Dag Kittlaus – The Norwegian Visionary Who Created the Voice of the Future and Became a Billionaire
From Norway to Silicon Valley
Dag Kittlaus was born in Norway, but he has largely tied his professional life and passion for innovation to the United States. He studied at Bradley University in Illinois and later earned an MBA from the Norwegian School of Economics (NHH) in Bergen. An important part of his biography is his work at Motorola, where he was responsible, among other things, for developing innovative mobile products. It was there that he gained the experience that allowed him to understand the potential of artificial intelligence and voice technologies.
Siri – A Revolution in Our Pockets
A turning point in Kittlaus’s career was his collaboration with the Stanford Research Institute, where a team of scientists and engineers was developing advanced speech recognition technology. This initiative led to the creation of Siri Inc., co-founded by Kittlaus in 2007. In 2010, Apple acquired the company, and Siri became an integral part of the iPhone.
The acquisition story has become legendary – according to Kittlaus himself, Steve Jobs called him every day for over a month, insisting on finalizing the deal. “You couldn’t say no to that kind of intensity,” the entrepreneur recalls.
New Challenges – Viv and Samsung
After leaving Apple, Kittlaus didn’t pause for a moment. In 2012, he co-founded Viv Labs, which developed an even more advanced artificial intelligence capable of conducting flexible, natural conversations. In 2016, the startup was acquired by Samsung and became the foundation for the Bixby voice assistant.
Fighting for Health and Life
Kittlaus’s journey was not without dramatic moments. In 2012, he underwent major surgery to remove a tumor, which temporarily pulled him away from business. This experience changed his perspective, although, as he says, his passion for innovation never allowed him to leave the industry completely.
A New Chapter – The Mysterious Robotics Company
Currently, Dag Kittlaus is returning to the tech scene. According to Finansavisen, he is working on a new robotics project. Details remain secret, but given his track record, the industry is expecting a breakthrough. Kittlaus is now referred to as the “new Norwegian billionaire” – a man who has not only achieved financial success but has also fundamentally changed the way billions of people worldwide interact with technology.
A Symbol of Global Innovation
Dag Kittlaus’s story is not just one of business success. It is also proof that talent, courage, and perseverance can push boundaries. From a small town in Norway, through major corporations, to the legendary collaboration with Jobs, Kittlaus has become a symbol of Norwegian innovation in the global tech world.
Source:
“Ny norsk milliardær: – Steve Jobs ringte meg 34 dager i strekk,” Finansavisen, September 3, 2025 (finansavisen.no)
