PeopleofSuperintelligence

Researcher

David Shrier

Also known as David L. Shrier

David Shrier is a researcher and professor whose AI work spans online learning, trusted data, and business innovation. He earned a Brown University Sc.B. in Biology and Theatre in 1995 and co-edited Trust: Data with MIT Connection Science in 2016. He co-founded AI learning company Esme Learning in 2021, and Global Fintech won Choice's Outstanding Academic Title award in 2022. In January 2024, he published Basic AI. As of October 2026, he is Professor of Practice, AI & Innovation at Imperial Business School and jointly leads the Trusted AI Alliance.

Works
14
Citations
194
h-index
3
Badges

Publication numbers from OpenAlex, as of 19 October 2026.

Timeline

  1. 1995

    An Sc.B. at Brown

    In 1995, he earns an Sc.B. from Brown University in Biology and Theatre, then works professionally in theatre after college.

  2. 2016

    Editing Trust: Data

    In 2016, he co-edits Trust: Data: A New Framework for Identity and Data Sharing with Professor Pentland and Thomas Hardjono.

  3. 2021

    Building Esme Learning

    In 2021, he co-founds Esme Learning, whose AI-enabled tools support online learning through digital collaboration, live simulations and small group exercises.

  4. 2022

    A Choice award for Global Fintech

    In 2022, Global Fintech, which he co-edits with Alex Pentland, wins Choice's Outstanding Academic Title award.

  5. January 2024

    Publishing Basic AI

    In January 2024, he publishes Basic AI: A Human Guide to Artificial Intelligence.

  6. 2025–2026

    Leading the Trusted AI Alliance

    In 2025–2026, he jointly leads Imperial's Trusted AI Alliance, an open source and open data initiative for responsible AI.

  7. As of October 2026

    Professor at Imperial

    As of October 2026, he is Professor of Practice, AI & Innovation with Imperial Business School.

Career

  1. Since 2026Imperial College LondonProfessor of Practice, AI & Innovation
  2. From 2021Esme LearningCo-founder

Education

  1. 1995Brown UniversitySc.B. in Biology and Theatre

From the biography and OpenAlex affiliations (the years of papers that list the organization), so some years are approximate.

Most-cited works

  1. Digital Financial Services2022 · The MIT Press eBooks · 173 citations
  2. Trusted data a new framework for identity and data sharing7 citationsWith Alex Pentland
  3. Global Fintech2022 · The MIT Press eBooks · 6 citationsWith Alex Pentland
  4. Core Identities for Future Transaction Systems2019 · The MIT Press eBooks · 3 citationsWith Alex Pentland
  5. Beyond GDPR: Employing AI to Make Personal Data Useful to Consumers2019 · The MIT Press eBooks · 2 citations

From OpenAlex, as of 19 October 2026.

  1. More people shaping AI studied at Massachusetts Institute of Technology than at any other institutionIncludes Imperial College London. Our estimates of where the people shaping AI studied and where their careers led, from education records in cited biographies.
  2. The company share of AI researchers’ top papers rose from 2% to 32%Includes Imperial College London. We estimate where leading AI researchers worked when their most-cited papers appeared. The company share rose from 2% in 1975–1979 to 32% in 2020–2024.
  3. Google has the highest combined h-index among AI organizationsIncludes Imperial College London. Our estimates of combined and median h-index at AI organizations, using current affiliations and OpenAlex records.
  4. Stanford University trained or employed 20 of the 89 AI major-prize winners, more than any other universityIncludes Imperial College London. Stanford University trained or employed 20 of the 89 AI major-prize winners, more than any other university. We compare doctorate and employment links for major-prize and best-paper winners.

Colleagues

People named in this biography, and people with dated positions at the same organization in the same years.

Sources and credits

Photo: We have no published photo of David Shrier yet. Send us a free-licensed photo.

  1. Class of 1995 | Brown Alumni Magazine brownalumnimagazine.com. Checked 19 October 2026.
  2. About | David Shrier davidshrier.com. Checked 19 October 2026.
  3. Toward a Trusted Framework for Identity and Data Sharing - MIT Initiative on the Digital Economy ide.mit.edu. Checked 19 October 2026.
  4. Digital Education Startup Esme Learning Raises $7.5M, Plans to Quadruple Team | Built In Boston builtinboston.com. Checked 19 October 2026.
  5. Democratising Online Education with AI-powered Esme Learning | IRCAI ircai.org. Checked 19 October 2026.
  6. Global Fintech, edited by David L. Shrier and Prof. Alex 'Sandy' Pentland, wins Outstanding Academic Title Award from Choice, 2022 | MIT Media Lab www-prod.media.mit.edu. Checked 19 October 2026.
  7. Basic AI by David Shrier | Hachette UK littlebrown.co.uk. Checked 19 October 2026.
  8. Policy agenda / Trusted AI Alliance | Be inspired | Imperial College London imperial.ac.uk. Checked 19 October 2026.
  9. David Shrier | About | Imperial College London profiles.imperial.ac.uk. Checked 19 October 2026.