- Ethical-AI entrepreneur who founded Metaphysic.ai, Codec.ai, and Union
- Named a WEF Global Innovator and Maserati Top Entrepreneur
- UCL Board member and Harvard-trained lawyer
Martin Adams is an ethical-AI founder and innovation expert who helps leaders turn AI hype into practical advantage while keeping people and creativity at the centre. He has founded and scaled multiple ethical-AI businesses that were later acquired, including Codec.ai, a UK Top 20 AI scaleup, and Metaphysic.ai, named one of TIME's 100 Most Influential Companies globally.
A Maserati Top 100 UK Entrepreneur and a World Economic Forum Global Innovator, Martin serves on the Board of UCL (University College London), home to 33 Nobel laureates including AI pioneers Sir Demis Hassabis and Professor Geoffrey Hinton. He sits on the AI Advisory Board of the Marketing Society and helped establish the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA).
Originally trained as a lawyer at Harvard, Martin brings legal expertise to help organisations harness AI's upside while protecting data, reputation, and intellectual property value. His technical understanding extends to being an inventor on three patents in generative video.
Also a highly sought-after speaker, Martin has delivered talks for clients including Procter & Gamble, Unilever, L’Oreal, Oracle, Arabian Business, as well as the European Commission, the Alan Turing Institute, Cannes Lions and MIT. At SXSW Sydney, Martin delivered a talk on Sensitive Organisations and their importance in our world today, a topic on which the World Economic Forum has published his work. His arguments on how we can use technology to advance human agency and business impact have also been featured in global documentaries on AI.
Martin combines frontier insight with practical frameworks that help organisations decide where to invest, manage risk, and maintain competitive advantage while scaling AI. Audiences gain concrete strategies for cutting through noise, building leadership belief, and moving forward with confidence. His presentations deliver actionable frameworks that leadership teams can implement immediately.
Book Martin when you need to transform AI uncertainty into strategic clarity and practical action for your organisation.
Martin's showreel and videos
Topics, sessions and talks
Escaping AI Toyland: Turning AI Hype Into Strategy
Martin Adams discusses how leaders can transcend temporary solutions and productivity hacks to harness genuine innovation and drive business transformation through AI. He emphasises the importance of adopting a strategic mindset that integrates AI into core operations. Attendees will learn actionable strategies to implement AI effectively, fostering a culture of innovation that leads to sustainable growth and competitive advantage in their organisations.
Keeping A Human Edge In The Age Of AI
In this talk, Martin Adams explores how AI can enhance human judgment, creativity, and connection instead of replacing them. He discusses the implications for leadership, organisational culture, and talent development. Attendees will learn strategies to integrate AI in ways that support and elevate human capabilities, fostering a more innovative and collaborative work environment. This session highlights the importance of balancing technology with human insight to drive success in the modern workplace.
AI For Brand Builders In A Copy-Paste World
Martin Adams will discuss how marketing and innovation teams can leverage AI to generate unique, on-brand ideas and experiences, even when using the same tools as competitors. He will share strategies to enhance, rather than compromise, a brand's creative edge and cultural identity. Attendees will learn actionable insights for utilising AI effectively to maintain their brand's distinctiveness in a crowded marketplace.
AI And Education: Designing Human-Centred Futures
Martin Adams will discuss how leaders can effectively prepare their workforce for an AI-driven future. He highlights the importance of cultivating skills and mindsets that prioritise judgment, creativity, and empathy. By focusing on these key attributes, leaders can ensure their teams are equipped to navigate the challenges posed by AI advancements. Attendees will learn actionable strategies to foster a resilient and adaptable workforce ready to thrive in an evolving technological landscape.
Building Companies That Can Truly Sense And Respond
Martin Adams will discuss designing organisations that can continuously sense global trends and understand customer needs. He will explore the integration of AI, data, and human insight to create responsive systems. Attendees will learn strategies for fostering adaptability and intelligence within their organisations, enabling them to better meet customer demands and navigate an ever-changing landscape. This talk will equip participants with practical tools to enhance their organisational design for sustained success.
Why we recommend booking Martin
Martin's track record building and exiting ethical-AI businesses including a UK Top 20 scaleup gives him unusual credibility when translating technical capability into commercial strategy. His Harvard legal training and UCL Board position mean he can address IP protection and governance concerns with authority. Leadership teams value his frameworks for cutting through AI hype and identifying where investment actually drives margin.
Martin is up there with the best speakers I've ever seen. He speaks with conviction, clarity and passion to help the audience understand how they can win big in the modern world.
Oli Woodley
SVP Commercial, VICE Magazine, Soho House Group
Any talk from Martin is an absolute joy. His empathy with his audience is incredible and his sheer energy is infectious!
Huib van Bockel
Former CMO, Red Bull
I can honestly say that no one gets technology and its role in modern business, education and society more than Martin... He brings it to life better than anyone.
