London-Based Pearson Education Company Hires Caltech Grad to Head Artificial Intelligence Projects

Pearson, a digital education company based in London, has hired Caltech computer science graduate Milena Marinova to lead its artificial intelligence (AI) and personalized learning projects.

Marinova joins Pearson this month as Senior Vice President, AI Products and Solutions, a Pearson press release said Monday.

Marinova was recently Senior Director of AI Solutions at Intel Corporation.

At Pearson, she will be focused on exploring and applying existing and new technologies in artificial intelligence, machine learning, including deep and reinforcement learning, as well as data analytics and personalized learning into current and future products and services.

“We have the opportunity to use technology to help shape the future of education in new ways for the next generation of learners, helping more students foster the knowledge and skills they need to succeed both in school and their careers,” said Tim Bozik, global head of product at Pearson. “Milena is an extraordinary talent and brings vast experience to our team. She will play an important role in this work and in continuing the digital and AI transformation of Pearson.”

“Unlike other sectors, education is yet to fully realize the benefits of digital and advanced AI techniques, and there are great opportunities to improve learning outcomes and to enable better teaching,” Marinova said. “Pearson is committed to transforming the learning experience and becoming the digital winner in education. As a strong believer in lifelong learning, I want to contribute and be a key part in that journey.”

Marinova, who has a bachelor’s degree with honors in Computer Science from Caltech, is a technology executive with over 15 years in business and product development, strategy, marketing and venture capital, and has extensive knowledge of machine learning, neural networks, computer vision and the commercialization of new technologies.

At Intel, she led the development for commercial applications of AI across various industries, including Internet of Things, robotics and AR/VR, and advised Intel Capital on investments in these areas. She also previously held executive roles at Idealab, a Pasadena-based prominent startup incubator, and Hyundai Capital America.

Marinova has an MBA from IMD in Lausanne, Switzerland. Before coming to Caltech, she had won the national award for Top Young Mathematician in Bulgaria.

She is also currently an advisor to several AI startups in the California Bay Area, and a Venture Partner with Atlantic Bridge Capital.