About Coastal Intelligence
Helping leaders navigate the age of AI.
Coastal Intelligence is an AI think tank and consultancy based in Santa Barbara, California.
We help organizations understand, adopt, and shape the future of artificial intelligence through research, education, gatherings, advisory services, and implementation support.
Our mission is simple: to help leaders make sense of a rapidly changing world and use AI in ways that strengthen organizations, communities, and the people they serve.
Building the Future of AI on the Central Coast
We believe the Central Coast has an opportunity to become a model for thoughtful, human-centered AI adoption.
Coastal Intelligence brings together leaders from business, government, healthcare, education, nonprofits, technology, and civic life to explore what AI means for our region and how we can prepare for the future together.
Through workshops, executive briefings, research initiatives, industry forums, community events, and sector-specific programs, we help create the conversations, relationships, and practical knowledge that organizations need to move forward.
Our goal is to help shape a future where technology expands human potential, strengthens communities, and creates lasting value.
Why We Exist
Coastal Intelligence was born from one simple idea:
The future of AI must be shaped by humans who care.
AI is transforming how organizations operate, how services are delivered, and how people experience work, learning, healthcare, government, and community.
The decisions being made today will shape those outcomes for years to come.
Yet many leaders are being asked to make important decisions about AI without clear playbooks for what comes next.
We are here to help leaders navigate that uncertainty with clarity, responsibility, and confidence.
Executive Team
Jim Sterne
Founder
Jim Sterne is an internationally recognized author, speaker, educator, and entrepreneur whose work has helped shape the fields of digital analytics, marketing technology, and artificial intelligence. He brings decades of experience helping organizations understand and adapt to technological change.
Mark Sylvester
Founder
Mark Sylvester has spent more than four decades building technology companies, software products, creative communities, and educational experiences. He is also the founder and producer of more than 175 TEDx events and is widely recognized for connecting people, ideas, and innovation.
Mike Wald
Founder
Mike Wald is an entrepreneur, executive coach, strategist, and AI advisor who has helped hundreds of organizations launch, grow, and evolve through technology, marketing, operations, and leadership development. His work focuses on helping organizations translate AI opportunity into practical action.
Join the Conversation
Whether you are a business leader, nonprofit executive, healthcare professional, educator, public official, investor, technologist, or community builder, we invite you to be part of the conversation.
The future of AI will not be shaped by technology alone.
It will be shaped by the people and organizations choosing how to use it.
Start a Conversation →