Joshua Klein

Joshua Klein is a globally recognised authority on artificial intelligence strategy, governance, and innovation. As Founder and CEO of BTR, he helps governments and institutions design and implement Sovereign AI strategies that ensure technology serves public purpose. His work brings together ministers, policymakers, and technology leaders to translate national ambitions into practical frameworks for AI adoption. Having led elements of Iceland’s national AI education pilot with Anthropic and the Ministry of Education, one of the world’s first programmes to embed responsible AI in schools, Joshua has become a trusted partner to governments seeking to harness emerging technologies safely and effectively. He is now guiding the development of Zanzibar’s national Sovereign AI strategy, further cementing his position as a leader in global AI governance.

With over two decades of experience in technology transformation, Joshua bridges the worlds of innovation and implementation. His career began as a technologist and systems hacker, working across sectors from telecommunications to cybersecurity, before shifting into strategic advisory roles for major enterprises and public institutions. Through BTR, Joshua coordinates policy, pilots, and delivery partners across the world, ensuring AI development aligns with national values and measurable outcomes. He maintains close collaboration with industry leaders including OpenAI, Google Cloud, AWS, NVIDIA, and Anthropic, helping align frontier model development with policy and governance goals. This ability to translate complex technical systems into real-world policy impact makes his work invaluable to both governments and Fortune 100 companies.

Joshua is also a respected author and communicator. His books, ‘Hacking Work’ and ‘Reputation Economics’, have shaped international discussions about technology’s impact on people and organisations. His storytelling combines clarity and practicality, making him a sought-after speaker for audiences from corporate boards to academic institutions. Beyond writing, he hosted National Geographic’s innovation series ‘The Link’, exploring how breakthroughs in science and technology shape human progress. As a TED and Davos speaker, Joshua has shared the stage with some of the world’s leading thinkers, known for distilling complex topics into actionable insight that inspires meaningful change.

Today, Joshua continues to advise governments, multinational companies, and educational institutions on responsible AI, data ethics, and the future of work. His keynotes move beyond inspiration, offering audiences concrete tools to implement AI strategically, ethically, and at scale. Joshua’s approach blends strategic foresight with technical precision, guiding organisations through uncertainty while helping them remain grounded in purpose. For audiences seeking substance, vision, and real-world application, Joshua delivers all three with rare clarity and authenticity, making him one of the most compelling voices in artificial intelligence today.