Kay Firth-Butterfield is a globally recognized expert on the ethical governance of artificial intelligence. She has spent her career shaping frameworks to ensure that AI serves society responsibly and equitably. As the world’s first Chief AI Ethics Officer, Kay has advised governments, multinational organizations, and Fortune 500 companies on the legal and ethical challenges of emerging technologies.
She co-founded the Responsible AI Institute and held a senior role at the World Economic Forum, where she helped develop policies that promote trust, transparency, and accountability in AI. Recognized on TIME’s list of the 100 most influential people in AI and Forbes’ 50 over 50 in Innovation, she has become a respected voice on the global stage. With a background as a lawyer, professor, and technologist, Kay is uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between regulation, ethics, and business strategy.
Her speaking engagements combine deep expertise with practical advice, inspiring leaders to balance innovation with responsibility. Kay’s work empowers organizations and policymakers to adopt AI frameworks that deliver value while safeguarding people and communities. Her mission is to ensure that the future of AI is principled, sustainable, and human-centered.
Kay Firth-Butterfield is an expert in artificial intelligence (AI) ethics and governance, championing the responsible development and deployment of technology. As the CEO of Good Tech Advisory LLC, she leverages her extensive legal and academic background to guide organizations toward ethical AI practices. Her leadership in this domain earned her a spot among TIME’s 100 Impact Awardees in 2024, underscoring her influence in shaping the future of AI.
With a career spanning law, academia, and technology, Firth-Butterfield’s journey is both diverse and impactful. She began as a barrister and part-time judge in the United Kingdom, where she developed a keen interest in human rights law. This passion led her to author books on human rights and human trafficking, reflecting her commitment to social justice. Transitioning to academia, she served as an adjunct professor of law at the University of Texas at Austin, where she co-founded the Responsible AI Institute, further cementing her dedication to ethical technology.
Firth-Butterfield’s expertise is sought after by governments, think tanks, and nonprofits worldwide. She has advised on AI law, ethics, and policy, establishing an AI ethics advisory panel at Lucid.ai in 2014. Her leadership roles include serving as Vice-Chair of IEEE’s Global Initiative on Ethical Considerations in AI and Autonomous Systems and participating in the Asilomar AI Ethical Principles group. These positions highlight her commitment to integrating ethical considerations into technological advancements.
As a speaker, Kay Firth-Butterfield captivates audiences with her insights into AI’s societal impacts. She addresses topics such as responsible AI development, the intersection of AI and human rights, and the future of technology governance. Her ability to distill complex subjects into engaging narratives makes her a sought-after keynote speaker at international forums and conferences.
Event planners seeking a knowledgeable and engaging speaker on AI ethics and governance will find Kay Firth-Butterfield to be an invaluable addition to their programs. Her extensive experience ensures that she can connect with diverse audiences, from corporate leaders to policymakers. Her presentations not only inform but also inspire action toward ethical technology adoption.
In summary, Kay Firth-Butterfield’s pioneering work in AI ethics, combined with her legal and academic expertise, positions her as a leading voice in technology governance. Her contributions continue to shape the discourse on responsible AI, making her an ideal speaker for events focused on the future of technology and its ethical implications.
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Kay Firth-Butterfield calls on humanity to shape AI responsibly, building systems that reflect equity, inclusivity, and human values.
In this Time Magazine talk, Kay Firth-Butterfield, a global leader in AI ethics, emphasizes the urgent need to shape responsible artificial intelligence that benefits everyone—not just the privileged few.
We can’t wait until 2050 to ask how AI will shape our lives, we must decide today. Kay credits investigative reporting for sparking her journey into AI responsibility, noting its importance in an age of deepfakes and misinformation. Current AI systems rely heavily on data from white men in the global North, marginalizing women and billions without internet access. This imbalance affects everything from healthcare outcomes to cultural preservation.
Like Jane Austen’s critique of male-dominated literature in 1817, today’s AI reflects the same systemic bias in data creation. Rather than fearing generative AI, Kay urges us to use its potential for inclusivity, cultural preservation, and fairness. By setting responsible foundations now, we can ensure AI becomes a safe, equitable tool for advancing humanity.
0:00 – Gratitude to Time Magazine, family, and the importance of conversations about AI’s role in our future.
0:40 – Warning: don’t wake up in 2050 wishing we had acted sooner on AI governance.
1:15 – The spark: reading a Time article on “the year man becomes immortal” inspired a journey into responsible AI.
2:00 – Analogy: Star Wars vs. Star Trek—do humans pilot the plane, or hand control to AI?
2:30 – Personal story: daughter as one of few women fighter pilots in the US Air Force.
3:00 – Data imbalance: AI systems over-trained on white male data, creating healthcare and societal risks.
3:40 – Historical echo: Jane Austen’s 1817 critique of male-dominated literature mirrors today’s AI data biases.
4:20 – The opportunity: AI can go beyond “what is” to shape “what should be.”
5:00 – Hopeful note: progress in foundations for responsible AI is emerging across organizations.
5:30 – Call to action: let’s plan our shared AI future together, starting now.
Kay Firth-Butterfield explains why AI governance matters for every business, and how soft regulation can shape an ethical, innovative future.
In this talk, Kay Firth-Butterfield, a leading global voice on AI ethics and governance, uses the metaphor of a magic wand to illustrate AI’s dual-use nature—capable of extraordinary benefits or unintended harms. She highlights the challenges of hype vs. reality, and why governments, businesses, civil society, and academics must collaborate now to avoid another “AI winter.”
0:00 – Opening: why AI governance impacts everyone, from startups to governments.
1:00 – The metaphor of AI as a “magic wand”—a tool that can heal or harm.
2:15 – The hype vs. reality of AI: when expectations outpace capabilities.
3:30 – The rise of AI ethics: from 12 people in 2015 to 2,500 contributors globally.
5:00 – Examples of applied governance: procurement guidelines in the UK, certification in Singapore, UNICEF’s work on AI toys.
8:00 – Facial recognition governance in France, balancing security and civil rights.
9:30 – India’s effort to build an overarching ethical AI framework.
10:30 – Educating boards and governments on AI responsibility.
12:00 – New frontiers: AI patent law and its global implications.
13:00 – Closing: invitation to collaborate on projects and shape AI’s future responsibly.
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A: Yes — practical policy frameworks tied to implementation guidance.
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