Atanas Kiryakov

Atanas Kiryakov is a prominent figure in the field of semantic technology and currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer at Sirma AI, a leading Bulgarian IT company. He is also the founder and CEO of Ontotext, a key subsidiary of Sirma Group, which specializes in semantic databases and knowledge graphs.

Professional Background

Kiryakov has extensive expertise in semantic technologies, having authored numerous influential publications in the industry, including contributions to the Handbook of Semantic Web Technologies .1 He holds a Master’s degree in Computer Science from Sofia University, where he completed his thesis in artificial intelligence in 1995 .3 Over the years, he has been instrumental in developing technologies that enhance data management for major clients such as the BBC, Financial Times, and various leading publishers .24

Contributions and Leadership

As a leader, Kiryakov has played a significant role in steering Ontotext's research agenda towards innovative methods for knowledge graph development and analytics. His work focuses on creating systems that enable better data linking and entity recognition across diverse information sources .3 Under his guidance, Ontotext has become a pioneer in semantic web technologies, contributing to projects that require sophisticated data handling capabilities.

Affiliations

In addition to his role at Sirma AI and Ontotext, Kiryakov is a partner and board member at Sirma Group Holding. He is also involved with the Linked Data Benchmarking Council, which includes major graph database vendors .3 His leadership extends beyond corporate responsibilities; he actively participates in discussions about the future of semantic technology and its applications across various industries.

Summary

Atanas Kiryakov's contributions to semantic technology and his leadership roles within Sirma AI and Ontotext underscore his status as a key player in the IT sector. His work not only influences technological advancements but also shapes the strategic direction of one of Bulgaria's largest IT groups.