Baroness Joanna Shields OBE
Tech Founder, Digital Safety Advocate & Global Leader
Joanna Shields is a pre-eminent technology leader and parliamentary figure defining the intersection of high-growth innovation and social responsibility. A veteran of Silicon Valley’s most influential powerhouses—including Google and Facebook—she served as the UK Minister for Internet Safety. As the architect of WePROTECT and former CEO of BenevolentAI, she occupies a rare space where commercial scale meets ethical governance.
At the foundation of Joanna’s approach is the principle of "Safety by Design." She rejects the narrative that progress requires compromising human security, demanding a rigorous moral framework for Artificial Intelligence. Her perspective is forged in the high-stakes realities of cybersecurity and public policy, offering a sophisticated roadmap for organisations balancing rapid innovation with human-centric values.
A visionary and deeply principled presence, Joanna speaks with unparalleled candour. She addresses digital leadership, AI governance, and the necessity of global collaboration in an era of systemic risk. Her insights resonate with C-suite executives who recognise that sustainable success in the digital age requires more than technical prowess—it requires profound integrity.
Signature Keynotes
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What responsibility looks like when technology shapes society.
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Understanding influence at scale, and its consequences.
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Why progress must be matched by governance and ethics.
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Rebuilding confidence in digital systems.
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What today’s leaders must decide before it’s too late.
The Shields Effect
Vision becomes responsible, strategic, and future-proof.
Audiences leave with:
A deeper understanding of digital power and accountability
Insight into leadership at scale in complex systems
Clarity on technology’s social and ethical impact
Confidence to make principled decisions under scrutiny
A long-term perspective on innovation and governance
Why Book Joanna
Joanna Shields is trusted by senior leaders, founders, and policymakers who need more than inspiration, they need judgement. She brings lived experience from the heart of global technology, combined with moral seriousness and strategic depth.
She is particularly compelling for audiences navigating digital transformation, AI, platform responsibility, online safety, governance, and leadership where decisions have wide and lasting consequences.
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