Fergal Reid
Backend EngineerAI is analyzing your overall score…
Identifying your key strengths…
Evaluating your skill match against the job requirements…
Assessing your cultural and operational fit
AI is analyzing your overall score…
Identifying your key strengths…
Evaluating your skill match against the job requirements…
Assessing your cultural and operational fit
Chief AI Officer at Fin
- Applied Machine Learning / AI - Product management / technical product strategy - Software development & leading technical teams Key experience: - My Machine Learning startup Synference was acquired by Optimizely (San Francisco). - I've a PhD in machine learning applied to network analysis (co-authoring an early paper on Bitcoin, with >1000 citations). - Track record of building ML teams, and bringing ML products from first prototype to substantial revenue, working in engineering and product roles. - I've lectured college courses in AI and ML/stats. - I've a primary degree in CS, and a second degree in Mathematics I'm good at navigating the space between 'what should we build' and 'how should we build it', for Data and ML products. I understand business objectives, but also see technical shortcuts and pitfalls. I've worked closely with designers and have a good feel for product UX. I enjoy leveraged technical roles, where I can use individual technical knowledge to efficiently help a bigger team. I'm interested in hard tech and advancing the application of AI.
University College Dublin
PhD, Computer Science, Machine Learning, Complex networks, Graphs
January 1, 2009 – January 1, 2013
Trinity College Dublin
BA Mod, Computer Science
January 1, 2000 – January 1, 2004
The Open University
BSc Hons, Mathematics
N/A – Present
Mercy Secondary School Ballymahon
Secondary School
N/A – Present
Fin
Chief AI Officer
August 1, 2025 – Present
Intercom
VP of AI
November 1, 2023 – July 1, 2025
Intercom
Sr. Director of Machine Learning
March 1, 2023 – October 1, 2023
Intercom
Director of Machine Learning
April 1, 2021 – February 1, 2023
Intercom
Principal Machine Learning Engineer
October 1, 2018 – April 1, 2021
Intercom
Machine Learning Strategist
May 1, 2017 – October 1, 2018
Dublin Business School
Lecturer (Advanced Data Analytics; Part-time)
August 1, 2016 – September 1, 2016
Clevercards
CTO
August 1, 2016 – April 1, 2017
Swrve
Machine Learning Architect (Contract)
April 1, 2016 – July 1, 2016
Optimizely
Product Manager
December 1, 2014 – March 1, 2016
San Francisco Bay Area
Optimizely
Senior Machine Learning Engineer
July 1, 2014 – December 1, 2014
San Francisco Bay Area
Griffith College Ireland
Lecturer (Artificial Intelligence for Games; Part-time)
January 1, 2014 – March 1, 2014
Synference Predictive Analytics (Acquired by Optimizely)
Cofounder & CEO
January 1, 2013 – June 1, 2014
Dublin
University College Dublin
PhD in Complex/Social Network Analysis
May 1, 2009 – December 1, 2012
Contract Software Developer
Contract Software Developer
September 1, 2008 – March 1, 2009
EMC
Software Contractor (via Edgespace)
April 1, 2006 – April 1, 2007
Edgespace
Co-founder and Director
August 1, 2004 – January 1, 2008
Securify
Software Contractor (via Edgespace)
August 1, 2004 – March 1, 2006
Upstart Games
Java Developer (Summer 2004)
June 1, 2004 – August 1, 2004
Stadeon
Software Contractor (Summer 2003)
June 1, 2003 – August 1, 2003
Trintech
QA Intern (Summer 2001)
June 1, 2001 – August 1, 2001
Cultural Fit Analysis
The candidate's career trajectory shows a strong alignment with innovation and impact, particularly in the AI/ML space. Their history of leading new initiatives, building teams, and even founding a startup suggests a proactive and entrepreneurial mindset. The emphasis on 'solving customer problems, and business impact, over pure technology' aligns with a results-oriented culture. The diverse roles from IC to executive leadership, coupled with academic and teaching experience, indicate adaptability and a broad perspective, which could contribute positively to cultural dynamics.
Soft Skills & Operational Fit
The candidate demonstrates strong leadership, strategic thinking, and a pragmatic approach to technology, prioritizing business impact. Their experience in managing large, cross-functional teams and driving new product development indicates excellent operational fit for senior roles. The ability to 'make decisions quickly and cut through red tape' suggests strong problem-solving and execution skills. Experience as a lecturer also points to strong communication and mentorship abilities.