Michael Schrenk

AI & Autonomous Systems Developer

I’m Michael Schrenk. For more than 25 years, I’ve built intelligent agents, automation, and competitive intelligence systems that help people act on information at scale.

My current work combines Python, Selenium, large language models, structured prompting, and AWS. I also write and speak about making AI systems more predictable.

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Suggested replacement: Michael Schrenk speaking onstage about autonomous agents and deterministic AI at a technology conference. Generic image shown.
Developer · Technical author · Keynote speaker

Selected work experience

Autonomous AI agents

As principal of Mepso Media, I currently develop agents and competitive intelligence systems for a startup using Selenium, Python, LLMs, structured prompting, Bedrock, and Lambda.

Automotive intelligence

As Director of IT and Senior Developer at a Large Midwestern Automotive Group, I built agents that gathered competitive intelligence that produced direct inventory decisions and powered executive dashboards.

Automation at scale

My earlier agents purchased tens of millions of dollars in underpriced inventory. Other projects tracked online hate speech for the European Union and taught BBC data journalists autonomous search techniques.

Technical Focus

I work at the point where high-level instructions become structured decisions and real actions. My recent writing and lectures examine how to make nondeterministic AI output more predictable through structured prompts, validation, and software architecture.

Tools and methods

LLMs · intelligent agents · Python · Selenium · AWS Bedrock, Lambda, EC2, and S3 · JSON prompting · REST APIs · PHP · JavaScript · SQL · data and software architecture

Speaking

2026 · University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Making AI Deterministic

A practical look at controlling unpredictable model output.

2025 · University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Using Rogue Data

Other lectures and workshops
  • Ethical hacking workshops at the Centre for Investigative Journalism in London
  • Digital Journalist privacy and data security in Brussels
  • One of my (nine) DEF CON talks was voted one of the top ten talks of all time.

    • For technical and executive audiences

    Talks can cover autonomous agents, competitive intelligence, structured prompting, deterministic controls, and practical uses of AI in business.

    Invite Michael to speak →

    Books Authored

  • Webbots, Spiders, and Screen Scrapers

    Two editions published by No Starch Press. Dr. Dobb’s Journal called it “the definitive book” on the topic.

  • Developing Bots with Selenium Python

    A practical book on browser automation and agent development.

  • Structured Prompts

    Part of my recent writing on structured prompting, deterministic AI, and autonomous agents.

    • Interviews, Awards, and Patents

  • KVVU-TV Fox5 Las Vegas: Talked about new book and datacenter concerns
  • BBC Worldview: Talked about DEF CON
  • The Christian Science Monitor: How organizations leak sensitive information
  • Computerworld: "Fear and Hacking in Las Vegas"

    • Awards and Acknowledgments

  • US Patent 6,418,346: Apparatus and Method for remote therapies and Diagnosis in Medical Devices
  • Dr. Dobb’s Journal called Webbots, Spiders, and Screen Scrapers “the definitive book” on the topic.
  • One of nine DEF CON talks was ranked in the Top Ten DEF CON talks of all time.

    • Selected Videos

    JSON Modeling for AI Prompts

    How to make AI predictable

    AI won't kill programming

    What is competitive intelligence?

    How my bot bought millions in underpriced inventory

    The mindset shift developers need for AI

    Let’s discuss your AI or automation challenge.

    Available for development, consulting, and speaking engagements. Based in Las Vegas.

    Call or text (612) 251-8879