TLDR: Uplift Training has announced significant strategic hires, including experts in AI, data engineering, and game development, to enhance its capabilities in artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and interactive educational module creation. These additions are crucial for the company’s mission to advance workforce development through cutting-edge immersive technologies and AI-powered experiences.
PARK CITY, UTAH – October 21, 2025 – Uplift Training (OTC:NRPI), a prominent leader in immersive educational training and workforce development, today unveiled a strategic expansion of its internal development team with the addition of highly experienced specialists. These new hires are set to significantly amplify Uplift’s capabilities in artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), and the development of interactive educational modules, which are core to the company’s vision of advancing workforce training and education through immersive technologies.
Among the notable new additions is Matt Sharp, a seasoned leader in AI and data engineering. Sharp brings extensive expertise in deploying, managing, and scaling machine learning and generative AI systems in production environments. Recognized as an AI expert, he is also the author of the acclaimed book ‘LLMs in Production.’ His career includes leading successful AI initiatives at both burgeoning startups and established large tech companies, where he built robust ecosystems that fostered innovation and drove organization-wide adoption.
Joining him is Shane Smit, a veteran software engineer and game developer with over 33 years of programming experience. Smit’s impressive background includes working with numerous video game studios, such as Disney Interactive, and directly contributing to more than 20 commercial game titles across various platforms, including console, PC, mobile, and VR. His broad expertise spans artificial intelligence, physics, animation, audio, networked multiplayer, UI/UX, and custom tools within both proprietary and public game engines. Beyond his industry contributions, Shane played a pivotal role in establishing the engineering courses for the Entertainment Arts & Engineering master’s program at the University of Utah, where he taught courses in video game engineering, game AI, and mobile game development. He also built the Data Engineering organization at MX Technologies, a major fintech company, where he implemented their first machine learning models and helped launch their Data Science division.
Further strengthening the team, Peter West, an accomplished technology entrepreneur and CEO of Qualiti.ai, will serve as a key advisor. West will provide guidance on AI-driven development processes and human-supervised automation, contributing to Uplift’s innovative approach.
Josh Hanes, CEO of Uplift Training, emphasized the importance of these strategic moves, stating, “With the rapid evolution of immersive technologies and AI, expanding our internal capabilities is critical to our mission of preparing the next generation’s workforce for future career pathways. Matt, Shane, and Peter each bring industry-leading expertise that will allow us to accelerate the development of transformational training and learning tools—helping students and workers gain real-world skills through advanced VR and AI-powered experiences.”
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Uplift Training’s existing initiatives, such as its flagship Starborn Academy program, have already made a significant impact, reaching thousands of students across the U.S. and delivering high-impact training in critical areas like space exploration, engineering, and STEM careers. The expanded team will now focus on developing the next generation of immersive learning modules, collaborating with industry, education, and government stakeholders to teach specific skills and trades for workforce development. A key partnership in this endeavor is with ABC Labs, an alliance announced just last week.
