Brian TheoryApplied AI & R&DRequest a fit call ↗
Explore the siteWorkServicesEngagementsAboutCVInsights

Engagements / Independent Applied AI & R&D Consultant

Ways to work together.

Start with one consequential decision or a clearly bounded need for sustained technical capacity. Experimental builds follow only when the question and inputs are ready.

Request a 20-minute fit call ↗Explore the options ↓

Free fit call, focused on fit and a possible next step.

Focused projects

Start with a decision.
Continue when the evidence warrants it.

All prices in USD. The standard decision sprint has a firm cap; validation is selectively scoped and not automatic.

Available starting point

Feasibility & Decision Sprint

Standard sprint$9,000Up to 5 focused working days · usually 1–2 calendar weeks

Resolve one consequential uncertainty before committing to a build.

A funded team needs an independent assessment of a difficult AI, software or research question and a credible basis for deciding what to do next.

What it can produce

  • One decision, the key assumptions and the constraints that matter
  • Assessment of the evidence, technical options and material risks
  • A recommended direction, which may include an architecture or experiment plan

The standard sprint is capped at one decision and up to five focused working days. It does not include implementation or promise to resolve every uncertainty. A broader investigation is separately scoped before work begins.

Discuss a decision sprint ↗

Selected follow-on

Technical Validation Sprint

Typically from$20,000Up to 10 focused working days · usually 2–4 calendar weeks

Run the smallest experiment that can change the decision.

Offered selectively after a feasibility sprint—or when equivalent scope and inputs already exist—to test one bounded technical hypothesis.

What it can produce

  • One agreed hypothesis, representative inputs and evaluation criteria
  • A focused model, algorithm experiment, technical spike or limited proof of concept
  • Results, limitations, handover and a go, change or stop recommendation

Limited to one active validation sprint at a time. Scope covers one bounded technical hypothesis and the experiment needed to evaluate it. Production delivery, broader integrations, security or compliance hardening, deployment, wet-lab validation, third-party costs and ongoing development are separately scoped.

Ask about a validation sprint ↗

Broader technical work

Extended Technical Investigation

For larger investigationsCustom scopeMultiple questions · broader experimental or architecture work

Investigate a wider technical programme without forcing it into a standard sprint.

The work involves multiple technical questions, broader experiments, deeper architecture analysis, several stakeholders or a longer research programme.

What it can produce

  • A staged investigation plan tied to the decisions that matter
  • Broader experimental, architecture or technical-review work
  • Evidence, limitations, recommendations and clear handover points

Larger investigations begin beyond the scope of the standard Validation Sprint. Scope, milestones, capacity and commercial terms are agreed around the actual programme.

Discuss a larger investigation ↗

For founders, investors and boards

Independent Technical Review & Diligence

Assess AI claims, unusual algorithms, deep-tech feasibility, technical architecture, experimental evidence, research claims and proposed technical roadmaps.

A focused review may fit the Feasibility & Decision Sprint. Deeper code, data-room or multi-stakeholder diligence is custom scoped.

Discuss a technical review ↗

Sustained technical direction

Fractional Applied AI / R&D Direction

Hands-on technical direction and continuity, reserved for your team as the work develops.

For applied ML, LLM systems, private or on-prem AI, retrieval and knowledge systems, agentic workflows, or research that needs a path to implementation.

Work can include architecture, experiment design, technical reviews, mentoring and research-to-production planning within an agreed technical scope.

From$8,000 / month

Approximately 1 reserved day per week

From$14,000 / month

Approximately 2 reserved days per week

Typically a three-month initial term. Capacity, priorities, cadence and responsibilities are agreed in advance.

Discuss fractional direction ↗

For a focused question

Technical Advisory

Independent perspective on an architecture, technical decision, research direction or difficult blocker. Useful when you need targeted judgment rather than a project or ongoing role.

$300 / hour

Two-hour minimum. Preparation, review time and the total cap are agreed before paid work begins.

Ask about advisory ↗

Before we start

Clear expectations.
Room to investigate.

What happens on the free call?

The 20-minute call establishes fit, goals, constraints and a practical next step. Technical design begins within an agreed engagement.

What if the scope is still uncertain?

That is the reason to start with the Feasibility & Decision Sprint. We agree one decision and its boundaries before paid work begins. A sound result may be to narrow, change or stop an approach.

When is a validation sprint appropriate?

When one technical hypothesis, representative inputs, evaluation criteria and a decision owner are already identifiable. It may follow the decision sprint, but it is neither required nor automatic. I accept one active validation sprint at a time.

How is production delivery handled?

A validation sprint creates the evidence needed for a decision. Product delivery, broader integrations, security or compliance hardening, deployment, operational support and external costs are scoped separately when appropriate.

What evidence can I review?

Project accounts identify the context, Brian’s contribution, implementation, available evidence and limits across agent operations, NASA Ames engineering, peer-reviewed research and original algorithmic work.

Explore selected technical work ↗

20-minute Fit Call · Free

Find the right
starting point.

Share the decision, the main uncertainty and what is already available. You can book a fit call through Google Calendar or send a qualified project inquiry.

I prioritize funded teams with an engaged decision owner, access to the necessary inputs and a question that can be bounded. Calls are confirmed through Google Calendar.

How would you like to start?
Add budget, timing or support details (optional)

Helpful if you already know them. You can leave these blank.

Your details are sent securely only when you select the button above.