Sana Khareghani is a leading figure in the world of Artificial Intelligence, known for her powerful blend of technical depth, policy insight and commitment to ethical innovation. With a career spanning over 20 years across software engineering, management consultancy, and public service, Sana has become a key voice shaping how AI is developed and governed. Her early work as a software engineer in both dynamic start-ups and established global corporations gave her a strong foundation in the real-world application of technology. This technical grounding later evolved into strategic advisory roles, including international consultancy to C-suite executives, where she helped organisations navigate digital transformation in a rapidly evolving tech landscape.
Sana’s transition into public service marked a significant turning point in her career. Appointed as the inaugural Head of the UK Government Office for AI, she led efforts to define and execute the UK’s national approach to Artificial Intelligence. Under her leadership, the team published the UK’s National AI Strategy and worked to invest £1 billion in the UK AI ecosystem, supporting a wide range of initiatives to build national capacity in skills, innovation, infrastructure and data access. Her role, created jointly by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), was instrumental in aligning UK policy with international standards while embedding ethical principles into the heart of AI development.
Today, Sana continues to lead and influence the AI community through academic and advisory roles. She is currently Professor of Practice in AI at King’s College London and serves as the AI Policy Lead for Responsible AI UK, a £35 million initiative designed to seed and connect responsible AI research and innovation across the country. She sits on the advisory boards of the Tortoise Media Global AI Index and the Bristol Interactive AI Centre for Doctoral Training, championing transparency, inclusivity, and long-term impact in technology policy. Her influence has been recognised with inclusion in ComputerWeekly’s Most Influential Women in UK Tech list and participation in the Royal Academy of Engineering’s AI-focused policy reviews, reinforcing her status as one of the UK’s foremost experts in AI ethics and strategy.
As a keynote speaker, Sana brings a unique perspective that spans technical expertise, public policy, and academic insight. She has spoken at major events including the CogX Festival, the TAIFA Summit, and the Alan Turing Institute’s AI UK conference, where her talks explore the societal implications of AI, the responsibilities of developers, and the urgent need for responsible innovation. Known for her ability to communicate complex topics with clarity and humanity, Sana doesn’t just speak about the future of AI – she helps shape it. Through every appearance, she challenges audiences to consider not only what AI can do, but what it should do, making her one of the most impactful voices in the global AI conversation
