Out of Office is a new GeekWire series spotlighting the passions and hobbies that members of the Seattle-area tech community pursue outside of work.
- Name: Peter Lee.
- Day job: President, Microsoft Research. Lee leads the organization’s global labs and drives the incubation of new research-powered products in artificial intelligence, computing foundations, health, and life sciences.
- Out-of-office passion: Converting classic cars to electric.
When Peter Lee embarked on the project to convert his replica 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder to electric, he sought assistance from the AI model Davinci-003 (OpenAI’s early Chat GPT-4) for engineering design support.
Upon explaining his plans to the AI, Lee received a surprising response questioning why he would want to alter a beautiful classic car. This sentiment is not unique to artificial intelligence, as Lee has encountered criticism from human car enthusiasts for his hobby of converting classics to electric.
Lee, who has a background in racing and auto mechanics, found a kindred spirit in Marc Davis, the founder of Moment Motor Co. in Austin, Texas. Moment specializes in converting vintage cars into electric vehicles while preserving their original charm.
Despite facing backlash from purists who oppose EV conversions, Davis believes their work is a form of preservation, breathing new life into beloved classics for a modern era.
While the cost of such conversions can be substantial, ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 on top of the classic car’s purchase price, Lee is drawn to the benefits of electric vehicles such as lower maintenance and impressive performance.
As Lee works on converting his 1968 Ford Mustang GT Fastback, he is heavily involved in decision-making processes to ensure the car retains its essence while embracing modern technology. The project is not only a personal passion but also a potential business opportunity as the demand for classic EVs grows.
Lee sees parallels between his car hobby and his work at Microsoft Research, viewing cars as a testing ground for understanding action models that can inform advancements in AI and software development. He envisions a future where elements of car technology find their way into everyday computing systems.
As Lee continues to explore the intersection of classic cars and cutting-edge technology, his journey exemplifies the fusion of passion and innovation in both his personal and professional pursuits.
Read more Out of Office profiles.
Do you have an out-of-office hobby or interesting side hustle that you’re passionate about that would make for a fun profile on GeekWire? Drop us a line: tips@geekwire.com.
