Walter Pasquarelli

Walter Pasquarelli is a globally recognized writer, speaker, and expert on AI strategy and synthetic reality. He has advised Fortune 100 executives, world leaders, and royalty on the impact of generative technologies, shaping both business and government responses to AI.

Previously, Walter led AI thought leadership and advisory programs at The Economist Group, influencing global policy, public, and business perceptions of AI. He has been at the forefront of the concept of synthetic reality since 2019, a term later adopted by a global consulting firm. His expertise was sought by a European presidential candidate following the first major deepfake attack on a political figure in the region.

Walter also spearheaded the creation of the first globally focused AI Index, benchmarking national readiness for emerging technologies. He has provided strategic AI policy guidance to major corporations, including Google, Meta, Intel, Microsoft, and Coca-Cola, as well as to government leaders across the UK, US, Canada, the European Commission, UAE, Colombia, India, Thailand, and Serbia.

As a sought-after speaker and moderator, Walter has presented The Economist’s Data Dividend series, led panels at the World Economic Forum, and engaged with ministers and Fortune 100 C-suite executives on AI governance and strategy. Recognized among the top 16 speakers on ethical AI worldwide, he delivered over 50 lectures in 2024 alone on AI’s societal impact.

His insights have been featured in Forbes, POLITICO, Der Tagesspiegel, El Tiempo, the European Parliament, NATO, and cited by global leaders including London Mayor Sadiq Khan and the UAE Minister of State for AI.

Walter is an expert AI member at the OECD, recipient of the Prospect Public Policy Award from Cambridge University, an Affiliate Researcher at the Bennett School for Public Policy at Cambridge University, and a Member of the AI Advisory Board of the Welsh Government.