PeopleofSuperintelligence

Researcher

Zoë Webster

Also known as Zöe Webster

Zoë Webster carried machine-learning research into AI strategy across government and industry. After studying computer science at the University of York and intelligent systems at the University of Sussex, she researched AI at DERA and QinetiQ, spent 13 years at Innovate UK, and led BT’s AI Centre of Enablement. She launched Authentic Innovation in 2024, and AI Magazine named her one of its top 10 AI leaders in Europe. As of October 2026, she is an AI and innovation consultant and CEO of Authentic Innovation, and Vice Chair of Judges for the National AI Awards.

Now at
Authentic Innovation and National AI Awards
Badges

Timeline

  1. By 2000

    AI research at DERA and QinetiQ

    She studies computer science at the University of York and intelligent systems at the University of Sussex. In 2000, she joins the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency as a research scientist, moves to its QinetiQ spin-off as a lead researcher, and undertakes a PhD in AI. At DERA and QinetiQ, she develops machine-learning algorithms for applications in retail, security and health.

  2. 2007–2020

    Leading teams at Innovate UK

    She joins the Technology Strategy Board in 2007 as a Lead Technologist; the agency later becomes Innovate UK. In 2018, she becomes Director of AI and Data Economy and leads the Enabling Technologies, Manufacturing and Strategy teams.

  3. 2020–2024

    BT’s AI Centre of Enablement

    In 2020, she moves to BT as Director of Data and AI Solutions, where she builds and leads an AI Centre of Enablement to scale AI development and deployment across the company.

  4. 2024

    AI Magazine Top 10

    In 2024, AI Magazine names her one of its top 10 AI leaders in Europe.

  5. 2024

    Founding Authentic Innovation

    She leaves BT in 2024 and launches Authentic Innovation, her consulting company, to help businesses think pragmatically and strategically about AI.

  6. October 2025

    AI and the future of work

    At GCUC London in October 2025, she joins Yardi’s Justin Harley for a fireside chat about AI and the future of work. They explore how AI is reshaping industries, workspaces and the skills people need.

  7. April 2026

    Practical limits of LLMs

    In April 2026, she calls AI tools helpful for specific tasks and says they can hallucinate or fail to apply common sense.

  8. As of October 2026

    Consultant and awards judge

    As of October 2026, she is an AI and innovation consultant at Authentic Innovation and its CEO; she also serves as Vice Chair of Judges for the National AI Awards.

Career

  1. Since 2024Authentic InnovationFounder, AI and innovation consultant and CEO
  2. NowNational AI AwardsVice Chair of Judges
  3. 2018–2020UK Research and InnovationDirector of AI and Data Economy
  4. 2007–2018Technology Strategy BoardLead Technologist
  5. 2000Defence Evaluation and Research AgencyResearch scientist
  6. From 2000QinetiqLead researcher

Education

  1. University of York
  2. University of Sussex

From the biography.

  1. The company share of AI researchers’ top papers was 31% in 2020–2024 and 8% in 1970–1974Includes UK Research and Innovation. We estimate where the people shaping AI worked when their most-cited papers appeared: the company share was 31% in 2020–2024 and 8% in 1970–1974, and Google led all organizations in 2020–2024.
  2. More people shaping AI studied at Massachusetts Institute of Technology than at any other institutionIncludes University of Sussex. We estimate where the people shaping AI studied and where their careers led. Massachusetts Institute of Technology leads with 467 former students, including 291 recorded doctorates.
  3. Google has the highest combined h-index among AI organizationsIncludes University of Sussex. We estimate that Google holds the highest combined h-index at 8,016, while universities account for 73% of the deduplicated total across AI organizations.
  4. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology trained or employed 44 of the 187 AI major-prize winners, more than any other universityIncludes University of Sussex. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology trained or employed 44 of the 187 AI major-prize winners, more than any other university. We compare doctorate and 5+ year employment links, career timing and current workplaces for 187 major-prize and 1,111 best-paper winners.

Colleagues

People with dated positions at the same organization in the same years.

Sources and credits

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

  1. Zoe Webster, Director of AI and Data Economy, Innovate UK - DataIQ dataiq.global. Checked 20 October 2026.
  2. ‘Accountants have a key role in making AI work’ camagazine.icas.com. Checked 20 October 2026.
  3. Partner Spotlight: Zoë Webster - AI & Innovation cambridgemc.com. Checked 20 October 2026.
  4. How AI Is Redefining Work, Data & the Human Experience yardikube.com. Checked 20 October 2026.
  5. Making AI your analyst: practical uses of LLMs for consultants managers.org.uk. Checked 20 October 2026.
  6. AI in Flex: Practical Steps for Strategic Adoption yardikube.com. Checked 20 October 2026.
  7. Why most organisations are not as far behind on AI as they think aijourn.com. Checked 20 October 2026.