Azeem Azhar

Azeem Azhar is a globally recognised expert in artificial intelligence, exponential technologies, and their impact on society. He is the founder of Exponential View, a platform that provides insights into emerging technologies and their societal implications. As a researcher, investor, and entrepreneur, Azeem has been at the forefront of technological transformation, advising leaders, businesses, and policymakers on how to navigate and prepare for rapid changes.

As an investor, Azeem has backed over 50 startups focusing on deep tech, climate change, and AI. He was the CEO of PeerIndex, a pioneering machine-learning company acquired by Brandwatch in 2014.

Azeem’s work has been widely featured in major publications such as The Financial Times, The Guardian, BBC, and Wired. He authored Exponential: Order and Chaos in an Age of Accelerating Technology, which was named a 2021 Financial Times Best Book of the Year. His newsletter, Exponential View, is recognised as one of the top technology resources globally.

His honours include being listed among the Top 100 Asian Stars in Tech and London’s 1000 Most Influential People. Azeem is also associated with organisations such as Accenture and the Ada Lovelace Institute, where he serves as a senior adviser and non-executive director.

Azeem’s educational background includes an MA in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics from the University of Oxford, where he received the Gladstone Memorial Essay Prize for his thesis. His career spans over 25 years, during which he has held key roles at prominent institutions. He serves as a Digital Fellow at Stanford University’s Digital Economy Lab and as an Executive Fellow at Harvard Business School. He also co-chairs the Global Futures Council on Complex Risks at the World Economic Forum.

Azeem Azhar was born in 1972 and has emerged as one of the most influential thinkers in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) and exponential technologies. His career spans over two decades, during which he has made significant contributions as a researcher, investor, entrepreneur, and author.

Azeem studied Politics, Philosophy, and Economics at the University of Oxford, where he won the Gladstone Memorial Essay Prize for the best thesis in international relations. This academic foundation set the stage for his interest in understanding the intersection of technology and societal change.

In 1999, Azeem began investing in startups focusing on AI, climate change, and deep technology. Over the years, he has supported more than 50 startups, many of which have become leaders in their fields. In 2009, he founded PeerIndex, a company specialising in machine learning and data analysis to measure influence on social media. The company was later acquired by Brandwatch in 2014.

In 2015, Azeem launched Exponential View, a platform designed to explore how emerging technologies reshape societies, businesses, and governance. The platform includes a newsletter, widely regarded as one of the best resources for technology insights, and has been recognised by Fast Company and BookAuthority.

Azeem authored Exponential: Order and Chaos in an Age of Accelerating Technology in 2021. The book, which examines the widening gap between technological progress and societal readiness, was named a Financial Times Best Book of the Year.

Professionally, Azeem has held several influential roles. He is a Digital Fellow at Stanford University’s Digital Economy Lab, an Executive Fellow at Harvard Business School, and co-chairs the Global Futures Council on Complex Risks at the World Economic Forum. He has also served as a Visiting Fellow at the Oxford Martin School.

Azeem’s insights have been featured in leading publications such as The Financial Times, The Guardian, BBC, and Wired. He continues to advise policymakers, business leaders, and organisations, including Accenture and the Ada Lovelace Institute, where he serves as a senior adviser and non-executive director.

Currently, Azeem remains dedicated to demystifying the complexities of technological transformation, helping society understand and prepare for the rapid changes of the exponential age.

Azeem Azhar envisions a world where societies, businesses, and individuals adapt effectively to the rapid changes brought about by exponential technologies. His mission is to simplify complex technological advancements and their societal impacts, making them accessible and understandable. Azeem aims to guide policymakers, leaders, and communities in navigating these shifts, ensuring they can harness opportunities and mitigate challenges. He focuses on creating awareness about the transformative power of technologies like AI, climate innovation, and deep tech. Through his work, Azeem strives to bridge the gap between technological progress and societal readiness for a sustainable and equitable future.

Azeem Azhar has received numerous awards for his contributions to technology and societal understanding. His book, Exponential: Order and Chaos in an Age of Accelerating Technology, was recognised as a Financial Times Best Book of the Year in 2021. He has been named among the Top 100 Asian Stars in Tech and London’s 1000 Most Influential People by the Evening Standard. Azeem's newsletter, Exponential View, has been acknowledged as one of the best resources for understanding technology by Fast Company and Observer. Additionally, he received an Honorary Doctorate from Hult International Business School in 2023 for his impactful work.