Dr. Dennis Stevens is a visionary innovator, thought leader and knowledge synthesizer operating at the intersection of art, design, science, technology, AI, and community development. As a visual artist, writer, educator, entrepreneur, and facilitator, he forges connections across diverse disciplines to drive transformative change and address complex global challenges.

Founder and Research Lead 

Spearheading an AI-driven, biomimetic innovation platform that integrates multi-omics analysis and precision fermentation for product development across multiple industries.

+ Pharmaceuticals: Innovative treatments, including potential breakthroughs in antimalarial drugs

+ Food and Beverages: Novel ingredients and functional foods

+ Cosmetics: Sustainable, bio-based personal care products

+ Agriculture: Eco-friendly pesticides and crop protection solutions

+ Chemical Industry: Green alternatives to traditional petrochemicals

Founder and Thought Leader 

Leading critical discourse on the ethical governance of AI and Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) in democratic societies. This initiative explores:

+ The intersection of democracy, ideological divides, and power dynamics in AI governance

+ Potential impacts of AI on human agency and ethical implications of advanced AI systems

+ AI ethics, the disruptive path of AGI, and the future of AI regulation

+ Safeguarding civil liberties against potential misuse of AI by authoritarian regimes

Founder Investigating the evolving intersections of art, craft, and design philosophies in the digital age.

Founder and Managing Director Driving community revitalization through innovative, creative placemaking strategies, merging arts, culture, and economic development.

+ AI-driven biomimetic innovation and sustainable technology development

+ Cross-disciplinary research and development in biotechnology and precision fermentation

+ Ethical AI governance and its implications for democratic societies

+ Community empowerment and creative placemaking

+ Organizational change management and thought leadership

+ Synthetic biology and advanced materials research

+ Customer discovery and entrepreneurship in emerging technologies

+ Microbial engineering and high-throughput strain screening

Dr. Stevens' dissertation explores the concepts of positive and negative liberty within American democracy, examined through the lens of the American Dream. His work illuminates varied understandings of success and liberty, highlighting how tensions between individual freedoms and societal order fuel political polarization.

Doctorate in Art and Art Education, College Teaching of Art, Teachers College, Columbia University

Master's in Instructional Technology, San Jose State University

Bachelor of Fine Arts, Clemson University

Served as a Gunner's Mate (E-5) in the U.S. Coast Guard before entering academia.

+ Authored Wikipedia's first working definition of "ordered liberty," a Constitutional Law concept balancing individual freedom and social order

+ Participated in NSF's Innovation Corps entrepreneurship program; led funded research and development project in synthetic biology to advance the manufacturing of a polyol from soybean oil for automotive interior flexible polyurethane foams

+ Led transformative initiatives in community development, research, and education

+ Demonstrated versatility through extensive experience in arts, sciences, writing, publishing, and media production

As a dedicated lifelong learner and cross-domain thinker, Dr. Stevens continually seeks new connections and insights across disciplines, driving innovation and fostering meaningful dialogue on the complex challenges of our rapidly evolving world. His approach combines:

+ Critical thinking and multidisciplinary perspectives

+Continuous learning and adaptation to emerging technologies

+ Balancing individual liberty and collective responsibility in the age of AI

+ Applying artistic creativity to scientific and technological challenges

+ Navigating the ethical implications of emerging technologies

+ Fostering community engagement through innovative approaches

Dr. Stevens actively contributes to transforming multiple industries, developing eco-friendly alternatives to traditional products, and developing new brands. His unique background allows him to identify unexpected connections between disparate fields, translate complex concepts across disciplinary boundaries, and drive transformative change at the intersection of technology, sustainability, and society.