Biography
Kiran Kumar Vadagam is an independent researcher working in applied metacognition — how humans and machines learn, think and make decisions. His topics include consciousness, decision science, AI safety and value-based thinking. He is the founder and chief researcher of ODEFTO Learning Labs and a director of ODEFTO Tech Private Limited, Hyderabad.
He holds an MSc in Electronics (Osmania University), a BSc in Mathematics, Physics and Electronics (Loyola Academy), an MBA in business operations and strategic management, and coursework in cognitive psychology. He works in technology delivery — currently as a Gen AI solutions project manager at Wipro, previously as a service delivery manager at Cognizant including a posting in Gdańsk, Poland — and has founded ventures in digital marketing and hyperlocal delivery. Since 2023 he has published five books and over twenty research papers, introducing constructs including the Ignorance Awareness Factor (अ), Conscious Distraction Learning Theory, the Recognition-Action Taxonomy and Metisophronesis.
Books
Five books forming a single curriculum on thinking, problem-finding, productivity and value creation — each also a module of the ODEFTO research training programme.
The Art of Value Based Thinking
The foundational text of the ODEFTO curriculum. Introduces the philosophy of how humans identify, create, and communicate value — and why value-based thinking is the irreplaceable human skill in the AI economy. The intellectual basis for the entire Decision Science framework.
Get the Book →How to Find Problems Like a Genius?
The skill of problem discovery — mapping to the Recognition-Action Taxonomy and Collect Dots methodology. Trains learners to spot valuable problems before solutions. The research behind this book revealed that most people are trained to solve problems, not find them — a systemic failure of conventional education.
Get the Book →The Five Hour Planner Journal
Practical implementation of the Unified Meta-Learning cycle within daily time constraints. Operationalises deliberate practice for working professionals and students. A structured daily system that transforms five focused hours into compound learning and value creation over time.
Get the Book →Grow Rich with Value Creation
Connects the Collect-Connect-Create framework to personal wealth creation. The bridge from deep learning to tangible income — the monetisation curriculum module. Argues that learning without monetisation is incomplete, and that every unique learner can build a unique income stream.
Get the Book →Conscious Distraction
The foundational text for Conscious Distraction Learning Theory. Establishes how intentional curiosity sparks become the most powerful entry points into expert-level learning. Challenges the myth that focus means eliminating distractions — and replaces it with a science of purposeful engagement.
Get the Book →Positions
| Role | Organisation |
|---|---|
| Founder & Chief Researcher | ODEFTO Learning Labs / ODEFTO Tech Private Limited |
| Project Manager, Gen AI Solutions | Wipro |
| Service Delivery Manager (incl. Gdańsk, Poland) | Cognizant |
| Head of R&D | UpSkillShare™ by ODEFTO |
| Founder | Grabees.com · Digiadsguru.com · Seondigital.com |
| Creator | UpSkillShare.com · TheAIToday.com |
Education
| Degree / Certification | Institution | Years |
|---|---|---|
| MSc, Electronics | Osmania University | 2006–2008 |
| BSc (Mathematics, Physics, Electronics) | Loyola Academy | 2002–2006 |
| MBA, Business Operations & Strategic Management | — | — |
| MA Psychology (coursework completed) | — | — |
| PRINCE2 Foundation & Practitioner; IBM Data Science; ML with Python; Agile Scrum Master; Google & Microsoft advertising certifications; HAM radio licence | AXELOS · IBM · Simplilearn · Google · Microsoft · Govt. of India | 2013–2019 |
Awards
| Award | For | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Sahitya Sparsh Award — Best Book of the Year, Non-Fiction / Personal Success | The Art of Value Based Thinking (announced via ANI / ThePrint; Mid-Day coverage) | 2024 |
| Educational Reformer of the Year, India Educational Conclave | Work on conscious learning; coincided with the Conscious Distractions launch | 2025 |
Contact
Direct
General: reach@odefto.com
Mail: kiranvadagam@odefto.com
Mail: reachkirankv@gmail.com
Phone: +91-6300641020
Research profiles
Books & professional
LinkedIn
Goodreads
Notion Press author page
UpSkillShare BookMart