Authoritative AI Keynotes & Consulting for Measurable Impact

Speaker, Consultant, Professor, CEO

John Licato, PhD is an Associate Professor at the USF Bellini College of AI, Cybersecurity and Computing. He is Director of the USF Advancing Machine and Human Reasoning (AMHR) Lab, and founder/CEO of AI startup Actualization AI, Inc. He designed and teaches the natural language processing course (the field that created ChatGPT) at USF, and his lab's mission is to not only make AI smarter, but to use those advances to make people reason better as well. His research expertise lies in AI, NLP, human reasoning, cognitive modeling, and legal / regulatory reasoning, with over 100 peer-reviewed publications. He has been featured in outlets such as NPR's Marketplace Tech, ABC Action News, Forbes, and the Tampa Bay Business Journal.

Actualization.AI is a new startup founded by USF AI experts, developing solutions for contract analysis using hallucination-reducing AI. They were awarded an NSF SBIR award ($275K) and a Bull Ring Accelerator Grant ($25K) in August 2024 to develop their technology for automated and correct reasoning over rules and legal text, which resulted in the recent release of their SquarePact AI contract analysis tool. SquarePact analyzes any contract, learns about your specific needs and goals, and generates: (1) plausible scenarios you might encounter that this contract will affect, and (2) questions you can ask the other party or your lawyer to improve your position. That way, you are fully aware of how the contract will impact you, empowering you to make your own decisions about whether to accept. They are members of Embarc Collective, TiE Tampa, Tampa Bay Technology Incubator, and the Tampa Bay Wave 2025 Tech|X Accelerator.

Open To

Dr. Licato may be available for select opportunities. Please feel free to reach out for inquiries.

  • Open to limited consulting opportunities related to AI. Dr. Licato has worked with everyone from small to large businesses, as well as local government organizations. Available for short-term consultations (single meetings) or longer-term projects (please inquire for availability).

  • Dr. Licato regularly appears on local news reports, speaks to professional organizations about AI, and is frequently requested for his clear, accessible style of communication. He balances entertaining presentations with informative insights.

  • In addition to teaching undergraduate and graduate-level courses at USF, Dr. Licato is regularly featured in AI training courses designed for the general public (https://www.usf.edu/innovative-education/usf-microcredentials/a-microcourse-in-crafting-prompts.aspx).

    If your organization needs customized training and upskilling for AI, reach out to inquire for availability.

Reach Out

  • "When we went looking for a speaker who could tackle the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and Education, John was the natural choice. He truly sets himself apart with his academic background, experience in the University setting, and dedication to staying on the cutting edge of his field. For our event, John did a tremendous job of decoding and demystifying the world of AI for everyone from the tech-savvy to the average Joe."

    – Carl Vervisch, Ideas On Tap

  • "I've had the chance to listen to Dr. Licato speak at more than one professional conference. He does an incredible job relating to the audience and motivating them, all while delivering really complex ideas in a way any audience can understand and act on."

    - Bo Breuklander
    Principal, Breuklander Communications

  • "Dr. John Licato delivered a keynote that was exactly what our K–12 teachers needed—clear, engaging, and eye-opening. He skillfully debunked common untruths about Artificial Intelligence and demystified how generative AI really works. John’s presentation was accessible and relatable, blending expertise with humor and practical insight. Teachers walked away feeling empowered to explore new tools with confidence. It was the perfect keynote to spark curiosity and conversation about the future of learning."

    - Jenifer Jasinski Schneider, Ph.D.
    Dean, USF College of Education

  • "At a time when educators, policymakers, and the broader public are navigating the complexities of AI integration, Dr. Licato brought clarity, authenticity, and a practical vision to the conversation. His ability to engage a diverse audience of over 200 attendees not only set the tone for the summit but also inspired dynamic dialogue and innovation throughout the event."

    —Dr. Stephanie A. Arthur
    Assistant Professor of Instruction, USF

Contact Dr. Licato for Speaking or Consulting