Ilya Feige

Ilya Feige is a globally recognised leader in artificial intelligence and machine learning. As Global Head of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning at Cerberus Technology Solutions and Managing Director of Spark92, he combines world-class scientific expertise with commercial awareness, helping organisations harness the power of AI to achieve strategic transformation. Known for his rare ability to make complex technology accessible, Ilya is a captivating keynote speaker who bridges research, innovation and business impact.

After earning a BSc in Physics and Mathematics from McGill University, Ilya completed both an MA and PhD in Physics at Harvard University, where he was awarded the prestigious Gertrude and Maurice Goldhaber Prize as the top doctoral student in physics. His academic career saw him teaching quantum field theory and wave phenomena at Harvard, conducting groundbreaking research at CERN, and contributing to the Canadian Undergraduate Physics Journal as a French-language editor. His early work proved a theorem on separating high and low energy physics in particle collisions, marking the start of a career defined by intellectual precision and practical application.

Ilya’s commercial and technical leadership began at McKinsey & Company, where he helped scale the firm’s analytics capability across the US West Coast. He later joined Faculty, one of Europe’s leading AI companies, as Head of Research, where he founded the organisation’s AI research lab and built a research network with Harvard and UCL. Progressing to Head of Science and then Director of AI, Ilya oversaw the research, development and application of machine learning across high-impact projects. During the Covid-19 pandemic, he was seconded to the NHS, co-leading the data modelling effort that transformed how the UK’s health service forecasted and allocated vital resources. His leadership not only demonstrated the real-world potential of AI but also shifted organisational culture towards data-driven decision-making.

Today, Ilya leads AI innovation at Cerberus, advising global clients on adopting safe and effective machine learning systems, while also acting as an Advisor to RAIN Defense + AI and Every Cure. He has published papers in leading research conferences, including ICML and NeurIPS, and continues to guide the responsible evolution of AI. On stage, Ilya speaks with clarity, authority and authenticity, offering business audiences a practical understanding of how AI can transform performance and shape the future. Intelligent, engaging and visionary, he inspires organisations to approach artificial intelligence not as a distant concept, but as a present force for progress and value creation.