Subutai Ahmad

Email: sa86@cornell.edu

Position: CTO, Numenta

College and Class Year: Arts and Sciences, 1986

Tell us about what you're doing with your life, including what brought you to the Bay Area:
Currently running an AI company, called Numenta, that is taking inspiration from neuroscience and applying it to AI. I mainly came to the Bay Area to complete my PhD, and loved it here!

In what ways have you stayed connected with Cornell since graduating?
Attended and have spoken at various alumni events, such as CSV. Local co-chair of CAAAN, which used to interview prospective Cornell students. Sent two kids to Cornell, which enabled me to visit multiple times over the last 12 years.

If you could go back to your years on the Hill - what one piece of advice would you share with that younger version of you?
Get more involved with a variety of student groups!

What was the most important class, club or connection made while at Cornell that has been important in your career (or life) journey?
Cognitive Psychology class, inspired me to get interested in how the brain works.

Timothy Duffy

Email: twd37@cornell.edu

Major and Class Year: Mechanical Engineering, 2027

What drew you to attend Cornell for your university experience?
When I visited Cornell it was such a beautiful campus full of hardworking and friendly people (and an amazing engineering program), which I'm happy to say I still get to experience everyday at school. It was also incredibly cold, but it has actually been very fun to experience real seasons having come from California.

What is your favorite spot on Campus (or Ithaca more broadly), and why?
My favorite spot in Ithaca is Sunset Park. It's this small crescent shaped park to the north of campus with a beautiful view overlooking the lake. It's typically pretty quiet and per the name is a beautiful place to view the sunset. A great place for a book or listening to music.

What are your aspirations professionally (or personally) once you leave Cornell?
I want to get my Masters in engineering, which might actually keep me at Cornell for an extra year if that is the path I follow. I don't know exactly the work I want to do out of college (I suppose that is part of what the rest of college is for), but I am interested in machining and aerospace.