Sam Gregory is an internationally recognised, award-winning human rights advocate and technologist, known for his leadership in smartphone witnessing, deepfakes, media authenticity, and generative AI. As Executive Director of WITNESS, he leads a global team of over 60 people and a $7 million budget to support millions using video and emerging technologies for human rights and civic journalism. Under his leadership, WITNESS received the 2024 Peabody Global Impact Award for its groundbreaking use of media technologies to defend truth and justice worldwide.
With over 24 years of experience at WITNESS, Sam has consistently been at the forefront of digital innovation and strategic foresight in the human rights space. He led the creation of Prepare, Don’t Panic, the first global initiative to address synthetic media threats through community readiness and platform accountability. His testimony before both the U.S. Senate and House has helped shape national conversations on deepfakes and AI. As a speaker and frequent media contributor, Sam is widely respected for his thought leadership on visual verification, generative AI governance, and combating misinformation.
Sam holds degrees from the University of Oxford and Harvard Kennedy School, and earned his PhD in Media and Communications focusing on participatory witnessing and emerging technologies. From 2010 to 2018, he taught the first course at Harvard on human rights advocacy through participatory media and has written for publications such as WIRED and The Hill. His work and ideas have been featured in over 100 media outlets. He has presented at TED (When AI Can Fake Reality, Who Can You Trust?), the World Economic Forum, the White House, Yale Law School, and other major global institutions.
His innovation work includes co-developing ObscuraCam and ProofMode, award-winning tools for secure visual documentation, as well as launching initiatives like Mobil-Eyes Us to reimagine live-streaming for activism. In addition to his executive role, Sam contributes to a wide range of global advisory bodies. He serves on the Technology Advisory Board of the International Criminal Court, Harmony Labs, and First Draft. He is Co-Chair of the Partnership on AI’s Working Group on the Societal Influence of AI. He is also a former member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Human Rights, and has held advisory roles with Tactical Tech, Games for Change, and the US Campaign for Burma.
As a keynote speaker, Sam brings a unique blend of visionary thinking, field-tested expertise, and policy insight. He speaks on deepfakes, AI, digital rights, civic media, and the future of witnessing, making him a compelling voice at the intersection of technology and justice. Sam is the ideal choice for events seeking a dynamic voice on all things AI.
2024 – Peabody Global Impact Award for WITNESS
2024 – Delivered TED Talk on deepfakes and trust
2023 – Named Rockefeller Bellagio Centre Resident
2023 – Appointed Executive Director of WITNESS
2021 – Joined Advisory Board, Harmony Labs
2020 – Board Member, First Draft
2019 – Launched “Prepare, Don’t Panic” deepfake initiative
2018 – Co-chaired Partnership on AI working group
2018 – Led the first civil society convening on deepfakes
2016 – Joined Technology Advisory Board, ICC
2016 – Member, WEF Global Future Council on Human Rights
2013 – Launched ProofMode (Knight News Challenge winner)
2012 – Co-developed ObscuraCam (Wired UK Top 25 Idea)
2012 – Advocated YouTube’s video blurring feature
2012 – Helped launch YouTube Human Rights Channel
2010–2018 – Taught Harvard’s first human rights media course
2010 – Contributed to Indigenous rights court win, Kenya
2006 – Supported Burma IDP aid advocacy success
2005 – Co-edited “Video for Change”
2000 – Joined WITNESS
How to hire Sam Gregory
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Sam Gregory for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
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