Hire Talent

James Lawrence Spalding

AI Designer

Dublin, Ireland, Ireland

12+ Years Exp

Summary

James Spalding is a seasoned AI Designer and Generative AI Product Leader with 12 years of multidisciplinary experience across AI, UX, UI, and product innovation. With deep expertise in Generative AI systems, multimodal interactions, AI-native product design, and rapid prototyping, he specializes in turning complex ideas into scalable, human-centered solutions. He has designed and led end-to-end AI products across legal, medical, financial, memory, and creative domains - building chat interfaces, context-orchestration systems, and cloud-native AI architectures. James blends design thinking, systems analysis, and hands-on engineering skills to craft intuitive interfaces using modern frameworks like Next.js, React Server Components, shadcn/UI, and Tailwind. A trusted partner to founders and executives, he excels in AI product strategy, MVP definition, jobs-to-be-done discovery, and high-velocity iteration cycles. His work emphasizes accessibility, usability, and measurable user impact.

Technical Skills

Detailed View

Artificial Intelligence

User Interface

Generative AI

UX Design

Work Experience

Head of Product/CPO Consultant

Multiple Stealth AI Startups

Full Time | 22/01/2025 - Present

Remote | Ireland

Providing strategic Generative AI design consulting to multiple stealth-mode startups across AI memory, medical, legal, and financial sectors, ensuring every product embodies exceptional user experience and design precision.
Leading full-lifecycle Generative AI product development — translating visionary founder concepts into actionable requirements, defining MVPs, and guiding teams from ideation through rapid prototyping to production delivery.
Championing Generative AI-native, product-led design practices, leveraging iterative cycles and modern Gen AI tools to accelerate learning, scale impact, and deliver measurable value to both users and businesses.
Facilitating high-impact collaborative workshops with founders, stakeholders, and end-users to identify real jobs-to-be-done, refine value propositions, and align product direction with market needs.
Driving engineering–design synergy by fostering deep listening, hands-on leadership, and adoption of high-velocity development practices for seamless AI solution delivery.
Architecting and evolving cloud-native Generative AI systems capable of scaling across domains, always prioritizing practical, user-centered outcomes.
Specializing in AI context management and orchestration, applying advanced rapid prototyping techniques to create cross-domain, high-value AI solutions.

AI Product Lead

MiAI Law

Temporary | 20/11/2024 - 07/01/2025

Remote | Ireland

Led end-to-end Generative AI platform design and delivery, scoping, defining, and translating complex requirements into actionable product deliverables, driving the platform from concept to full execution.
Designed and developed an Generative AI-powered chat interface supporting OpenAI GPT-4, Anthropic, Cohere, and other providers via an AI SDK, enabling rich generative and conversational experiences.
Engineered a secure, user-friendly authentication system with MFA, integrating 2FA, biometric authentication, and TOTP fallback to ensure robust data protection.
Built a high-performance, scalable front end using Next.js App Router, React Server Components, and Server Actions, optimizing for dynamic, responsive, and accessible user experiences.
Implemented a modern, accessible UI framework using shadcn/UI with Tailwind CSS, and ensured seamless data persistence with Vercel Postgres and Vercel Blob for chat history and file storage.
Collaborated with leadership and cross-functional teams to align product vision with organizational strategy, ensuring delivery of a cohesive, scalable, and user-centered AI solution.

Product Strategy Consultant

MarketSizer Data-Driven Decisions

Full Time | 27/03/2024 - 08/10/2024

Ireland

Led Gen AI product strategy and innovation, defining requirements and shaping creative, user-centered solutions informed by data-driven insights and systems analysis.
Directed end-to-end product management for Gen AI solutions, from ideation to delivery, ensuring alignment with business goals and measurable user impact.
Applied analytical and creative thinking to design scalable Generative AI systems that balance functionality, usability, and innovation.

Chief Product Officer

EmergeGen AI

Full Time | 28/11/2023 - 07/02/2024

Ireland

Orchestrated and executed Generative AI product roadmaps for two flagship solutions-a Data Intelligence platform for major global financial institutions and a Generative Music product for the global music industry-driving innovation and market differentiation.
Directed end-to-end front-end design and development, crafting intuitive, high-impact interfaces tailored to diverse user needs across financial and creative sectors.
Translated complex client requirements into clear, actionable technical deliverables, enabling seamless integration with back-end systems and ensuring robust, scalable Enterprise AI solutions.
Led strategic product management and maintained comprehensive documentation, establishing clear development trajectories and aligning technical execution with business goals.
Drove mission-critical projects and workstreams, influencing executive-level decision-making and shaping strategic direction in high-stakes, innovation-driven environments.

Product Strategy Analyst

ESW

Full Time | 22/11/2022 - 08/11/2023

Ireland

Shaped long-term Generative AI and product strategy by analyzing emerging technologies, identifying market opportunities, and uncovering unmet customer needs to guide ESW’s innovation roadmap.
Led cross-departmental Gen AI initiatives, developing Proofs of Concept (POCs) and Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) to demonstrate the operational value of AI solutions.
Influenced executive decision-making by spearheading high-impact projects and workstreams aligned with new strategic initiatives.
Evolved from Product Strategy Analyst to functional intrapreneur, driving cross-functional collaborations to solve complex organizational challenges through innovative, Generative AI-driven approaches.
Conducted in-depth research and data analysis, presenting findings at company-wide events to align stakeholders and refine product strategy.
Advanced organizational Generative AI literacy by hosting workshops, leading hackathons, and delivering presentations that inspired adoption and alignment on strategic initiatives.

Product Manager Consultant

Vstage

Full Time | 23/03/2022 - 07/09/2022

Dublin, Ireland

Drove the expansion of AR/VR innovation within the organization, collaborating with customers and stakeholders to design and launch a fully integrated Augmented Reality product for the Vstage Platform.
Led end-to-end AR product design and development, creating a cutting-edge content creation solution powered by immersive technologies, from concept through prototypes to market-ready delivery.
Defined and executed the AR product roadmap, prioritizing features, planning development sprints, and guiding technical direction to maintain industry leadership.
Translated complex requirements into actionable user stories with clear acceptance criteria, ensuring alignment between engineering, design, and business objectives.
Collaborated across global, cross-functional teams — engineering, marketing, design, and business development — to ensure seamless delivery throughout the product lifecycle.
Oversaw product development operations using JIRA, GitHub, and Slack, ensuring efficient workflows and high-quality outcomes.

Chief Executive Officer & Founder

VOALA

Full Time | 23/01/2019 - 05/01/2022

Dublin, Ireland

Founded and led an AR-focused immersive technology startup, securing funding, defining the long-term product vision, and delivering cutting-edge AI (Computer Vision and AR(Augmented Reality) driven solutions from concept to market launch.
Directed end-to-end product design and development, overseeing UX, WebApp, Customer Portal, and Mobile Application builds, while managing prototyping, software engineering, and cross-platform integration.
Transformed visionary concepts into actionable roadmaps, prioritizing features, making strategic trade-offs, and ensuring exceptional customer experiences (CX) across all products.
Conducted advanced competitive and market analysis, identifying opportunities for AI, AR, and Metaverse innovation to address unmet market needs in Ireland and the USA.
Led high-performing, cross-functional teams, hiring and managing UX designers and developers, aligning them around product strategy, metrics, and measurable business outcomes.
Presented to investors and at industry events, fostering strategic partnerships, strengthening the sales pipeline, and positioning the company as a leader in immersive technologies.
Applied data-driven product management techniques, including A/B testing, metric tracking, and user feedback loops, to refine and optimize solutions.
Collaborated closely with customers and stakeholders, ensuring products aligned with user needs and evolving industry trends.

Facilities Engineer

Dublin City University

Full Time | 21/06/2017 - 09/10/2018

Dublin, Ireland

Applied systems analysis and design thinking to ensure the reliability, accuracy, and compliance of advanced laboratory technologies, supporting innovation in research environments.
Led technical diagnostics and problem-solving, conducting in-depth troubleshooting, generating machine-specific bug reports, and informing design improvements for safety-critical systems.
Managed end-to-end equipment lifecycle — from inspection, installation, and calibration to testing — ensuring optimal performance and adherence to regulatory standards.
Coordinated cross-functional collaboration with maintenance teams, contractors, and researchers to align technical solutions with operational needs.
Upheld compliance with Food Safety, Health & Safety, and machine-specific certifications, integrating regulatory requirements into technical workflows and product usage.

Business Development Specialist-LATAM

Tomra Food

Full Time | 20/07/2016 - 04/04/2017

Dublin, Ireland

Translated in-depth market intelligence into actionable AI product requirements, aligning platform design with customer needs, market potential, and strategic business goals.
Conducted deep-dive market mapping of Latin America, identifying emerging opportunities, competitive shifts, and new application areas for potential solutions.
Developed and maintained Market Segment Intelligence (MSI) systems, tracking trends, competitor focus changes, and economic shifts to inform Strategic GTM roadmaps.
Screened markets for risks and opportunities, recommending strategic priorities and approaches based on validated client needs and segment potential.
Collaborated with business development teams to integrate market insights into product strategy, ensuring cost-effectiveness, customer value, and competitive advantage.

Foreign Trade Specialist

Financial Way Group LLC

Full Time | 22/04/2015 - 05/04/2016

Brazil

Identified and developed new market opportunities in Brazil and Poland, translating insights into strategic product requirements and market expansion initiatives.
Led supplier sourcing and negotiations to deliver highly personalized solutions, ensuring alignment with customer needs and maintaining strong client relationships.
Enhanced the company’s digital presence by identifying and recommending improvements in digital marketing strategies to better position products in target markets.
Coordinated operational and compliance workflows, managing legal requirements for Brazilian market trades and collaborating with freight forwarding partners to ensure seamless, high-quality delivery.

English Language Specialist

Pracatum Social Action Association Apas

Full Time | 20/07/2011 - 09/12/2015

Brazil

Designed and implemented an integrated digital learning platform, developing IT infrastructure to support a blended learning model for language education from beginner to advanced levels.
Created and delivered engaging, user-centered learning experiences, tailoring course design to meet diverse learner needs and enhance engagement.
Led multilingual content design and localization, translating websites, press releases, and public communications from Portuguese to English for commercial organizations.
Facilitated cross-cultural communication by providing interpretation for public speakers during workshops and debates, ensuring clarity and impact across audiences.

Band Manager

ReLOVEution

Full Time | 18/06/2008 - 07/12/2011

Brazil

Designed and executed creative brand strategies to promote music groups, enhancing audience engagement and strengthening brand presence across platforms.
Planned and coordinated end-to-end production workflows, including recording sessions, album creation, and event scheduling, ensuring seamless delivery of creative projects.
Managed operational and financial processes, administering payroll for core members and session musicians, and overseeing logistics for tours and live events.

Education

Diploma in Systems Analysis & Development (NFQ Level 7)

Universidade Estacio, Brazil

11/08/2015 - 24/08/2017

Postgraduate Degree

Laureate Education, Inc.

14/02/2018 - 30/07/2019

Major in Software Entrepreneurship & Startup Creation (NFQ Level 9)

Certifications

Generative AI: The Evolution of Thoughtful Online Search

LinkedIn | Issued On : 09/06/2023

What Is Generative AI?

LinkedIn | Issued On : 09/06/2023

Agile JIRA Project Management

Udemy | Issued On : 18/10/2022

Adobe Certified Associate in Graphic Design & Illustration Using Adobe Illustrator

Adobe | Issued On : 28/07/2020

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