It’s thought that by 2030, AI will be contributing $15.7 trillion to the global economy. But as AI becomes more and more integrated with our everyday lives, experts warn of the potential dangers and ethical complexities of AI.

How is AI Changing the World?

Artificial intelligence is changing the world before our eyes. Utilised in finance, social media, healthcare, national security and smart cities, AI is already revolutionising industries, transforming how businesses operate and compete. From automating routine tasks to enhancing customer insights, AI is driving efficiency, innovation, and profitability, while generative AI is reshaping marketing, customer service, and decision-making. AI adoption is no longer a question of "if" but "how" businesses can integrate it effectively while maintaining human oversight.

Source: The University of Arizona

What is the Future of AI?

The future of AI is both exciting and unpredictable, and advancements will likely surpass what seems possible today, perhaps much sooner than we think. As a transformative technology, AI will continue evolving, driven by its unique ability to improve itself. From AI-powered decision-making to solving global challenges like disease, inequality, and climate change, its impact will be vast. Businesses will increasingly rely on AI for strategic decision-making, integrating real-time data and automation. However, widespread adoption will require robust regulatory frameworks, such as the EU AI Act, to ensure transparency, fairness, and cybersecurity. Ethical considerations will be crucial in shaping AI’s responsible deployment worldwide.

Source: Forbes, IBM

Who are the Women Leading the Way in AI?

Utilising exclusive event poll data from over 72 AI events, between 2023 and 2025, Mark Matthews, has provided his official selection of the Fourteen Women Leading the Way in AI in 2026!

Kay Firth-Butterfield

CEO of the Good Tech Advisory

Kay Firth-Butterfield is a leading authority in artificial intelligence governance, ethics, and policy. As CEO of the Good Tech Advisory and the world’s first Chief AI Ethics Officer, she has shaped AI regulations globally. A former barrister and judge, she has advised the UK and US governments, co-founded the Responsible AI Institute, and was the first Head of AI at the World Economic Forum. Recognised with a TIME100 AI Impact Award, Kay’s expertise in AI ethics, governance, and digital transformation makes her a highly sought-after speaker on the future of technology.

Dame Wendy Hall

Appointed to the UN High-Level Advisory Board on Artificial Intelligence

Professor Dame Wendy Hall is a pioneering leader in artificial intelligence, renowned for her groundbreaking contributions to web science, AI, and data science. As Regius Professor of Computer Science at the University of Southampton, she has shaped the evolution of digital technologies, from co-developing the Microcosm Hypermedia System to co-founding the Web Science Research Initiative. A trusted advisor to the UK government on AI policy, Wendy’s expertise influences global digital strategy. As a passionate advocate for women in STEM, she continues to inspire future generations. Her visionary leadership cements her as one of the most influential voices in AI today.

Katie King

CEO of AI in Business

Katie King has over 30 years of consulting experience, advising top organisations such as Harrods, O2, Accenture, and NHS Trusts. A distinguished leader in AI, renowned for her expertise in business transformation, marketing, and digital strategy, Katie is a sought-after keynote speaker and BBC commentator. Katie has authored influential books on AI, including “Using Artificial Intelligence in Marketing,” which became an international bestseller and was cited by the World Economic Forum. She has also served on the UK Government’s AI Task Force and won awards for her AI strategy expertise, solidifying her as a trusted voice in AI leadership.

Cassie Kozyrkov

Few-Glasson Alumni Society inductee for significant contributions to AI and Decision Intelligence

A trailblazer in artificial intelligence, Cassie Kozyrkov is best known for founding the field of Decision Intelligence and serving as Google’s first Chief Decision Scientist. She played a key role in transforming Google into an AI-first company, personally training over 20,000 employees and shaping more than 500 initiatives. Now CEO of Kozyr, she advises leading organisations such as NASA, Gucci, and Meta on AI strategy. With a background in economics, statistics, psychology, and neuroscience, her work bridges technical expertise with responsible AI adoption, making her one of the most influential figures in the field today.

Toju Duke

Founder and CEO of Bedrock AI

Toju Duke is a leading force in responsible and ethical AI development. As the Founder & CEO of Bedrock AI and Diverse AI, she is committed to eliminating bias in AI and promoting diversity in the field. In her role as Programme Manager for Responsible AI at Google, she drives inclusivity across AI research and product teams. With an MSc in AI and extensive experience, Toju is a thought leader, speaker, and author of “Building Responsible AI Algorithms.” Her work ensures AI is built transparently and ethically, making her one of the most influential voices in AI today.

Dr Joy Buolamwini

Time100 Most Influential People in AI

Best known for her ‘Gender Shades’ project, which exposed racial and gender biases in facial recognition technologies, Dr Joy Buolamwini is a trailblazing computer scientist and AI ethics researcher. Named one of Fortune’s World’s 50 Greatest Leaders, Joy has prompted major tech companies to improve their AI systems and she continues to shape AI ethics, advocating for fairness and accountability in the industry. With degrees from Georgia Tech, Oxford, and MIT, her work bridges technology and social justice. With an Emmy-nominated documentary, “Coded Bias”, and bestselling book, “Unmasking AI”, Joy is a sought-after speaker who offers a profound exploration of the ethical challenges posed by AI.

Sana Khareghani

Professor of Practice in AI at King's College London

Sana Khareghani is a pioneering force in AI, with a career spanning both the private and public sectors. As the former Head of the UK Government’s Office for AI, she shaped national AI policy, ensuring responsible adoption across industries with her commitment to ethical considerations as well as the evolution of technology. With a background in Computer Science and an MIT MBA, Sana has influenced AI through academic, advisory, and corporate roles. Now a Professor of Practice at King’s College London, her insights are shaping the next generation of AI leaders. Recognised among the most influential women in tech, she champions AI’s ethical and societal impact.

Allie Miller

Built IBM’s first-ever trained multi-modal AI system

Renowned for her expertise in machine learning, blockchain, and cognitive science, Allie Miller, is a leading AI entrepreneur, advisor, and investor. With a background in cognitive science and a double-major MBA from The Wharton School, she has shaped AI’s role in business and operations. Her career spans innovation roles in startups and Fortune 500 companies, including leading AI development at IBM Watson and Amazon Web Services. An acclaimed speaker and author of eight AI guidebooks, Allie is a sought-after expert in AI policy and technology. Recognised with multiple industry awards, she continues to drive AI advancements globally.

Inma Martinez

Member of The Expert Group at The Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence

Inma Martinez is a pioneering leader in artificial intelligence, renowned for her expertise in digital transformation and emerging technologies. As a member of the Steering Committee Multitask Expert Group at The Global Partnership on AI, she plays a crucial role in shaping global AI strategies. Elected to the advisory council for Spain’s State Secretary for AI, she influences policy at the highest level. Recognised as one of the Top 50 AI Influencers, Inma has also advised the European Union and spoken at prestigious events like TEDx and The Economist. Her visionary insights make her a sought-after expert in AI innovation.

Hannah Fry

President of the Institute of Mathematics & Its Applications

President of the Institute of Mathematics and It’s Applications, Hannah Fry is a groundbreaking figure blending mathematics and algorithms with real-world applications to uncover hidden patterns in human behaviour. A prolific author and broadcaster, Hannah has made complex AI concepts accessible through books, television, and radio. Her work, including the prize winning Hello World, explores the ethical implications and the impact on society of AI and algorithms. Awarded the Zeeman Medal for public engagement, Hannah’s an engaging speaker with unmatched experience in demystify AI.

Fei-Fei Li

Co-Director of the Stanford Institute for Human-Centred AI

Dr Fei-Fei Li is a champion for ethical AI development and education known for her groundbreaking work in computer vision and human-centred AI. Best known for developing ImageNet which revolutionised computing in the 2010s, Fei-Fei went on to co-found AI4ALL to foster diversity in AI. A former Chief Scientist of AI/ML at Google, she has advised policymakers on AI ethics and governance. Recognised globally for her contributions, Fei-Fei advocates for ethical use of technologies and is an influential keynote speaker, shaping the future of AI with expertise, advocacy, and visionary leadership.

Kate Crawford

Author of "Atlas of AI: Power, Politics & the Planetary Costs of Artificial Intelligence”

A leading speaker on AI, Kate Crawford is known for her expertise in the social and political implications of artificial intelligence. As Senior Principal Researcher at Microsoft Research and co-founder of influential research groups like AI Now Institute, she examines AI’s ethical and societal impact. An acclaimed author and academic, her book “Atlas of AI” was named a top technology book by the “Financial Times.” Kate has advised policymakers at the UN, the European Parliament, and the White House. A sought-after speaker, Kate delivers compelling insights into AI risks, making her a key voice in global discussions on technology and ethics.

Ayesha Khanna

Co-Founder and CEO of Addo AI

Dr. Ayesha Khanna is a globally renowned AI expert, sought after for her deep insights into smart cities, the future of work, and AI-driven business transformation. As the Co-Founder and CEO of Addo, she leads cutting-edge AI business solutions, earning recognition from Forbes as one of Asia’s top AI companies. A passionate advocate for ethical AI and gender equality in STEM, Ayesha has advised major corporations and governments worldwide. With expertise spanning technology, finance, and policy, she is trusted by industry leaders like Goldman Sachs and Oracle. Hire Ayesha to gain strategic, forward-thinking AI insights that drive competitive advantage.

Nina Schick

Author of “ DEEPFAKES: The Coming Infocalypse” 

A pioneering expert in generative AI, Nina Schick is a sought-after keynote speaker on the future of artificial intelligence. As the author of “DEEPFAKES: The Coming Infocalypse” and Founder of Tamang Ventures, she leads the charge in AI adoption and innovation. With experience advising global leaders, including President Joe Biden, and contributing to platforms like the BBC and Bloomberg, Nina offers unparalleled insights into AI’s transformative impact. Having spoken at WebSummit, CogX, and TEDx, she expertly navigates AI ethics, business applications, and digital authenticity. For cutting-edge AI expertise, Nina Schick is the speaker of choice.

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This is exclusive article on the fourteen women leading the way in AI in 2026, was authored by Mark Matthews, utilising official event poll data from over 72 AI events, between 2023 and 2025 and vetted information from Brookings, The University of Arizona, Forbes and IBM. 

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