Jigar B. Desai, PhD, PE, MBA

Founder @ Three and a Half Things

Jigar B. Desai, PhD, PE, MBA, is the founder of 3½ Things, a thought leadership platform exploring leadership, judgment, and human development in the age of AI. He is also a Principal and Regional Manager at ECS Limited, where he leads a multidisciplinary building science and infrastructure business across six Mid-Atlantic offices.

Drawing on two decades in engineering, materials science, and business leadership, Jigar developed the (AI + MI) × HI™ framework to examine how Artificial Intelligence, domain expertise, and Human Intelligence work together. His current work examines how leaders preserve standards, create distinctive and delightful work, and develop judgment when AI makes polished output abundant.

Jigar has spoken at BuiltWorlds conferences and guest lectured at Villanova University. Through 3½ Things, he helps leaders move beyond AI hype, differentiate their work, and develop the people who come next.

• 2026