Eric Horvitz - Speaker

Eric Horvitz is Microsoft’s Chief Scientific Officer, leading company-wide initiatives at the intersection of artificial intelligence, technology, and society. His work focuses on advancing AI research while addressing the ethical and strategic challenges of integrating AI into critical sectors such as healthcare, transportation, and aerospace. A key figure in AI governance, he has contributed to shaping policies and frameworks for responsible AI development.
With a background spanning computer science and medicine, Eric has pioneered research on decision-making systems, machine learning, and human-AI collaboration. His contributions have influenced real-world applications, from intelligent healthcare solutions to autonomous systems. He has been instrumental in establishing ethical guidelines for AI, chairing Microsoft’s Aether Committee and co-founding the Partnership on AI.
Elected as a fellow of the National Academy of Engineering, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and multiple computing and AI associations, Eric’s influence extends beyond research. He has advised governments and institutions, serving on the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology and the National Security Commission on AI. His work has earned him the Feigenbaum Prize and the Allen Newell Prize, recognising his impact on AI theory and practice.