Joanna Shields, Baroness Shields

Joanna Shields, Baroness Shields, OBE, is one of the most influential figures in global technology and digital policy. A respected voice on artificial intelligence, online safety and ethical innovation, she combines a rare mix of Silicon Valley leadership and government experience. Joanna has built, led and advised some of the world’s most powerful technology companies, while shaping international policy on internet safety and cybersecurity. Her insight and authority make her a leading choice for virtual keynote events seeking to explore the human and ethical dimensions of technology.

Over three decades, Joanna has held senior leadership roles at Google, Facebook, AOL, RealNetworks and EFI, where she helped shape the evolution of the digital world. At Bebo, she served as President and CEO, growing the social media platform to more than 50 million users and overseeing its $850 million acquisition by AOL Time Warner. During her tenure, she created ‘Bebo Originals’, the first major online video series, including ‘KateModern’, which attracted over 80 million views and earned two BAFTA nominations. At Facebook, Joanna was Vice President and Managing Director for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, expanding its international footprint and increasing regional revenue to over £1.5 billion. Earlier in her career, at Google, she helped drive the company’s global expansion and developed partnerships that supported products like Google Maps, Books and YouTube.

Joanna’s influence extends far beyond the private sector. She was appointed UK Minister for Internet Safety and Security, leading efforts to protect citizens from online harms, radicalisation and exploitation. Before that, she served as UK Ambassador for Digital Industries, Chair and CEO of Tech City UK, and Digital Economy Adviser to the Prime Minister. In 2014, she was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) and became a Life Peer in the House of Lords. That same year, she founded the WeProtect Global Alliance, which now unites over 100 countries in the fight against online child sexual abuse. Joanna has since held prominent global positions, including Co-Chair of the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence and member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on AI.

Today, Joanna is Founder and CEO of Precognition, a company developing AI-driven solutions for ethical governance and digital safety. Previously, she served as CEO of BenevolentAI, where she transformed a start-up into a global leader in AI-powered drug discovery. A captivating virtual speaker, Joanna blends strategic foresight with practical experience, offering audiences a rare inside view of how technology, leadership and human values must align. Her talks inspire business leaders to innovate responsibly, strengthen trust in technology and build a safer, more connected digital future.