Verity Harding
Verity Harding is a policy executive, consultant and author who works on AI policy and geopolitics. She served as special adviser to Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg until 2013, and in 2013 she joined Google as head of security policy. In 2016 she became DeepMind's first Global Head of Policy, and in 2017 she co-founded the company's research and ethics unit and Partnership on AI. TIME named her one of its 100 Most Influential People in AI in 2023. Her 2024 book, AI Needs You, was named one of McKinsey's Best Books of 2024, and as of October 2026 she directs the AI and Geopolitics Project.
Timeline
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2003–2006
Reading history at Pembroke
She reads history at Pembroke College from 2003 to 2006, before winning a Von Clemm scholarship to Harvard University.
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By 2013
Special adviser to Nick Clegg
She serves as special adviser to Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg until 2013, working on digital privacy and national security.
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2013
Security policy at Google
She joins Google in 2013 as Head of Security Policy in Europe, covering issues such as online extremism and encryption.
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2016–2017
Policy and ethics at DeepMind
She becomes DeepMind's first Global Head of Policy in 2016. In 2017 she co-founds the company's research and ethics unit and the independent multi-stakeholder organisation Partnership on AI.
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2022
Founding Formation Advisory
In 2022 she founds Formation Advisory, an AI consultancy.
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2023
Named to TIME's AI list
TIME names her one of its 100 Most Influential People in AI in 2023.
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2024
The book AI Needs You
She publishes AI Needs You with Princeton University Press in 2024. The book is named one of McKinsey's Best Books of 2024.
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As of October 2026
Directing the AI and Geopolitics Project
She is Director of the AI and Geopolitics Project and Founder of Formation Advisory, where she advises CEOs and public figures on AI strategy.
Sources and credits
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