Founders · #1 of 111
David Ha デイビッド・ハ
Co-founder & CEO, Sakana AI
Verified 2026-10-17: Company site / press release · Own X profile
Background
Engineering science degree, University of Toronto; PhD, University of Tokyo. Rates trader at Goldman Sachs Japan, then research scientist leading Google's Tokyo research team; briefly at Stability AI. Source
Public appearances
| 2025-03-03 Podcast | Sakana AI CEO David Ha on Nikkei's "Kirinuki News" podcast サカナAI デビッド・ハCEOが登場！「吉野直也のNIKKEI切り抜きニュース」 Ha explains Sakana AI's plan to work at both the foundation-model and application layers, arguing Japan needs in-house know-how even if model building is not yet profitable. He frames resource constraints versus Google, OpenAI and Anthropic as the reason for Sakana's model-merging approach. Summary by The Raising Sun. From the YouTube auto-transcript (trailer) and description. |
| 2025-02-03 Interview | Sakana AI on AI Development Outlook (Bloomberg) Sakana AI on AI Development Outlook Ha argues that efficient models such as DeepSeek increase rather than reduce demand for Nvidia GPUs, and expects more alternative AI tools to follow. Summary by The Raising Sun. From the video page description. |
| 2025-05-22 Interview | Sakana AI: Japan can build its own AI infrastructure (CNBC) Sakana AI: Japan has the capacity to develop its own AI infrastructure Ha discusses Japanese government efforts on tech infrastructure, including defence, and says Japan can attract AI talent as a top destination. Summary by The Raising Sun. From the video page description. |
| 2025-11-19 Interview | Sakana AI CEO: AI is here for the long term (CNBC) Sakana AI CEO: AI is here for the long-term Ha outlines Sakana AI's route to profitability. He warns AI valuations could fall but says the technology will stay relevant. Summary by The Raising Sun. From the video page description. |
| Undated Video | The future of AI looks very different in Japan The future of AI looks very different in Japan Ha recounts founding Sakana AI with Llion Jones and Ren Ito, and why a Japan frontier-AI company needed a Japanese co-founder. He describes meeting Ito through startup events and Stability AI. Summary by The Raising Sun. From the YouTube transcript excerpt. |