Ian Hogarth

Investor who warned in 2023 that the race to “God-like AI” could end humanity, and who has chaired the UK’s frontier-AI body from the Foundation Model Taskforce to today’s AI Security Institute.

Roles

2019 – presentChair, PhasecraftJoined the quantum-algorithm startup's board in 2019.Source →
2021 – presentCo-founder, PluralEarly-stage venture firm; headquarters moved from London to Estonia in February 2025.Source →
18 Jun 2023 – Nov 2023Chair, Foundation Model Taskforce (later Frontier AI Taskforce), UK GovernmentSource →
2 Nov 2023 – Feb 2025Chair, AI Safety InstituteThe taskforce became the AI Safety Institute at the close of the Bletchley Park summit.Source →
14 Feb 2025 – presentChair, AI Security InstituteThe Institute was renamed on 14 February 2025; still listed as Chair on its site in September 2026.Source →

On the record

14 Feb 2025 · Statement · Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
The Institute's focus from the start has been on security and we've built a team of scientists focused on evaluating serious risks to the public. Our new criminal misuse team and deepening partnership with the national security community mark the next stage of tackling those risks.
Chair, AI Security Institute at the time
On the day the AI Safety Institute was renamed the AI Security Institute.
Tackling AI security risks to unleash growth and deliver Plan for Change →
2 Nov 2023 · Statement · 10 Downing Street
The support of international governments and companies is an important validation of the work we'll be carrying out to advance AI safety and ensure its responsible development.
Chair, AI Safety Institute at the time
Prime Minister launches new AI Safety Institute →
18 Sept 2023 · Interview · Fox News
The kind of risks we are paying most attention to are augmented national security risks.
Chair, Foundation Model Taskforce (later Frontier AI Taskforce), UK Government at the time
As taskforce chair, warning that AI lowers the barrier to cyber-attacks on services such as the NHS.
AI robots capable of carrying out attack on NHS would cause COVID-like disruption, expert warns →
12 Apr 2023 · Op-ed · Financial Times
They do not yet know how to pursue their aim safely and have no oversight. They are running towards a finish line without an understanding of what lies on the other side.
Co-founder, Plural at the time
On the handful of companies competing to build God-like AI.
We must slow down the race to God-like AI →
12 Apr 2023 · Op-ed · Financial Times
God-like AI could be a force beyond our control or understanding, and one that could usher in the obsolescence or destruction of the human race.
Co-founder, Plural at the time
FT essay is paywalled; the words were verified on a page reproducing them. Publication date per the Wikipedia citation.
We must slow down the race to God-like AI →