Physical AI Architect | Fractional CAIO | Founder
Mohammed Cherifi
My entire career has been at the intersection of AI and physical infrastructure. At Cisco, I shipped network and video software to 100M+ users. At Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi, I led the software-defined mobility platform powering NissanConnect across 39 countries — 4M+ connected users. At ABB E-mobility, I drove go-to-market for EV charging infrastructure. Then I built Auralink: 400+ microservices, ~20 AI agents, 78% autonomous incident resolution on a physical EV charging network. That work led to my peer-reviewed arXiv paper on autonomous edge-deployed AI agents for physical infrastructure. I created the Physical AI Stack™ — the six-layer framework for making physical infrastructure AI-native — because no framework existed to help organizations move from cloud AI to systems that control real-world assets. 17+ years at Physical AI companies before Physical AI was a category. That's why I can architect what others only advise on.
The Physical AI Career
17+ years at the intersection of AI and physical infrastructure — Cisco, Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi, ABB. Every role building AI-native systems for the physical world.
Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi
General Manager — Head of Product Management
€250M program | 150+ people | 39 countries
- Physical AI Layer: CONNECT + REASON — software-defined mobility platform, AI-powered connected services
- Shipped the world's first Google-built-in head unit (OpenR Link) — NissanConnect serving 4M+ users across 39 countries
- €50M+ revenue impact from connected vehicle services. 4 vehicle launches: Megane E-Tech, Austral, Rafale, Scenic
- Promoted 4 times. Led cross-functional teams across France, India, and Japan
NDS / Cisco Systems
Senior Program Manager
100M+ users | 1,300+ engineers | 3 continents
- Physical AI Layer: COMPUTE + ORCHESTRATE — network & video infrastructure platforms, software-defined systems
- 100M+ users impacted via set-top boxes across Europe, North America, and Asia
- Shipped the world's first Android TV integration for pay-TV operators. Linux kernel contributions
- 9 years from intern to Senior Program Manager. Code in production, not just in presentations
ABB E-mobility
Product Marketing Team Lead
- Physical AI Layer: ACT + ORCHESTRATE — EV charging infrastructure, software-defined charging networks
- Product lead for the A400 charger: 400kW ultra-fast EV charging. Full go-to-market for the Terra Series
- Marketing lead for OS Charging software — the platform powering ABB's global charger network
Credentials That Select, Not Accept
UC Berkeley, MIT, Kellogg. These institutions vet. Each credential backs a specific capability I bring to your engagement.
Certificate of Business Excellence
UC Berkeley Haas School of Business
AI, Platform Strategy, Systems Engineering, IoT, Cybersecurity
MIT Professional Education
Product Management Certification
Kellogg Executive Education, Northwestern University
Certified Scrum Product Owner & Agile Leader
Scrum Alliance
MSc Networks & Telecommunications
Paris-Saclay University
Engineering Degree in Computer Science (AI & Data Science)
University of Oran
Recognition & Appointments
Each of these was appointed, not applied for. That distinction matters.
arXiv Research Paper — 'Autonomous Edge-Deployed AI Agents for Physical Infrastructure' (arxiv.org/abs/2603.08736) — peer-reviewed Physical AI research
Forbes Technology Council Member Leader (since 2021) — vetted and appointed, 3% acceptance rate
Creator of the Physical AI Stack™ and DEPLOY Method™ — frameworks for AI-native physical infrastructure
Senior Executive AI ThinkTank Member (since 2025) — invitation-only leadership network
Berkeley SkyDeck Key Advisor (since 2022) — selected to advise UC Berkeley's top accelerator
Board Member, La French Tech Athens — representing French tech ecosystem in Greece
AI Ambassador for French Government 'Osez l'IA' Initiative (2025) — appointed by the government to accelerate SME AI adoption
Published Forbes.com Contributor (100K+ readers) — not a guest post, a permanent contributor platform
FranceNum Activateur — Referenced Digital Transformation Expert (2025)
Paris | Amsterdam | Athens
Why I Do This
After 15 years in corporate roles at Cisco, Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi, and ABB, I could have joined another Fortune 500. Instead, I chose a harder path: helping European companies ship AI that actually works. I believe European businesses deserve better than what the consulting industry gives them. Better than Strategy Theater. Better than Permanent Pilots. Better than Consultant Dependency. I operate across France, Greece, and the Netherlands. I speak French, English, Arabic, and Greek. I believe in European AI sovereignty--not as a slogan, but as production systems built and operated in Europe. The best part of this work? Watching the moment it clicks. When an organization moves from AI confusion to AI confidence. From endless pilots to production systems. From vendor dependency to internal capability. That transformation is why I chose this.
Ready to Ship Your AI?
30 minutes. No pitch, no pressure. An honest conversation about your challenge and whether I can help. If I'm not the right fit, I'll tell you and point you somewhere better.