ABOUT US

PracticalAI was founded on a simple premise: companies don't need more AI hype—they need a clear path forward.

Our founder, Michael Hayes, is a former nuclear submarine officer, and that experience is reflected in his approach to AI strategy today: disciplined, practical, and relentlessly focused on execution.

Michael has worked in AI for over a decade—long before it became a boardroom buzzword. He's led AI at global enterprises, founded AI startups, and advised organizations on how to turn AI ambition into measurable results.

Select Experience

• Enterprise Scale: Former Director of AI at Grant Thornton, where he established the firm's AI Center of Excellence and spearheaded the adoption of Microsoft 365 Copilot for 14,000 employees globally.

• Global Advisory: Former Managing Director of Global AI Engagement at Ernst & Young (EY).

• Startup Leadership: Former CEO of FeatureX, a computer vision AI startup (acquired). Currently serves as part-time COO for a cutting-edge agentic AI startup.

Ecosystem & Education

Michael is a speaker at the annual MIT/Stanford AI Summit held in conjunction with the World Economic Forum in Davos.

He serves as an advisor at c10 Labs, an MIT-spinout accelerator for AI-first startups, and is a mentor for the AI Global Ventures program at the MIT Media Lab.

He holds degrees from Notre Dame (BS)*, MIT (MS), and the Tufts Fletcher School (MA).

*Michael wrote his first generative AI program in LISP as an undergrad. It produced truly terrible haiku.