Welcome

I'm Tao Cao, an applied AI scientist and engineer by profession.

About Me

I build large-scale AI systems to innovate e-commerce, supply chain, and crowdsourced deliveries.

Previously, I researched AI and its applications in green energy.

Beyond my profession, I explore how AI can address critical human challenges, including the ethical implications of superintelligence, climate change, and financial literacy to mitigate wealth gaps.

Academic background: Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, M.S. in Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science.

Recent Updates

Sep 2025: Built a free app to estimate the extra energy cost when pairing variable-speed heat pumps with non-communicating thermostats - solving the "language barrier" between modern HVAC and smart home tech that nobody could quantify. (App) | (Blog post)
Sep 2025: Built an AI assistant to make home maintenance easier - a one-stop app that turns appliance manuals into clear, prioritized plans, with video support where it matters. (Blog post)
Aug 2025: Selected to attend the buildathon event hosted by AI Fund and DeepLearning.AI, building AI applications in a day. (Event link) | (AI apps I built)
Aug 2024: Gave a talk at TSMO Workshop at KDD 2024 on building large-scale AI systems for driver dispatch in crowdsourced deliveries. (Link to talk)

Get Connected

Find me on:

LinkedIn | Medium Blog | Google Scholar