Pierre de Vries
Research Fellow, Economic Policy Research Center, University of Washington; Senior Adjunct Fellow, Silicon Flatirons Center, University of Colorado, Boulder; Technology Adviser, Harris Wiltshire & Grannis LLP, Washington D.C.
B.Sc. (Honours) (cum laude), Theoretical Physics (1983), Stellenbosch University; Ph.D. Quantum Field Theory (1987) Oxford University.
Pierre de Vries researches and advises on the intersection of information of information technology and government policy. His current projects include regulatory paradigms for the Internet/web, alternative conceptual models for wireless policy, spectrum allocation in the TV white spaces, and the impact of intangibility on decision making in the digital world.
Also, de Vries is working to understand how our innate models of reality limit our ability to make good judgments about complex abstractions. He is mapping the mental models that software developers have of their work. These models are often concrete metaphors that may not represent the complexity of software very well, leading to errors and misjudgments. Software is being used as a proxy for a raft of abstractions in many areas of the knowledge economy, like complex dynamic systems, financial markets, and bodies of law.
De Vries is a former Chief of Incubation, and former Senior Director of Advanced Technology and Policy at Microsoft Corporation. His work of more than 12 years at Microsoft included:
- Designing and building the first "Microsoft Home," an immersive simulator of future technology;
- Forming the company's first integrated user experience design team, which designed the Windows Smartphone and other handheld products;
- Developing the Trustworthy Computing Framework, a strategic agenda for Microsoft's work in security, privacy, reliability, and business integrity;
- Creating and leading a team that developed a prototype web service that brought context data to mobile devices;
- Starting up a project to developed a wireless mesh networking for Windows;
- Managing a portfolio of advanced technology incubations for Microsoft's Chief Technical Officer;
- Supervising the start-up of the European Microsoft Innovation Centre (EMIC), a lab for collaborative research in Aachen, Germany;
- Leading Microsoft's contribution to the effort to get harmonized 5GHz unlicensed spectrum worldwide;
- Directing cross-company communications policy strategy.
Prior to Microsoft, De Vries worked for Korda & Co, a London-based seed capital company and consultancy, advising corporate customers like Pearson and Scientific Atlanta on the likely evolution and business impact of new. He evaluated potential venture capital investments, negotiated investments and relationships, and served as a start-up board member.
Relevant Links:
- Personal URL: http://www.pierredevries.com/
- Blog: http://deepfreeze9.blogspot.com
- Email: pierredv@hotmail.com
