Known for: Advancing global AI governance discussions

Philip Thigo is Kenya's Special Envoy on Technology, playing a pivotal role in shaping the nation's digital policies and international technological engagements. In this capacity, he advises on data innovation and open government, influencing Kenya's approach to artificial intelligence (AI) and digital governance.

In October 2023, Thigo was appointed to the United Nations Secretary-General's High-Level Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence, contributing to global AI governance discussions. As the Executive Director for Africa at the Thunderbird School of Global Management, he leads initiatives on the continent's participation in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Thigo's expertise spans digital governance, financial inclusion, and technological innovation, enabling him to shape AI policies across various sectors.

Known for: Leading the national and European implementation of the EU AI Act

Evelyn Grass has taken responsibility for key areas of the German government’s AI policy, including the implementation and further development of Germany’s AI Strategy and the country’s engagement in international AI policy and governance, such as the OECD Working Party on AI Governance (AIGO), the Global Partnership on AI (GPAI) and the AI Action Summit. She has worked for the BMWK in several policy positions over the years, after transitioning from a legal background. Together with the Federal Ministry of Justice, she leads the national and European implementation of the EU AI Act.

Known for: Spearheading UN's policies on technology

Amandeep Singh Gill spearheads the UN's policy initiatives and technology efforts. Gill leads the creation of a global set of policies encouraging the ethical use and governance of emerging technologies like AI. Previously, Gill was the Executive Director of the UN’s High-Level Panel on Digital Cooperation and India’s Ambassador to the Conference on Disarmament. In 2017, Gill helped set up the National Task Force on Artificial Intelligence for India’s Economic Transformation.

In addition, Gill is a member of the Secretary-General’s High-Level Advisory Body on AI and the Scientific Advisory Board. Gill advocates for inclusive AI development and research collaboration that addresses global challenges within international digital health, strategic technologies, and more, to progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.

Known for: Leading Europe’s efforts in shaping a competitive, resilient and inclusive digital future

Henna Virkkunen serves as the Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy at the European Commission, a role she assumed in December 2024.

She is responsible for shaping the EU’s digital and technological strategy, including cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, and the protection of democratic institutions.

A member of Finland’s National Coalition Party, Virkkunen has held several key positions in Finnish government, including Minister of Education (2008–2011), Minister of Public Administration and Local Government (2011–2014), and Minister of Transport and Local Government (2014). From 2014 to 2024, she was a Member of the European Parliament, where she focused on digital policy, energy, and innovation. Her work in the Commission centres on strengthening Europe’s technological autonomy, ensuring secure digital transitions, and upholding democratic values across Member States.

Known for: Pioneering AI governance as the world's first AI minister

Omar bin Sultan Al Olama is the world's first Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Appointed in October 2017, he leads national initiatives to integrate AI technologies across various sectors, aiming to position the UAE as a global leader in digital innovation.

Prior to his ministerial role, Al Olama contributed to the development of the UAE's Artificial Intelligence Strategy and the UAE Centennial 2071 strategy, which aspires to make the UAE one of the best countries in the world by its centennial. His efforts have been instrumental in advancing the UAE's digital economy and promoting the ethical use of AI. In recognition of his impact, Al Olama was included in Time magazine's 2023 list of the 100 most influential people in AI.

Known for: Advancing AI-enabled digital government reform in Romania

By leading national efforts to modernise how the state delivers services and manages public resources, Dragoș-Cristian Vlad is driving Romania’s digital government agenda. His current focus is on scaling digital platforms and introducing data-driven and AI-enabled approaches across public administration. Previously, he served as Director of the Single Information Management System for Structural Instruments within the Ministry of European Projects and Investments, where he oversaw MySMIS, the core system managing EU-funded programmes. He has also built deep expertise in ICT and European funds management over more than two decades in government. As President of ADR, Vlad has advanced the use of AI and advanced analytics in areas such as digital public services and smart procurement, exploring how automation and decision-support tools can improve efficiency, transparency and oversight. His work has helped position AI as a practical enabler of reform within Romania’s public sector.

Known for: Leading the GovAI Coalition

As Chief Information Officer and Director of Technology for the City of San José, Khaled Tawfik leads digital innovation and technology strategy for one of the United States’ largest cities. In his current role, he focuses on advancing responsible, transparent and secure use of artificial intelligence across municipal services. Previously, Tawfik served as CIO for the City of Irvine and held senior technology leadership roles across Los Angeles County, building extensive experience in enterprise transformation and public-sector IT governance. As CIO of San José, he founded the GovAI Coalition in 2023 after identifying shared concerns across governments about vendor transparency, data use and privacy in AI systems. By convening an initial group of around 50 agencies, he helped create a growing network of state and local governments collaborating on shared standards, policy approaches and practical guidance for responsible AI adoption.

Known for: Regulating AI on a national scale

Zhuang Rongwen leads AI regulation on a national scale in China. Rongwen serves as the Director of the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), the nation’s principal internet regulatory authority. Under his leadership, the CAC has implemented comprehensive regulations on generative AI technologies, making China the first country to implement regulations around generative AI.

Under Zhuang’s leadership, China has introduced numerous regulations impacting algorithms, generative AI, and censorship. Zhuang has raised concerns about issues such as data privacy, the opaque nature of large language models, and the potential risks associated with generative AI.

Known for: Shaping EU-wide AI regulations

Roberto Viola, Director-General of the European Commission's DG CNECT since 2015, has played a crucial role in shaping the EU's AI governance and regulation. He has advocated for international cooperation on AI, particularly with the US, UK, Japan, Korea, and Canada, and has implemented G-7 principles on AI regulation.

Viola oversaw the establishment of the EU's AI Office and has been key in developing comprehensive regulations, including the AI Act, Digital Services Act, and Data Act. His focus is on enforcing existing rules rather than creating new ones, while also promoting investment in computing infrastructure and collaboration among startups, researchers, and industries in AI development, significantly influencing AI policy across the EU.

Known for: Taking a leading role in developing South Africa’s national AI strategy

Mondli Gungubele has been at the forefront of shaping South Africa’s AI landscape, leading the launch of the National AI Stakeholder Forum, a platform for ongoing collaboration across government, academia, civil society and industry. He boasts a public service career spanning over a decade, and including roles such as Deputy Minister of Finance and Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Social Development. Through his leadership, South Africa has established the National AI Network of Experts, designed to guide sectoral implementation of the country’s AI strategy. He has also been key in positioning the country as a Global South leader in human-rights-centric AI policy and governance.

Known for: Advocating for inclusive, globally co-ordinated AI governance

In her current role as Secretary General of ITU, Bogdan-Martin leads global efforts to strengthen digital co-operation, including shaping international dialogue on artificial intelligence, connectivity and emerging technologies. Previously, she spent more than 30 years at the ITU in senior leadership roles spanning development, strategic planning, regulatory reform and external affairs. Throughout her career, she has worked to expand digital inclusion, reduce connectivity gaps and align digital infrastructure with sustainable development goals. As Secretary-General, Bogdan-Martin has emerged as a leading voice on global AI governance, calling for urgent international co-operation to avoid fragmented regulation that could deepen inequality. She has consistently emphasised that AI’s benefits will only be realised if paired with meaningful connectivity, capacity building and ethical oversight, positioning the ITU as a key convener for inclusive, global approaches to AI.

Known for: Influencing the direction of European AI regulation

Brando Benifei is an Italian MEP currently serving his second term. In 2020, he joined the Special Committee on Artificial Intelligence in the Digital Age, where his involvement led to his appointment as a rapporteur for the AI Act. Benifei also serves on several other European Parliament committees, including the Intergroup on the Digital Agenda and the Intergroup on Anti-Corruption.

Recognised as a leading advocate for AI regulation, he has been particularly vocal about restricting the use of real-time facial recognition technology by law enforcement. His work is deeply focused on shaping European AI policy, tackling challenges such as the private sector's adoption of AI and its potential effects on the workforce.

Known for: Advancing government strategy, innovation and AI-enhanced government services

Her Excellency Ohood Khalfan Al Roumi is the Minister of State for Government Development and the Future in the United Arab Emirates, a ministerial portfolio created in 2020 to advance government development and future planning. AI Roumi also oversees the Prime Minister’s Office of UAE and multiple strategic programmes and initiatives within it, such as the development of the UAE Centennial 2071; the coordination and follow up to execute UAE Vision 2021.

She has vast experience in government policy, strategy and reform, and leading complex projects in government innovation. As Chairwoman of the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR), she oversaw the launch of the AI-powered Human Resources Assistant, a groundbreaking initiative that is driving a transformative shift the HR sector, and reflects the UAE’s vision to leverage artificial intelligence to enhance government operations.

Known for: Driving Malaysia’s AI, 5G, and digital transformation agenda

Gobind Singh Deo is Malaysia’s Minister of Digital and a longtime public servant with a background in law and national policymaking.

In his current role, he leads the newly established Ministry of Digital, responsible for accelerating Malaysia’s digital transformation and strengthening its digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, and technology talent pipeline. Previously, he served as Minister of Communications and Multimedia (2018–2020), where he advanced reforms including affordable broadband, media freedom, and national digital connectivity.

Gobind has been instrumental in positioning AI as a core pillar of Malaysia’s public sector modernisation, including establishing the National Artificial Intelligence Office (NAIO). He has also overseen foundational policy and regulatory initiatives that enable trusted AI adoption, such as strengthening cybersecurity legislation, modernising personal data protection, and proposing a Data Sharing Bill to support responsible data use across government.

Known for: Sector specialist in digital governance

Porrua is a senior leader at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), where he supports governments across Latin America and the Caribbean in designing and implementing digital transformation initiatives. Before joining the IDB, he was Senior Specialist in Electronic Government at the OAS Secretariat for Political Affairs and Director of Government Relations at the e-government company govWorks for Latin America. Those that nominated Porrua for the top AI 100 list reported how he spearheaded the IDB’s support for rights-based AI deployment across governments in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Known for: Promoting a balanced, pro-innovation approach to AI

Kanishka Narayan is the UK's Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for AI and Online Safety, appointed in September 2025. In this role, he leads initiatives to harness AI for public sector efficiency, including a government-wide AI assistant programme that has saved engineers nearly 28 days annually per person. Previously, Narayan worked as a tech investor, before being elected MP for the Vale of Glamorgan. Through this role, he championed local tech growth through initiatives such as All Hands On Tech, aimed at job creation, startup mentoring and digital upskilling. Narayan is also actively involved in international AI diplomacy, fostering UK-India tech collaborations and advocating for a balanced approach to AI risks and opportunities.

Known for: Shaping practical AI safety and governance approaches for governments

Jade Leung is a senior AI policy and technology leader working at the intersection of frontier AI and government. She is currently Artificial Intelligence Adviser to the UK Prime Minister and Chief Technology Officer of the UK AI Security Institute, where she focuses on the evaluation of advanced AI models and associated risks. Previously, Leung was Governance Lead at OpenAI, where she worked on secure AI development, including governance approaches related to scaling and long-term safety. She also co-founded the Centre for the Governance of AI at the University of Oxford and served as its inaugural Head of Research and Partnerships. In government, Leung plays a central role in building the UK’s capability to assess and manage risks from frontier AI systems. Through her work at the AI Security Institute, she helps ensure that policymakers have rigorous technical evidence to inform AI safety, regulation and international coordination.

Known for: Known for introducing AI into the Nigerian civil service

Didi Esther Walson-Jack is a senior Nigerian public servant and the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation. In her current role, she focuses on public service reform, workforce welfare, and the modernisation of government systems to improve efficiency and accountability. She has previously served as Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary of Bayelsa State, Chief of Staff to the Governor, and as a Federal Permanent Secretary across multiple ministries, with deep expertise in legislative drafting and civil service administration. She has played a leading role in Nigeria’s AI-in-government efforts, including the introduction of Service-Wide GPT, an AI tool trained on public service rules, laws, and regulations to support civil servants. Through this work, she has positioned AI as a practical tool for policy drafting, decision-making, and productivity gains across the Federal Civil Service, while emphasising responsible and ethical use.

Known for: Using AI to enhance the impact evaluation of development work

Samuel Fraiberger is the AI Program Lead at the World Bank. A data scientist by training, his work focuses on using machine learning to scale development impact. He also serves as a visiting researcher at the NYU Center for Data Science, a fellow at MIT Connection Science, and a senior research affiliate at Data-Pop Alliance.

Fraiberger leads the Development Impact Group at the World Bank, a multidisciplinary team of AI researchers, machine learning engineers, UX designers, software developers, development policy experts, and growth specialists. The group aims to revolutionise impact evaluation by offering policymakers and the development community cutting-edge AI tools designed in an ethical, responsible manner.

Known for: Aligning responsible AI with international sustainable development efforts

Michelle Gyles-McDonnough leads UNITAR’s work at the intersection of sustainable development, capacity-building, and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence. In her current role as Executive Director of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, she is steering global efforts to strengthen AI readiness and skills across countries and institutions. Previously, Gyles-McDonnough held senior leadership roles across the UN system over more than three decades. Her career has focused on equipping governments and multilateral organisations to manage change while delivering public value. At UNITAR, she is positioning AI as an enabler of the Sustainable Development Goals, with a strong emphasis on inclusion and closing gaps between countries at different stages of digital readiness. Through global convenings such as AI for Good and WSIS, she helps facilitate shared learning and practical co-operation on responsible AI integration.

Known for: Building trust in public sector technology

Chris Fechner is the Chief Executive Officer of Australia’s Digital Transformation Agency (DTA) and Head of the Digital Profession. In his role, he drives digital transformation across government to improve services, enhance accessibility, and build trust in public sector technology.

Previously, Fechner led large-scale digital and ICT reforms as Queensland’s Chief Customer and Digital Officer and Chief Digital and Product Officer at Service NSW, where he modernised service delivery and governance frameworks.

In the AI in government space, Fechner spearheaded Australia’s largest trial of generative AI tools, demonstrating measurable efficiency gains while prioritising security and usability. He champions responsible AI adoption, balancing its transformative potential with ethical governance and transparency. Fechner is known for equipping public servants with the skills to harness emerging technologies and ensuring that AI innovation enhances public trust and accountability.

Known for: Tackling government-wide AI adoption while emphasising responsible AI frameworks

Simon King is Director of Public Sector AI Adoption at the UK Government’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. In this role, he runs the Government Digital Service’s AI Adoption Unit, focusing on using AI to develop a more productive state that makes citizens’ lives easier through the Blueprint for Modern Digital Government.

Previously, King was Director of Artificial Intelligence and Innovation at the Department for Work and Pensions, where he brought together huge-scale data and digital systems to improve services using AI.

King has championed safe acceleration, emphasising that “people projects” over “technology projects”, and that humans must remain in the loop. He has overseen AI tools including DWP Ask and letter triaging using large language models to improve accuracy and speed in benefit delivery.

Known for: Building Brazil’s public-sector AI capability through ethical governance, international collaboration and large-scale training of public officials

Prof. Ricardo Sampaio is a coordinator at the Integrated Artificial Intelligence Centre in Brasília (CIIA-DF), a flagship institution dedicated to advancing responsible AI innovation and governance. CIIA-DF has emerged as a national reference point for ethical and inclusive AI, bridging applied research, policy development and international collaboration. Prof. Ricardo has championed initiatives to establish Brazil’s first AI Academy for public officials, promote trilateral co-operation with Lusophone countries and implement the nation’s first AI safety and red-teaming exercises. By fostering multi-stakeholder governance and positioning CIIA-DF within global AI forums, Prof. Ricardo is driving Brazil’s ambition to become a leading voice for trustworthy AI in the Global South.

Known for: Building digital capability throughout the UN

Sameer Chauhan brings over 20 years of experience across the public and private sectors, complemented by a strong academic foundation in computer engineering and computer science. As the Director of the International Computing Centre, Chauhan oversees strategy and operations, delivering digital solutions to nearly 90 client organisations.

Chauhan spearheads large-scale digital transformation across the UN system, enhancing capabilities in cybersecurity, data, AI, and automation, as well as critical business domains like treasury, finance, and HR. A frequent contributor to discussions on digital cooperation and the ethical dimensions of the information society, Chauhan plays a pivotal role in shaping the global dialogue on AI.

Known for: Championing AI literacy across industries

Mkhitar Hayrapetyan is the Minister of High-Tech Industry of the Republic of Armenia, where he plays a central role in shaping the country’s technology and innovation agenda. Previously, Hayrapetyan served as Executive Director of the My Step Foundation, an organisation dedicated to skills development. He has also worked closely across government, academia and the private sector to advance Armenia’s innovation ecosystem. As Minister, Hayrapetyan has co-ordinated efforts to establish a large-scale AI data centre in Armenia, as well as supporting a variety of other AI initiatives. He has been a vocal advocate for AI literacy, proposing mandatory AI education across schools and universities so that future professionals, whether they be lawyers, teachers, doctors or economists, can safely, critically and creatively use AI tools in their fields.

Known for: Championing data-driven and future-ready public sector innovation in Bahrain

Hamad Al Mahmeed is the Director General of the Office of the Prime Minister of Bahrain and one of the youngest senior officials in the Kingdom’s government. In his current role, he supports strategic coordination and policy delivery at the centre of government, operating within a national agenda focused on digital transformation, sustainability and the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence. Previously, he served as Undersecretary for Research and Strategic Studies and led Bahrain’s COVID-19 command and control centre, overseeing nationwide testing, treatment and vaccination efforts. He was also selected as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2022 and founded the Global Shapers Community in Bahrain, launching the Kingdom’s first national mentorship portal. His work reflects Bahrain’s wider public-sector commitment to leveraging AI and data-driven tools to strengthen institutional capacity, advance sustainable development and build a future-ready, inclusive digital economy.

Known for: Leading the development and application of government-led artificial intelligence solutions in Ethiopia

Dr Worku Gachena is the Director General of the Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute (EAII), the national institute established to advance artificial intelligence in Ethiopia. In his current role, he focuses on leading initiatives that integrate AI technologies across government and key sectors, while promoting collaboration to ensure global acceptance of Ethiopia’s AI products.EAII develops AI-driven solutions to meet government needs in sectors including healthcare, agriculture, education, finance, transport and security. Through its emphasis on research, talent development and partnerships with public and private actors, the institute supports Ethiopia’s digital transformation and the development of a knowledge-based economy.

Known for: Creating human-centred approaches to AI

Andreas Hartl steers Germany's policies towards a human-centred approach to AI. Prior to his current role, Hartl served as the Head of Division AI 1 (Artificial Intelligence, Data Economy, Blockchain) in the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. In this role, Hartl led the development and implementation of Germany's national AI and blockchain strategy. Hartl represents Germany in international AI and blockchain forums, including the OECD Blockchain Expert Policy Advisory Board and the European Blockchain Partnership. Hartl served as the chair of the OECD Working Party on Artificial Intelligence Governance (AIGO).

Hartl's work focuses on facilitating a data-driven economy in Germany, emphasising the importance of considering economic and digital policy aspects of artificial intelligence. Hartl plays a crucial role in shaping Germany's approach to AI governance and implementation in both the public and private sectors.

Known for: Expanding access to the benefits of AI

Christine Zhenwei Qiang is the Global Director of the Digital Transformation Unit at the World Bank. She leads a team supporting digital transformation in developing countries, helping design investments and programmes to improve digital connectivity and skills in these regions. Prior to her role as Director, Qiang held several positions within the World Bank Group including Practice Manager of multiple teams in the Finance, Competitiveness and Innovation Department (FCI) and Lead Economist at the Policy Division of the Global ICT Department.

Qiang has written extensively on AI, particularly the benefits it can bring to the developing world. She's also been a key voice in conversations around making AI accessible to all, discussing how AI can reshape the global economy and its impacts on labour markets.

Known for: Promoting the safe expansion of AI technologies

Eva Maydell is focused on promoting a safe expansion of AI technologies in the EU. Maydell is a Bulgarian politician and Member of the European Parliament (MEP) representing the European People’s Party (EPP). Since her election in 2014, she has been a leading advocate for technological innovation and digital transformation within the European Union. Maydell's significant contributions to AI are evident in her active involvement in shaping EU AI policies and regulations.

As the rapporteur for the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) on the EU AI Act, Maydell played a pivotal role in drafting and negotiating the landmark legislation. The AI Act aimed to establish a comprehensive legal framework for AI development and deployment across Europe, balancing innovation with ethical considerations and safety standards. Maydell emphasised a risk-based approach, ensuring that AI applications are assessed and regulated according to their potential impact on society.

Known for: Achieving AI equitable futures for developing nations

Keyzom Ngodup Massally is the Head of Digital and AI Programmes at the United Nations' lead digital development agency, the UN Development Programme, where she focuses on shaping digital public infrastructure and AI policy for developing nations. Massally advocates for building strong frameworks around trust and safety in AI, arguing that they are "foundational to developing healthy digital economies and achieving equitable AI futures."

Massally advocates for the use of open-source technologies to build digital public infrastructure, emphasising digital sovereignty and the importance of countries owning their source code to avoid vendor lock-in. Massally leads in global discussions on the impact of AI as well as digital transformation, with a particular focus on Africa.

Known for: Strategic vision for AI

Abdullah Alkhodairi is the Chief Strategy Officer at the Saudi Data and AI Authority, providing strategic leadership for Saudi Arabia as it seeks to implement AI into services. Alkhodairi started this role after eight years in strategy at Accenture.

The Saudi Data and AI Authority was established in 2019 with the intention of driving the national agenda for data and AI. They guide the execution and implementation of the AI strategy and supervise the implementation of related initiatives. As data and AI become more and more a part of daily life, Alkhodairi believes the percentage of objectives and programmes that AI contributes to needs to keep increasing.

Known for: Strategic leadership on AI

Dr Ott Velsberg is the Chief Data Officer of Estonia, driving the nation’s leadership in data governance, artificial intelligence and citizen-centric digital transformation. He leads initiatives to improve government services through intelligent data, analytics and AI while upholding principles like data privacy, the once-only principle and open data innovation.

Since 2019, Velsberg has spearheaded Estonia’s groundbreaking digital advancements, including Bürokratt, an AI-driven virtual assistant revolutionising bureaucratic processes. His strategic leadership has positioned Estonia as a global trendsetter in e-governance and digital government.

Velsberg also serves on various advisory boards, such as Statistics Estonia and the IT Academy AI and Machine Learning Board, contributing to the broader digital ecosystem. Recognised as a pioneer of human-centric governance, he advocates for using AI to enhance decision-making and deliver efficient, secure and responsive public services.

Known for: Leveraging AI for national resilience

Oleksandr Bornyakov is Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine. He oversees initiatives in artificial intelligence, e-residency, crypto-assets, and the development of Ukraine’s startup ecosystem. He was a key architect of Diia.City, a transformative tax&legal special regime for tech companies, and he has been instrumental in positioning Ukraine as a global digital innovation hub. Before his time in government, Bornyakov co-founded and managed several successful companies, including Adtelligent and Intersog. Amid Ukraine’s ongoing war, Oleksandr coordinates the activity of the state defense-tech cluster Brave1, a multi-agency initiative fostering technological innovation for defence. Bornyakov has an MBA from the University of New Brunswick and an MPA from Columbia University, giving him a broad perspective on business, technology, and government. His leadership has fostered greater public-private collaboration in Ukraine, to harness AI and digital technology for national resilience and growth.

Known for: Regional collaboration on AI

Golestan (Sally) Radwan is a computer scientist by training, and is currently the Chief Digital Officer for the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP). Before joining UNEP, Radwan served as an advisor tot he Egyptian Minister for ICT, a role in which she led the development of Egypt’s national AI strategy. This strategy stood out for its commitment to achieving development outcomes for Egypt.

In addition to her role in creating Egypt’s AI strategy, Radwan led two AI-related working groups in the African Union and League of Arab States intended to increase regional collaboration on responsible AI. She is also a member of the OECD AI Community, and speaks about the potential role of AI solving the “triple planetary crisis.”

Known for: Leadership in digital transformation and digital skills

As Chief Technology Officer of GovTech Singapore, Chang spearheads initiatives in emerging technologies and establishes technology standards to shape the nation’s digital future. He also serves on the Board of Directors for SkillsFuture SG, a statutory board under the Ministry of Education dedicated to advancing Singapore’s national SkillsFuture movement and promoting lifelong learning. Chang’s career spans pivotal roles in both the public and private sectors, including positions at Temasek, PayPal, HP, and Yahoo. A recognised leader in the AI field, he frequently speaks on topics such as coding with AI, its transformative impact on industries like taxation, and ensuring AI is harnessed for the public good. In his current role, Chang drives the development of digital products that enhance government operations and public services, leveraging technology to improve efficiency and outcomes across departments.

Known for: leading Hungary’s AI-first government strategy

László Palkovics is steering Hungary’s national artificial intelligence agenda and consolidating AI policy at the highest level of government. His current focus is on overseeing the implementation of Hungary’s AI framework and driving an AI-first approach across the public sector while safeguarding national sovereignty and responsible innovation. Previously, he served in senior ministerial roles, including as Minister for Innovation and Technology, where he shaped Hungary’s industrial, education and research policies. In 2025, Palkovics emerged as the country’s most influential AI policy figure, leading the newly established Hungarian Artificial Intelligence Council and overseeing the rollout of Act LXXV of 2025, Hungary’s AI implementation law. He has championed large-scale workforce readiness, including plans to prepare one million employees to work effectively with AI, while accelerating AI integration into universities and launching a sovereign cloud-based AI service for government use.

Known for: Authoring Côte d’Ivoire’s National AI Strategy 2030

Ibrahim Kalil Konaté is leading Côte d’Ivoire’s digital transition and positioning artificial intelligence as a pillar of national development policy. His current focus is on using AI and digital technologies to modernise public administration, expand access to services and drive inclusive economic growth. Earlier in his career, he held senior roles in government reform and digital policy, contributing to national programmes aimed at strengthening state capacity and digital infrastructure. Konaté has emerged as a central figure in Côte d’Ivoire’s AI agenda, overseeing the development of the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2030, approved in 2024. The strategy sets out a roadmap to build skills, invest in infrastructure, establish a national AI agency and deploy AI across sectors such as agriculture, health and public services, responding directly to gaps identified in global AI readiness assessments. Through this work, he is shaping how AI supports development outcomes in government.

Known for: authoring Uzbekistan’s first national AI strategy

Sherzod Shermatov is leading Uzbekistan’s digital transformation and technology strategy at the heart of national government. His current focus is on embedding artificial intelligence across public administration, regulation and service delivery to modernise how the state operates. Earlier in his career, he held senior roles across economic and ICT policy, overseeing major digital inclusion programmes and the consolidation of government services onto national digital platforms. Shermatov has emerged as a key architect of Uzbekistan’s AI strategy, overseeing the approval of the country’s first comprehensive Strategy for the Development of Artificial Intelligence in late 2024. The strategy sets out a clear roadmap to 2030, covering governance, skills, infrastructure and priority public-sector use cases, and provides a foundation for co-ordinated AI adoption across ministries. Through this work, he is shaping how AI is governed and deployed within Uzbekistan’s public sector.

Known for: Championing a purpose-driven and responsible approach to AI and digital transformation

Salima Bah is Sierra Leone’s Minister of Communication, Technology and Innovation. In her current role, she focuses on using digital tools, policy and innovation to modernise public services and support Sierra Leone’s national development goals. Previously, she served as a State Counsel and as Policy Lead at the Directorate of Science, Technology and Innovation, where she led major project portfolios and worked closely with technical teams across government and development partners. She has been central to Sierra Leone’s approach to AI in government, including leading a national AI Readiness Assessment in partnership with the World Bank. Through this work, she has championed an inclusive, ethical, and purpose-driven use of AI, aligned with national priorities and the development of a future National Artificial Intelligence Strategy.

Known for: Leading India’s national AI strategy

Abhishek Singh currently leads the IndiaAI Mission, the Government of India’s flagship AI programme. Previously, he served as CEO of iGOT Karmayogi and as an Executive Director at the Food Corporation of India. A senior Indian Administrative Service officer with over two decades of experience, Singh brings deep, practical knowledge of how government works.

Through the IndiaAI Mission, he is supporting the development of AI applications across agriculture, health, climate, and other public-interest areas by improving access to data, supporting start-ups, and expanding compute capacity. A key aim of this work is to strengthen public service delivery for the nearly 500 million Indians who remain offline. These efforts include tools that offer healthcare advice and help predict climate emergencies.

He is also advancing India’s engagement in global AI dialogue, including preparations for a major international AI convening to be held in New Delhi in 2026.

Known for: Shaping Canada's national AI strategy

The Honourable Evan Solomon is Canada’s first Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation, tasked with steering the country’s approach to AI adoption, governance and economic growth. Before entering government, Solomon spent more than two decades as a prominent Canadian journalist, earning a reputation as a trusted public voice across broadcast and digital media. As the first minister dedicated solely to AI, Solomon has moved quickly to position Canada as a global AI leader. This has included efforts such as spearheading the Canadian Sovereign AI Compute Strategy to strengthen domestic AI infrastructure and launching the AI Strategy Task Force, a 30-day sprint led by top researchers to improve the current national strategy.

Known for: Developing South Africa’s National Artificial Intelligence Policy

Dumisani (Diya) Sondlo is the AI Policy Lead serving in the Working Group on the Development of the National AI Policy at the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) in South Africa.

He has also been serving in South Africa’s 2025 G20 Digital Economy Working Group and in the Task Force on Artificial Intelligence, Data Governance and Innovation. Dumisani has the technical responsibility of ensuring the development of the country’s policy on Artificial Intelligence and for the indicators which measure the uptake of digital technologies.

Previously, he played key roles in the digitising of government services, supporting ICT small businesses and the execution of strategies for the development of high-level human capital. He has over 25 years of work experience in the ICT sector in South Africa, including the public and academic sectors.

Known for: Bringing an international lens to domestic AI policy

Martijn Lucassen is a Dutch civil servant currently serving as Director of the Digital Economy at the Ministry of Economic Affairs. He has been deeply involved in shaping national policy on artificial intelligence, the data economy and digital infrastructure, with a focus on keeping the Netherlands innovative, competitive and digitally resilient. Previously, Lucassen was a diplomat and EU advisor to the Prime Minister before joining the Ministry’s Digital Economy Directorate in 2020, bringing an international and strategic lens to domestic AI and digital policy. He also serves on the Strategic Advisory Board of the AI Coalition for the Netherlands (AIC4NL), helping steer nationally co-ordinated programmes for responsible and inclusive AI development.

Known for: Spearheading smart city initiatives

Manabu Miyasaka is Vice Governor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, where he has been a driving force behind the city’s push to modernise public administration and strengthen its startup ecosystem. In this role, he is advancing Tokyo’s AI and digital priorities to tackle labour shortages, improve day-to-day government operations and dramatically expand public–private collaboration. Before entering public office, Miyasaka was Chairman of Yahoo Japan. At the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Miyasaka has championed AI adoption through the development of a generative AI platform with GovTechTokyo. He also played a key role in shaping the Tokyo AI Strategy in 2025, signalling a shift from experimentation to systematic, city-wide use of AI in government.

Known for: Promoting innovation across the Philippines

As Secretary of the Philippines’ Department of Science and Technology, Solidum is responsible for leading the country’s unified national approach to artificial intelligence. For the previous four decades, Solidum has dedicated his time to public service through disaster risk reduction and research in hazard-prone areas. Under his leadership, the Philippines has launched its first cohesive national AI agenda, as well as committing to invest more than PHP2.6 billion in AI projects, spanning industries that range from healthcare and education to disaster risk reduction, and emerging technology platforms. Solidum has emphasised collaboration across government, academia and industry to ensure AI development is grounded in data sovereignty, ethics and real-world deployment. His work positions AI as a public good that will improve lives and expand opportunities for every Filipino.

Known for: Leading Côte d’Ivoire’s first national AI strategy

In her role as National AI & Digital Transformation Lead and Deputy Chief of Staff, Rockya Coulibaly Fofana is a central figure in shaping Côte d’Ivoire’s approach to artificial intelligence and digital transformation, leading the development of Côte d’Ivoire’s first National AI Strategy. Previously, she held roles as CISO-Founding Director of Cybersecurity and worked as an International Consultant for USAID and The World Bank for over 17 years. Those that nominated Fofana for the AI 100 list reported that her leadership has ensured delivery of a forward-looking, inclusive, and actionable roadmap for the country’s digital transformation, as well as leading on the design and execution of many AI use cases in areas like agricultural resilience and value-chain development.

Known for: Championing AI that is accessible, fair and beneficial for all

Ksenija Klampfer is Slovenia’s Minister of Digital Transformation, appointed in December 2024. She has been instrumental in advancing Slovenia’s artificial intelligence initiatives, including leading the development of a high-performance supercomputer integrated with an AI factory to enhance research and public sector efficiency. Klampfer represented Slovenia at the 2025 AI Action Summit in Paris, contributing to global AI governance discussions. Under her leadership, the country has prioritised secure, energy-efficient data infrastructure and the development of AI-driven public services.

Known for: Advancing South Korea’s long-term AI strategy

Ha Jung-woo is a South Korean computer scientist and AI leader, appointed in June 2025 as the country’s first Senior Presidential Secretary for AI Future Planning. He previously led Naver Cloud’s AI Innovation Center, where he oversaw the development of the large language model HyperCLOVA X and advanced the concept of “sovereign AI” to strengthen national autonomy in AI development. With a strong academic background and extensive research experience, Ha has been a prominent figure in Korea’s AI ecosystem. In his new role, he is responsible for shaping national AI policy, co-ordinating public and private sector efforts, and guiding investment, R&D, and regulation to position South Korea as a global AI leader.

Known for: Accelerating international co-operation in defence and security, science and technology, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence

Radosław Sikorski is Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs for Poland. In the latter role, he launched, together with Carl Bildt, the EU’s Eastern Partnership, and proposed and helped to establish the European Endowment for Democracy and the Solidarity Prize.

He previously held office as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2007–2014, was Minister of Defence from 2005–2007 and Speaker of the Sejm from 2014–2015. From 2019–2023, he was a Member of the European Parliament, sitting on the Special Committee on Artificial Intelligence in a Digital Age, the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Security and Defence Subcommittee.

Sikorski engages with the intersection of defence and artificial intelligence (AI) through policy-making, advocating for increased defence capabilities using advanced technology and emphasising the need for international co-operation in AI, defence and cybersecurity.

Known for: Innovating, architecting and scaling trusted AI systems across governments and institutions worldwide.

Abdulla Hamad Al-Misnad currently serves as Head of the Executive Office of H.E. the Prime Minister of the State of Qatar, in addition to his role as Chairman and Managing Director of Qai, Qatar’s national artificial intelligence company.

As Chairman and MD of Qai, Al-Misnad oversees the company’s vision to architect and scale trusted AI systems across governments and institutions worldwide.

Throughout his career, Al Misnad has held senior leadership roles across technology, finance, investment, and national infrastructure. He is currently the Chairman of Malomatia, Qatar’s national SI company and a Board Member of Qatar’s Research Development and Innovation Council. He has previously held positions as Vice Chairman of Qatar Science & Technology Park, Doha Venture Capital, Qatari Diar and various listed financial and real estate companies, where he contributed to flagship national projects including the development of Lusail City.

Known for: Advancing Singapore’s transformation into a Smart Nation and its trusted AI governance agenda

Josephine Teo is Singapore’s Minister for Digital Development and Information, leading national efforts in digital development, public communications, Smart Nation strategy, and cybersecurity. In her current role, she focuses on building an AI-ready society by accelerating digital adoption, strengthening cyber resilience, and advancing trusted digital governance. Previously, she served as Minister for Manpower (2018–2021) and held leadership roles across the Prime Minister’s Office and multiple ministries including Finance, Transport, Foreign Affairs, and Home Affairs, where she spearheaded major public sector transformation initiatives.

Teo has played a central role in shaping Singapore’s approach to AI in government, promoting responsible adoption through clear guidelines, secure infrastructure, and workforce capability-building. She has also championed practical governance tools and international co-operation on AI standards, including initiatives such as AI Verify and partnerships supporting safe cross-border data flows.

Known for: Shaping global AI policy

Bernardo Mariano plays a key role in shaping international policies for responsible AI use. He leads the UN's digital transformation efforts, integrating digital technologies and AI to enhance organisational efficiency and support Sustainable Development Goals. Before joining the UN, he was Chief Information Officer and Director for Digital Health and Innovation at the World Health Organization (WHO). Mariano is responsible for the security of UN data and digital assets. His work positions him at the forefront of applying AI and emerging technologies within governmental and international frameworks.

Known for: Known for advancing the responsible application of AI to climate change and wildfire monitoring

Maria João Sousa is a researcher and non-profit leader working at the intersection of artificial intelligence, robotics, and climate action. In her current roles, she focuses on advancing the use of machine learning to address climate change as Executive Director of Climate Change AI and as a PiTech Startup Postdoc at Cornell Tech. Previously, she completed a PhD in Mechanical Engineering at Instituto Superior Técnico, with research on cooperative aerial robotics and AI systems for wildfire detection and monitoring. She has contributed to AI-for-climate initiatives through international collaborations, including work with UN-led focus groups on AI for natural disaster management. Through her leadership at Climate Change AI, she supports and coordinates global efforts applying AI responsibly to climate mitigation, adaptation, and resilience.

Known for: Accelerating AI adoption

Since 2024, Clara Chappaz has served as France's first Secretary of State for AI and Digital Technologies, helping to establish the country as a leader in the industry. She previously led the government’s start-up initiative, La French Tech, which supports innovative tech start-ups in line with government priorities. Chappaz champions an ethical and inclusive vision for AI, grounded in international cooperation. She has helped accelerate AI adoption across key sectors like healthcare, education, and business productivity. She has also participated in international talks and roundtables on AI openness and safety, AI and the environment, and women in AI.

Known for: Expanding AI’s reach in government

Michael Kratsios is dedicated to promoting AI training and investment across sectors. He is Managing Director of Scale AI. As the fourth Chief Technology Officer of the United States and an Under Secretary of Defence for Research and Engineering, Kratsios played a pivotal role in advancing the nation’s leadership in emerging technologies, especially AI. During his tenure in the Trump administration, he was instrumental in developing and implementing the American AI Initiative, a national strategy aimed at maintaining U.S. leadership in AI research and development. Under his leadership, the U.S. launched AI centres of excellence across federal agencies to harness AI for public sector transformation.

Known for: Aligning AI development with the UN Sustainable Development Goals

Based in Mexico, Enrique Zapata heads digital transformation at the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF). His work includes promoting artificial intelligence that is inclusive, ethical, and aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. “Artificial intelligence requires a long-term vision that transcends the political and focuses on its impact for humanity,” says Zapata. Formerly the General Director of Open Data in the Presidency of the Republic of Mexico, Zapata has championed the use of data and AI to drive initiatives in anti-corruption, procurement, economic development, natural disasters, and health.

Known for: Integrating AI into cybersecurity strategies

Ollie Whitehouse serves as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), maintaining its role as the National Technical Authority for cyber security. In this capacity, he oversees the NCSC's technical strategy, addressing emerging challenges such as AI-related threats and opportunities. With over 27 years in applied cyber-attack and defence, Whitehouse has held senior roles in the private sector, including Group CTO at NCC Group, and research positions at BlackBerry and Symantec. At the NCSC, he bridges government and industry perspectives on AI and cyber security, influencing national policy and technical developments in this critical domain.

__Known for: Leading the UK’s first regional approach to AI __

Tiffany St James is the Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer for the Liverpool City Region and the UK’s first regional Chief AI Officer. In her role, she leads a dedicated AI taskforce with the aim of positioning the city region as a global leader in AI for Good, using artificial intelligence to improve public services, support communities and drive inclusive economic growth. A veteran digital strategist, she has advised governments and major technology companies and has served on the Global AI Council. Previously, she was the UK government’s first Head of Public Participation, a co-founder of Transmute, and a contributor to DATA.GOV.UK alongside Tim Berners-Lee. She has also supported digital and innovation initiatives at organisations including the BBC, Channel 4 and Google, with her appointment recognised as a milestone in local government leadership in the UK’s AI revolution.

Known for: Promoting responsible digitalisation in Poland

Pamela Krzypkowska is the Director of the Research and Innovation Department at Poland’s Ministry of Digital Affairs, where she leads the country’s responsible digitalisation strategy in the era of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. Her leadership includes initiatives to integrate AI across sectors, aiming to enhance public services and promote technological innovation. Prior to this, Krzypkowska served as an AI Cloud Solution Architect at Microsoft and contributed to national AI policies as a member of the Ethics and Cybersecurity division of the AI Working Group at the Chancellery of the Prime Minister.

Known for: Driving AI-powered public service transformation

Jaanika Merilo leads Estonia’s eHealth strategy as Head of Digital Health and Care at the Ministry of Social Affairs, focusing on AI-driven innovation in public services and personalised healthcare solutions. Since 2019, she has also advised Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for Digital Transformation, contributing to the country’s e-government initiatives. Her leadership has extended to roles as Deputy Mayor of Dnipro and advisor to Lviv’s Mayor, overseeing transformative digital projects. Merilo’s AI work includes aligning Estonian legislation with EU standards and advancing AI applications in healthcare and public services. Recognised for her leadership in digital transformation, she bridges technology and governance, positioning Estonia and Ukraine as leaders in AI-driven innovation.

Known for: Advancing digital inclusion and AI-powered innovation

Cina Lawson is Togo’s Minister of Digital Economy and Transformation, driving national digital innovation and inclusion efforts. Her initiatives focus on expanding internet access, integrating ICT into education, and leveraging AI to enhance public services and financial inclusion.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Lawson spearheaded NOVISI, an AI-powered digital cash transfer system that supported over 920,000 vulnerable individuals. She has also led efforts to use AI in regulatory reforms, streamlining governance and public service delivery.

Previously, Lawson worked at the World Bank, Alcatel-Lucent, and Orange Group, specialising in regulatory reform and business strategy. Her leadership has positioned Togo as a regional leader in AI-driven innovation and governance.

Known for: Digitising public services through AI

Mirlinda Karçanaj is the Director General of Albania’s National Agency for Information Society (NAIS), where she oversees digital transformation and e-government innovation. Under her leadership, 95% of public services are now accessible online through the e-Albania portal, a milestone recognised in the UN’s e-Government Development Index. Karçanaj is advancing AI adoption to improve public services and accelerate Albania’s EU integration. Projects under her leadership include the e-Albania Virtual Assistant, which has handled over 800,000 queries, and tools for aligning national laws with EU legislation.

Known for: Embedding AI in defence operations

Commodore Rachel Singleton MBE leads the Defence Artificial Intelligence Centre (DAIC) at the UK’s Ministry of Defence, driving the adoption of AI in defence operations. Her work includes establishing tools, platforms, and frameworks to support responsible AI use while sponsoring innovation projects to address critical challenges. Since joining the Royal Navy in 2002, Singleton has served in diverse roles, including deployments on HMS Ark Royal and HMS Illustrious, and leading AI initiatives in Washington, D.C. She also oversaw the Naval Strike Network programme, contributing to AI’s integration into defence systems.

Known for: Leading Singapore’s national AI strategy

Dr He Ruimin is Singapore’s Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer and Deputy Chief Digital Technology Officer, guiding the implementation of the country’s national AI strategy and fostering an AI-ready culture across public service and society. He is also a member of the United Nations High-Level Advisory Body on AI. With a background in economics and engineering from MIT, Ruimin has held roles in the public, private, and academic sectors, including Chief Advisor at Grab and CEO of Entend.ai. His work balances innovation with security, advancing human-centred AI to ensure its benefits are widely distributed.

Known for: Championing AI training and ethical implementation

Minister Meutya Hafid has emerged as a trailblazer in driving Indonesia's artificial intelligence (AI) revolution, blending visionary leadership with actionable policies. Under her guidance, the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs forged a groundbreaking partnership with Microsoft through the ElevAIte Indonesia program, aiming to train one million citizens in AI skills by 2025 with a historic Rp27.6 trillion investment. She has also championed ethical AI implementation by aligning national policies with UNESCO standards, ensuring technological progress is responsible and inclusive. Her commitment to empowering Indonesia's workforce and fostering global collaboration positions her as a leader who is not only advancing AI innovation but also shaping a sustainable, human-centric digital future. Minister Hafid’s efforts are laying the groundwork for Indonesia to become a regional powerhouse in AI and digital transformation.

Known for: Driving Japan’s digital transformation and championing the practical use of AI in government

Masaaki Taira is a Japanese politician and a member of the House of Representatives, currently serving as Minister for Digital Transformation. In his current role, he focuses on advancing digital government, administrative reform and the modernisation of public services. Earlier in his career, he built his political path on extensive private-sector experience managing small and medium-sized enterprises, and later served as Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry as well as in the Cabinet Office. He has promoted the use of AI to support government work, including administrative support AI to assist with tasks such as document preparation and screening. He has also backed pilot projects and cross-government collaboration to use AI safely and effectively, with the aim of improving efficiency and reducing the burden on public servants.

Known for: Ensuring AI policies are underpinned by strong digital infrastructure

Leontina Sandu leads the EU's efforts on interoperability regulation, a cornerstone for enabling the replication of AI services across member states. Currently serving as Head of Interoperability for the European Commission, she previously held influential roles, including Head of Unit for the Directorate-General for Competition at the European Commission. With a background in information technology and financial economics, Sandu began her career as a software engineer at IXIA, a private software company. Her leadership in interoperability aims to advance technology adoption, with a vision to “make interoperability part of every digital matter at the European Commission.” She envisions an interoperable Europe where data flows seamlessly, providing citizens and businesses with user-centric digital services at their fingertips.

Known for: Shaping Europe’s AI regulatory and innovation landscape

Lucilla Sioli leads the European Commission's efforts in AI and digital industry as Director within the Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content, and Technology (DG CONNECT). She is responsible for implementing strategic policies, including the AI Act and the Chips Act, which are shaping the European Union’s approach to AI and semiconductor innovation. With nearly 25 years of service at the European Commission, Sioli has played a pivotal role in advancing Europe’s digital strategy and development. Her work has covered research, development, and innovation in microelectronics, photonics, robotics, and artificial intelligence. In June 2024, she was appointed to head the EU AI Office, overseeing the regulation of AI systems across the Union and ensuring compliance with the landmark AI Act.

Known for: Championing AI-driven digital transformation in government

Eliud Owalo is the Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of performance and delivery management in the Executive Office of the President of Kenya. From 2022 to 2024, he served as Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communication, and Digital Economy, where he played a key role in Kenya’s National Digital Master Plan (2022–2032). Owalo has been a highly influential leader in Kenya’s digital transformation, including the development of the AI sector, which is now worth $240 million to the national economy. During his tenure as ICT minister, he oversaw the digitalisation of over 17,000 government services. Before his time in government, Owalo was a management consultant and director of the National School of Government. He is an advocate for AI adoption in the public sector, particularly in health service delivery and education.

Known for: Pioneering digital and AI-enabled public services at national scale under crisis conditions

Mykhailo Fedorov is Ukraine’s recently appointed Minister of Defense and is widely recognised for building one of the world’s most advanced digital states under wartime conditions. In his previous role as Minister of Digital Transformation, he was a driving force behind embedding artificial intelligence into public services, with the ambition of turning Ukraine into an ‘agentic state’. Previously, Fedorov built a career in entrepreneurship before transitioning into government, becoming the youngest minister in Ukraine’s history. One of his most significant achievements has been the launch of Diia, a mobile app and digital portal that now provides citizens with digital IDs and access to more than 140 government services. Under Fedorov’s leadership, AI is now deeply embedded in how many ministries operate. For example, in the Ministry of Digital Transformation over 70% of documents are analysed by AI to improve service design and delivery. He is also leading the development of an AI assistant for the Diia platform to improve services further.

Known for: Accelerating responsible AI adoption in city government

Andrew Ngui is an MIT-trained innovation leader and Chief Digital Officer for the City of Kansas City. In his current role, he is delivering a citywide Data and Responsible AI Strategy that turns governance into day-to-day operational change across departments. Previously, Ngui worked in innovation roles supporting businesses and startups to accelerate, scale and grow. Those that nominated Ngui for the AI 100 list have praised the way he’s embedded responsible AI governance by integrating Kansas City’s AI policies into the city’s administrative regulation, creating a governance framework that enables a portfolio of high-impact pilots. This has included multilingual VoiceAI for the BizCare programme, an AI-enabled permit streaming system, HR support agents and a disaster management initiative. His influence also extends nationally through his service as a member of the GovAI Coalition, where he facilitates cross-agency working groups that deliver collective assets, such as a 26,000-word government-specific AI translation glossary.

Known for: Spearheading the development of the Army AI Integration Center

Dr. Douglas Matty served the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer for the U.S. Department of Defence, leading efforts to integrate AI and data analytics across the department. He previously founded the U.S. Army Artificial Intelligence Integration Center and directed Army AI capabilities. Dr. Matty has a distinguished military and academic career, including advanced degrees from West Point, the U.S. Army War College, and MIT. During his time as Chief Digital and AI Officer, he lead the acceleration of Department of Defence’s adoption of data, analytics and AI to generate decision advantage.

Known for: Leading practical, ethical AI adoption within a core economic ministry

Helen Barnett serves as Business Relationship Manager at the UK HM Treasury. Through this role, she has been recognised for her leadership in driving innovation and collaboration throughout the ministry, bringing together colleagues from across professions to explore the transformative potential of digital and AI tools. Barnett is an IT specialist, with a background working for companies such as British Airways and IBM. Those that nominated Barnett for the AI 100 list report she played a crucial role in leading the HM Treasury Copilot trial, including rolling out and driving adoption, exploring ethics, administrative boundaries and developing the future plan. In 2025, she was also recognised in the Top BRM awards for the key role she played in conceiving HM’s Treasury’s first Innovation Day.

Known for: Advancing AI use across Buenos Aires’ Public Prosecutor’s Office

In his current role as Secretary of Innovation and Digital Experience, Patricio Moyano Peña oversees a 175-person team focused on redesigning the justice service through people-centred innovation, responsible technology adoption and improved digital experiences. Previously, Peña served for eight years as Head of the Public Ministry 2050 Innovation Programme and has worked as a Professor of Computer Science and Public Security. In recent years, he has guided a progressive AI agenda that culminated in Resolution PG No. 1475/25, establishing an ethical and regulatory framework for the responsible adoption of Generative AI within the Public Prosecutor’s Office. Under this framework, he led the development of ‘ChatIA’, a secure in-house generative AI platform for prosecutors and public defenders. He also supported a landmark agreement with Microsoft to build AI and digital skills within the judicial system.

Known for: Leading Australia’s National AI Plan

In his role as Australia’s Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, Tim Ayres has become a key figure in shaping the nation’s artificial intelligence strategy. He argues that Australia has “no alternative” but to embrace AI, driving policies that build local capability, attract digital infrastructure investment and integrate AI across the economy. Prior to this, Ayres has served as Assistant Minister for Manufacturing and Trade, as well as NSW State Secretary for the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union. His current focus is on placing AI at the heart of Australia’s economic and industrial transformation, while ensuring risks are minimised through initiatives like the newly established AI Safety Institute.

Known for: Shaping Egypt’s national AI readiness

Amr Talaat has been a leading figure in Egypt’s adoption of AI, overseeing the rollout of several nationwide AI initiatives, reports and strategies. One example is his involvement in the launch of Egypt’s EU-funded AI Readiness Report, which analyses the country’s legal, policy, institutional and technical landscape, identifying both gaps and opportunities to develop AI in a responsible, human-centred way. Prior to his role as Minister, he led IBM Egypt’s expansion, creating job opportunities and establishing centres of excellence for digital service exports. In his current role, Talaat has been deeply involved in helping Egypt set up the regulatory frameworks, institutional structures and capacity building capabilities it needs to take full advantage of AI.

Known for: Strengthening Ghana’s participation in the global AI and digital ecosystem

Hon. Samuel Nartey George is driving Ghana’s ambitious plan to become Africa’s AI hub by 2028. Previously, George worked in Ghana’s Civil Service and served as a Communications Specialist at the Presidency, as well as on the Governing Board of the National Information Technology Agency. As minister, George has championed large-scale AI adoption across the public sector while actively welcoming investment in AI infrastructure, data centres and big-data-driven innovation. He has also positioned Ghana as a regional convener, promoting “technology diplomacy” with other African countries and advancing responsible data governance frameworks.

Known for: setting the benchmark for responsible AI governance in local government

Bianca is the Chief Information Officer for the City of Scottsdale, Arizona, the U.S. #1-ranked digital city. In her current role, she leads an ambitious digital and data agenda, with a strong emphasis on secure, ethical and high-impact use of artificial intelligence across municipal services. Previously, she served as Assistant CIO for the City of Phoenix and as CIO for two public school districts, where she delivered complex transformation programmes spanning cybersecurity, cloud adoption and enterprise modernisation. In Scottsdale, she has championed the creation of a formal AI Governance Council and decision framework, setting a clear standard for responsible AI adoption at city level. She has also driven the use of AI-enabled automation to improve service efficiency, transparency and resident trust, while actively shaping national conversations on AI in local government through peer networks and public leadership.

Known for: Driving Kazakhstan’s national artificial intelligence and digital development agenda through government leadership

Zhaslan Madiyev is the Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan. In this current role, he leads national policy on artificial intelligence and digital development, with responsibility for advancing large-scale digitalisation and AI adoption across the economy. From 2020 to 2022, he served as Deputy Chairman of the Agency for Strategic Planning and Reforms, and later as Kazakhstan’s Minister of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry. During this role, he led the creation of the International Artificial Intelligence Centre (alem.ai), envisioned as a central hub for AI research, startups and international collaboration, with the aim of boosting AI-driven exports to $5 billion by 2029 and positioning Astana as the intellectual capital of Central Asia.

Known for: Driving Ukraine’s digital transformation and global innovation strategy through the Diia ecosystem, international partnerships, and EU integration

Valeriya Ionan is an Adviser to the First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine — Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine on innovation, digitalization, and global partnerships. As former Deputy Minister, she led the creation of products within the Diia ecosystem, spearheaded key national projects such as Diia.Business and Diia.Education, and coordinated areas of EU integration, international partnership relations, and regional digital transformation. Valeriya is the visionary behind Ukraine’s Global Innovation Strategy, part of the World Economic Forum’s C4IR Network. Recognized among the most promising future leaders by Mastercard Legacy, EYL40, Vogue Leaders, and UP100, Valeriya is also an ISF Fellow and was recently named to Sifted’s “100 Women in Tech in Europe 2025.

Known for: Driving ground-breaking research on deep learning and AI

Dr Fei-Fei Li’s work within AI sits at the crux of academia and policymaking. Dr Fei-Fei Li is the inaugural Sequoia Professor in the Computer Science Department at Stanford University and Co-Director of Stanford’s Human-Centered AI Institute. Dr Li is dedicated to making strides within policymaking and has served as a special advisor to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, a member of the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource Task Force (NAIRR) for the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), the National Science Foundation (NSF) in 2021–2022, and more.

Dr Li’s current research focuses on cognitively inspired AI, machine learning, deep learning, computer vision, robotic learning, and AI+healthcare, especially ambient intelligent systems for healthcare delivery. In addition to inventing ImageNet and the ImageNet Challenge, a critical large-scale dataset and benchmarking effort that has contributed to the latest developments in deep learning and AI, Dr Li advocates for diversity in STEM and AI.

Known for: Democratising AI technology

Ashwini Vaishnaw is focused on democratising AI technology in India. Vaishnaw serves as the Minister for Railways, Communications, and Electronics & Information Technology, leading India’s efforts in growing AI technologies. Vaishnaw has championed AI-driven solutions for efficient governance, fostering collaboration between tech companies and government agencies to build a robust AI ecosystem. Under his leadership, India launched its 5G services, laying the groundwork for AI innovation across industries.

Vaishnaw’s vision includes establishing India as a global AI powerhouse, with strategic investments in AI research and domestic semiconductor manufacturing to support future technologies. His commitment to AI and tech-driven governance is reshaping India’s digital landscape, positioning the country for global leadership in innovation.

Known for: Promoting AI's applications at municipal level

Vinnova is Sweden’s state innovation agency, and Fredrik Weisner is the Strategic Lead for Digital Transformation. In this role, he oversees initiatives to promote AI adoption, including a joint initiative focused on "AI in Municipalities and Civil Society," launched in August 2024. Weisner advocates for increased AI engagement by Sweden's municipalities, emphasising the importance of information sharing and collaborative learning to address common challenges. He provides expert insights on Sweden's AI development, participating in discussions about national AI strategy. Vinnova has said they are looking to focus on AI's role in meeting the climate challenge, AI solutions for the Swedish language, and the use of AI for increased gender equality.

Known for: Driving Rwanda's tech transformation

Paula Ingabire is Rwanda's Minister of ICT and Innovation, leading the country's digital transformation and technological advancement. In this role, she spearheads initiatives to position Rwanda as a regional tech hub, including the development of policies for innovation and sustainability, such as e-waste management. Prior to her ministerial appointment in October 2018, Ingabire served as Head of the ICT Business Development Department at the Rwanda Development Board and coordinated the Kigali Innovation City Project, contributing to the implementation of national ICT programs. An alumna of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's System Design and Management program, she fosters partnerships to advance Rwanda's development as a knowledge-based economy.

Known for: Enabling the exchange of AI knowledge

Karine Perset leads the AI Unit at the OECD Division for Digital Economy Policy, where she oversees the OECD.AI Policy Observatory and the OECD.AI Network of Experts. Her work focuses on the opportunities and challenges AI presents for governments, policies to implement the OECD AI Principles, and emerging trends in AI.

The OECD.AI Policy Observatory serves as a vital resource for governments, enabling the sharing of information on AI policy and strategy worldwide. It also features case studies on AI applications, making it an essential tool for policymakers navigating AI's complexities. Previously, Perset served as an advisor to ICANN’s Governmental Advisory Committee and as Counsellor to the OECD’s Science, Technology and Industry Directorate.

Known for: Bridging skills gaps in technology

Dr Bosun Tijani is the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy for Nigeria, dedicated to bridging the country’s technology skills gap and achieving 70% digital literacy by 2027 through initiatives like the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme.

A pioneer in Africa’s start-up ecosystem, Dr Tijani co-founded Co-Creation Hub (CcHUB) in 2010, fostering innovation and driving the growth of tech start-ups across the continent. Under his leadership, CcHUB expanded its presence to Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, and Namibia, catalysing the transformation of Nigeria’s Yaba into a hub of technological excellence.

In the AI space, Dr Tijani co-launched the AI Collective in 2024, a community focused on knowledge generation, training, funding start-ups, and documenting AI practices in Africa. He also serves as Co-Chair of the Digital Innovation Board and sits on the Board of Trustees for UNITAR.

Dr Tijani is recognised for championing innovation-driven development and scaling technology for societal impact.

Known for: Collaborative AI innovation and policy leadership

Nathanaël Ackerman is a leader in artificial intelligence and innovation policy. He currently serves as the Chief Evangelist Officer of AI4Belgium, a coalition dedicated to positioning Belgium as a leader in responsible AI development and adoption. He also has an AI advisory role at the Belgian Federal Public Service Policy and Support.

Ackerman’s leadership of AI4Belgium has been highly influential. The grassroots initiative fosters collaboration among academia, industry, and government. There are now over 500 members, and their policy advice helped shape Belgium's National Convergence Plan for AI. He has also served as Belgium’s delegate to international organisations such as UNESCO and OECD, contributing to global discussions on AI ethics and policy.

His experience includes roles such as Director for Innovation at the Brussels Enterprise Agency and advisor for innovation and AI for the French government in 2016, where he led the development of France’s first strategic plan for AI.

Known for: Developing Brazil's public sector AI laboratory

Patrícia Baldez Américo Minervino is the General Coordinator of Government Transformation Services at Brazil's National School of Public Administration (ENAP), where she leads the development of the Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, aiming to design and accelerate AI solutions for complex public sector challenges.

In this role, she oversees initiatives to integrate AI technologies across various government sectors, enhancing public services and promoting digital innovation. Before joining ENAP, Minervino served as a Superintendent in Acre and as Coordinator of Institutional Development and Strategy at the Brazilian Intelligence Agency (ABIN), where she practised constructing prospective scenarios to support high-level decision-making. Her combined expertise in intelligence and public administration positions her as a key figure in advancing AI-driven transformation within the Brazilian government.

Known for: Cross-sector collaboration for AI innovation

As Head of the National Programme for AI Infrastructure, Katzir oversees the comprehensive management of AI infrastructure in Israel. Before joining the Israeli government, he held multiple technological management positions at Verint Systems, a CX automation company, culminating in his role as Chief Technology Officer of the Cyber Intelligence Division.

Katzir holds a PhD in Information Systems Engineering from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and serves as a member of the OECD’s Expert Group on AI Futures. In his current role, he facilitates cross-sector collaboration in the AI space, bringing together experts, economists, CEOs, and government representatives to strategise and plan for the future of AI in Israel.

Known for: Driving the UAE towards being the world’s first AI-native government by 2027

His Excellency Ahmed Tamim Hisham Al Kuttab is a Member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and the Chairman of the Department of Government Enablement. He spearheads strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of government operations across the emirate, driving government digitisation and managing data and AI initiatives.

He sits on the boards of the Advanced Technology Research Council, the Emirates Development Bank and Khalifa University, and has previously held several positions within the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company.

As Chairman of the Department of Government Enablement, Al Kuttab oversaw the delivery in 2025 of AI-powered app TAMM, which has resolved more than 95% of its service requests through conversational AI, as well as the launch of TAMM AutoGov, the world’s first AI public servant.

Known for: Ensuring that innovation contributes to both personal well-being and social progress

Alejandra Lagunes is a leader in technology, digital communication, public policy, regulation, and well-being.

Currently, she is the Leader of the National Artificial Intelligence Alliance (ANIA), a multi stakeholder platform working on public policy, regulation and governance proposals as well as education, capacity building and skill development; documentation of use cases, and awareness for the ethical development and use of technology.

Lagunes has served as the Coordinator of Mexico’s National Digital Strategy (2012-2018) and as a Senator of Mexico (2018-2024), driving public policies and regulation on artificial intelligence, digital inclusion, environment and climate change, mental health, and human rights. In 2018, she led the drafting of the National AI Strategy, an early public policy framework to develop and adopt artificial intelligence nationwide.

Known for: Using AI to strengthen public health outcomes at scale

Travis Hoppe is Acting Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), where he leads efforts to embed AI across public health operations, data strategy and innovation. Previously, Hoppe served as a Data Scientist at the National Institute of Health before becoming the White House Assistant Director of AI Research and Development at OSTP. At the CDC, Hoppe is overseeing several high-impact AI initiatives, including an enterprise generative AI chatbot delivering more than $3.5 million in savings, AI-driven outbreak detection, and enhanced foodborne illness tracking. His work also champions AI as a public good, pairing scaled deployment with strong governance practices.

Known for: AI stewardship in the public sector

Laman Ibrahimova heads up the newly established ASAN AI Hub, leading the digital platform’s efforts to bring together government, business, and academia on a unified digital platform to promote artificial intelligence (AI) innovation in Azerbaijan. In parallel, Laman serves as Advisor to the Director of Innovations Center, operating under the State Agency for Public Service and Social Innovations under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. She has previously conducted independent research into Responsible AI Stewardship in the Public Sector through the University of Sheffield and the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford.

Under her leadership, the ASAN AI Hub is fostering open AI innovation by openly posting technical challenges on the platform, enabling users to submit solutions and compete for prize funds. Through this work, Ibrahimova is positioning ASAN AI Hub as a catalyst for responsible, collaborative AI innovation that connects public-sector challenges with diverse expertise across society.

Known for: Advancing rigorous, government-facing research on AI safety

Bio: Geoffrey Irving is Chief Scientist at the UK AI Security Institute (AISI). Irving has worked on AI and machine learning for 10 years, including leading the Reflection Team at OpenAI and the Scalable Alignment Team at Google’s DeepMind. He also led on neural network theorem proving at Google Brain, co-founded Eddy Systems to autocorrect code as you type, and computational physics and geometry at Otherlab, D. E. Shaw Research, Pixar, and Weta Digital. In his current role, Irving leads research for the UK government to assess and demonstrate how increasingly powerful AI systems can be developed and deployed safely without losing human control.

Known for: Driving the implementation of AI-enabled technologies to improve access to public benefits

Cassandra Madison is Executive Director of the Center for Civic Futures, a nonpartisan, non-profit organisation equipping government leaders with the knowledge to make thoughtful decisions about where and how to deploy AI to address their most pressing service deliveries.

Previously, she served as Vice President of Partnerships at Tech Talent Project, helping government leaders build their capacity to leverage emerging tech, including AI, safely and effectively.

At the Center for Civic Futures, Madison has helped build a network that now spans 40 states, supporting leaders through convenings, working sessions, and one-on-one support. She has also mobilised significant philanthropic investment through its $20-million Public Benefit Innovation Fund, recently awarding $8.5 million across eight projects to improve public benefits programmes and expand practical AI pilots across states, while continuing to invest in community building, and support.

Known for: Application of advanced vision and language AI research to real-world domains

Professor João Magalhães is a professor and researcher whose research interests cover the different problems of vision and language AI algorithms and applications. He is passionate about the generalisation of his research to different real-world domains.

Magalhães is a full professor at NOVA School of Science and Technology, and National Co-director of the Carnegie Mellon Portugal Programme. He holds a Ph.D. degree in Computer Science from Imperial College London.

As Coordinator of the Multimodal Systems Area at NOVA Laboratory for Computer Science and Informatics, he is delivering the government-backed Amália, the first large language model developed with a focus on European Portuguese. The base version was successfully delivered in September 2025, with the final version to be completed in summer 2026. The project is part of Portugal’s National Artificial Intelligence Agenda.

Known for: Applied AI R&D to solve national challenges, privacy-preserved data mining

Professor See-Kiong Ng is a Singapore-based research and technology leader specialising in artificial intelligence, data science, NLP, smart cities, and privacy-preserving analytics. As Director of AI Technology at AI Singapore, he oversees multi-million-dollar national applied AI R&D programmes, promoting innovative solutions for high-impact national challenges.

He is also Professor of Practice in Computer Science and Director of Translational Research at the National University of Singapore, advancing data science capabilities that support Singapore’s Smart Nation agenda.

Previously, he was Programme Director of ASTAR’s Urban Systems Initiative and founding head of the Data Analytics Department at ASTAR’s Institute for Infocomm Research, building one of Singapore’s leading applied data mining teams.

Ng has helped shape Singapore’s AI-in-government ecosystem through research partnerships with public agencies and delivering AI solutions at national scale. He is also advancing trusted AI through collaborative learning approaches that strengthen security, auditability and privacy.

Known for: Pioneering generative AI pilots in state government

Harrison MacRae is a public-sector technology leader specialising in the adoption and governance of emerging digital tools within state government. In his current role as Director of Emerging Technology for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, he focuses on advancing responsible and practical applications of artificial intelligence to improve government efficiency and service delivery. Previously, MacRae has supported digital transformation and innovation across government, helping teams adopt modern data practices and user-centred design. In Pennsylvania, he has led first-in-the-nation efforts to pilot generative AI, including a statewide ChatGPT Enterprise experiment involving 175 employees that informed real use cases such as strategic communications, document summarisation and streamlining routine tasks, and shaped broader AI governance and training approaches. He also contributes to public-sector learning by sharing lessons on how government teams can responsibly pilot, evaluate and scale AI tools.

Leonardo Quattrucci is a Senior Advisor to Apolitical and an Adjunct Professor of Innovation Management at Sciences Po. He has over a decade of building experience across technology and public policy: from the European Commission's Presidential advisory service to the AWS Quantum Technologies team. His work has been recognised by the World Economic Forum, Forbes Magazine, and Schmidt Futures, among others. He has a Master of Public Policy from the University of Oxford.

Gulsanna Mamediieva is a Fellow at the Better Government Lab and an Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy. She also advises the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine and is the Vice President of Digitality GovTech Centre of Excellence. From 2019 to 2023, she was Director General at the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine. In this role, Gulsanna input on the implementation of the Diaa ecosystem, and played a crucial role in aligning Ukraine's digital regulations with European standards. She holds a Master’s degree in Information Technology Law from the University of Tartu and is a Fisher Family Fellow at Stanford University.

Dr Preet Deep Singh is a Vice President at Apna.Co. Before, he was Vice President of Artificial Intelligence Adoption at Invest India, a body under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry for the Government of India. In his government role, Singh focused on increasing AI adoption in government to drive efficiencies and attract investment. He has been actively involved in promoting the use of AI in public policy. Singh has trained over 8,000 central government officers in using generative AI and has worked with policymakers to highlight the potential impact of AI. His efforts aim to bridge the gap between AI innovation and practical application in public sector decision-making and governance.