Will Byrne

Will Byrne is an entrepreneur, technology executive, writer, and democracy advocate known for innovating towards economic, racial, and environmental justice in the US and internationally.

With a focus on applying advanced technologies, especially artificial intelligence (AI), Will's current work centers on safeguarding human rights and democracy by supporting outstanding AI and tech experts in developing tools to combat misinformation, uphold free and fair elections, bolster journalism, fight corruption, and more.

Will's background includes founding and leading Groundswell, a social enterprise that harnessed community buying power to provide clean energy solutions to underprivileged Americans, impacting tens of thousands of families across five states and forging partnerships with key stakeholders.

In the realm of artificial intelligence, Will has leveraged his expertise as a product leader, consultant, and advisor across various sectors such as media, health, finance, and information. He has also contributed to publications like FastCompany, partnered with esteemed universities, and held roles at prominent organizations including CARE International.

Recognized for his contributions, Will has received accolades such as being named a Forbes 30 Under 30 entrepreneur, an Ashoka Fellow, a World Economic Forum Global Shaper, a Champion of Change by President Barack Obama, a Fellow by the Stanford d.school, and an Emerging Leader in Transatlantic Policy by the Atlantic Council.

Will Byrne is fluent in German and conversational in Spanish, holding a Bachelor's degree in English and German Studies from Vassar College and completing additional studies in design thinking and entrepreneurship at Stanford University, as well as German Studies at Columbia University and Freie Universität Berlin.

His professional journey also includes roles at organizations like Pluro Labs, University of California, Berkeley, Filament, Human Rights First, Canopy Collective, IDEO CoLab, Hasso Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford, Center for Humane Technology, Presence Product Group, LLC, Threshold, Obama for America, SPIEGEL ONLINE, and American Academy in Berlin.