David Ha
BornHong Kong
EducationUniversity of Toronto (BS, MS), University of Tokyo (PhD)
OccupationMachine learning researcher
EmployerSakana AI

David Ha is a machine learning researcher, co-founder and CEO of Sakana AI.

Biography

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Ha was born in Hong Kong.[1] He received an undergraduate degree in engineering science and a masters in mathematical finance from the University of Toronto[2] and a PhD from the University of Tokyo.[3] He worked as a derivatives trader, becoming a managing director at Goldman Sachs in Japan.[3][4] For six years he worked at Google as a researcher, helping create and lead Google Brain in Tokyo.[1][5] In 2022, Ha left Google to join Stability AI as head of strategy.[6] In June 2023, he resigned from Stability to found Sakana AI along with his former Google colleague Llion Jones,[7][8] also joined by Ren Ito.[9] Ha was named one of Time's 100 Most Influential People in AI 2025.[10]

References

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  1. 1 2 Lee, Min Jeong; Katsuki, Natsuko (2024-04-12). "Google alums go big in Japan with months-old startup Sakana AI". The Japan Times. Retrieved 2026-05-26.
  2. "David Ha named to Time100 AI 2025". U of T Celebrates. University of Toronto. Retrieved 2026-05-26.
  3. 1 2 "David Ha | Milken Institute". milkeninstitute.org. 2025-10-01. Retrieved 2026-05-26.
  4. Moharana, Pabitra (2025-12-24). "How is David Ha Transforming AI in Japan?". Analytics India Magazine. Retrieved 2026-05-26.
  5. Murgia, Madhumita (2023-08-17). "Top Google AI experts pick Japan to set up on their own". Financial Times. Retrieved 2026-05-26.
  6. Butcher, Sarah (2023-01-18). ""I left my job as a Goldman Sachs MD to work in AI"". eFinancialCareers. Archived from the original on 2024-02-29. Retrieved 2026-05-26.
  7. Novet, Jordan (2023-08-17). "Google A.I. researcher says he left to build a startup after encountering 'big company-itis'". CNBC. Retrieved 2026-05-26.
  8. Metz, Rachel (2023-06-26). "Stability AI Head of Research Resigns From Startup". Bloomberg.
  9. Ryuichi, Maruyama (2025-03-07). "[Special Feature: The Future of AI in Japan]: Can Tokyo be a global hub for AI development? Interview with Ren Ito, co-founder of fast-rising Sakana AI". ScienceJapan. Retrieved 2026-05-26.
  10. Booth, Harry (2025-08-27). "David Ha: The 100 Most Influential People in AI 2025". TIME.