Maria Luciana Axente was the Head of Public Policy and Ethics at PwC UK and a Senior Research Associate at the Jesus College Intellectual Forum, University of Cambridge. Her work focused on advancing responsible, transparent, and ethical approaches to artificial intelligence across industry and society. Throughout her career, she led initiatives that supported policymakers, businesses, and communities in navigating the governance of emerging technologies. She was recognized for shaping frameworks that promoted accountability, inclusivity, and human-centered innovation, and for her leadership in strengthening the dialogue between technology development, public policy, and societal impact.