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Kay Firth-Butterfield is a trailblazer in the field of artificial intelligence, having held numerous prominent positions throughout her illustrious career. As the Chief Executive Officer of The Good Tech Advisory, Kay currently leads efforts to ensure AI is developed and utilised responsibly, with a focus on benefiting both society and the environment. She has also served as the World Economic Forum’s first Head of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, where she was responsible for steering global discussions on AI governance and ethics. Kay’s work in these roles reflects her commitment to ensuring AI advancements are equitable and ethically sound.
Her extensive career as a barrister and judge in the UK laid the foundation for her expertise in AI ethics. Starting her legal career as a self-employed barrister, Kay rose to become a judge for the UK Ministry of Justice. She has also been an Associate Barrister at Doughty Street Chambers and a Master of the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple, showcasing her deep understanding of law and governance. In addition, she co-founded the Responsible AI Institute and advised the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Artificial Intelligence, positioning herself as a key figure in AI regulation. Kay’s legal and ethical background makes her a highly sought-after expert in the intersection of law, governance, and technology.
Kay has also made significant contributions to academia, having held several academic positions, including Distinguished Scholar at The Robert S. Strauss Center for International Security and Law, and Fellow of the Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence at Cambridge. She taught the first AI and Law course at the University of Texas Law School in 2016, demonstrating her pioneering role in AI education. Her academic work complements her extensive involvement in ethical AI discussions, further solidifying her reputation as a global authority on AI.
Her influence extends beyond academia and law into public speaking and advisory roles. Kay has been recognised as one of the top AI ethics speakers globally, regularly delivering keynote addresses on AI and its societal impact. Her work has earned her accolades such as the TIME100 AI Impact Award in 2024 and recognition on the Forbes 50 Over 50: Innovation list.
Kay Firth-Butterfield is regularly booked to engage audiences at events, read their latest feedback below:
“Kay is simply amazing and one of the most caring people I have encountered in my career… She is extremely passionate about protecting people from the potential negative consequences of the use of technology, and it shows in every speech she gives and every article she writes. She is also incredibly well-spoken and very thoughtful in everything she says. It is my pleasure to have worked with her”
“Kay’s deep and broad knowledge of AI allowed Kay to raise a lot of awareness and to provide insight into how enterprises should respond to the questions raised by AI, both for AI created by technology companies or AI procured by enterprises in all industry sectors. Kay is very engaging and did not only show a lot of presence on stage but also had great follow-up discussions with customers over dinner and throughout the day.”
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