Founder of AI start-up Vizzio steps down as CEO

Move comes after he was found to have faked his credentials; he now oversees R&D

- Osmond Chia

Vizzio Technologies founder Jon Lee, who admitted that his PhD is fake, has stepped down as chief executive, the artificial intelligence (AI) start-up confirmed as it fights to reclaim its reputation.

Mr Lee, 53, has a new role overseeing research and development (R&D) at the Singapore-based company, which creates 3D interactive maps and digital objects.

Vizzio's chief marketing officer David See will take the reins as interim CEO, the firm told The Sunday Times on Feb 13.

The reshuffle is ongoing after Mr Lee, who goes by Lee Seng Fook in official documents, was found to have faked his credentials, in an expose by tech publication Tech In Asia on Jan 16. ST understands that no police report has been made on the matter, as at Feb 17.

The Cambridge PhD lie went as far as China, where media articles repeated his fraudulent credentials.

Mr Lee told ST that he has apologised to his clients, investors and colleagues and that he stands by his technology.

"I will work to rebuild whatever trust has been lost," he said. "It's important to note that Vizzio is built on technology backed by (more than) 25 patents and (intellectual property) applications, delivering real value to paying customers at different stages of delivery." Other inconsistencies have been unearthed at Vizzio, including an inflated client list, ST reported on Jan 22.

Some of Vizzio's partners and investors have exited. Renowned AI researcher Lee Kai-Fu left Vizzio's board of directors.

Singtel Innov8, the telco's venture capital arm, has also pulled out its investments in Vizzio, it told ST on Feb 14.

In the 1990s, he co-founded software firm Elipva, where he served as chief technology officer under the name Dennis Lee.