Samantha Niblett MP Appointed as New Chair of the Interparliamentary Forum on Emerging Technologies
The Interparliamentary Forum on Emerging Technologies (IFET) has today announced the appointment of its new Chair, Samantha Niblett MP. Elected as MP for South Derbyshire in July 2024, Samantha is taking on the position of Chair following the Rt Hon Darren Jones MP stepping down from the role due to his appointment as Chief Secretary to the Treasury.
IFET, formerly known as the Institute of AI, is a unique global network of legislators from every part of the world. In her role as Chair Samantha will play a key role in bringing together the best placed legislators to understand the impact of emerging technologies and the regulatory approaches being taken across the world. Established in 2019 IFET holds roundtables with legislators, analyses global trends in regulation and shares this information with its network.
Samantha Niblett MP, said: “I’m delighted to have been appointed to this global role and look forward to working with legislators from around the world to share insights into the impact of emerging technologies and different regulatory approaches. Having spent most of my career in data and technology, I’m strongly aware of the opportunities and risks posed by emerging tech and the potential benefits for economies, societies and citizens of legislators sharing insights at a strategic level.”
Emma Wright, Co-Founder and Director of IFET said: “We are pleased Samantha is joining as our new Chair following fellow Co-Founder Darren Jones stepping down from the role and now playing a key role in the UK Government. Samantha brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from her career in tech and will play a pivotal role in building relationships with legislators in more countries around the world.”
Fran O’Leary, Co-Founder, IFET added: “Since IFET was set up in 2019, we have brought together a wide range of legislators from countries around the world, hearing their experience and hosting speakers from international organisations such as the UN, UNESCO, the ITU, as well as academics and other experts. Samantha will play a key role in steering IFET’s agenda ensuring we continue to cover the latest developments in emerging tech, hosting more events and further building the network of legislators and countries involved.”
Samantha Niblett is the Labour Member of Parliament for South Derbyshire, and the founder of Labour: Women in Tech, a political not-for-profit campaigning for systemic change in gender equity by elevating women in STEM. Now a leading voice on gender equity and Tech in the House of Commons, Samantha combines 20+ years of experience in the data and technology sector with a personal passion for bringing attention to the voices of women and young people to unite the industry behind campaigns centering on economic growth, diversity and emerging technologies. Her work to smash barriers for women in STEM, tech and adjacent sectors, spans unions, industry, education and government, and her ongoing work in the House of Commons bringing together Parliamentarians will be crucial to achieving economic growth under the new Government.