval from the University of Glasgow.

During his studies, Iain served as a Student Investment Partner for three years, gaining valuable insights into investment strategies and technology applications.

Previous Experience:

Quantitative Trader at BNY Mellon: Iain worked in finance, where he utilized quantitative methods to inform trading strategies, demonstrating his analytical skills and understanding of complex financial systems.

Malted AI Company Overview:

Malted AI focuses on creating small language models (SLMs) that are tailored to solve specific enterprise problems efficiently and cost-effectively. The company emerged from concepts developed during the 2022 Amazon Alexa Prize, where Iain and his co-founders excelled among over 100 teams.

Achievements

Under Iain's leadership, Malted AI secured £6 million in seed funding to expand its operations and enhance its product offerings. The funding was led by Hoxton Ventures, alongside other investors.

The company's innovative approach allows enterprises to leverage SLMs for domain-specific tasks, achieving significant cost savings while improving performance.

Vision and Philosophy

Iain believes in the potential of smaller, focused AI models over larger, generalized ones. He emphasizes that "smaller is better" when addressing complex enterprise challenges, advocating for a tailored approach that meets specific needs rather than relying on broad solutions.

Skills and Expertise

• Leadership: Proven track record in leading innovative tech startups and managing diverse teams.

• AI and Machine Learning: Deep understanding of AI technologies, particularly in language processing and model distillation.

• Quantitative Analysis: Strong background in quantitative finance, enhancing his ability to apply analytical methods in technology development.

Personal Insights

Iain's journey reflects a commitment to leveraging technology for practical applications. His transition from finance to AI exemplifies his adaptability and forward-thinking mindset. As a leader at Malted AI, he aims to revolutionize how enterprises utilize AI by providing specialized solutions that enhance operational efficiency.

In summary, Iain Mackie stands out as a visionary leader in the AI space, combining academic prowess with real-world experience to drive innovation at Malted AI.