Verity harding
About
Verity Harding is a globally recognised leader at the intersection of technology, politics and public policy. She is Founder of Formation Advisory Ltd, a bespoke technology consultancy firm, and Director of the AI & Geopolitics Project at Cambridge University's Bennett Institute for Public Policy. Her debut book ‘AI Needs You’ was published by Princeton University Press in March 2024."Few people understand the intersection between emerging technology and democracy better than Verity Harding."
- TIME"Few have had the chance to think longer and harder about AI's impact on society than Verity Harding"
- POLITICO
The technology, policy and ethical landscape of AI has transformed over the past few years and Verity's work has played a significant role in that. I have worked with her on two of the formative institutions she co-founded - the Partnership on AI and DeepMind Ethics & Society - where her exceptional intellect, judgement and foresight combined with leadership and communication skills helped bring intangible concepts to life. She is an important and much-needed leader in the field of technology and society today.
- James Manyika SVP, Tech & Society Google-Alphabet
Verity played a vital role in the creation and launch of the Partnership on AI. She brought sharp insight, community-building expertise and deep passion about harnessing AI to benefit people and society. I greatly admire her intellect and energy.
- Eric Horvitz, Chief Scientific Officer at Microsoft
"AI Needs You"
“A must-read for anyone who wants to understand the defining technology of our era, from a unique author who has had a front row seat in AI’s development.”
Katie Prescott, technology business editor, The Times
media
TIME Magazine 100 Most Influential People in AI - Profile and interview
Can the AI future work for everyone? - Financial Times Review
What the Cold War space race can teach us about AI - Financial Times Opinion
What are the geopolitical implications of AI? - interview, AI@Cambridge
What the Beatles Can Teach Us About AI - Cambridge University
Contact
BIO
One of TIME100’s Most Influential People in AI, Verity Harding, is a globally recognised expert in AI and technology policy. She is Founder of Formation Advisory, an AI consultancy company, and Director of the AI & Geopolitics Project at the University of Cambridge. Her debut book ‘AI Needs You: how we can change AI’s future and save our own’, was published by Princeton University Press in March 2024.Harding’s career has been focussed on the intersection of technology and democracy. She spent a decade at Alphabet, latterly as DeepMind's first Global Head of Public Policy, where in 2017 she co-founded the company's research and ethics unit as well as the independent multi-stakeholder organisation the Partnership on AI. She was also a member of the OECD's Network of AI Experts in 2018-19, the body which developed the first intergovernmental standard on AI, adopted by the G20 and beyond. Prior to this, Harding was Head of Security Policy for Google in Europe covering issues such as online extremism and encryption. Before moving to the tech industry, she worked in 10 Downing Street as a Special Adviser to the Deputy Prime Minister Sir Nick Clegg. In her spare time Harding serves on the Cabinet Office Digital Advisory Board, a group of independent experts recruited to provide insight on digital, data and technology to the UK government.