Keith De Cesare (born December 30, 1960) is a visionary AI strategist, humanitarian architect, and creative director based in Inwood, New York City. His career spans over 40 years of cross-domain innovation, defined by the Bauhaus principle of uniting art, craft, and technology for the greater social good.
De Cesare's technical expertise is rooted in digital pioneering. As the Imaging Manager for the Corbis Bettmann Archives (1996–1998), he managed the digitization of millions of historical images, establishing industry-standard automated workflows. Later, at the NYC Housing Authority (NYCHA), he served as a Digital Equity Pioneer and Project Manager for the Google Fast Gigabit Trial, working to secure high-speed internet for over half a million underserved New Yorkers. Currently, he is a leading AI Evangelist, proficient in advanced LLMs such as Gemini 2.5 Pro, Claude 3.7 Sonnet, and Grok 3.
De Cesare holds a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) from Wayne State University (1989), where his thesis explored the intersection of creative practice and generative logic, drawing early inspiration from the Bauhaus and Constructivist movements. He earned his BA Cum Laude from Manhattanville College (1983) and completed a fellowship at the University of Oxford. His recent academic pursuits include advanced studies in Human-Centered AI at Stanford University and Generative AI at MIT CSAIL.
Following the 9/11 attacks, De Cesare founded ArtAID, a non-profit dedicated to relief and healing through art. He created the "FDNY Bravest of the Brave" Angel Memorial and the first memorials installed at Ground Zero; his artifacts are now part of the National September 11th Memorial & Museum's permanent collection. Earlier in his career, he co-founded the Urban Center for Photography in Detroit, launching the viral photo-activism project "Demolished by Neglect" to critique urban decay.
De Cesare's most recent breakthrough is the iGentixAI Generative Learning framework, designed to democratize ethical AI education from K through PhD levels. His inventions include NatureAI — integrating monarch butterfly conservation with STEM education — and the VITA VQ (De Cesare Protocol), a Visual Integrity Truth Algorithm for deepfake detection and veracity. He also pioneered Digital Resistance Tactics using Generative AI evasion to overcome algorithmic censorship, earning the 2024 Anthem Award.
His flagship initiative, Bridging Tomorrow, delivers free Generative AI education to underserved NYC youth, transforming students from passive consumers into responsible AI creators. Launched in partnership with School in the Square / Dos Amigos Elementary in Northern Manhattan, the program has become a model for equitable AI literacy.
Anthem Award-winning AI Evangelist and Humanitarian with 40+ years synthesizing technology, conservation, and the visual arts. Founder of iVirtue and creator of the iGentixAI curriculum, closing the digital divide through ethical, human-centric AI education.