Anand J. Kulkarni holds a PhD in Artificial Intelligence (AI) based Distributed Optimization from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, an MS in AI from the University of Regina, Canada, a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from Shivaji University, India, and a Diploma from the Board of Technical Education, Mumbai. He worked as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Odette School of Business, University of Windsor, Canada, and spent over six years at Symbiosis International University, Pune, India. Dr. Kulkarni is a Research Professor and Associate Director of the Institute of Artificial Intelligence at MITWPU, Pune, India. His research interests include AI-based nature-inspired optimization algorithms and self-organizing systems. Anand has pioneered several optimization methodologies, including Cohort Intelligence, Ideology Algorithm, Expectation Algorithm, and Socio-Evolution & Learning Optimization Algorithm. As the founder of OAT Research Lab, Anand has published over 70 research papers in peer-reviewed journals, book chapters, and conference proceedings, along with authoring 6 books and editing 12 others. He serves as the lead series editor for the journals and book series of reputed publishers. In addition to his academic contributions, Anand writes on AI topics for various newspapers and magazines and has delivered expert research talks in countries including the USA, Canada, Singapore, Malaysia, India, Australia, Dubai, and France.