François Chollet is a prominent French software engineer and artificial intelligence researcher, best known for creating the Keras deep-learning library, which has become a cornerstone in the field of machine learning since its release in 2015. After graduating with a Master of Engineering from ENSTA Paris in 2012, Chollet joined Google in 2015, where he played a pivotal role in advancing AI technologies. His work at Google included significant contributions to TensorFlow, further solidifying his reputation as a leader in the AI community.

In 2019, Chollet published the Abstraction and Reasoning Corpus for Artificial General Intelligence (ARC-AGI), a benchmark designed to evaluate AI systems’ reasoning capabilities. This innovative work has been instrumental in pushing the boundaries of what AI can achieve. In 2024, he launched the ARC Prize, a $1 million competition aimed at solving the ARC-AGI benchmark, demonstrating his commitment to fostering research in artificial intelligence.

Chollet’s influence extends beyond research; he is also a celebrated author. His book, “Deep Learning with Python,” has sold over 100,000 copies and serves as a vital resource for both novice and experienced practitioners. Additionally, his paper on Xception, which focuses on depthwise separable convolutions, is among the most cited in the field, showcasing his impactful contributions to deep learning methodologies.

Recognized for his groundbreaking work, Chollet received the Global Swiss AI Award in 2021 and was named one of TIME’s 100 most influential people in AI in 2024. His ongoing efforts to democratize AI and promote ethical considerations in technology continue to inspire a new generation of researchers and developers in the field.