Character, leadership, and responsible AI
I write and speak about how we build lives, organizations, and technology with intention. My interests bring together character, entrepreneurship, leadership, and the opportunities and responsibilities created by artificial intelligence.
My perspective comes from a career in computer science, operating leadership, and entrepreneurship, alongside my work in education and governance. Across these experiences, I keep returning to a question: how do we become more capable while remaining thoughtful about what we do with that capability?
Speaking themes
Character and the long game
What does it mean to build a successful life without losing sight of what makes it worthwhile? My forthcoming book, CHARACTER CODE: Lessons on Life, Love, & the Long Game, explores the character we cultivate in ourselves and how it shapes our lives. These conversations connect personal ambition with relationships, responsibility, and the habits we practice every day.
- How do we bring our values into everyday choices?
- What does it mean to pursue excellence while remaining kind, humble, and willing to learn?
- How do we make room for the people and experiences that give our lives meaning?
Responsible AI: capability and character
We are making AI increasingly capable. Are we giving equal thought to the judgment and responsibility that should accompany it? I explore how leaders, educators, and institutions can think about AI through the choices we make, the behavior we design into systems, and the human agency we need to preserve.
- What responsibilities belong to the people building and deploying AI?
- How do we use AI without surrendering our own judgment or accountability?
- Why should truth-seeking, human oversight, and the ability to accept correction matter?
Read Reframing Responsible AI: A Question of Character
Building organizations with intention
As a founder and operating leader, I have spent much of my career thinking about people, culture, and execution. When I founded AtlasRTX, my ambition was to build a company that could be demanding and high-performing while remaining kind, inclusive, and invested in helping people grow.
- How do a leader’s everyday decisions shape an organization’s culture?
- How can ambition, disciplined execution, and care for people reinforce one another?
- What does it mean to build for the long term?
Meet Bassam
I began my career in software engineering and later held executive operating roles. In 2016, I founded AtlasRTX, a conversational AI company acquired by a publicly traded company in 2022. I now advise technology founders and executive teams through Mindshare Ventures and serve on the University of Utah’s Board of Trustees.
I was born in Cairo and grew up across Egypt, France, England, and the United States. That experience continues to shape my interest in belonging, opportunity, and the value of different perspectives.
Photo: Utah House of Representatives / UtahReps.
Watch and explore
For a sense of my perspective and speaking style, explore the talks and conversations on my Watch page. You can also read Against the Herd, where I write about character, leadership, technology, and the long game.
Watch talks and conversations
Read Against the Herd
Let’s talk about your event
For speaking inquiries, please email inquire@BassamSalem.com.
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