Interview with Rainier Mallol, President at cxgenies

My journey began in my sophomore year at the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra in the Dominican Republic. I was studying Telematics Engineering when one of my professors – who also happened to be a consultant – hired me as a junior consultant. This early exposure helped me see the practical side of what I was learning in class and fueled my passion for using technology to create real-world impact. After I graduated, I was accepted to Singularity University at NASA Ames Research Park, where I co-founded my first AI startup, AIME, focused on predicting disease outbreaks. Over the years, I have juggled various roles, including serving as an Innovation and Tech Advisor to the Dominican Republic government. Now, my focus is on my new venture, cxgenies, a startup officially launching in 2025, which aims to revolutionize customer experience management through AI-driven insights.

My transition into AI and tech entrepreneurship was both organic and fueled by curiosity. At Singularity University, I was introduced to cutting-edge technology and a thriving entrepreneurial culture. From there, it just kept growing: launching health-focused AI projects, consulting for government digital transformation, and now founding cxgenies. One major challenge I faced early on was my age – I was often seen as “too young” to be taken seriously in high-stakes environments. Despite having strong technical skills, I needed external validation to prove my worth.

I worked twice as hard to earn recognition, securing awards such as Forbes 30 Under 30 and MIT Innovators Under 35. These accolades not only helped me build credibility, but also made people realize the value I could bring to their projects. Simultaneously, I made sure to deliver exceptional results by staying proactive in my communication with stakeholders and continually aligning my goals with theirs. In more recent years, I’ve focused on assembling a team that can help me address areas outside my comfort zone – like sales, networking, and lead generation. Having the right team is the key to scaling any venture.

I believe we’ll see a massive surge in automating tasks that many consider “boring”- routine backend processes that do not necessarily require human ingenuity. This shift allows professionals, such as fresh graduates in Marketing or Finance, to contribute more strategically from the get-go. In short, automation will unlock creative potential in employees, letting them focus on what truly requires human judgment.

Generative AI is poised to reshape how we interact with machines, innovate products, and even personalize marketing campaigns. It gives businesses the ability to create hyper-personalized customer experiences and accelerate their learning cycles. Just like any disruptive tool, it comes with new responsibilities – businesses must consider how to implement it ethically and sustainably.

An advantage is the immense efficiency it brings, relieving teams from repetitive tasks, and letting them focus on strategizing and solving more complex challenges. On the flip side, generative AI can lead to complacency if not monitored carefully – an overreliance on AI-generated outputs might dilute genuine human creativity. Additionally, privacy and data security concerns need to be thoroughly addressed, as the misuse of generated content could have far-reaching implications.

I think companies should begin by identifying actual bottlenecks or high-value opportunities, rather than forcing AI into every corner. AI is just a means to an end; you need to be sure that automating a certain function adds real value and is sustainable. Ask yourself: Is this a recurring problem? Do we have the budget and skills to maintain an AI solution? What are industry peers doing, and can we learn from their successes or failures? Sometimes you might discover that a simpler solution – like robotic process automation (RPA) or even off-the-shelf software – might suffice.

I foresee a significant uptick in low-code or no-code tools, which empower professionals with limited technical backgrounds to build applications or automate tasks. This democratization of technology will help smaller teams make faster, more dynamic decisions without always relying on traditional software development cycles.

I’m an avid anime and movie enthusiast. Lately, I’ve been hooked on Dan Da Dan, which constantly surprises me with how it twists conventional narratives. I appreciate stories that break the mold – be it in anime, film, or life itself.

I’m open to traveling anywhere that lets cxgenies flourish. Whether it’s forging new partnerships or pitching to clients, I believe exploring different markets is crucial for a global startup. For me, each new place is a fresh opportunity to learn, collaborate, and expand my horizons.

Value creation. There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing how my work can positively impact people’s lives or businesses. I’m continuously energized by that sense of contribution – knowing that technology, applied thoughtfully, can change someone’s day for the better.