Cyber Synapse S.R.L.

Linux/Unix people

Debian, Linux, Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, Technical Documentation, AI, Cyber Synapse

Alexis Soto-Yanez

Interview

Alexis Soto-Yanez - Part of Project HARDN Dev Team.
For those unfamiliar with the project, it is a free software open source initiative to create a free open source complete cybersecurity solution.
Git source code here: https://github.com/OpenSource-For-Freedom/HARDN

Razvan Alexandru Ionica:
Today, we’re honored to welcome Alexis Soto-Yanez—a trailblazer in technology, a hands-on system builder, and the creative force behind innovative projects like *DREAMv1*. Alexis, thank you for joining us.

Alexis Soto-Yanez:
It’s a pleasure. I’m happy to share my journey.

Early Foundations and Self-Taught Genius

Razvan:
Let’s start at the very beginning.
You mentioned that your story didn’t really begin in classrooms or startups, but in a very personal “learn-by-doing” way.
Can you tell us about your earliest tech memory?

Alexis:
Absolutely.
I was born in Palo Alto and raised in Visalia, California.
When I was about 6 or 7, I helped my dad scrounge parts and we built a PC because I wanted to play *Age of Empires*—buying a computer wasn’t an option back then.
That early experience taught me to work with what you have, break it, fix it, and ultimately understand it.
It’s a mindset I carry with me to this day.

From Curiosity to Real-World Debugging

Razvan:
Your interests in tech were paired with a passion for sports and music.
How did those experiences shape your approach to problems?

Alexis:
I never found school particularly engaging, but I discovered my drive in sports, music, and tinkering with electronics.
Whether it was playing football, wrestling, or taking apart gadgets to see how they worked, that mix of experiences sparked a curiosity that evolved into a practical, solution-oriented mindset—a quality that guides every project I work on.

Discipline and Resilience: The Military Chapter

Razvan:
After high school, you joined the U.S. Marine Corps as a 2841 Ground Electronics Maintenance Technician.
What were the most important lessons you took from that period?

Alexis:
Training in San Diego and Twentynine Palms prepared me for real-world challenges.
While stationed at Camp Lejeune, I faced a significant setback when a drunk driver hit me while I was riding my motorcycle.
The long recovery period taught me that quitting is never an option.
That resilience and the ability to push through adversity have been key to my journey.

A Bold Move: Leaving the Familiar Behind

Razvan:
After your time in the Marines, you returned to Visalia and took on a job that wasn’t tech-related.
What motivated you to take a more ambitious path?

Alexis:
Working stacking pallets for $10 an hour wasn’t where I saw my future.
With just $500, a motorcycle, and a backpack, I took a leap of faith and rode to the Bay Area.
That risk wasn’t just about leaving a job—it was about pursuing a vision to build a future with technology at its core.

Silicon Valley: Facing the Realities Behind the Curtain

Razvan:
Once in Silicon Valley, you started at Tesla on the factory floor and advanced quickly.
What did that experience teach you about technology and innovation in large companies?

Alexis:
Working at Tesla was an eye-opener.
I started on the factory floor and moved up to being a department trainer.
However, I also witnessed challenges—like workers having to sleep in their cars on the factory premises, something I sometimes found myself doing as well.
It showed me that technology and systems are only as strong as the people behind them, inspiring me to create solutions that are both innovative and built for real-life needs.

The Hustle and Diverse Experiences in Tech

Razvan:
Your career post-Tesla has been diverse—from repairing electronics to providing on-site tech support for major companies.
How have these experiences influenced your later projects?

Alexis:
Those years were all about practical learning and relentless hustle.
I repaired phones and PCs, offered customer support, and worked on-site for companies like Infosys, Facebook (Meta), Airbnb, and Verizon Media.
I also helped set up esports tournament infrastructures and even started a security business.
Although that venture eventually failed, every experience—combined with personal challenges like my dad’s battle with cancer—honed my ability to adapt, learn, and innovate responsibly.

The Turning Point: Cybersecurity and Creative Defense

Razvan:
Cybersecurity eventually evolved from an interest into a true passion for you.
How did that shift occur?

Alexis:
As I delved deeper into tech, I discovered that effective cybersecurity isn’t just about technical fixes—it’s a creative discipline.
I immersed myself in offensive security and systems hardening, learning that defending modern systems requires both technical expertise and innovative thinking.
Once I stabilized my finances and managed my debt, I founded *Adalyst*, a decentralized development group focused on Cardano blockchain tooling.
This period was all about experimenting, learning from failures, and rebuilding systems to be even stronger.

Pioneering AI: From Concept to *DREAMv1*

Razvan:
Your work in AI has become quite groundbreaking.
What inspired *DREAMv1* and how does it stand apart from typical AI hype?

Alexis:
DREAMv1 is all about building AI for the real world, not just chasing buzzwords.
It’s an open-source Hierarchical Multi-Agent System (HMAS) that breaks AI down into stages—perception, memory, reasoning, and decision-making—handled by specialized agents.
Each stage is containerized using Docker and integrated with FastAPI, Redis, PyTorch, TensorFlow, Prometheus, and more.
Essentially, it’s AGI infrastructure designed for modularity and resilience, capable of handling the unpredictable nature of real-world challenges with a structured process: Ingest → Perceive → Integrate → Route → Specialize → Reflect → Archive → Decide → Improve.

Grounded in Everyday Practice

Razvan:
Despite your work on advanced AI systems, you still make time to repair devices.
How does that hands-on work feed into your larger projects?

Alexis:
I fix laptops, phones, and PCs not as a fallback, but as a core part of staying connected with technology’s practical side.
When real systems break, people need real help.
This hands-on work grounds my approach, reminding me that even the most advanced systems need a solid foundation in everyday problem-solving.
The constant cycle of diagnosing, adapting, and solving is at the heart of everything I do.

Current Endeavors and Future Vision

Razvan:
Looking ahead, what projects are you working on and what can we expect from you next?

Alexis:
At the moment, DREAMv1 is out and making its mark, while DREAMv2 is in active development.
The new iteration is aimed at being faster, smarter, and cloud-native—moving HMAS closer to real-world AGI deployment.
Additionally, I’m contributing to Project HARDN, a Linux security project, by developing a GUI that makes system hardening visual, intuitive, and accessible.
These projects reflect my commitment to building technology that is both innovative and deeply practical.

Reflecting on Philosophy and Legacy

Razvan:
Your approach emphasizes building tech that’s meaningful and accessible—systems that users can understand, control, and trust.
Could you share more about your design philosophy?

Alexis:
I firmly believe that technology built solely for hype is ultimately hollow.
Every project I pursue is designed to be modular, resilient, and human-centered.
I focus on transparency so that systems are understandable and trustworthy.
This hands-on, no-nonsense approach to design has guided me from my earliest projects to the advanced AI architectures I work on today.

Closing Thoughts

Razvan:
Alexis, your journey—from helping your dad build a PC at a young age to pioneering AI and contributing to Linux security projects—is truly inspiring.
What final message would you like to leave for aspiring tech innovators?

Alexis:
I didn’t get to where I am because I had all the best resources; I got here by figuring things out along the way.
Whether you’re repairing a laptop or designing a complex AGI system, never stop learning, never shy away from challenges, and don’t be afraid to break things to understand them better.
That’s how I build and how I approach every new project.

Razvan:
Thank you, Alexis, for sharing your remarkable journey and insights with us.
We look forward to witnessing your future innovations.

Alexis:
Thank you.
The journey continues, and I’m excited for what lies ahead.

About the Author

Alexis Soto-Yanez

Alexis Soto-Yanez

For LinkedIn Profile Click here

For the DREAMv1 Git Source Code link Click here

Alexis Soto-Yanez is a talented member of the Project HARDN Dev Team.
You can find more from him at:

hmas.ai

See you in the next one!

If you wish to support our project

Donation link (Buy me a coffee):

https://buymeacoffee.com/Alex_Cyber_Synapse