The WCA is a non-profit business league dedicated to collaboration in the industry of connected AI
Established in 1994, the World of Connected AI (WCA), formerly known as the Wireless Communications Alliance, fosters collaboration among technology companies, solution and service providers, early adopters, innovators, and academia. Its mission is to drive the successful adoption of AI-based connected products and services within the global ecosystem.
WCA organizes seminars, webinars, events, and podcasts to help members and partners explore the latest advancements in connected AI and uncover opportunities for sponsors and collaborators. Its initiatives span awareness, advocacy, thought leadership, and STEM support.
Additionally, WCA hosts Special Interest Groups (SIGs) focused on key technology areas such as IIoT, 5G/6G, mmWave, Wi-Fi, Spectrum, Smart Cities, Edge Computing, Sensors, Connectivity, and Wireless Power. Led by industry experts, these groups promote education, interoperability, and the acceleration of business opportunities.

About the World of Connected AI (WCA)
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What is the WCA and what is its mission?
Established in 1994, the World of Connected AI (WCA), formerly known as the Wireless Communications Alliance, is a non-profit business league dedicated to fostering collaboration among technology companies, solution and service providers, early adopters, innovators, and academia. Its mission is to drive the successful adoption of AI-based connected products and services within the global ecosystem.
How does the WCA foster collaboration and drive adoption?
WCA organizes seminars, webinars, events, and podcasts to help members and partners explore the latest advancements in connected AI and uncover opportunities for sponsors and collaborators. Its initiatives span awareness, advocacy, thought leadership, and STEM support.
What are the WCA’s Special Interest Groups (SIGs)?
Additionally, WCA hosts Special Interest Groups (SIGs) focused on key technology areas such as IIoT, 5G/6G, mmWave, Wi-Fi, Spectrum, Smart Cities, Edge Computing, Sensors, Connectivity, and Wireless Power. Led by industry experts, these groups promote education, interoperability, and the acceleration of business opportunities. Learn more about WCA’s SIGs.
Who leads the WCA and its initiatives?
Alper Yegin
Alper Yegin is CEO of the LoRa Alliance and a recognized leader in IoT and wireless communications. With more than 25 years of industry experience, he has held senior roles at Actility, Samsung Electronics, DoCoMo, and Sun Microsystems. Alper has contributed extensively to global technology standards and holds 16 patents.
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Derek Kuhn
Derek Kuhn is President and CEO of HaiLa, a fabless semiconductor company developing ultra-low-power wireless connectivity solutions. HaiLa’s protocol-compatible technology works with existing infrastructure, beginning with 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi chips designed for IoT applications.
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Ray Sikka
Ray is a technology entrepreneur and innovator focused on AI, mobility, sensors, and networking. He has launched solutions across retail, supply chains, manufacturing, IoT, and Vision AI, while advising startups in the United States and Asia.
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Matthew Placzek
Matthew Placzek is a technology sales leader with expertise in telematics, IoT, and supply chain visibility. Having held various Sales and Customer Success roles across OEM/ODMs, Technology Service Providers, and IoT Distributor, he specializes in identifying complex customer needs, shaping product vision, and driving go-to-market strategies that accelerate adoption, create customer value, and fuel business growth.
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Karthik Ranjan
Karthik, based in Seattle, currently drives IoT Partnerships and Ecosystem for Skylo. Before assuming this position, he spent several years at Semtech building and deploying LoRa Cloud services as well as driving business development for their MVNO business post acquisition of Sierra Wireless. Before that, he spent three impactful years at AWS, where he led the successful launch of AWS IoT Core for LoRaWAN and built its critical partnership ecosystem. His leadership at AWS also extended to serving as a board member on the LoRa Alliance. Preceding his time at AWS, Karthik spent eight years at Arm. There, he first spearheaded the global carrier relationship team, then transitioned to lead the healthcare segment. In this pivotal role, he championed the creation of health IoT gateways and standardized data onboarding for health IoT endpoints, earning him a spot among Hotwire’s Top 100 Influencers and Leaders in Health Tech.
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Puneet Sethi
Puneet Sethi joined MaxLinear in 2024 and serves as Senior Vice President, Network Infrastructure and Carrier Business.
In this role, he leads strategic planning, product roadmaps, product development, P and L management, and market strategy for wireless solutions across backhaul and cellular access segments.
Puneet brings over 20 years of experience in wireless and telecommunications, with both technical and leadership roles at companies such as Qualcomm and Mavenir. He has also helped establish multiple startups, including his recent work at Ataya focused on private 5G for manufacturing.
At Mavenir, he served as SVP and GM, leading cloud native RAN solutions across macro, small cell, and private network businesses.
At Qualcomm, he joined as an engineer and advanced to lead the company’s cellular infrastructure SoC business.
Earlier in his career, he held engineering roles across multiple telecom companies, with experience spanning SoC design to cloud native software for wireless access and transport.
Puneet holds an MBA in finance and marketing from the Anderson School of Management at UCLA, and a Bachelor of Technology from the Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati.
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Dinesh Kithany
Dinesh Kithany, a well-established industry expert, is now the Founder and Chief Analyst at Wired & Wireless Technologies (WAWT), a strategic technology analyst and consultancy firm, specializing in the wireless power and power supplies industry.
Before founding WAWT, Dinesh was the lead industry analyst with IHS Markit/Informa working across technology sectors.
– He is one of the most sought-after analysts in the industry today in related fields.
Dinesh has more than 30 years of experience, of which the past 14 years have been in the technology sector. It’s safe to say, he is passionate about research and delivering insights.
Dinesh has helped businesses grow extraordinarily with his expertise and strategic advice. He is widely recognized as a key industry thought leader.
He is a regular invitee and speaker at key industry conferences, trade shows and events worldwide, including CES, IFA, CABA, ITRI, PCIM, Electronica, APEC and at industry conferences held by Wireless Power Consortium (WPC), NFC Forum, Wireless Communications Alliance (WCA) and AirFuel Alliance (AFA).
Be free to reach him out by email at dinesh.kithany@wawt.tech or on LinkedIn/Twitter at dineshkithany.
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Mo Shakouri
Dr. Mo Shakouri is a Silicon Valley investor, entrepreneur, and international executive with over 25 years of experience in communications and electronics industry. Dr. Shakouri is well-versed in formulating large-scale partnerships and introducing broadband network initiatives to emerging markets and communities. As an internet connectivity evangelist, Dr. Shakouri has been working with internet and top silicon Valley technology companies. He serves as Innovation Partners Institute Fellow, at Purdue Research Foundation, Dir of community Broadband Initiative at JointVenture Silicon Valley, Chairman of the AeroMACS Forum, and is Founder and CEO of Microsanj and Telewave.io. Dr. Shakouri earned his Ph.D in Electrical Engineering & Applied Physics from Stanford University, and a BSEE from San Jose State.
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Randall Fahey
Randall Fahey is a Principal specializing in DSP and wireless communications, bringing a rare blend of international business acumen and deep technical expertise. He is an industry expert in wireless technologies and markets, with extensive experience across automotive, IoT, and healthcare sectors—including the application of AI and machine learning.
Randall has held leadership roles in both venture-backed startups and established global organizations, giving him a versatile perspective on growth, innovation, and execution. He also serves as a mentor to several Silicon Valley startup accelerators, supporting the next generation of technology leaders.
Equally energized by the fast pace of early-stage ventures and effective within structured corporate environments, Randall consistently drives strategic impact across diverse business landscapes.
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David Geier
As Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) at the insurtech company Fidamy by NN Group, David brings extensive experience in strategy, partnerships, and commercial management. He previously worked in strategic partnerships at Volkswagen Group’s Battery Scale-Up PowerCo, and earlier at the Silicon Valley startup Sensitel, focusing on IoT and AI.
His mission is to help companies better leverage AI and


















































