Will Taubenheim
AI Engineer.
Fractional CTO. Speaker.
I build AI systems for NASA, the Department of Defense, and businesses that need technology built to perform under real pressure. I also serve as a fractional CTO for companies that need senior technical leadership, fast execution, and production AI without a bloated team.
About
Building at the Frontier
I founded Lost Frame Development in 2018, now operating publicly as Lost Frame Ventures. Since then, I've won two NASA awards (selected from 1,200+ global submissions), led development on games played by millions, and published a 248,000-word State of AI research report. I focus on one thing: engineering systems that perform when the stakes are real.
My work spans autonomous wildfire suppression for the DoD, ballistic missile defense AI for U.S. Navy destroyers (NAVSEA), VR therapy with UCF RESTORES achieving 200% improvement over traditional PTSD treatment, and enterprise AI platforms across healthcare, real estate, and document intelligence. I've shipped 20+ projects, from solo-developed horror games to defense simulation systems presented at I/ITSEC.
Through Lost Frame Ventures, I take on fractional CTO work for teams that need architecture, hands-on engineering, technical due diligence, AI product strategy, and delivery leadership in one role. I help companies move from uncertain idea to working system in weeks.
I co-founded RareOS (The Ventures Miami finalist), keynoted for Entrepreneurs' Organization DC, and competed in Meta hackathons in SF and NYC (2nd place, utility app). I've partnered with Meta (consulted on Quest 3 development, Presence Platform Grant), Google (Gemini team), and Epic Games (MegaGrant).
The long-term point is not just shipping faster. I care about technology that leaves a useful mark: AI systems that expand access, reduce waste, protect people, and make institutions work better. I support responsible AI development, practical AI protection laws, and safe scaling standards that let useful systems reach the world without pretending the risks are abstract.
AI for Good
Technology Should Leave a Useful Mark
I am drawn to AI because it can move real-world systems, not just generate content. The work that matters most to me uses that leverage to protect people, expand access, reduce waste, and make institutions work better.
Access
AI should expand access to care, expertise, education, and opportunity. The most useful systems meet people where they already are.
Protection
The same technology that creates leverage can create harm. I care about systems that protect people, institutions, and public trust.
Resilience
From wildfire suppression to healthcare operations, the best AI work makes critical systems more responsive when pressure is highest.
Education
People need practical literacy, not hype. I want more founders, students, and operators to understand what AI can actually do.
Long term, I want Lost Frame Ventures to fund and build more public interest technology: AI tools for clinical access, disaster response, responsible automation, and education. Commercial work pays for the engine. This is where I want more of that engine pointed.
Portfolio
Innovation Showcase
Award-winning projects spanning NASA space technology, military defense systems, healthcare AI, gaming experiences, and enterprise platforms that have impacted millions worldwide.
NASA LunaRecycling Challenge
PLATINUMLed the winning submission from 1,200+ global entries. Digital twin system enabling lunar waste recycling into 3D printing materials through controlled pyrolysis. First of two NASA awards.
NASA Lunar Recycle Phase 2
PLATINUMSecond NASA award for advanced prototype development and digital twin engineering for lunar systems. Extended the Phase 1 winning technology into production-ready systems.
AIRAS Ballistic Missile Defense
PLATINUMAwarded contract for AI-integrated ballistic missile defense system for U.S. Navy destroyers. Advanced threat detection and autonomous response architecture.
ARFAS Autonomous Wildfire Suppression
AI-powered autonomous wildfire suppression system with ground vehicles and vehicle-mounted jet engines. Awarded by NAWCTSD and SERDP for breakthrough autonomous capabilities.
Terasynth AIMS-Cert
PLATINUMLed the AIMS-Cert architecture down-selected by Air Force Global Strike Command for automated flight certification. Built on the lunar recycling digital twin playbook to correlate real-time thermal, optical, and vibration telemetry into a digital birth certificate for additive manufactured aircraft parts.
Naval Airwarfare CASCON
Fire detection and alert system training software for Naval Air Warfare Center. NAWCTSD awardee for defense training simulation.
Escape the Backrooms
PLATINUMTechnical lead and lead developer (contracted via Lost Frame to Fancy Games). Co-op horror game with 130K+ positive reviews and millions of unique players. A24 is releasing a Backrooms feature film May 2026 based on the same IP universe.
Shipped Game Experience Portfolio
Designed and built across five shipped game experiences spanning co-op horror, solo horror, VR, multiplayer systems, and experimental XR. Combined reach across the portfolio exceeds 3M players.
Epic Games MegaGrant Project
Selected by Epic Games for a MegaGrant. Innovative multiplayer combat mechanics built on Unreal Engine, reaching millions of users worldwide.
...and much more.
Over 20+ projects shipped across defense, healthcare, AI, and entertainment.
Start a ConversationJourney
Innovation Timeline
State of AI Report & NASA Phase 2
Published the 248,000-word State of AI 2026 report, scraping 2,000+ domains and auditing SEC filings. Second NASA award for lunar recycling Phase 2. Delivered FFO AI platform. Led Terasynth AIMS-Cert for Air Force Global Strike Command down-selection and continued RareOS as co-founder.
NASA Winner, AI Ventures & Defense Contracts
Won NASA LunaRecycling Challenge from 1,200+ global entries. Awarded AIRAS (NAVSEA) and ARFAS (NAWCTSD/SERDP) defense contracts. Founded RevolvAI and AquaLeads. Co-founded RareOS (The Ventures Miami finalist). Keynoted EO DC on AI.
Meta Hackathon, FoodLens & Defense
Won 2nd place at Meta NYC Hackathon. Solo-built FoodLens XR kitchen assistant for Quest 3 with custom Vulkan camera access. Released a solo horror title with 94% positive reviews. First to run UE5.4 on Apple Vision Pro. Presented at I/ITSEC defense simulation conference.
Escape the Backrooms & Meta SF Hackathon
Led development on Escape the Backrooms: 130K+ positive reviews, millions of players. Competed in Meta SF Hackathon. Expanded enterprise AI engagements. Built Luxe Casino VR and ReArmor PTSD therapy with UCF RESTORES.
Meta Partnership & Lost Frame Expansion
Expanded Lost Frame Development into more ambitious XR and AI work. Awarded Meta Presence Platform Grant. Flown to Meta HQ, consulted on Quest 3 development.
Founded Lost Frame Development
Founded Lost Frame Development and began building games, VR systems, and early software products. First published titles on Steam and started the path into defense contracting and enterprise AI.
Speaking
Keynote Topics
Available for keynotes, corporate events, podcasts, and executive briefings on AI strategy, fractional CTO execution, geopolitics, autonomous systems, and building technology that matters.
Scaling Your Business with AI
The real playbook for implementing AI that generates ROI. Not chatbots, but full-stack autonomous systems that replace headcount and create defensible competitive advantages. Built from fractional CTO work and 10+ live deployments.
AI & Geopolitics: The Arms Race
The U.S. and China AI competition, NATO's AI doctrine, and what it all means for business. The geopolitical map is being redrawn by algorithms and compute.
Protecting Your Business in the Age of AI
AI is being weaponized by competitors and bad actors. Deepfakes, autonomous cyberattacks, and algorithmic manipulation. Here's how to build a business that survives.
The Autonomous Revolution
Lessons from building autonomous systems for NASA and the U.S. military that every business leader needs to understand. What 'production AI' means when the stakes are real.
The AI Founder Playbook
A first-principles look at building AI companies: structuring for defensible IP, selling to enterprises and government, and building at 90% margins with AI-assisted engineering.
AI & The Future of Human Work
A grounded, technically-informed take on what AI automation actually displaces, what it creates, and how individuals and organizations can position themselves on the right side.
Recent Engagements
EO DC Chapter Keynote
Entrepreneurs' Organization, Washington D.C.
Not an Accident Podcast
Guest on AI state, automation, and future of work
I/ITSEC Defense Conference
Defense simulation and training technology
and many more...
Get in Touch
Whether you need an AI system built to perform under pressure, a fractional CTO to lead technical execution, a keynote speaker for your next event, or a strategic technology partner, I'd like to hear from you.