From Cybersecurity to Physical AI & AI for Good: A Tech Founder's Journey

On August 28, 2026, Seattle Chinese Radio's "Expert Forum" broadcast an in-depth interview with Michael Huo, President of the North America Chinese University Alumni Alliance Northern California Chapter (NACUAA NorCal) and Chair of the AI Entrepreneurship & Charity Club, hosted by Ashley. The theme of this episode: "From Cybersecurity to Physical AI & AI for Good — A Tech Founder's Journey."

This was a cross-regional conversation reaching audiences across Greater Seattle and globally. Rather than piling up AI buzzwords, the discussion centered on three fundamental pillars: trustworthiness, real-world deployment, and public benefit.

From Zhejiang University Lecture Halls to Silicon Valley Security

Michael Huo completed both his undergraduate and graduate degrees at Zhejiang University, later serving as a lecturer teaching operating systems, data structures, and C/C++. After moving to the U.S. for graduate studies in Computer Engineering, he spent over two decades in Silicon Valley focusing on systems and network security at companies including Palo Alto Networks, F5, and Netskope. Currently at LiveX AI, he leads security, platform, and edge systems for Physical AI, while co-founding and leading the VI AI Foundation and VI AI for Good Foundation.

"Security cannot be an afterthought or a patch; it must be built-in from day one. Shifting from reactive post-incident defense to architecting trusted systems by design."

Physical AI: From Online Assistant to On-Site Colleague

His explanation to listeners was direct: ChatGPT primarily lives in phones and laptops. Physical AI steps into real-world retail kiosks, holograms at exhibitions, and interactive lobby displays—seeing people, hearing speech, responding in real-time, and getting tasks done. Think of it as AI transitioning from an "online assistant" into an "on-site colleague."

AI for Good: Auditable, Constrained, and Turn-Offable

While commercial AI is vital, he believes that if AI only serves corporate advertising and conversion funnels, its true potential is wasted. Together with partners, the sister foundations channel technical capability into community empowerment and enduring public value—prioritizing genuine companionship, education, and human support.