Priya Lakhani

Priya Lakhani OBE is a serial entrepreneur and AI-in-education pioneer who combines legal rigour with visionary leadership to help organisations harness artificial intelligence responsibly and at scale. As founder and CEO of CENTURY Tech, a global education technology company operating in over 60 countries, and a member of the UK Prime Minister's Council for Science and Technology, she shapes AI policy whilst leading the development of cutting-edge learning models, including an AI-enabled teaching system launching internationally in 2027. Named a World Economic Forum Tech Pioneer, awarded an OBE for services to business, and recognised as National Economic Innovator of the Year, Priya also co-hosts BBC's AI Decoded and advises leaders on ethical AI implementation. Her presentations equip audiences with practical strategies to move beyond experimentation, redesign workflows, unlock new revenue streams, and embed AI innovation whilst keeping human creativity and judgement central to organisational success.

When Priya Lakhani OBE founded CENTURY Tech in 2013, she set out to prove that artificial intelligence could transform education without diminishing the role of teachers. More than a decade later, her vision has materialised into a global education technology company operating in over 60 countries, combining artificial intelligence, neuroscience, and data analytics to create personalised learning experiences that adapt to each student's needs. Her latest project, an AI-enabled teaching model developed in partnership with Inspired Schools, represents the next evolution of this work and will roll out internationally in 2027, offering a framework that balances mastery and memorisation with curiosity and creativity. As a member of the UK Prime Minister's Council for Science and Technology and co-founder of the Institute for Ethical AI in Education, Priya occupies a unique position at the intersection of technological innovation and policy development, shaping how governments and institutions approach AI implementation responsibly.

Priya's entrepreneurial journey began far from the technology sector. After establishing herself as a barrister, she left the legal profession to launch Masala Masala in 2008, a fresh Indian food brand built on a social impact model that delivered millions of meals, thousands of vaccinations, and funded schools across India and Africa. The venture earned her Business Entrepreneur of the Year in 2009 and positioned her among Britain's most respected young entrepreneurs. This foundation in purpose-driven business informed her approach to CENTURY Tech, which she launched in 2014, the same year she received an OBE for services to business and community initiatives. Named a World Economic Forum Tech Pioneer in 2021, Priya has since been recognised with the MIT SOLVE award and named National Economic Innovator of the Year by The Spectator. She holds an honorary doctorate from Coventry University, co-hosts BBC's AI Decoded on The Context, and has served as a Non-Executive Board Member for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. Her current role advising Sir Patrick Vallance's AI regulation review reflects her continued influence on how the UK navigates the opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence.

Priya helps leaders move beyond AI experimentation to scalable, ethical implementation that delivers measurable results. Through keynote presentations at forums including Tech Show London and Oslo Business Forum, she translates emerging technology into practical strategies that audiences can apply immediately, whether redesigning workflows, unlocking new revenue streams, or preparing workforces for the AI era. Her focus on ethical AI governance ensures that organisations understand not only where artificial intelligence excels but also where human creativity, judgement, and connection remain indispensable. By equipping leaders with frameworks that balance innovation with responsibility, Priya enables organisations to embrace technological change whilst maintaining the values and human insight that drive lasting success. Her work demonstrates that the most powerful applications of AI are those that amplify rather than replace human potential.