James Francis operates at the intersection of capital, culture, and code, shaping how AI will influence culture, commerce, and identity. He is the Founder and CEO of Sole AI, an AI-native media company creating context-aware systems that protect authorship, amplify diverse voices, and ensure Black and Brown communities don’t just adopt AI, but actively shape it.

James is also the author of the forthcoming book Artificial Integrity: Coding Leadership, Trust, and Humanity, which introduces his Living Intelligence System (LIS) framework — a blueprint for building AI that encodes dignity, preserves narrative sovereignty, and unlocks equitable growth.

His career spans finance, technology, and civic leadership. He co-founded Paradigm Asset Management, managing more than $7 billion AUM and pioneering data-driven investing long before it was mainstream. He later launched Raptor Vision, an early computer vision and AR/VR company, deepening his expertise in how emerging technologies shape markets and narratives.

James graduated from Morehouse College and went on to co-found the Council of Urban Professionals (CUP) to advance diverse leadership. He leads the Francis Family Foundation, continuing a family legacy of entrepreneurship and philanthropy, and has served on numerous nonprofit and civic boards committed to equity, education, and leadership development.

A sought-after keynote speaker and panelist, James has spoken at the OpenAI Commission (East Palo Alto), Human Tech Week (San Francisco), the National Bar Association Annual Meeting (Martha’s Vineyard), the National Black MBA Association Conference (Houston), and the Chat Summit at Howard University, among others.