As artificial intelligence (AI) looms as the biggest disrupter...

As artificial intelligence (AI) looms as the biggest disrupter to business over the next decade, AI company UNITH (ASX: UNT) has appointed former Microsoft executive Gary Cox to its Board of Directors, a notable move with Microsoft now one of the world’s biggest players in the space.

Cox brings more than 35 years of tech experience specialising in software development and global expansion. In his final role with Microsoft, Cox held the role of Vice President – Enterprise & Partner Group, Asia. At the time of his departure from the tech giant, Cox was responsible for all key industry segments throughout Asia across 16 subsidiaries serving Microsoft’s largest commercial and public sector customers. Under Cox’s leadership, his regional office generated approximately USD $5 billion in profit per annum (AUD $7.65 billion)

Cox’s background at Microsoft holds significance for UNITH, as the tech giant is now one of the most significant players in the AI space and the largest backer of OpenAI, the creators of ChatGPT which is also integrated with UNITH’s Digital Human platform.

Since returning to Australia in 2015, Cox has held numerous advisory roles in the tech space. He is best known in ASX circles as the Chairman of software company rhype, before it was acquired by Canyon Group (private equity) in 2021. Upon its delisting from the ASX, rhype traded with a market capitalisation of over $400 million.

Following the acquisition, Cox continued in a global advisory role to Canyon Group.

“It is a pleasure to welcome Gary to UNITH where he brings a wealth of knowledge around software development, commercialisation, global expansion and enterprise solutions,” said UNITH Chairman, Sytze Voulon.

“Gary’s leadership demonstrated during the acquisition by Crayon, reflects his adeptness in strategy, execution, cultural alignment and governance. His passion for emerging technology trends and commitment to leveraging these trends for positive impacts on customers and partners around the world are assets that UNITH is excited to embrace.”

The appointment of Cox is not the only Big Tech veteran to have joined the UNITH Board, with the AI company last year appointing former Google and Microsoft technologist, Justin Baird.

News of Cox’s appointment comes just two days after UNITH reported it had successfully raised $2.57 million from shareholders through an oversubscribed Entitlement Offer that was consequently scaled back.

UNITH’s CEO Idan Schmorak said: “We are delighted with the overwhelming response from shareholders who share our commitment to digital humans that can work 24/7 and leverage our artificial intelligence to solve many common business problems.

“Through our Digital Human platform, we are approaching an incredibly exciting time where we will soon be able to make AI-powered digital humans accessible to anyone which has the potential to transform online businesses to scale up without the cost and reliability issues commonly relied on by traditional labour.”

In his update to shareholders, Schmorak flagged further interest from prospective customers and partners in the Digital Human platform where UNITH presented at the Chatbot Summit conference in Berlin last week.

“We have had strong interest in the integration capabilities of our tech where we’ll be adding more plugins beyond WordPress and Shopify,” he added.

“We now have flexibility to increase marketing spend when the time is right with UNITH well capitalised through to the platform’s public launch and beyond.”