Hi, I'm Yaphet Bekele

I build intelligent systems at the intersection of software, AI, and cognitive science. As a Computer Science and Cognitive Science student at USC, I am fascinated by systems thinking, how people reason, how intelligent agents make decisions, and how those principles translate into software.

I enjoy building across every layer of the stack, from developer tools such as language interpreters and programming infrastructure to agentic AI, research tools, speech ML, and full stack products. Whether I am designing abstractions that make developers more effective or shaping product features around the needs of users, I enjoy putting myself in their shoes and building systems that feel intuitive, useful, and thoughtfully designed.

I was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where I grew up believing that the most meaningful work is measured by the people it helps. For much of my childhood, I thought the best path to creating that impact was through law and community advocacy, which led me to organize initiatives and become deeply involved in serving my local community.

After moving to the United States, my perspective expanded. I realized that technology has an unparalleled ability to scale ideas and improve lives across borders. That realization naturally drew me toward Computer Science and Cognitive Science at USC, where I explore how intelligent systems can amplify human potential.

Today, whether I am building AI systems, developer tools, or user-facing products, I start from the same question: how does this improve someone's life? I enjoy putting myself in the shoes of the people I am building for, whether they are developers, researchers, or everyday users, and creating systems that are not only technically elegant but genuinely useful.

My goal has remained the same throughout my journey. Only the medium has changed, from law to technology, because I believe software is one of the most powerful tools for creating lasting global impact.