Philip Butler, PhD
About Philip Butler, PhD
Philip Butler, PhD, is an Ethics Core Team Member and the Founder of The Seekr Project, which focuses on developing Black conversational AI with mental health capabilities. He has held various academic positions, including Term Assistant Professor at Iliff School of Theology, and has a strong background in theology, ethics, and machine learning.
Work at Hyperloop Transportation Technologies
Philip Butler serves as an Ethics Core Team Member at Hyperloop Transportation Technologies, Inc. since 2017. In this role, he contributes to the ethical considerations surrounding the development and implementation of hyperloop technology. His focus includes ensuring that ethical standards are maintained throughout the project's lifecycle, aligning technological advancements with societal values.
Current Role at The Seekr Project
Philip Butler is the Founder of The Seekr Project, which he established in 2017. The project is dedicated to developing conversational AI that is distinctly Black and incorporates mental health capacities. Seekr is designed to provide culturally relevant therapeutic resources, trained on three psychotherapeutic modalities, with a primary focus on internal family systems therapy.
Education and Expertise
Philip Butler has an extensive educational background in theology and ethics. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Morehouse College and a Master of Divinity from Emory University. He completed his Ph.D. in Spiritual Formation: Neurospirituality at Claremont School of Theology. Additionally, he studied machine learning engineering at FourthBrain, enhancing his expertise in the intersection of technology and ethics.
Previous Academic Positions
Philip Butler held the position of Visiting Assistant Professor at Loyola Marymount University from 2017 to 2020. He also serves as a Term Assistant Professor of Theology and Black Posthuman Artificial Intelligence Systems at Iliff School of Theology since 2020. His academic roles emphasize the integration of theology with contemporary issues in artificial intelligence and ethics.
Professional Experience in Fitness and Coaching
Philip Butler has experience in the fitness industry, having worked as a Fitness Consultant at WellCorpRx in 2013. He also served as a Strength and Conditioning Coach at Mount Vernon Presbyterian School from 2010 to 2012. These roles contributed to his understanding of health and wellness, complementing his academic pursuits in ethics and theology.