Manoj Saxena

Manoj Saxena is the CEO of Trustwise, an award-winning AI safety company that secures and controls agentic AI systems, making them safer as they run while cutting costs and reducing carbon footprint. Known as the “father of IBM Watson” and a pioneer of Trusted Artificial Intelligence, he is a recognized leader in building ethical and responsible AI systems.

Saxena is also the founder and Executive Chairman of the Responsible AI Institute (RAI Institute), a global non-profit advancing the adoption of trustworthy and ethical AI. Previously, he served as General Manager of IBM Watson, leading its transformation from a research project into one of the world’s most recognized AI brands, and as Chairman of the Board at the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, San Antonio.

Prior to IBM, Saxena was the founder and CEO of two venture-backed software companies which were acquired within a five-year span by Commerce One and by IBM. Over his career, he has built startups that have generated over $1.8 billion in exit value. He holds 34 AI software patents and continues to shape the field as a Lecturer at the University of Texas at Austin, teaching “Design of Ethical AI Systems,” and as a fellow contributor at the University of Cambridge on responsible leadership in AI.

Beyond his professional work, Saxena is an avid auto racing enthusiast, having completed over 60,000 miles in track and rally events worldwide. He holds degrees from Michigan State University and the Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani.