#United States #San Francisco #AI Leadership #Mozilla #Raffi Krikorian

Mozilla Welcomes Raffi Krikorian as Chief Technology Officer

In a significant development for the tech community, Mozilla has appointed Raffi Krikorian as its inaugural portfolio-wide Chief Technology Officer (CTO). This move underscores Mozilla's dedication to advancing trustworthy and open-source artificial intelligence (AI) as the landscape of technology continues to evolve rapidly.

A New Chapter at Mozilla

Krikorian, a notable technologist with an impressive record as an innovator and community builder, will oversee efforts that span the entire organization. Reporting directly to Mozilla's President, Mark Surman, he will collaborate with a team of distinguished technical leaders, including Anthony Enzor-DeMeo, Bobby Holley, and Ryan Sipes. This strategic leadership structure is designed to enhance the synergy within Mozilla's broad platform.

The Urgency of Trustworthy AI

As AI technologies increasingly concentrate power within a handful of companies, Krikorian’s role arrives at a crucial moment for shaping a future driven by transparency and user agency. Mozilla's mission revolves around ensuring that AI technologies are accessible, understandable, and accountable to everyone—not just a privileged few. Mark Surman emphasized, “We need to make sure AI and the internet belong to all of us, not just a few big companies.” Under Krikorian's guidance, Mozilla aims to push an agenda that prioritizes responsible technology and champions user rights.

A Rich Background in Technology and Policy

Raffi Krikorian's professional history is marked by substantial contributions across various sectors, including technology, politics, media, and philanthropy. Before joining Mozilla, he served as the CTO at Emerson Collective, where he made strides in integrating technology into sectors such as education and environmental advocacy. His earlier positions included serving as the first CTO of the Democratic National Committee, where he enhanced election processes using data and technology, as well as leading Uber’s Advanced Technologies Center, where he spearheaded the rollout of a self-driving car fleet. In addition, he played a pivotal role at Twitter, managing platform engineering and global infrastructure.

With direct involvement in Mozilla Foundation's Board of Directors since 2023 and contributions to Mozilla.ai's Board since 2024, Krikorian brings an invaluable perspective on promoting open-source initiatives. He remarked, “We don’t just need critiques on how AI is being built—we need real, working alternatives.” His vision aligns seamlessly with Mozilla's ethos, which advocates for transparency, openness, and community engagement.

The Future of Mozilla and AI

Mozilla is recognized as a global nonprofit technology company that has consistently worked towards an open internet, advocating for equity and ethics in technology. Their mission focuses on ensuring that the internet serves as an accessible resource for all. With the introduction of Krikorian at the helm of its technological vision, the organization is poised to continue its quarter-century legacy while evolving to address the challenges of modern technology.

Krikorian’s appointment signals a transformative era at Mozilla, one where innovative alternatives to conventional AI development are both necessary and attainable. His leadership is expected to guide the development of responsible tech products and expand community involvement, fortifying Mozilla’s mission to enhance the internet for everyone.

About Mozilla: Mozilla is driven by a mission to keep the internet open and accessible for everyone, promoting stakeholder engagement and fostering community growth. With a commitment to responsible technology, Mozilla is set on a path for the next quarter-century that prioritizes user-centric innovations.

In conclusion, the strategic appointment of Raffi Krikorian as CTO is more than an organizational shift; it represents a critical commitment to steering the future of AI towards a paradigm that is fair, transparent, and respects user autonomy. As the world navigates increasingly complex technological landscapes, Mozilla’s leadership under Krikorian aims to inspire a collective effort towards an inclusive digital future.