Chris Lattner

CEO + Co-Founder of Modular AI, we're hiring!

Chris Lattner is the CEO and Co-Founder of Modular AI, a company focused on simplifying the development of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) applications. He is a renowned software engineer and programmer, best known for creating the Swift programming language while at Apple, which has become a fundamental tool for iOS and macOS development. Lattner also developed LLVM, a collection of modular and reusable compiler and toolchain technologies that have significantly influenced modern programming practices.1 2 4

Career Highlights

Education: Lattner graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where he initially developed LLVM during his graduate studies.
Professional Experience:
- Apple (2005-2017): As a key figure in Apple's developer tools team, he was instrumental in the development of Swift, launched in 2014.
- Tesla (2017-2020): He served as Vice President of Autopilot Software, where he worked on enhancing Tesla's self-driving technology.
- Google: Contributed to various machine learning initiatives, including the unification of ML compilers at Google with MLIR.
- Modular AI (2022-Present): Founded Modular to create a new programming language called Mojo, which aims to streamline AI development by combining the performance capabilities of lower-level languages with the ease of use found in higher-level languages like Python.1 2 4 5

Vision and Goals

Lattner's current work at Modular focuses on addressing the complexities faced by developers in AI/ML environments. He aims to create tools that reduce "developer suffering" by simplifying the coding process and improving the integration of various AI technologies. His vision includes building a comprehensive platform that enhances productivity and innovation in AI development.1 2 3

Lattner's contributions to software engineering and his ongoing efforts to innovate within the AI space make him a significant figure in the tech industry today.