David Shrier

David Shrier is a globally recognized expert on technology-driven disruption, with expertise in institutional venturing across digital modalities (artificial intelligence, fintech, web3, data & cyber security, digital identity). His experience spans public and private companies as well as nonprofit and government advisory activities.

He is best known for revolutionizing the fintech startup landscape through his online MIT and Oxford fintech and blockchain classes, delivering more than $1 billion of financial support to the world's top universities, and in parallel creating the Commonwealth Fintech Toolkit for COMSEC, helping 56 countries apply fintech policy frameworks. In addition to leading venture studio Visionary Future, David is a Professor of Practice (Artificial Intelligence and Innovation) with Imperial College London, where he is founder & Co-Director of the Trusted AI Alliance.

David previously advised the European Parliament on AI (serving on the advisory committee for the EU AI Act) and on blockchain; FINRA, the UK Department of International Trade, the UK’s HM Revenue and Customs, and the Commonwealth of Nations on fintech policy; assisted ICIMOD to explore application of fintech to inclusion and climate in the Hindu Kush Himalaya region; briefed the UK Cabinet Office on artificial intelligence; testified to UK and EU parliamentary committees regarding blockchain legislation multiple times, and previously advised the European Commission on regional innovation ecosystems, and the Government of Dubai and the OECD on digital identity and distributed technologies.

David specializes in helping established organizations build innovative capacity. His team at Visionary Future have developed more than $20 billion of corporate venturing opportunities and have inculcated innovative mindset with enterprises including Pictet, Ringier, UBS, GE, Evercore, Dun & Bradstreet, Thomson Reuters, Peoples Group, Grupo Sura, WebMD, Kyriba, Ernst & Young, Wolters Kluwer, Schroders International, The Walt Disney Company, AOL Verizon, Pearson and Starwood, as well as leading private equity, VC and other financial sponsors. He currently holds board and C-level roles with multiple technology companies, with a particular focus on the technology economy.

David’s books include Basic AI: A Human Guide to Artificial Intelligence (Little, Brown and Harvard Business Publishing, 2024); Basic Metaverse (Little, Brown and Harvard Business Publishing, 2023); Global Fintech (MIT Press, 2022); Augmenting Your Career: How to Win at Work in the Age of AI (Little, Brown 2021), Basic Blockchain (Little, Brown 2020), Trusted Data (MIT Press, 2019), Frontiers of Financial Technology, New Solutions in Cybersecurity (MIT Press, 2018), and Trust::Data. His next book, Basic Space Innovation, will be published by Little Brown in 2025. David Shrier was granted an Sc.B. from Brown University in Biology and Theatre, and he worked professionally as a dramaturg and director after college.