David Barnes

David Barnes PhD is a world-leading authority on artificial intelligence, ethics, and governance. A former Brigadier General in the U.S. Army, David has combined decades of strategic leadership with academic expertise to help organisations navigate the moral and operational challenges of AI. Known for his clarity and practical insight, he speaks internationally on how to lead responsibly in an age of rapid technological change, guiding executives, policymakers, and educators through AI transformation with purpose and integrity.

Over a distinguished 30-year military career, David rose to become Chief AI Ethics Officer at the U.S. Army Artificial Intelligence Integration Center (AI2C), where he led the effort to operationalise the Army’s Responsible AI Strategy. His leadership helped establish frameworks that ensure AI systems are used safely, transparently, and in line with human values. Earlier in his career, he served as Professor and Deputy Department Head at the United States Military Academy at West Point, overseeing academic programmes that shaped future military and civic leaders. After retiring from active service, David founded Empowering AI, a consultancy dedicated to advising global organisations on responsible AI, digital transformation, and ethical innovation.

David’s achievements extend far beyond defence. He was recognised by Forbes as one of the ‘15 AI Ethics Leaders Showing the World the Way of the Future’, highlighting his global influence in shaping the responsible use of technology. He has advised leading organisations such as DARPA, the Peace Research Institute Oslo, and the Institute for Ethics in Artificial Intelligence at Oxford University, contributing to the development of policy and governance models that balance innovation with accountability. His academic background includes a PhD in Philosophy from the University of Colorado Boulder, with research focused on ethics and emerging technologies. David is also the author of ‘The Ethics of Military Privatisation: The US Armed Contractor Phenomenon’ and numerous peer-reviewed articles on AI and moral responsibility.

As a keynote speaker, David brings a unique blend of field experience, ethical insight, and executive understanding. He regularly delivers talks on AI governance, strategy, and leadership at international conferences, government events, and corporate forums. His sessions explore how organisations can adopt AI with confidence, addressing issues such as bias, accountability, and regulation. David’s speaking style is direct, engaging, and informed by years of decision-making at the highest level – helping leaders transform AI from a technical challenge into a strategic advantage.