Nell Watson
AI ethics pioneer Nell Watson empowers organizations to navigate AI’s risks and opportunities, building trust, safety, and competitive advantage in an era of intelligent systems.
Why book Nell Watson for your next event
- Advisor to the United Nations, European Parliament, and top international policy bodies, Nell Watson has played a pivotal role in shaping the global conversation on AI ethics and safety. Her counsel helps world leaders, defense organizations, and multinational corporations design trustworthy AI strategies that balance innovation with responsibility, ensuring technological progress benefits humanity.
- Creator and pioneer of the revolutionary discipline of Machine Psychology, Nell developed a new framework for understanding the cognitive and emotional pathologies of AI systems. Her research equips organizations with advanced tools to detect, predict, and prevent harmful AI behaviors, protecting operational stability, safeguarding brand reputation, and avoiding costly crises before they arise.
- Acclaimed author of Taming the Machine, a definitive guide to ethical AI design and governance, Nell distills complex technical and moral challenges into practical, actionable strategies for leaders. Her work has become a trusted reference for executives, policymakers, and technologists seeking to innovate responsibly while staying ahead of regulatory and reputational risks.
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Shaping the Future of Ethical Artificial Intelligence
A globally recognized AI ethics pioneer, this keynote speaker empowers leaders to navigate the complexities of intelligent systems with confidence. Drawing on experience advising the UN, EU, and global industry, she delivers actionable strategies to govern AI responsibly, mitigate emerging risks, and unlock innovation.
Keynote Speaker Nell Watson is a globally recognized authority in AI ethics, safety, and governance. Renowned for her visionary thinking and practical frameworks, she equips leaders with the tools to navigate the opportunities and risks of intelligent systems. Drawing on a unique background in engineering, philosophy, and education, Nell has spent over a decade advising the UN, EU Parliament, militaries, and Fortune 500 companies on shaping responsible, human‑aligned AI strategies.
As the originator of Machine Psychology, Nell has pioneered groundbreaking methods for predicting and preventing harmful AI behaviors, insights that are critical for organizations seeking to innovate without compromising trust or compliace. She is also the acclaimed author of Taming the Machine, a leading reference on aligning AI with ethical principles, and her upcoming book Safer Agentic AI advances this work even further.
When you book Nell Watson for your event, you gain more than an inspiring keynote, you gain actionable guidance that transforms uncertainty into opportunity. Her keynotes blend cutting‑edge research with real‑world case studies, empowering executives to make informed, strategic decisions about AI adoption.
Whether your organization is exploring AI implementation, facing governance challenges, or seeking to future‑proof against emerging risks, Keynote Speaker Nell Watson delivers clarity, confidence, and a roadmap for success in the age of intelligent systems.
Keynotes
Keynote by Speaker Nell Watson:
Hitting the Ground Running with A.I.
Machine Intelligence is as big a disruption as electricity was in the 20th century. It can seem confusing and hard to implement. This talk gives an overview of various terms and concepts, a timeline running from the past to the near future, and a crash course on how to practically implement AI within your business to create new opportunities.
Keynote by Speaker Nell Watson:
Building New Institutions: The Stronger Society to Come
How can we use the energy of change to move ahead and make the most of the silver linings in dark societal clouds. Newly decentralized and strengthened societal institutions are arising with great effect on business, travel, environment, work, globalisation and legislation. A peek into the mid-term future which is still full of possibilities powered by essential technologies.
Keynote by Speaker Nell Watson:
AI & Reality Perception
Artificial Intelligence is becoming incredibly sophisticated, able to manipulate people's impressions of events and the news that they hear. Crucially, there is plausible deniability, the suggestions that an algorithm just happened to make a decision of a prediction without human design or intention behind it.
This talk explores where technology and society may be heading next, in a scenario where individuals who are targeted for political reasons may find that their perceptions of reality itself are toyed with by the hidden and deniable 'glitches' of machine intelligence – a literal ghost in the machine.
This talk explores where technology and society may be heading next, in a scenario where individuals who are targeted for political reasons may find that their perceptions of reality itself are toyed with by the hidden and deniable 'glitches' of machine intelligence – a literal ghost in the machine.
Keynote by Speaker Nell Watson:
Humanizing Machines
Intelligent machines are beginning to understand the needs, drives, and even values of humanity, with huge opportunities for each of our lives and our global society. These technologies can transform our communities, making our world more safe and secure, and helping us to manage precious resources in new ways.
How can we make the most of these capabilities, and ensure that the spirit and wisdom of the human isn’t lost in a sea of cold algorithms? How can we retain our humanity, whilst growing past our greatest weaknesses?
How can we make the most of these capabilities, and ensure that the spirit and wisdom of the human isn’t lost in a sea of cold algorithms? How can we retain our humanity, whilst growing past our greatest weaknesses?
Keynote by Speaker Nell Watson:
Gaming & the Metaverse
Media synthesis technologies powered by AI are enabling unbridled creativity, as well as new ways to re-render old media content in super high definition. Whatever one can imagine can be breathed into existence. One can enter an original world never seen before, and have original conversations with AI-powered agents about practically any topic, whilst they stay in character.
These choose-your-own-adventure mechanics are enabling new forms of therapy, as well as procedural education, taking us beyond base reality to experiences never before possible. But what of the risk of supernormal stimuli? What best practices might make such services more likely to be safe and ethical?
These choose-your-own-adventure mechanics are enabling new forms of therapy, as well as procedural education, taking us beyond base reality to experiences never before possible. But what of the risk of supernormal stimuli? What best practices might make such services more likely to be safe and ethical?
Keynote by Speaker Nell Watson:
Hybrid & Cognitive Warfare
‘Every general is prepared to fight the last war’, as Churchill once remarked. However, the realm of conflict is changing. New methods of hybrid warfare are emerging, which aim to win wars without firing a shot, through indirect forms of action such as demoralization and mass sabotage.
How can one recognise threats which appear plausibly deniable as a mere accident, and protect individuals and societies at large from being undermined through insidious means?
How can one recognise threats which appear plausibly deniable as a mere accident, and protect individuals and societies at large from being undermined through insidious means?
Keynote by Speaker Nell Watson:
Science & Innovation
Machine Intelligence is greatly expanding our ability to understand the world, including ourselves. A positive feedback loop between human and machine innovation creates something greater than the sum of its parts. AI-designed antibodies, automated mathematical proofs, extremely efficient designs in new wonder materials will reshape our world. AI helps us to make sense of chaos in the uncharted waters of our respective disciplines, by making intricately complex aspects greatly more accessible.
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Blog posts by Nell Watson
How To Make The Metaverse Cool
THE COMPANY MAKES THE LOCATIONThere are several initiatives to bring a ‘metaverse to fruition. So far none have hit critical mass.There are several reasons for this, such as the need for firsthand experience: It’s hard to convey the immersive experience of VR without first having direct experience o
