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Ash Tilawat (Ashalesh Tilawat)

Background​

  • Head of Product at Gauntlet AI, Austin-based company
  • Builder and leader of Gauntlet AI's intensive AI training program
  • Active in Austin's AI community and ecosystem development
  • Recently married to Aabha Joshi (May 2025)
  • Presence in data science and machine learning competitions (Kaggle)

Professional Experience​

  • Gauntlet AI: Head of Product - leading intensive 10-week AI engineering program
  • Program Development: Designed all-expenses-paid, immersive experience where participants train 100 hours per week to become elite AI-first engineers
  • Community Building: Active in Austin AI community through social media engagement and events

Expertise & Interests​

  • AI product development and program design
  • Intensive training methodologies and curriculum development
  • Data science and machine learning competitions
  • Community building and ecosystem development
  • Austin tech scene engagement and networking

Gauntlet AI Program Details​

  • Program Structure: 10-week intensive training program
  • Commitment Level: 100 hours per week of training
  • Location: Austin, Texas office
  • Support: All-expenses-paid for participants
  • Objective: Develop elite AI-first engineers
  • Cohort System: Running multiple cohorts (currently on Cohort 2)

Connection Points​

  • Books workshops and educational sessions for Gauntlet AI program
  • Coordinates with external educators and speakers
  • Manages Gauntlet AI's Austin office operations
  • Engaged with Austin tech community through social media

Interactions​

  • 2025-07-12: Booked Gary Sheng to conduct "Supercharging Your Writing with AI" workshop for Gauntlet AI Cohort 2 at the Austin office. Demonstrated commitment to bringing external expertise to enhance the program curriculum and provide participants with practical AI tools beyond core engineering training.

  • 2025-07-22: Extended conversation with Tim Joo (alongside Austen Allred) about Alpha organizational dysfunction and Gauntlet program challenges. Shared intelligence about hiring partner complaints regarding Gauntlet graduates' emotional intelligence and professional conduct. Revealed implementation of behavioral interviews to screen for EQ issues after specific problems with graduates like Roger. Confirmed Jason Applebaum's termination from Alpha and discussed Joe Liemandt's business model of using expensive external dev agencies. Provided industry context about technical quality issues across Silicon Valley versus Alpha's additional communication and hierarchy problems.

Platform Presence​

  • LinkedIn: Active professional networking and company updates
  • X (Twitter): Regular updates about Gauntlet AI, Austin AI community engagement
  • Kaggle: Participation in data science competitions indicating hands-on technical experience
  • YouTube: Content related to AI and technology development

Personal Details​

  • Recently married to Aabha Joshi in May 2025
  • Based in Austin, Texas
  • Active in local tech and AI communities

Strategic Value​

  • applied-ai-society Program Development Expert: Head of Product at Gauntlet AI with proven ability to design intensive training programs and curriculum - essential expertise for scaling AI engineering community development
  • Austin AI Ecosystem Leader: Active community building and networking in Austin's AI scene provides valuable connections and market intelligence for local expansion and partnership opportunities
  • Educational Innovation Partner: Experience with 100-hour-per-week intensive training model offers framework for developing elite AI programs and maintaining high standards for applied-ai-society initiatives
  • Quality Assurance Intelligence: Insights into technical talent development challenges and behavioral screening provide crucial guidance for building effective AI professional communities and avoiding common pitfalls

Notes​

  • Plays key role in making Gauntlet AI's intensive program successful
  • Demonstrates strong networking and community engagement
  • Balances technical background with program leadership responsibilities
  • Proactive in seeking external expertise to enhance participant experience