We're Just at the Beginning, and There's So Much More We Can Accomplish to Help Our Clients Thrive in a Data-Driven World: Dorian Selz, Co-Founder & CEO of Squirro

Dorian Selz, co-founder and CEO of Squirro, has been instrumental in shaping the company’s vision and strategy since its inception. Under his leadership, Squirro has evolved into a premier provider of enterprise generative AI solutions, particularly for highly regulated industries. Dorian’s expertise in AI, combined with a deep understanding of enterprise needs, has positioned Squirro as a trusted partner to major organizations globally, including central banks and leading financial institutions.

With a focus on developing technology that augments human intelligence and supports seamless automation, Dorian continues to drive Squirro’s mission to redefine how enterprises use data. His leadership emphasizes precision-engineered solutions, ensuring that Squirro not only meets but exceeds the demands of complex and regulated industries.

In a recent interview with SME Business Review, Mr. Selz shared insights into Squirro's mission to revolutionize enterprise data management and emphasized the company’s commitment to delivering innovative AI solutions that address the complex needs of highly regulated industries. Here’s what he had to say.

Interview Excerpts

Dorian, you have been instrumental in shaping Squirro’s journey. What originally inspired you to co-found Squirro?

From the start, I wanted to build something that directly addressed the pressing needs of complex industries. Data has always fascinated me, especially in how it can be harnessed to drive insight and change. Founding Squirro was about taking this raw potential and creating a solution that transforms data into something incredibly valuable for enterprise decision-makers.

Squirro has earned a reputation for being the go-to provider of AI solutions for regulated industries. Why focus specifically on these sectors?

Highly regulated industries like banking and finance demand precision, compliance, and reliability. These sectors are often left behind in the adoption of new technology because they need solutions that meet rigorous standards. Squirro focuses on addressing this gap. Our solutions are tailored to fit seamlessly within these complex frameworks, bringing the benefits of AI to industries that traditionally find it challenging to implement cutting-edge technology.

How does Squirro combine different AI technologies like machine learning, generative AI, and knowledge graphs?

Combining these technologies allows us to offer a holistic approach to data analysis and insight generation. Each of these AI tools has unique strengths. Machine learning enables predictive capabilities; generative AI assists with creating content and suggestions, while symbolic AI, like knowledge graphs, allows us to build structured knowledge bases for more accurate and context-aware responses. By integrating these, Squirro provides clients with a solution that’s not only innovative but truly useful and adaptable to various industry-specific needs.

Squirro is often described as the ‘Enterprise GenAI Platform of choice.’ What sets your platform apart from others in the industry?

What really sets Squirro apart is the precision and enterprise-grade reliability of our solutions. We’ve built our platform from the ground up to handle the intricacies of heavily regulated environments, which means everything from our data privacy protocols to our insights engine is tailored to exceed compliance standards. This level of customization ensures that our clients can confidently integrate our platform into their existing frameworks without concerns about security or regulatory risk.

Your team is known for pushing the boundaries of AI in business. How do you encourage innovation within Squirro?

Innovation has to be part of the culture. At Squirro, I encourage my team to question conventional approaches constantly and to explore new methods to solve familiar problems. This isn’t about reinventing the wheel but making sure we’re always evolving, always looking for a better way. I think that’s a big reason why we’re able to stay ahead in such a competitive industry.

Squirro is trusted by industry leaders like the European Central Bank and Standard Chartered Bank. How have these partnerships shaped Squirro’s evolution?

Working with such high-caliber partners has been invaluable for our development. These organizations demand an incredible level of accuracy, security, and customization, which constantly pushes us to refine our solutions. It’s a relationship of mutual benefit: they bring challenges that keep us innovating, and we provide technology that drives their goals forward.

With over a decade of experience in AI, what changes have you seen in the industry, and where do you see it heading?

The shift toward generative AI has been one of the most exciting changes. AI is moving beyond simply analyzing data to actually creating insights and content, which opens up a whole new world of applications. I see the industry moving toward even more specialized and secure applications, particularly in regulated sectors. The future of AI will be less about generalized solutions and more about highly specific tools that are trusted to operate within strict boundaries and standards.

Looking back, what achievement are you most proud of since starting Squirro?

I am especially proud of how far we have come in establishing trust with some of the world’s most highly regulated institutions. Building this level of trust took time, effort, and a relentless focus on quality. Earning that trust has not only validated our approach but also motivates us to continue delivering results that matter.

How do you see the role of AI evolving in regulated industries?

I see AI becoming an indispensable asset in regulated industries. There’s a massive volume of data in these sectors, and extracting insights from that data can transform decision-making and efficiency. AI will increasingly handle more routine and analytical tasks, freeing human resources to focus on strategic initiatives. Squirro’s role is to facilitate this transformation by providing solutions that are reliable, secure, and scalable.

Finally, what excites you most about Squirro’s future?

I am excited about the possibilities that lie ahead in refining and expanding our generative AI capabilities. The potential applications of AI are constantly growing, and I’m particularly interested in pushing boundaries around what AI can achieve in terms of delivering real-time insights. We’re just at the beginning, and there’s so much more we can accomplish to help our clients thrive in a data-driven world.

Dorian Selz, Co-Founder & CEO, Squirro

I am especially proud of how far we have come in establishing trust with some of the world’s most highly regulated institutions. Building this level of trust took time, effort, and a relentless focus on quality.