Verity Harding

Verity Harding is a leading global expert on the intersection of artificial intelligence, technology, and democracy. She is currently the Director of the AI & Geopolitics Project at the Bennett Institute for Public Policy at the University of Cambridge. Harding has spent her career navigating the complex relationship between rapid technological advancement and societal governance. She previously served as the Global Head of Policy for DeepMind, one of the world's premier AI research companies, where she played a pivotal role in shaping the ethical frameworks surrounding AI development.\n\nIn her book AI Needs You, Harding argues against the narrative that AI is an unstoppable force beyond human control. Instead, she empowers readers to understand that society has the agency to shape how these technologies are deployed. Her background includes working as a political adviser in the UK government and for Google, giving her a unique perspective that bridges the gap between Silicon Valley innovation and public policy.