This is a conversation with Alvin Wang Graylin, who has over 30 years experience driving innovation in the AI, XR and semiconductor industries. As China President of HTC between 2016 and 2023, Graylin elevated the company to a prominent global position in the virtual reality and augmented reality spaces. Currently, Alvin is global VP for Corporate Development, HTC, vice chair of the Industry of Virtual Reality Alliance and the president of the Virtual Reality Venture Capital Alliance. We’re focusing on his new book co-written with Dr. Louis Rosenberg, “Our Next Reality: How the AI Powered Metaverse Will Reshape the World.” I asked him if he could apply its core learnings, storytellers, artists and others who create culture as part of their profession. What does the AI powered metaverse mean for creators? Where do they start and how do they thrive?
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Guest Bio
Alvin Wang Graylin is a recognized technology pioneer, entrepreneur, executive, and thought leader with 30+ years of experience delivering innovative products in the AI, XR and semiconductor industries. He is the co-author of Our Next Reality: How the AI-powered Metaverse will Reshape the World, published by Hachette Book Group. Having built his foundation in VR research at the Human Interface Technology Lab over 30 years ago, Alvin has also developed his expertise in AI and Natural Language Processing after extensive studies at the University of Washington and MIT.
In his recent professional journey, Alvin served as the China President of HTC (2016-2023) and continues to contribute as Global VP of Corporate Development at HTC, a global leader in the VR/AR space. His commitment to the immersive computing field is further reflected in his roles as Vice-Chairman of the Industry of Virtual Reality Alliance (IVRA), President of the Virtual Reality Venture Capital Alliance (VRVCA), and co-head of the ViveX VR Accelerator.
Alvin’s entrepreneurial spirit is evidenced by his founding of four venture-backed startups in areas ranging from AI-based natural language search, mobile social to big-data AI analytics, across China and the US. His broad operational experience also includes global P&L roles at multinational corporations like Intel, Trend Micro, WatchGuard Technologies, and IBM.
Alvin holds an M.S. in Computer Science from MIT, where he specialized in AI, and an M.S. in Business from MIT’s Sloan School of Management on the entrepreneurship and operations track. He also earned a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Washington, focused on VR, AI, and CPU architecture. He was born in China during the Cultural Revolution and emigrated to the U.S. in 1980 as the country’s reform period started. Alvin has recently relocated back to the U.S. after almost 20 years working/living in China during its internet/mobile boom and is currently based in Seattle, Washington.