Sophie Hackford

Sophie Hackford is one of the most sought-after voices in cybersecurity and future technologies, known for her compelling ability to connect the dots between planetary-scale computation, artificial intelligence, and the very real implications these hold for our societies. With over 220 thought-provoking talks delivered to executive teams and boards across industries – including Adobe, DeepMind, and EY – Sophie has become a trusted guide through the ever-evolving digital landscape. Her reputation is rooted in her deep expertise, visionary perspective, and commitment to asking the difficult, often provocative questions that shape the future of security, data, and ethics in technology.

Sophie’s impact spans far beyond the stage. As a strategic advisor to John Deere’s Advanced Technology Council, she explores emerging technologies in the context of resilience, sustainability, and food security. Her leadership at 1715 Labs, an imagery and data labelling platform spun out of Oxford’s Astrophysics Department, reflects her hands-on approach to tackling real-world challenges with cutting-edge solutions. From contributing to NASA’s Singularity University to curating future-focused exhibitions at the V&A, Sophie’s work consistently bridges scientific frontiers and public understanding.

Her insights are particularly resonant in the cybersecurity arena, where she dissects the layered complexities of identity, privacy, and consent in the era of Web3. Sophie critically examines technologies such as blockchain and autonomous systems, illuminating both their promise and pitfalls. She envisions a world where the internet becomes an immersive, data-driven “twinternet” – a simulation-based infrastructure allowing us to manage global systems remotely. In this imagined future, cybersecurity is not a feature but a foundation – and Sophie is one of the few equipped to navigate its philosophical and practical dimensions.

With a background as diverse as her intellect – from advising philanthropists and contributing to WIRED Magazine, to raising over $120m for global research at the Oxford Martin School – Sophie Hackford brings depth, clarity, and bold imagination to every engagement. Her talks don’t just inform; they challenge audiences to rethink the technological realities shaping our lives and our futures. To bring Sophie Hackford’s unique insights to your event, hire her via The Cyber Security Speakers Agency.