Michal Pechoucek, Gen

Michal Pechoucek leads the core technology, innovation and R&D teams driving security engines as well as the company technology vision for human centered digital safety and beyond. He is also responsible for the company’s scientific research in the fields of Artificial Intelligence, machine learning, and cybersecurity. He previously served as CTO of Avast.

Before joining Avast, Mr. Pechoucek spent over twenty years as a professor at the Czech Technical University (CTU) in Prague, during which he founded the Artificial Intelligence Center in 2001. Mr. Pechoucek has authored more than 400 high impact publications and contributed numerous innovative AI applications to research in computer science.

While pursuing his academic career, Mr. Pechoucek co-founded several technology start-ups including cybersecurity firm Cognitive Security (acquired by CISCO in 2013), AgentFly Technologies, which specializes in controlling autonomous aircraft traffic, and Blindspot Solutions, which develops AI for industrial applications (acquired by Adastra Group in 2017). He directed the R&D Center for AI and Computer Security at CISCO Systems and worked as a strategist in the CISCO Security CTO office. He is also a venture partner with Evolution Equity Partners, a VC firm specialized in cybersecurity. Michal Pechoucek co-founded the prg.ai initiative aiming to transform Prague into a world-class AI super hub. He sits on the board of several AI startups and as an early investor supports Czech AI ecosystem.

Michal Pechoucek graduated from University of Edinburgh and gained his PhD in Artificial Intelligence at CTU in Prague. He also worked as a visiting professor at the University of Southern California, University of Edinburgh, State University of New York at Binghamton and University of Calgary.

Michal Pechoucek sits on the boards of several education oriented non-for-profits, is a long-time sponsor of People in Need Foundation and Memory of Nation and sits on the board of Denik N, Czech daily newspaper.