Baroness Joanna Shields OBE: AI & Tech Visionary
Technology and AI governance keynote speaker Baroness Joanna Shields, UK House of Lords peer and former tech CEO, advances responsible innovation and human-centric artificial intelligence.
Quick Facts:
- Highlights:
- Life peer in the UK House of Lords
- Founder and CEO of Precognition
- Former CEO of BenevolentAI
- Former executive at Google, Facebook, Bebo, and RealNetworks
- First UK Minister for Internet Safety and Security
- Formats: Keynote Speaker on Artificial Intelligence, Digital Governance, and Responsible Technology
- Audiences: Government leaders, technology executives, policymakers, global institutions, and organizations navigating AI governance, digital ethics, and technology innovation.
- Outcomes:
- Strategic understanding of AI governance and responsible innovation
- Insight into balancing technological growth with societal impact
- Frameworks for advancing human-centric digital transformation
- Travels from: London, UK
- **Fee range: On Request
Talent Services
Keynote Topics:
Popular Talks
- Role of the Digital Sector
- Artificial Intelligence
- Entrepreneurship
- Leadership
- Cyber and Internet Ethics
- Internet Harms and Crime
Talent Short Bio
Baroness Joanna Shields OBE is a globally recognized technology leader, startup CEO, and life peer in the UK House of Lords, dedicated to advancing responsible innovation and human-centric artificial intelligence. With more than three decades at the forefront of the digital revolution, she has shaped the evolution of technology across industry, government, and civil society.
Joanna is Founder and CEO of Precognition, a company focused on helping leaders anticipate the future and build solutions in an AI-driven world. Previously, as CEO of BenevolentAI, she led the company’s transformation from startup to clinical-stage drug discovery leader, building an advanced AI platform capable of translating complex biological data into actionable scientific breakthroughs.
Her executive career spans some of the world’s most influential technology companies. In the early years of Google and Facebook, she built and scaled international operations, driving rapid global growth. As President and CEO of Bebo, she pioneered online original video content and led its $850 million acquisition by AOL Time Warner. She also led Veon to acquisition by Philips NV and held leadership roles at RealNetworks.
Read Full Bio
Baroness Joanna Shields OBE is one of the most influential voices in global technology leadership today a pioneering tech executive, start-up CEO, and life peer in the UK House of Lords dedicated to advancing responsible, human-centric innovation.
With more than three decades at the forefront of digital transformation, Joanna has shaped the evolution of the internet across business, government, and civil society. Her career reflects a rare combination of entrepreneurial vision, corporate scale expertise, and public service leadership.
As Founder and CEO of Precognition, Joanna Shields empowers leaders navigating the AI era to anticipate what’s next and build technology that serves humanity. Previously, as CEO of BenevolentAI, she transformed the company from an early-stage start-up into a clinical-stage drug discovery pioneer, developing an industry-leading AI platform capable of translating the complex language of biology into groundbreaking scientific insights.
Joanna Shields has held senior executive roles at some of the world’s most transformative technology companies. In the early growth phases of Google and Facebook, she led international expansion efforts, building global teams that drove exponential growth in both revenue and user adoption. As President and CEO of Bebo, she pioneered original online video content years before streaming became mainstream, guiding the company through its landmark $850 million acquisition by AOL Time Warner and earning two BAFTA nominations.
Her entrepreneurial leadership also includes scaling Veon into a leader in interactive video streaming ahead of its acquisition by Philips NV, and directing international operations at RealNetworks, a pioneer in streaming audio and video technology.
Between 2013 and 2018, Joanna Shields served in the UK Government as the country’s first Minister for Internet Safety and Security. She also held roles as Digital Economy Advisor to the Prime Minister, UK Ambassador for Digital Industries, and Special Representative on Internet Harms and Crimes. During this time, she spearheaded global initiatives addressing some of the most pressing challenges at the intersection of technology and society including developing AI-driven tools to combat online extremism, exploitation, and abuse.
A leading advocate for global internet safety, Joanna founded the WePROTECT Global Alliance, a coalition of more than 100 member countries committed to tackling online child sexual abuse and exploitation.
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