Beyond the Byte
Long-form conversations with researchers, founders, and builders shaping AI, quantum, robotics, spatial computing, and tech ethics. Recorded at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg Center, Washington, DC.
The Tech Translator · Executive Profile
Mo Hafez
Founder & Chief Strategist, ByteWise · Lecturer, Johns Hopkins University · Host, Beyond the Byte
Mo Hafez is an emerging-technology strategist and infrastructure modernization leader with 17+ years of experience in technology strategy, technical project leadership, architecture evaluation, and executive advisory. He translates AI, agentic systems, spatial computing, cloud platforms, and secure networks into clear recommendations, governance frameworks, and practical roadmaps. From advising Fortune 500 technology leaders on global modernization to leading IT for a federal health-IT contractor to founding ByteWise, he has built a career at the intersection of enterprise architecture, governance, and executive communication. He teaches graduate AI coursework at Johns Hopkins, hosts the Beyond the Byte Podcast, and works across the United States and the MENA region in English and Arabic.
Technology is the easy part. Capability is the moat.
Selected impact
- Advised Fortune 500 technology leaders on global modernization.
At Expereo, a managed-network provider serving roughly 60% of the Fortune 500 across 190+ countries, Mo led discovery, proof-of-concept evaluation, and executive recommendations for multi-million-dollar SD-WAN, cloud, and secure-networking initiatives, briefing CIOs and CTOs on cost, risk, and architecture tradeoffs.
- Led a federal health-IT contractor's first ISO 27001 certification.
As Director of IT at IntelliDyne, whose portfolio included Defense Health Agency and NIH programs, he built the governance controls and documentation that expanded the firm's eligibility for federal and enterprise work, with infrastructure aligned to NIST practices.
- Delivered $350K+ in savings through cloud-first modernization.
Directed infrastructure modernization as a Director of IT, cutting cost while strengthening resilience and security posture.
- Founded an AI strategy firm with original governance IP.
Built ByteWise around Data Sovereignty Architecture and authored the CLEAR Framework (Compliant, Lawful, Ethical, Accountable, Responsible), its CLEAR Ascent maturity model (Spectator → Tenant → Owner → Steward), and the Own Your Intelligence model for regulated mid-market organizations.
- Pioneered immersive ocean storytelling before VR went mainstream.
As co-founder and CTO of Discovery Deep, a 501(c)(3), he led the technology behind VR and 360-degree experiences of underwater environments for public education.
- Built graduate curriculum connecting AI to energy and climate policy.
Co-teaches AI in Renewable Energy and Climate Change in the Johns Hopkins Energy Policy and Climate program.
Governance & board-relevant expertise
Areas where Mo brings depth to executive teams and boards:
- AI governance and risk oversight
- Data sovereignty and vendor dependency
- Cybersecurity and compliance (ISO 27001, NIST)
- Cloud and global network modernization
- Build-vs-buy and technology investment decisions
- Executive education and capability building
- Cross-border operations, US and SWANA
- Technology strategy advisory
Platform & voice
Speaker & MC
Co-MC, AI in Washington Conference (October 2026). Panelist on how AI can benefit Arab Americans, Arab American Summit, Chantilly, VA (November 7, 2026).
Johns Hopkins University
Graduate faculty in the Energy Policy and Climate program since 2024.
Boards & memberships
Board Member, SHE IS AI. Member, Association of AI Ethicists.
Education
James Madison University — MBA, Executive Leadership; BS, Economics.
Languages: English, Arabic, conversational French.
Board, advisory, and executive conversations
Mo welcomes conversations about board service, advisory roles, executive leadership, and speaking engagements.