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Beni Beeri Issembert

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Beni Beeri Issembert 🎗️

Incipit

I am Beni Beeri Issembert, currently Head of AI Ethics and Research at Metaphysic.ai and volunteer at ReEarth AI.

About me

Israeli, born and raised in France.
  • Ph.D. studies in Philosophy of Sciences - John Hopkins's Krieger School of Arts an Sciences and the University of Paris VIII.
  • M.A. in Theory of Literature - Suma Cum Laude - Tel Aviv University.
  • BA in Literature, Philosophy, and History - Tel Aviv University.
  • Self-taught developer in RustLang, R and Python.
  • Husband, father, dog, and cat companion.
  • Blues Guitar Player (guitars: Gibson LP 1972, a Fender Stratocaster David Gilmour Signature, and a Taylor Acoustic Big Baby -   Amp: Blackstar Amp HT-1R - Effects: Ibanez Tubescreamer Mini and Revival Drive Compact).
  • IDF Reserve Sergent Major - Home Front Command (2023-) and Combat Engineering Forces (1996-2021).

Projects and Initiatives

Current

  • Metaphysic.ai - A software house and AI-Generated VFX studio deploying science-based and ethical tools to create effects for the entertainment world. I've helped found Metaphysic Research. 
    • developed in Python
    • Closed-source for ethical reasons
  • ReEarth AI - A nonprofit conservation research initiative building mindful-driven neural networks founded on ancient wisdom to power UAVs and UASs to regenerate Nature. 
    • developed in Python and R
    • Will be partially open-source for specific communities
  • C2PA Initiative - The Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA) addresses the prevalence of misleading information online through the development of technical standards for certifying the source and history (or provenance) of media content. C2PA is a Joint Development Foundation project, formed through an alliance between Adobe, Arm, Intel, Microsoft and Truepic.
    • Member of the AI/ML TWG
    • Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Audio TWG
  • SMPTE - Founding member of the DMS II TWG. The DMS II project will develop and document an architecture, a data model and a detailed specification to carry Identity and Integrity metadata in ST377. 
  • NIST AI Public Working Group - NIST brings together AI practitioners, researchers, and other interested parties alike to better understand how AI technology may create impacts for individuals, organizations, communities, and the world. Broad and diverse points of view are the bedrock for trustworthy and responsible AI technology design, development, deployment, and use. 
  • Thorn Foundation Working Group on AI
  • Chief Justice Meir Shangar Center for Digital Law and Innovation - Tel Aviv University
  • The European AI Alliance - 4th EU AI Alliance Assembly
  • Witness DeepFake Rapid Response Force

Past

  • Concordium - PoS Layer-1 Blockchain based on a 2-layer design with an ID layer at the protocol level, designed for the Enterprise world. 2019-2022
    • developed in RustLang and Haskell
    • Smart Contract coded in RustLang
  • Beam Privacy - PoW Layer-1 Blockchain and DeFi Platform based on Mimblewimble.
    • developed in C. 2018-2019
  • Kylin Network - The Data Infrastructure for DeFi and Web 3.0 Powered by Polkadot (Non-Executive Advisory Board Member). 
    • developed in RustLang. 2019-2020
  • JJF Media - A former ad tech series of products boosted by an ethical algorithmic infrastructure.
    • developed in Python and PHP - 2012-2017
  • Ben-Gurion University - R&D Center for Futurism in Education.
    • EU FP6 Project on the Influence of the Internet on the Israeli Arab Youth and intergenerational communication with Educators - 2004
    • Rural Wings - A multi-partner large European Consortium financed by the European Commission. Aim of the project: satellite-based Internet for empowering professionals in rural areas. The Center for Futurism in Education leads the Israeli site (mainly in unrecognized Bedouin villages) and participates in methodological and pedagogical research activities - 2004-2005
    • Enhance Learning Unlimited (ELU) - A 14-partner, 3-year Specific Targeted Research Project (STREP) financed by the European Commission / FP6 / Priority 2 / IST Directory and coordinated by ORT France - 2005
  • Tel Aviv University - Faculty of Humanities 
    • Research assistant - 1999-2002
    • Lecturer - 1999-2002

Books 

Corpus

Poetry and creative writing (French)

Teaching

  • Navigating the Digital Frontier: Ethical Practices in Technology - Coolest Marketing, 2025-
  • Ethics in Tech from a DevRel perspective - Third Academy, 2021-2022
  • Introduction to the Culture of Internet - Tel Aviv University, 1999-2000
  • Narrative as Virtual Reality - Tel Aviv University, 2000-2001

Open contributions to initiatives (past and current)

Travels and Treks

  • I love trekking by fair means, including Israel (the Israeli Trail), Europe, the US, and India.
  • Penada-Geres in Portugal with Kids - April 2024
  • Kerala (India) with Kids - April 2019.
  • Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh and Kashmir (India) on a Royal Enfield Bike, June-October 2003. 
  • Around Anapurna (Nepal) - September 2003.
  • Rajasthan by fair means (India) - September 2004. 

Contact me

  • Email: contact (a) beniissembert . com | bissembert (a) acm . org | bissembert (a) siggraph . org
  • Github: bissembert1618
  • PGP: FCF06C99FD0D26B3E7A44650F925C3569D2F9D18

* The portrait picture comes from a trek in the Israeli Golan in Feb 2023.
The header is Mondaufgang am Meer, Caspar David Friedrich, detail, 1822, oil on canvas © Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Nationalgalerie / Fotograf: Jörg P. Anders