Charles Shen

Charles Shen is an engineer and entrepreneur spearheading Generative AI (GenAI) for Finance. He has a diverse background spanning decades in both industry and academia, with expertise across Artificial Intelligence (AI), Crypto, Web3 and Mobile Internet Services. His broader vision is the next generation Web - an Autonomous Spatial Web, where AI, Blockchain and Metaverse, Spatial Computing and Internet of Things (IoT), all converge.

At Intuit, he focuses on leveraging Generative AI and Large Language Models (LLMs) to develop advanced financial technologies (FinTech), creating and evaluating autonomous AI agents that deliver end-to-end results as a service, while maintaining safety, security, and alignment with human values. Charles’ prior AI endeavors include his experience as Co-Director of Columbia University’s Advanced Construction and Information Technology Lab, where he led projects that applied Deep Learning to modernize the Architecture, Construction, and Engineering (AEC) industry and promote sustainable urbanization.

Charles’ work on financial technologies extends to decentralized finance (DeFi) through his involvement in blockchain and crypto technologies. He founded inWeb3 and developed ChatWeb3, one of the first applications to utilize OpenAI’s ChatGPT for accessible blockchain data analysis. During his time at ConsenSys, he introduced the W5H token design framework and helped shape Web3 platforms like Infura’s Decentralized Infrastructure Network initiative. At Columbia University’s Tech Lab, he also led the “Blockchain for Cities” initiative, exploring blockchain’s role in urban sustainability.

Beyond his technical roles, Charles has supported the integration of industry and academia as a former Special Advisor to Columbia’s Dean of Engineering and the University’s Global Centers Initiative. He has chaired technology and entrepreneurship forums, collaborating with civic bodies to promote economic and STEM development. Charles has also served as a VC investor at VU Venture Partners and as an advisor to various startups, where he identified and supported innovative technologies and fellow founders.

Charles holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Columbia University and an Executive MBA from Columbia Business School. He is a Senior Member of both ACM and IEEE. His research contributions include eight US patents and three Internet standards, and his publications have been cited over 1600 times. His contributions to community service have been recognized by the US President’s Volunteer Service Gold Award and a Citation for Outstanding Leadership from the City Council of Philadelphia.

Connect via Linked-in and Twitter

Some sample outcomes from his earlier research work