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Shanif Dhanani

Shanif Dhanani

AI founder, data scientist, and e-commerce innovation leader

shanif
New York, New York
Joined February 2026
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Summary

Shanif Dhanani is a serial entrepreneur and AI expert with a strong focus on applying artificial intelligence to enhance e-commerce and business operations. He has founded multiple AI-driven companies, including Apteo (predictive user behavior for marketing) and Nobi (AI-powered site search and personal shopping assistants for e-commerce), demonstrating a consistent vision for leveraging data and AI to solve real-world business challenges. His work at Locusive further extends this, developing LLM-enabled autonomous agents for business applications. nitter+3
With a background as a Product Data Scientist and Senior Engineer at Twitter (following the acquisition of TapCommerce), Shanif possesses deep expertise in data analysis, machine learning, and building scalable ad-tech platforms. He was instrumental in creating analytics databases, ETL jobs, and developing statistical and ML models to understand and predict user behavior, showcasing his technical proficiency and ability to translate data into actionable insights. weekday
Shanif is a proponent of practical, stable software development, preferring Java for backend systems due to its explicit nature and stability, which he contrasts with challenges faced with Python in previous roles. He advocates for using the best tools available, including open-source libraries and commercial LLMs like ChatGPT, to build robust and efficient systems. He also shares his insights through various online platforms, including Medium and podcasts, contributing to the broader conversation around AI and technology. youtube+2
Beyond his professional endeavors, Shanif is involved in philanthropic activities, particularly in the Himalaya Mountains region. He supports communities by distributing essential aid such as wheelchairs to individuals with disabilities and sewing machines to widows, demonstrating a commitment to giving back and improving the lives of less fortunate people. youtube

Work

Education

Writing

AI Meets E-Commerce: Personalization, Startups, and Innovation

February 1, 2025

An interview discussing the transformative role of AI in e-commerce, the importance of personalization, scaling AI solutions, and advice for early-stage founders.

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About Agents

December 1, 2024

Introduces the concept of LLM-enabled autonomous agents for business, discussing their intricacies and solutions.

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How Agents Work

December 1, 2024

A deeper dive into the mechanisms and internal workings of AI agents.

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SaaS Fuel: Finding Treasure in Data with AI

September 1, 2023

A podcast where Shanif Dhanani discusses how LLM-enabled autonomous agents can help businesses find valuable insights within their data.

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3 Best Practices For Using AI To Query Your Database

Details three crucial best practices for leveraging AI to query databases, including semantic search, reference guides, and schema.

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Sales POP! Chat GPT: The Future of Automation and Efficiency

A podcast discussing how ChatGPT can drive new progress for salespeople and business executives, focusing on LLM-enabled autonomous agents for business.

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Hobbies

Actively involved in charitable projects in the Himalaya Mountains area, distributing wheelchairs to people with disabilities and sewing machines to widows in need. youtube

Notes

TMTyler Musesaid
SDShanif Dhanani
stands out as both deeply technical in AI and genuinely passionate about cars or transportation.

Feb 23, 2026