First Global Head of AI, Chief Executive Officer of the Good Tech Advisory, World’s First Chief AI Ethics Officer & Founder of the Responsible AI Institute
Kay Firth-Butterfield’s Biography:
Kay Firth-Butterfield is a pioneering global leader in artificial intelligence ethics, policy, and governance. She is the Chief Executive Officer of The Good Tech Advisory and was the first Global Head of AI and Machine Learning for the World Economic Forum, where she led international initiatives shaping the responsible and ethical adoption of AI across industries. Recognised as one of the world’s most influential voices on ethical technology, Kay has dedicated her career to ensuring that innovation benefits humanity while safeguarding trust, equity, and accountability. Her thoughtful and inspiring approach to leadership has made her a sought-after keynote speaker and advisor to governments, businesses, and institutions around the world.
A trained barrister and judge with a background in human rights law, Kay’s early career was grounded in justice and advocacy before she transitioned into the field of technology ethics. She founded the Responsible AI Institute, one of the earliest organisations dedicated to promoting safe, inclusive, and transparent AI systems. She also served as Chief AI Ethics Officer for Lucid AI, becoming the world’s first person to hold that title. Her academic career includes positions as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Texas Law School and a Distinguished Scholar at the Robert S. Strauss Centre for International Security and Law.
From 2017 to 2023, Kay served as the World Economic Forum’s Head of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, later joining its Executive Committee. During her tenure, she built global partnerships between policymakers, academia, and industry to ensure AI’s ethical and human-centred development. Today, she leads The Good Tech Advisory, guiding organisations toward responsible technology strategies. In 2024, she was recognised on the Forbes 50 Over 50: Innovation list, received the TIME100 AI Impact Award, and was named to Marquis Who’s Who Makers’ List of Emerging Innovators to Watch.
Kay continues to advise leading companies such as Microsoft and Swiss Re, as well as international organisations like Fathom.org. Her career reflects an unwavering commitment to aligning technological progress with human rights, ethics, and societal well-being.
Why Hire Kay Firth-Butterfield?
Kay Firth-Butterfield is a trailblazer in responsible technology and one of the world’s foremost authorities on AI ethics and governance. She has advised global leaders, including Microsoft’s Satya Nadella, and keynoted major conferences such as Davos and the World Economic Forum’s AI gatherings. Her talks combine legal, ethical, and strategic perspectives, offering audiences practical frameworks for deploying AI responsibly. Known for her eloquence, insight, and authority, Kay inspires organisations to innovate with integrity and design technologies that enhance trust and human dignity.
Kay Firth-Butterfield’s Career Highlights:
Below are some of Kay Firth-Butterfield’s inspirational milestones that shaped her career in AI, technology and innovation:
- 2025 – Published “Co-Existing with AI: A Guide to living, loving, and working with AI”
- 2024 – Advisory Board Member of Fathom.org, supporting global AI and technology initiatives.
- 2024 – AI Advisory Board Member of Swiss RE, guiding ethical and responsible AI strategies.
- 2024 – Named on the Forbes 50 Over 50: Innovation list.
- 2024 – Recipient of the TIME100 AI Impact Award.
- 2024 – Named on the Marquis Who’s Who Makers’ List of Emerging Innovators to Watch.
- 2024 – Keynote Speaker in a fireside chat at the Cognizant Chalet, Davos.
- 2023 – Chief Executive Officer of The Good Tech Advisory, leading global responsible technology efforts.
- 2023 – Executive Director of the Centre for Trustworthy Technology and Senior Research Fellow at the University of Texas.
- 2023 – Invited by Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella to speak on an AI ethics panel and provide strategic advice.
- 2017 – Appointed Global Head of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning at the World Economic Forum.
Videos
Kay Firth-Butterfield Official Keynote Speaking Videos & Showreel:
Testimonials
“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…” – Venkataraman, Digital Technology Leader
“At a high-profile event last week Kay was a guest speaker who took part in a fireside chat with one of our client’s senior business leaders, the topic being ‘Responsible innovation in the age of AI’. Kay was a delight to work with throughout and had a wonderful presence onstage; professional, insightful, incredibly interesting but also with a very warm and friendly air. Kay was also very open pre-event to join a couple of calls, both to enable us to give her a full briefing but she also took the time to virtually meet with her ‘interviewee’ to discuss flow, key topics and develop a relationship which again ensured a much more cohesive, relaxed and engaging tone when in the live situation. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Kay for any speaking engagement.” – Antonia, Senior Content Producer, Smyle
“Kay Firth-Butterfield joined our Executive Forum with our key customers in October 2023 in France and I was able to interview her on stage on AI Ethics questions which are currently on top of mind for our customers. 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.” – Christian, Head of International Legal, Adobe
“Kay’s talk was so interesting… we had a tech glitch during her talk but it didn’t phase her at all.” – Emma, Head of Content, Bett-Hyve Group
Topics
Kay Firth-Butterfield’s Official Keynote Topics:
- Artificial Intelligence
- AI Ethics
- AI for Business
- Educational Technology
- Digital Business Transformation
How Much Does Kay Firth-Butterfield Cost To Hire?
How Much Does It Cost To Hire Kay Firth-Butterfield?
The cost of hiring Kay Firth-Butterfield depends on factors such as your event requirements, whether it’s in-person or virtual, and any travel or accommodation needs. To receive an accurate quote, contact a London Keynote Speakers Agency booking agent for expert guidance.