At Unleash live, artificial intelligence isn't just a concept—it’s driving real-world impact across industries like energy, renewables, mining, and transport. Leading this charge is Shahab Ensafi, our Head of AI, who transitioned from academia to applied AI to bridge the gap between research and industry. He has built a dynamic team of engineers pushing the boundaries of computer vision with innovations like zero-shot learning, vision transformers (ViTs), and real-time video analytics.
We recently sat down with Shahab to discuss his journey, the challenges and opportunities in AI, and what the future holds for Unleash live.
From Research to Real Impact
Q: What motivated you to move away from pure research into a role where you're solving real-world challenges? How does Unleash live bridge the gap between research and application?
Shahab: Research is fascinating, but I wanted to see my work have a direct impact. At Unleash live, we take state-of-the-art AI techniques and apply them to real operational challenges—whether it's improving power line inspections or monitoring infrastructure in real-time. The ability to quickly test, iterate, and deploy solutions means our work moves beyond theory and creates tangible results.
Diverse Industry Applications
Q: Can you share examples of industries you've worked with at Unleash live? How does this diversity keep the work engaging?
Shahab: Our AI solutions are deployed across multiple industries. In energy, we help utilities detect faults in power infrastructure before failures occur. In transport, we analyze live video feeds to ensure the safety and efficiency of rail and road networks. Mining companies use our AI to track equipment and prevent downtime. Every industry presents unique challenges, which keeps the work fresh and exciting.
AI App: Rock crusher size distribution
Owning the Full AI Lifecycle
Q: What does it feel like to own the entire lifecycle of an AI project—from customer challenge to production-ready solution?
Shahab: Unlike in academia, where research can take years to reach real-world application, here I get to see the full cycle of AI development—from defining the problem to deploying a solution that improves business operations. It’s rewarding to see AI models transition from prototypes to live systems making an impact in the field.
Real-World Testing and Problem-Solving
Q: Can you give an example of a particularly rewarding or challenging project?
Shahab: One of the most rewarding projects was building an AI-powered defect detection system for powerlines. The challenge was ensuring high accuracy in real-world environments—handling varying lighting conditions, camera angles, and weather effects. Through rigorous testing and deep learning advancements, we developed a system that now helps prevent outages and improve grid reliability.
Pace of Innovation
Q: Startups move fast. What do you enjoy about this pace, and how does the cloud enable agility?
Shahab: The fast-paced nature of Unleash live means we innovate continuously. We’re not waiting months for approvals—we deploy, test, and iterate in real-time. The cloud plays a huge role here, allowing us to scale AI processing on-demand and deploy models without infrastructure bottlenecks.
Sustainability-Focused Use Cases
Q: How does Unleash live’s focus on sustainability impact the AI projects you work on?
Shahab: Sustainability is a key driver. We’ve worked on AI solutions for wildfire detection, helping authorities respond faster to prevent disasters. In renewable energy, our models optimize solar farm inspections, ensuring maximum efficiency. AI isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about creating solutions that contribute to a better, more sustainable world.
AI App: Solar panel monitoring
The Team and Collaboration
Q: What is it like collaborating with cross-functional teams at Unleash live?
Shahab: AI doesn’t exist in a vacuum. I work closely with product, engineering, and customer success teams to ensure our AI aligns with business needs. This collaboration helps us build AI solutions that are not just technically sound but usable and valuable to our customers.
Staying Ahead in AI
Q: AI evolves quickly—how does Unleash live help you stay ahead and grow professionally?
Shahab: We have a strong learning culture—our engineers experiment with the latest advancements in deep learning, attend AI conferences, and contribute to research. We also get direct exposure to real-world AI challenges, which is the best way to stay sharp.
Balancing Speed and Quality
Q: Unleash live prioritizes rapid iteration while maintaining quality. How do you balance these demands?
Shahab: We achieve this through strong model validation pipelines and automated testing. While speed is crucial, we never compromise on performance. Our approach is to start with quick, functional prototypes, then refine them through real-world feedback.
Advice for AI Engineers
Q: What advice would you give someone looking to join Unleash live as a Full Stack AI Engineer?
Shahab: Be curious and adaptable. AI is evolving rapidly, so the best engineers are those who embrace new challenges and keep learning. Having strong problem-solving skills and a passion for applying AI to real-world problems will help you thrive here.
Final Thoughts
AI at Unleash live isn’t just about cutting-edge models—it’s about applying AI to solve pressing challenges across industries. With a team of passionate engineers and a strong focus on innovation, Shahab and his team are at the forefront of transforming how businesses use AI. If you’re interested in pushing AI boundaries, Unleash live is the place to be.
Learn more about the types of AI Apps that have been developed at Unleash live.
