About Dr. Jakub E. Cichor

Dr. Cichor speaking at a podium with a microphone and two laptops.

Dr. Jakub E. Cichor, Founder and Chief Policy Architect of The Cichor Institute, established the Institute with a clear mission: to guide organizations through the intricate ethical, social, and strategic landscapes shaped by Artificial Intelligence (AI), Extended Reality (XR), social robotics, and other disruptive technologies. His work is driven by a deep commitment to ensuring that technological advancement aligns with human values and contributes to a responsible, sustainable future.

A Unique Synthesis of Expertise

Dr. Cichor’s approach is rooted in a unique synthesis of deep technical understanding and rigorous leadership and ethics research. Having immersed himself in both building interactive technologies and analyzing their impact on human behavior and leadership, he bridges the crucial gap between technological potential and its real-world human and societal implications. This dual perspective allows him to offer nuanced, actionable advice that is both technologically informed and ethically grounded.

Academic Foundations

Dr. Cichor’s academic journey laid the groundwork for this interdisciplinary focus. His Ph.D. in Leadership in the Digital Age from the prestigious Technical University of Munich (TUM) School of Management specifically investigated the complex dynamics of Utilizing Social Robots and Virtual Reality in Leadership. This research explored how humans perceive and interact with non-human agents in leadership roles and how immersive technologies can reshape leadership development.

This doctoral work built directly upon a strong technical foundation: a Master of Science (M.Sc.) and Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Informatics: Games Engineering, also from TUM. These degrees provided Jakub Cichor with hands-on expertise in software development, system architecture, human-computer interaction, machine learning principles, and the creation of complex interactive systems – skills essential for truly understanding the technologies he now advises on.

Practical Experience & Impact at TUM

Prior to founding The Cichor Institute, Dr. Cichor gained extensive practical experience translating research into impact through various concurrent key roles at TUM:

  • As Team Lead for AI and XR at the TUM Neurophysiological Leadership Lab, he spearheaded the development of cutting-edge leadership insights concerning AI ethics and developed frameworks for human-robot interaction. He produced impactful thought leadership and toolkits used by executives and researchers to foster responsible leadership in tech-driven environments.

  • Serving as an Executive Board Member for Leadership and Expert Development at the TUM EdTech Center, he collaborated closely with senior stakeholders across academia and industry. His focus was on aligning digital training tools with robust ethical leadership principles, establishing keystone projects like "Robot Teaming for Leadership Training” and the commercially adopted "VR Public Speaking Training for Professionals".

  • Throughout his time as a Research Associate at the TUM School of Management, he developed, tested, and validated novel XR-based public speaking and AI leadership training modules applied in both corporate and academic settings.

Across these roles, Dr. Cichor designed and delivered numerous ethics-based leadership development programs and specialized workshops, engaging over 500 executives from diverse industries. He also taught over 300 advanced researchers and industry leaders, equipping them with skills in project management and navigating the complexities of digital transformation.

Thought Leadership & Recognition

Dr. Cichor’s commitment extends to shaping the broader discourse on responsible technology. His research contributions on robot leadership, XR training acceptance, ethical AI implementation, and related topics have been published in respected peer-reviewed journals and presented at leading international conferences, collectively garnering over 120 citations. He is regularly invited to deliver keynotes and presentations for industry leaders and academic audiences, sharing insights on ethical leadership in the age of AI.

Goal

The goal through The Cichor Institute is to translate complex research, technical understanding, and ethical considerations into practical, actionable strategies. Dr. Cichor aims to empower leaders and organizations not just to react to technological change, but to proactively shape a future where innovation is guided by responsibility, foresight, and a deep commitment to human-centric values.