Priya Lakhani OBE

Priya Lakhani OBE is a pioneering entrepreneur, AI authority, and highly sought-after keynote speaker who has redefined education and business through innovative technology. As the Founder CEO of CENTURY Tech, an award-winning AI education technology company, she has empowered schools, universities, and businesses worldwide to transform learning through artificial intelligence. Her ground-breaking work in technology and education earned her an OBE in 2014 for services to business, community and voluntary service, cementing her status as one of Britain’s most influential business leaders.

Priya’s professional journey began in law, where she earned a B.A. in Law and Economics from Queen Mary University of London, followed by an LL.M. in Media, Broadcasting Law at UCL. She further specialised in U.S. media law at New York University in 2004. Starting her career as a barrister, Priya focused on libel, privacy, and reporting restrictions, advising high-profile media clients including Newsquest and ITV. However, her entrepreneurial instinct emerged early, as she built her first venture at the age of eleven, selling confectionery to schoolmates - an experience that foreshadowed her future as a business innovator.

In 2008, Priya made the bold decision to leave law and launch Masala Masala, a successful FMCG business providing fresh sauces to retailers and restaurants. Through its charitable arm, iamSOCO, she delivered over one million meals and 35,000 vaccinations to underprivileged communities in India and Africa. Her entrepreneurial success was recognised with the Chancellor’s Business Entrepreneur of the Year award. In 2013, she founded CENTURY Tech, combining AI, cognitive neuroscience, and data analytics to revolutionise personalised education. Priya’s expertise has led to numerous government appointments, including as a Member of the UK AI Council, Non-Executive Director at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, and most recently, as a Member of the UK Prime Minister’s Council of Science and Technology. She is also a Co-Founder of the Institute for Ethical AI in Education and a frequent commentator on BBC News, particularly for BBC AI Decoded.

Priya captivates audiences with her ability to simplify complex subjects, offering actionable insights on artificial intelligence, innovation, entrepreneurial leadership, disruption, resilience, and the future of work. Her talks blend real-world experience with strategic foresight, empowering organisations to embrace AI responsibly, navigate disruption, and build future-ready cultures. Whether speaking to leadership teams, corporate innovators, or wider enterprise audiences, Priya inspires transformational thinking and equips businesses with the tools to thrive in a rapidly evolving landscape.