Ken Kao

Commander
DISC Type : D

Research Engineering Lead, Applied AI at Google DeepMind

San Francisco Bay Area, United States

Overview

Ken Kao is a Research Engineering Lead at Google DeepMind with over 13 years of experience leading engineering and product teams at companies like Rad AI, Meta, Airbnb, and Palantir. He holds both a B. S. and M. S. from Stanford University and is described by colleagues as a leader with a clear vision.

Outside of his work in technology, Ken is a fitness enthusiast and a dedicated martial artist. He is a weightlifter and an avid practitioner of both Muay Thai and Pekiti Tirsia Kali, a Filipino martial art focused on stick and knife fighting.

Unique fact: Ken published research on cancer immunotherapies during his time at Flatiron Health, which was presented at the ASCO Annual Meeting.

Personality Overview

Very Quick

Candid & Clear

Strong-Willed

They are not always relationship oriented.  They respond better to strong and respectful interactions. They prefer to be the ones controlling the conversation or defining the terms.

Topics They Care About

Applied AI
Currently leads a team at Google DeepMind turning state-of-the-art AI research into real-world products for enterprise use cases.
AI in Healthcare
As the former VP of Engineering at Rad AI and through his work at Flatiron Health, he has significant experience applying AI to improve physician efficiency and patient outcomes.
Engineering Leadership
He frequently discusses engineering management, building team culture, and the evolving role of AI in technical leadership on podcasts and in articles.

Media Appearances

Ken has no verified media appearances

Work History

6-2025
Research Engineering Lead, Applied AI at Google DeepMind
11-2023 - 2-2025
VP of Engineering & Product at Rad AI
9-2023 - 11-2023
Advisor at Rad AI
8-2023
Startup Advisor at Self Employed
6-2021 - 11-2023
Head of Engineering, VR Engineering Systems at Meta

Education

M.S. from Stanford University
B.S. from Stanford University

More Information

Social Presence :

Prographics :

Exp : 6 Location : San Francisco Bay Area, United States Job Level : Middle Designation : Research Engineering Lead, Applied AI at Google DeepMind
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Insights For Selling To Ken

During A Call Or A Meeting

DO's

  • Speak about competitive differentiation that your product offers
  • Use phrases like ‘it’s your decision’, ‘strategic impact’ etc.
  • Hold your ground without indulging in one-upmanship

DONT's

  • Do not hesitate from asking counter questions, just avoid challenging their authority
  • Do not back off when challenged, respond with a confident, objective answer instead
  • Don't try too hard to forge relationships with them

When Cold Calling

When Writing An Email

While Negotiating & Closing

    The secret to closing fast with Ken is

  • Conviction around the impact matters the most to them, followed by a sense of achievement and ROI.
  • Will you ever get a clear answer from Ken

  • If they decide not to use your product, they will say no clearly.

Insights For Deal Planning

    How fast (or slow) will Ken move?

  • They can reach decisions fairly quickly if they are convinced.
  • Can Ken take some risk or not?

  • They don’t mind risks but can be quite binary about them.

You And Ken

Personality Compatibility


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