Ido Cohen

With over a decade of experience in artificial intelligence and machine learning, I currently work as a Research Lead at Autobrains Technologies, specializing in semi-supervised clustering and strategic project management.
I am known for transforming complex research into impactful proof-of-concept (POC) models that bridge experimental theory with real-world application. My role focuses on guiding research teams to develop high-impact POCs, demos, and scalable AI solutions tailored to market demands.

My academic journey began with a B.Sc. in Mathematics from Tel Aviv University, completed during high school as part of Prof. Beno Arbel’s Program for Gifted Young Students in Mathematics. I later earned an M.Sc. in Computer Science from Bar-Ilan University, beginning in 2014, with a focus on deep learning techniques for clustering and classification—when deep learning was still in its early stages and relatively unknown.

Currently, my PhD research at the ARL Lab explores social intelligence within Vision Language Models (VLMs). I am investigating how different VLM architectures—both open-source and closed—process multimodal inputs like text, audio, and video to assess psychological constructs such as Caring, Validation, and Understanding in human interactions. This research aims to uncover when and why multi-modal capabilities enhance model performance in social intelligence, with implications for more effective human-AI interactions.

In addition to my current research, I have published in notable venues. My work on “Supervised and Unsupervised End-to-End Deep Learning for Gene Ontology Classification of Neural In-Situ Hybridization Images,” co-authored with Dr. Eli (Omid) David and Prof. Nathan S. Netanyahu, was published in the Entropy Journal (Entropy 2019, 21(3), 221). Additionally, my research titled “DeepBrain: Functional Representation of Neural In-Situ Hybridization Images for Gene Ontology Classification Using Deep Convolutional Autoencoders” was accepted for an oral presentation at the 26th International Conference on Artificial Neural Networks.

Beyond academia and industry, I own a guesthouse and vegan restaurant in the Philippines, @wonderlandsiquijor, which hosts a volunteer program dedicated to building community. Our volunteers engage in local initiatives such as school assistance, hospital support, and beach cleanups, fostering a sense of community and environmental responsibility.

I am also a Marine Activists and the Scuba Operations Director at Coast Patrol, an NGO where I serve as second to the CEO. In this role, I lead marine conservation efforts focused on removing abandoned fishing nets and large debris that threaten marine ecosystems.

My dedication to community extends back to my years with the Hebrew Scouts, where I served as a youth guide and course director, developing leadership and teamwork skills that continue to shape my approach to research and project management.

When I’m not working, you’re likely to find me exploring new places—diving underwater, snowboarding in the mountains, or hiking through distant countries to learn about diverse cultures that fascinate me.