Nikhil Kunapuli

Nikhil Kunapuli is a prominent figure in the field of technology and research, currently serving as the Head of Research at Praxis, a company focused on creating innovative urban environments. He has held this position since September 2022.13 Prior to his role at Praxis, Kunapuli was the Co-Founder and COO of Luminous Computing, an AI hardware startup, from 2018 to 2019.14

Education Background

Kunapuli completed his Bachelor of Science in Physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) from 2014 to 2018. He then pursued a Master of Science in Physics at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, graduating in 2022.14

Research and Contributions

In addition to his corporate roles, Kunapuli has engaged in independent research related to AI safety, focusing on concepts such as safe exploration and robustness in complex systems. His research has been recognized and funded by organizations interested in long-term future impacts of AI technology.2 He has also contributed to academic literature, including a publication on cultural traits analyzed through social media data.5

Praxis Overview

Praxis, where Kunapuli currently works, was initially founded as Bluebook Cities in 2019. The company aims to develop autonomous urban environments that reflect libertarian ideals and free-market principles. It has attracted significant investment from notable figures, including Peter Thiel.3