PeopleofSuperintelligence

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Michael Birtwistle

As of October 2026, Michael Birtwistle is Associate Director (Law & Policy) at the Ada Lovelace Institute, where his work covers the legal and regulatory tools needed to govern AI and data, particularly in the UK and EU. Before joining Ada, he led the regulatory workstream at the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation and authored its AI Barometer. In July 2023 he co-wrote Regulating AI in the UK with Matt Davies, a policy briefing with 18 recommendations for the government and the Foundation Model Taskforce. He urged EU capitals and the European Parliament to approve the AI Act in January 2024 and commented on the UK government's response to the AI Regulation white paper consultation in February 2024. From late November 2026 until July 2027, he is set to co-direct the institute with Imogen Parker.

Timeline

  1. By 2023

    Regulatory workstream at CDEI

    Before joining Ada, he works as a policy adviser at the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation, where he leads its regulatory workstream and authors the CDEI AI Barometer. By July 2023 he is Associate Director at the institute.

  2. July 2023

    Regulating AI in the UK

    With Matt Davies, he co-writes the policy briefing Regulating AI in the UK, which sets out 18 recommendations for the government and the Foundation Model Taskforce. A statement on the report's findings also carries his comments.

  3. January 2024

    Urging approval of the AI Act

    In January 2024 he urges EU capitals and the European Parliament to approve the AI Act.

  4. February 2024

    Commenting on the white paper reply

    A February 2024 statement by him comments on the UK government's response to the AI Regulation white paper consultation.

  5. October 2026

    Named co-director at Ada

    In October 2026 the institute names him and Imogen Parker co-directors, to step in from late November 2026 until July 2027.

  6. As of October 2026

    Associate Director at Ada

    He is Associate Director (Law & Policy) at the Ada Lovelace Institute, where his work covers the legal and regulatory tools needed to govern AI and data, particularly in the UK and EU.

Sources and credits

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  1. Michael Birtwistle | Ada Lovelace Institute adalovelaceinstitute.org. Checked 15 October 2026.
  2. UK must strengthen its AI regulation proposals to improve legal protections, empower regulators and address urgent risks of cutting-edge models | Ada Lovelace Institute adalovelaceinstitute.org. Checked 15 October 2026.
  3. Michael Birtwistle : AI Expert - OECD.AI oecd.ai. Checked 15 October 2026.
  4. Regulating AI in the UK | Ada Lovelace Institute adalovelaceinstitute.org. Checked 15 October 2026.
  5. UK's approach to AI safety lacks credibility, report warns | TechCrunch techcrunch.com. Checked 15 October 2026.
  6. Ada Lovelace Institute statement on the EU AI Act | Ada Lovelace Institute adalovelaceinstitute.org. Checked 15 October 2026.
  7. Ada Lovelace Institute statement on the UK’s approach to AI regulation | Ada Lovelace Institute adalovelaceinstitute.org. Checked 15 October 2026.
  8. News & events | Ada Lovelace Institute adalovelaceinstitute.org. Checked 15 October 2026.
  9. Imogen Parker and Michael Birtwistle appointed as Co-Directors to cover Gaia Marcus’ maternity leave | Ada Lovelace Institute adalovelaceinstitute.org. Checked 15 October 2026.