Company
Advisory Board
The advisors guiding the academy across research, ethics, and global partnerships.
Alex Andjel
Advisory Board Member · Director, AI Academy London Limited
Director of AI Academy London Limited, the strategic hub for the academy's global expansion across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. From London, Alex leads partnerships across academia and investment communities, supports groundbreaking AI ventures, and positions the region as a leader in responsible AI innovation.
Eric Harr
Advisory Board Member
A serial entrepreneur, athlete, and philanthropist, he is Co-Founder and CEO of MAXIOM Labs, an AI-driven human optimization company, and of the Laudato Si' Challenge Foundation. A former CBS News correspondent and published author, he was ranked sixth globally as a professional triathlete and later set an Ironman world record, bringing a bold vision for human-centric AI.
Erik Bjontegard
Advisory Board Member
A Norwegian-American inventor and entrepreneur, he is a pioneer of Augmented Intelligence, championing AI that strengthens human capability rather than replacing it. Founder of Spark Compass, he has led collaborations with IBM, Apple, Samsung, Qualcomm, and Google. His work focuses on building responsible, real-world AI systems that improve how people live, work, move, and connect.
Justine McInerney
Advisory Board Member
Justine sits on the AI Academy board through DSRPTR agency, leading creative strategy, partnerships, and project delivery across the academy's global initiatives.
Kouji Kodera
Advisory Board Member
Kouji Kodera is a wireless industry veteran with 20+ years of leadership at Mitsubishi Electric, Sony Ericsson, HTC, and Motorola Mobility. He helped create iconic products including Moto Z, HTC One, Xperia, Walkman, and Cybershot phones. Now, as co-founder and CEO of i8 Labs, he is applying AI, computer vision, and smart sensor technology to build innovative, sustainable solutions.
Leslie Wolfson
Advisory Board Member
Board trustee and startup mentor with experience across entrepreneurship, technology, media, and investment. She supports founders, investors, and institutions through partnerships, growth strategy, and innovation in an AI-driven economy. At AI Academy, she would foster partnerships, support growth, expand industry engagement, mentor entrepreneurs, and connect AI education to the broader innovation ecosystem.
Michael Stevenson
Chairman of the Advisory Board
Michael Stevenson leads worldwide innovation in education policy and programs. Working with senior policy makers, thought leaders and experts, he has held international and national roles across government, industry and media. After leading global education at Cisco, he became the driving force behind education innovation at the OECD. The OECD Education for human flourishing framework, co-created with the world's best national education systems, was published in November 2025.
Peter Holden
Advisory Board Member
Founder & Managing Partner of Dunworth Capital with over 30 years of experience in AI research, commercialization, and investment. A recognized advocate for human-centered AI, he advises innovative companies worldwide and supports initiatives focused on healthcare, ethics, mental health, and socially responsible technology. His work bridges AI innovation, business strategy, and meaningful global impact across industries and communities.
Fr. Philip Larrey, Ph.D.
Advisory Board Member
Fr. Phillip Larrey is a Catholic priest, philosopher, and theologian working at the intersection of faith, science, and technology. A professor at the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome, he advises Vatican initiatives on ethics and artificial intelligence, is widely published, and speaks globally on AI, human dignity, and the future of humanity through research, teaching, dialogue, and public engagement worldwide.
Sameh El-Shahat
Advisory Board Member
Co-Founder of Verityv Ecosystems and CEO of China-i (Huayu), bringing deep expertise in AI, unstructured data, and financial risk innovation. Has pioneered AI-driven methods for transforming non-traditional risk signals into actionable investment intelligence, advised on over $30 billion in transactions, and brings global experience applying advanced data models to strategy, governance, and decision-making.
William Divine
Advisory Board Member
Biography — to be added by the AI Academy editorial team.
Yasser Ibrahim
Advisory Board Member
Yasser is a globally experienced banking executive and strategic advisor with a strong focus on innovation, digital transformation, and the future of financial services. With leadership roles across major international institutions, he brings deep expertise in governance, cross-border strategy, and emerging business models. As an Advisory Board member, he helps shape AI Academy's vision at the intersection of technology and leadership.