Artificial Intelligence
& Design
Leadership

Vision. Invention. Implementation. Communication. Acceleration

“The work that Mitchell Sipus does defies conventions and challenges the existing notions of how far design as a profession can go in the twenty-first century.

Even when we look at the forecasts... we can see that Sipus already sits on the far end of some of these projections.

”

— Gjoko, Muratovski. Research for Designers, 2022.

Notable Personal Works

2023, Mitchell produces electronic dance music [progressive/melodic house and lo-fi/downtempo]. He releases and performs his works under the name Mitchell On Fire. Transforming field recordings collected around the world with his expertise in artificial intelligence, Mitchell’s unique compositions can be found on over 20 digital platforms including Spotify and Apple Music.
2018, Mitchell co-Founded TulcoLabs, an applied AI Lab for private equity, acquired by Acrisure Insurance in 2020 for $415 Million USD.

2016, Mitchell served at the US Department of State for the Under Secretary for arms control and international security.
In 2015, he was distinguished as a White House Presidential Innovation Fellow by President Barack Obama. In these role he enabled dramatic technical and process transformations within several government agencies including Veterans Affairs, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the National Security Council.
In 2014 Mitchell founded his first AI company, Symkala, using machine learning to automate the transformation video and text into geo-spatial analytics while graphically mapping indicators of bias by software users.
From 2011-2014, Mitchell was an independent advisor to the Mayor of Mogadishu, Somalia. Concurrently he provided technical support and services to agencies such as US Agency for International Development (USAID), United Nations High Commissioner on Refugees (UNHCR), and US Army Corps. of Engineers.
In 2008, Mitchell was awarded a US Fulbright Fellowship to conduct scholarly research in Cairo, Egypt. At this time he supported development of a local non-profit to reduce urban gang violence among Sudanese refugees in Cairo. In this work, he produced hip-hop music and further collaborated with other sub-saharan artists from Sierra Leone, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and elsewhere.
Mitchell holds a PhD from Carnegie Mellon University in Design for Human Computer Interaction. He holds graduate degrees in Urban Planning and Architecture at University of Cincinnati, college of Design, Art, Architecture, and Planning (DAAP). Mitchell studied Drawing and Painting at the Art Academy of Cincinnati.
Mitchell has spoken widely on his work a range of venues including MIT Media Lab, Harvard University Center for Geographic Analysis, and Columbia University Earth Institute.
His work has been featured in publications including WIRED, Popular Science, Forbes, and various reports by the US Department of State, US Congress, and the American Planning Association.
Click here for an extended bio.