Tono Alberto

Tono Alberto is the Founder and Research Director of the Computational Design Institute, (CDI), a non-profit organization advancing human-centered applications of emerging technologies including AI, AGI, quantum computing, and immersive reality systems. Through CDI's flagship Dreamship Research Program, co-directed with his wife Hannah, Alberto develops FDA-targeted immersive technologies for pediatric palliative care pain reduction, exemplifying the institute's mission to leverage cutting-edge technology for humanitarian impact.

Currently a Ph.D. Candidate at Stanford University under Kumagai Professor Martin Fischer  (Civil Environmental Engineering and Professor) Jiajun Wu, Professor Leonidas Guibas, Professor Hari Subramonyam and Professor James Landay (Computer Science).  Alberto specializes in AI foundation models and computational design. As an AI Research Scientist PhD at Google Research - DeepMind, he developed advanced 3D Vision-Language Models (VLMs) for design and engineering applications, building upon his extensive foundation model expertise.

Serving as an AI Fellow in the United State Senate (Washington D.C.) Alberto bridges technical AI research with policy development, contributing to landmark legislation. His multidisciplinary expertise encompasses AI research at Adobe Firefly (vision foundation models), Zillow AI Lab (user behavior prediction models), and Autodesk AI Lab (3D generative models), where his innovations have been integrated into commercial products and patent portfolios.

Alberto's technical contributions span multi-billion parameter foundation models, discrete mask diffusion transformers, and CLIP-based 3D generation systems. His neuroscience research at Stanford's Wu Tsai Institute employs EEG-based methodologies to augment human design capabilities through real-time neurocognitive feedback. In geometric deep learning and monocular 3D shape retrieval, his work helped secure Series B funding exceeding $80M at Physna also from Sequoia Capital.

A recipient of two O1 visas for extraordinary ability and Stanford HAI Graduate Fellow, Alberto holds an M.Eng. from the University of Padua. His expertise uniquely positions him at the intersection of AI research, Architecture/Engineering/Construction (AEC), real estate technology, design innovation, neuroscience, and technology policy.