Verity Harding – TIME100’s Most Influential People in AI

AI Policy Expert, Technology Strategist & Leading Speaker on Responsible AI, AI Governance and the Future of Artificial Intelligence

Verity Harding is one of the world’s leading voices on artificial intelligence, helping organisations understand not only what AI can do, but how leaders can adopt it responsibly, strategically, and with long-term societal impact in mind.

Named one of TIME100’s Most Influential People in AI, Verity brings a rare combination of experience across government, academia, and one of the world’s most influential AI companies. 

She is Founder of Formation Advisory, Director of the AI & Geopolitics Project at the University of Cambridge, and previously served as Google DeepMind’s first Global Head of Public Policy, where she helped shape the company’s approach to AI governance, ethics, and public policy during a pivotal period in its development.

During her time at DeepMind, Verity co-founded the company’s ethics and society research programme and played a leading role in establishing the Partnership on AI, an international collaboration bringing together technology companies, researchers, and civil society to promote the responsible development of artificial intelligence.

Before DeepMind, Verity led Google’s security policy work across Europe, advising on issues including online safety, encryption, and digital security. 

Earlier in her career, she served as a Special Adviser to the Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, giving her first-hand experience of policymaking at the highest levels of government.

Alongside her advisory work, Verity is the author of AI Needs You: How We Can Change AI’s Future and Save Our Own, a critically acclaimed book exploring how governments, businesses, and individuals all have a role to play in shaping the future of AI. 

The book was recognised as one of McKinsey’s Best Books of 2024 and received widespread praise for making one of today’s most important technological debates accessible to leaders and decision makers.

Today, Verity works with organisations around the world to explore the opportunities and risks presented by artificial intelligence, helping executives navigate AI adoption, governance, geopolitics, trust, regulation, and the rapidly changing relationship between technology and society.

Her keynote presentations combine practical business insight with global perspective, helping audiences move beyond the hype surrounding AI to understand the strategic decisions that organisations need to make today in order to succeed tomorrow.

Popular Speaking Topics

Responsible AI for Business Leaders

Learn how organisations can embrace artificial intelligence while building trust, transparency, and responsible governance.

AI Strategy Beyond the Hype

Understand what AI means for your organisation today, separating genuine opportunity from speculation and helping leaders make informed strategic decisions.

The Future of AI and Work

Explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping organisations, leadership, jobs, and the skills that will become increasingly valuable in the years ahead.

AI Governance, Ethics and Trust

Discover why responsible AI is becoming a competitive advantage and how organisations can develop frameworks that balance innovation with accountability.

AI, Geopolitics and Global Competition

Examine how AI is transforming international relations, economic competitiveness, regulation, and the future of global business.

Leading Through the AI Revolution

Learn how leaders can guide their organisations through technological change with confidence, ensuring AI strengthens both business performance and human potential.

Why Book Verity Harding for Your Event?

Verity Harding combines world-leading expertise in artificial intelligence with first-hand experience shaping AI policy inside one of the world’s most influential AI companies.

Having worked across government, academia, and Google DeepMind, she offers audiences a uniquely balanced perspective on both the opportunities and responsibilities created by AI.

Rather than focusing purely on the technology itself, Verity helps organisations understand the wider strategic, ethical, and geopolitical forces that will shape how AI transforms business over the coming decade.

Her presentations are insightful, accessible, and highly relevant for executive audiences, helping leaders move beyond headlines to make informed decisions about AI adoption, governance, innovation, and long-term strategy.

She is particularly effective for leadership conferences, board events, customer conferences, technology summits, financial services, professional services, and organisations navigating digital transformation.

Audiences Leave With

• A clearer understanding of how AI will reshape business and society.
• Practical insights into responsible AI adoption and governance.
• Greater confidence in leading AI-driven transformation.
• A broader perspective on the geopolitical and strategic implications of AI.
• Practical frameworks for balancing innovation, trust, and long-term business success.

Speaking Style

Insightful, thoughtful, and highly engaging. Verity combines real-world experience from government and Google DeepMind with practical business insight, making complex AI issues accessible, relevant, and actionable for executive audiences.

Ideal Audiences

• Boards and Executive Leadership Teams.
• Corporate Conferences.
• Technology and Innovation Events.
• Customer and Partner Conferences.
• Financial Services Organisations.
• Professional Services Firms.
• Government and Public Sector Leaders.
• HR, Strategy and Transformation Teams.

Key Takeaway

Verity Harding helps organisations understand how to harness the opportunities of artificial intelligence while building the governance, leadership, and trust needed for long-term success.

Her work enables leaders to make smarter strategic decisions, navigate rapid technological change, and prepare their organisations for an AI-driven future.

Book Verity Harding For Your Event

Verity Harding is one of the world’s leading voices on artificial intelligence, helping organisations understand how AI is transforming business, leadership, and society.

Drawing on senior leadership experience at Google DeepMind, government, and the University of Cambridge, she delivers practical insights that help organisations navigate AI adoption with confidence while balancing innovation, governance, and trust.

Audiences leave with a deeper understanding of the strategic opportunities and challenges presented by AI, together with practical frameworks they can apply to lead responsible and successful AI transformation.

Whether speaking to executive teams, leadership conferences, customer events, or technology summits, Verity delivers an engaging combination of global perspective, practical business insight, and clear strategic thinking.

Contact us today to check availability and learn how Verity Harding can help your organisation prepare for the future of artificial intelligence.