Alexander Cohen

Dr. Alexander J. Cohen is the CEO of 4by9, Inc., an artificial intelligence platform transforming structured data analysis, enabling experts to build advanced reasoning applications at scale. With decades of experience at the intersection of AI, complex systems, and intellectual property, he pioneered numerous advancements for the Internet, including Natural Language Processing, advertising systems, and distributed computing technologies. An inventor with over 200 patents, he has held influential roles at organizations like Fortress Investment Group, Intellectual Ventures, Netscape, and others, where his innovative work has shaped the trajectory of AI and knowledge systems.

Early in his career, Dr. Cohen was Chief Technology Officer at The McKinley Group, where he architected the groundbreaking Magellan Search Engine—the first to integrate context-sensitive results-based advertising and hardware-accelerated natural language processing. At Netscape, he served as Director of Technology for Personalization and Advertising, where he developed state-of-the-art infrastructure for advertising systems and personalization technologies that helped define the early internet economy.

In addition to his professional work, he is an Adjunct Professor at UC Berkeley, where he has taught for over 25 years in the Film and Media Department. His courses explore the intersection of digital media, culture, and technology, with a particular focus on the impact of artificial intelligence on creative industries and society. Combining his academic and professional pursuits, Alexander continues to drive innovation while fostering critical discussions on the cultural implications of emerging technologies.