What works and doesn’t selling formal methods in industry

Author

Mike Dodds

Published

November 10, 2025

Abstract
I joined Galois to do research, but to my surprise I also learned how to sell formal methods to industry and government. In this talk I will explain what I think works, what doesn’t, and what it says about formal methods as a technology. The spoiler is that clients are rational, formal methods are expensive, and this makes most potential projects unviable. As SPECIAL BONUS CONTENT I will also talk about AI and why it will probably change everything.
NOTE: this seminar will take place at 11am.