In April 2020, Will launched Qti.ai as a simple link-shortening service, aiming to improve upon popular tools like Bitly and TinyURL. But as he analyzed the data generated by Qti.ai’s algorithms, what he discovered was anything but simple: a hidden world of fraud thriving across global ecommerce platforms. Scammers were exploiting unsuspecting consumers with malicious links disguised as enticing discounts, preying on the trust and curiosity of online shoppers.
Rather than turn a blind eye, Will saw an opportunity to make a difference. He created Scami, a free tool designed to empower consumers; it proved to be the first iteration in a long line of Qti.ai’s Solutions. Scami analyzes URLs from retail sites, using cutting-edge scam intelligence to rate their legitimacy. Drawing from a vast array of data points—text patterns, images, videos, SSL certificates, network hosts, and more—Qti.ai’s database maps out scam networks in real-time. This innovation made Scami the first proactive threat intelligence solution built specifically for e-commerce, setting a new standard for consumer protection.
As the database grew, it revealed a troubling trend: luxury brands were among the most counterfeited worldwide. Will repeatedly alerted brand managers about hundreds of fraudulent sites exploiting their images and products. No one responded. But he didn’t stop there.
Will’s curiosity led him deeper into the data, where he found counterfeiters targeting independent artists and small business owners. Unique, hand-crafted designs were being stolen and sold on suspicious platforms. When he contacted the creators directly, their stories were heartbreaking—scammers were not just stealing images, but livelihoods.
Driven by a sense of justice, Will pivoted Qti.ai’s mission to protect these creators. Armed with research into ecommerce and social media platform policies (which explicitly prohibit intellectual property infringement), Qti.ai began filing takedown requests on behalf of small business owners. This approach quickly proved effective, helping to dismantle scam networks and safeguard the brands and reputations of authentic creators.
What began as a tool for shortening links has transformed into a mission to expose fraud, protect creators, and build a safer digital marketplace. Qti.ai isn’t just disrupting ecommerce scams—it’s restoring trust in online shopping, one takedown at a time.
Will has been participating in Corning, New York’s local robotics program (sponsored by Corning, Inc.) since he was about six years old. Building on that firm foundation, Will’s Upsilon Robotics company submitted a patent for his Zenith Pipe Climber in November 2024:
Will continues to mentor his old team, Tardis — who qualified for World Championships in 2024, as well as when Will was on the team as a high school junior. He financially supports the Excelsior Region with scholarships and services in kind: