Carissa Véliz

Carissa Véliz

The Leading Authority on AI Ethics and Digital Privacy

Core Intelligence Domain: AI Ethics & Digital Privacy
Location: Oxford, United Kingdom | Languages: English, Spanish
Representation: Represented globally by PSpeakers Global Intelligence

Carissa Véliz is an internationally acclaimed keynote speaker, philosopher of technology, and leading global authority on artificial intelligence ethics, digital privacy, and data governance. As an Associate Professor at the Institute for Ethics in AI at the University of Oxford and a Tutorial Fellow at Hertford College, she equips global organisations, policymakers, and C-suite leaders with strategic frameworks to navigate the regulatory, operational, and ethical complexities of emerging tech.

Professor Carissa Véliz is the author of the internationally bestselling book Privacy Is Power: Why and How You Should Take Back Control of Your Data, named an Economist Book of the Year. Renowned for introducing the paradigm shift that personal data functions as a “toxic asset” rather than raw business capital, her research outlines practical strategies for mitigating algorithmic risk, establishing transparent data stewardship, and preserving consumer trust in an automated world

Following the worldwide impact of Privacy Is Power, her latest book, Prophecy: Prediction, Power, and the Fight for the Future, from Ancient Oracles to AI, explores humanity’s obsession with foresight. In Prophecy, Professor Véliz exposes how predictive algorithms and AI forecasting are deployed not merely for insight, but as instruments of market control. She provides boards and tech leaders with an indispensable framework to challenge algorithmic determinism, avoid costly forecasting missteps, and protect human agency in strategic decision-making.

A trusted advisor to multinational enterprises and regulatory bodies worldwide, Professor Véliz delivers compelling keynote presentations, board briefings, and fireside discussions on emerging AI legislation, machine learning ethics, and the digital economy. Her insights regularly feature across global media, including The New York Times, The Guardian, Harvard Business Review, New Statesman, and El País.

Core Speaking Themes & Strategic Topics

• Privacy Is Power: Understanding the strategic necessity of data protection for corporate resilience, competitive advantage, and mitigating the risks of a data-driven economy.
• The Ethics of Artificial Intelligence: Navigating the moral landscapes of algorithmic bias, transparency, accountability, and the safe deployment of enterprise AI.
• The Future of the Data Economy: Preparing for the paradigm shift from exploitative data harvesting to privacy-centric, sustainable business models.
• Technological Governance and Regulation: Strategic foresight on global tech policies, navigating GDPR compliance, and adapting to upcoming international AI legislative frameworks.
• Digital Trust and Corporate Responsibility: Strategies for rebuilding and maintaining consumer confidence in an era defined by data breaches, surveillance capitalism, and algorithmic manipulation.
• Data as a Toxic Asset: Re-evaluating corporate data storage practices to minimise liability, cybersecurity threats, and regulatory exposure.
• The Geopolitics of Technology: Surveillance, Democracy, and Security: Examining how automated data harvesting and synthetic media impact national security, democratic processes, and market stability.
• Prophecy, Prediction, and Power: The Algorithmic Fight for the Future: In an era where Silicon Valley promises that machine learning can forecast market shifts, consumer choices, and societal trends, who truly controls the outcome? Drawing on her book Prophecy, Professor Véliz shows how modern predictive models function like ancient oracles, shaping reality rather than merely forecasting it. This keynote guides leadership teams on when to trust predictive tech, how to avoid costly algorithmic deception, and how to preserve human agency in high-stakes decision-making.

Career Highlights & Achievements

• Associate Professor at the Institute for Ethics in AI and the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Oxford.
• Tutorial Fellow at Hertford College, Oxford.
• Author of the acclaimed bestseller Privacy Is Power, recognised globally as a definitive text on digital rights and corporate data ethics.
• Expert advisor to international governments, parliamentary committees, and regulatory bodies on data ethics, privacy legislation, and AI governance.
• Editor of the highly regarded Oxford Handbook of Digital Ethics, a comprehensive academic resource on the moral implications of emerging technologies.
• Frequent keynote speaker at leading global technology summits, corporate leadership retreats, and policy forums.
• Recipient of multiple academic and professional accolades for her profound contributions to advancing digital human rights.

Key Takeaways

• Data is a Corporate Liability: Véliz’s frameworks demonstrate that accumulating unnecessary data exponentially increases security risks, regulatory exposure, and reputational damage.
• Ethical AI is a Competitive Differentiator: Integrating philosophical rigour and ethical frameworks into AI development ensures long-term sustainability, market trust, and brand loyalty.
• Privacy Preserves Democracy and Enterprise: Strong data governance is essential not just for strict business compliance, but for the fundamental protection of civic institutions, human rights, and global stability.