PeopleofSuperintelligence

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Ian Hogarth

Ian Hogarth is an AI investor and UK policy figure whose work spans industry analysis and government AI safety. He built an early computer vision system for cancer biopsy images, co-founded Songkick, and invested in machine-learning start-ups. Since 2018, he has co-authored the State of AI Report with Nathan Benaich and, in 2019, joined Phasecraft’s board as chair. In June 2023, he became chair of the Foundation Model Taskforce; as of October 2026, he chairs the AI Security Institute.

Photo of Ian Hogarth

Timeline

  1. 2004

    Classifying cancer biopsy images

    In 2004, he built an early computer vision system to classify cancer biopsy images.

  2. By 2007

    From Cambridge to Songkick

    He studied engineering at Cambridge and then studied Mandarin in Beijing for a year. In 2007, he co-founded Songkick with Michelle You and Pete Smith; the concert discovery service helped fans find live shows, and he later served as its chief executive.

  3. Since 2014

    Investing across machine learning

    He invested in more than 50 start-ups that applied machine learning across industries including drug discovery, inside sales and defence.

  4. Since 2018

    Tracking the AI field

    He co-authored the annual State of AI Report with Nathan Benaich. The report surveyed AI research, talent, industry, politics and forecasts.

  5. 2019

    Backing quantum algorithms

    In 2019, he joined the board of quantum algorithm start-up Phasecraft as chair. The company develops software and algorithms to get more performance from quantum hardware.

  6. June 2023

    Taking on government AI safety

    The UK government appointed him chair of the Foundation Model Taskforce. The taskforce had £100 million in initial funding and a remit to advance research on AI safety.

  7. November 2023

    A government safety institute

    The Frontier AI Taskforce became the AI Safety Institute, with Hogarth continuing as its chair. The institute planned to test emerging systems before and after release.

  8. As of October 2026

    Chairing the AI Security Institute

    He is the chair of the AI Security Institute, a research organisation within the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

Sources and credits

Photo: ianhogarth.com; About — Ian Hogarth; creator not stated. License: Not stated by source. Source: ianhogarth.com. Cropped to a square and resized. Ask us to remove or replace this photo.

  1. About — Ian Hogarth ianhogarth.com. Checked 14 October 2026.
  2. 99. Ian Hogarth | MediaGuardian 100 2013 | The Guardian theguardian.com. Checked 14 October 2026.
  3. State of AI Report 2018 | AI Research, Industry and Policy stateof.ai. Checked 14 October 2026.
  4. Phasecraft: accelerating the world to quantum advantage — Ian Hogarth ianhogarth.com. Checked 14 October 2026.
  5. Tech entrepreneur Ian Hogarth to lead UK’s AI Foundation Model Taskforce - GOV.UK gov.uk. Checked 14 October 2026.
  6. Prime Minister launches new AI Safety Institute - GOV.UK gov.uk. Checked 14 October 2026.
  7. About | The AI Security Institute (AISI) aisi.gov.uk. Checked 14 October 2026.