# Steven T. > Global Head of AI Governance Advisory @SAS | Nonresident Senior Fellow @Atlantic Council | Keynote Speaker | Board Advisor | Award-winning Executive | Coined the use of “Responsible Innovation” for AI in 2018 Location: San Francisco, California, United States Profile: https://flows.cv/stevent Steven is a technology, strategy, governance and innovation executive with 25+ years of experience in driving innovation and transformation across multiple industries and continents. He is passionate about exploring the influence of technology on the environment and societies, and advising stakeholders how to create a more generative, just, and sustainable future for all of humanity. As a Nonresident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council GeoTech Center, Steven collaborates with experts and leaders on data ethics, AI, and policy issues. He has published dozens papers in Data Ethics and Responsible Innovation and has been issued a half dozen patents on data trusts and data governance. He also serves as an Advisor for the Data Guild, a network of world-class scientists, engineers, and designers who develop big data solutions for critical needs in the world. He has also served as Vice President of AI Strategy at DataStax, the real-time AI company with one of the world's most scalable vector databases. Previously, he started and led the Responsible Innovation and Data Ethics practices at Accenture after several startups, leading R&D for digital media, and building public safety solutions at a defense contractor. Steven holds a B.S. in Computer Science Engineering, Information Systems, an M.B.A in Sustainable Management, and a certificate in Ethics of Technology from Stanford University. ## Work Experience ### Global Head of AI Governance Advisory @ SAS Jan 2024 – Present | San Francisco, California, United States Part of the leading Data Ethics Practice, AI Governance Advisory works with executives at SAS customers, who routinely mention how SAS is their most trusted vendor, to establish AI Governance and bring about Trustworthy AI transformations. ### Nonresident Senior Fellow @ Atlantic Council GeoTech Center Jan 2021 – Present Collaborate with stakeholders of the Atlantic Council to advise on Data Ethics, AI, and policy. Exploring technology's influence on societies and governments helps to inform policymakers and make progress toward a more generative future for all of humanity. ### Advisor @ The Data Guild Jan 2014 – Present | Palo Alto, CA The Data Guild develops solutions informed by big data that address critical needs in the world. By leveraging a network of world-class scientists, engineers, and designers, The Data Guild helps customers frame high-impact data problems, identify and take advantage of data opportunities, and produce actionable findings. ### Vice President, AI Strategy @ DataStax Jan 2022 – Jan 2023 | San Francisco Bay Area DataStax is the Real-time AI company with one of the world's most scalable Vector Databases, powering Generative AI. With DataStax, any enterprise can mobilize data and quickly build smart, high-growth applications at unlimited scale, on any cloud. DataStax delivers the AstraDB cloud database built on Apache Cassandra® (with vector embeddings) and the Astra Streaming event streaming technology built on Apache Pulsar™. Hundreds of the world’s leading enterprises, including Audi, ESL Gaming, FedEx, Verizon, and many more rely on DataStax. Together, they unleash the power of Real-time Data and Generative AI to expand existing markets and enter new ones. ### Project Fellow, Designing and Building the Metaverse @ World Economic Forum Jan 2022 – Jan 2022 Led the governance portion of this work that will debut at Davos 2023 and be completed by Davos 2024. ### Program Fellow, Digital Trust @ World Economic Forum Jan 2021 – Jan 2022 ### Advisor, Content Safety @ World Economic Forum Jan 2020 – Jan 2022 | Geneva, Switzerland Provide advice, on behalf of Accenture, on issues related to content safety under investigation by WEF and its members. ### Global Lead, Data Ethics + Responsible Innovation @ Accenture Strategy Jan 2013 – Jan 2022 | San Francisco, CA Data Ethics+Responsible Innovation (2018 - 2022) Technology Vision+Data Ethics (2014 - 2018) Technology Vision (2013 - 2014) Steven defined Accenture's market-leading positions in Data Ethics and Responsible Innovation. ᐅ Led the Ethics and Accountability portions of Monetary Authority of Singapore's guidance on how to implement Fairness, Ethics, Accountability, & Transparency for FSIs; case studies with AXA and UOB. Won Partner of the Year award for this work. ᐅ Helped to author Accenture's internal AI policies and policy strategy. ᐅ Pitched and led dozens of strategic, product, and organizational change projects across 10 industries on 3 continents. ᐅ Pitched (in 2018) and funded a project (2019-20) @Carnegie Endowment for International Peace on synthetic media (deepfakes and mis/mal/disinformation) that resulted in policy changes at many global platform companies. ᐅ Conceived, recruited, and operated an external advisory board. ᐅ Built, trained, and led multiple sets of teams simultaneously in different parts of the world. ᐅ Recognized as a top 'people-developer' for Accenture in Northern California. ᐅ Advised on data risk for M&A deals that led to redesigning product strategy for resiliency to data risk. ᐅ Conceived a new privacy-centric product, service, and go to market strategy that enabled a large, specialty retailer to increase profit by 400%. ᐅ Advised on ethically appropriate surveillance integrations with civil society stakeholders to enhance trust and safety for a global shared economy platform. ᐅ Identified a net new market for a data startup that resulted in a 6x higher purchase price. ᐅ Identified, pitched, and gained Venture investment for several startups. ᐅ Founded ‘Data Ethics Salon Series’, grew it to 200 practitioners, and spun it out to the Atlantic Council. ᐅ Advise the World Economic Forum on content safety, digital trust, and responsible metaverse. ᐅ Won an unbid World Economic Forum project, “only if Steven Tiell works on it.” ### Member, Board of Directors @ PiiQ Jan 2014 – Jan 2018 | San Francisco Bay Area ### Advisor @ Mobi Prize Jan 2014 – Jan 2017 The MobiPrize was an award honoring entrepreneurial ventures that were changing the world–helping to improve the quality of life and revitalize the environment and economy of communities and regions through sustainable transportation (New Mobility). + http://mobiprize.com ### Member, Board of Directors @ Olazul Jan 2009 – Jan 2015 Social Entrepreneur in Residence (Jul 2011 - Dec 2011) Olazul worked to connect fishing communities, scientists, and industries to market-based solutions that satisfied demand for responsible ocean goods, supported community development, and delivered conservation outcomes. As Social Entrepreneur in Residence, Steven developed a new, for-profit subsidiary to improve economic resilience for islands in Southeast Asia through the ecological growth and cultivation of native marine ornamental species in demand by Western consumers and recruited its leader. This work was awarded with a Leaders Shaping Markets fellowship and a Kinship Conservation fellowship for visionary marine conservation and economic development innovation. Olazul Aquarium Fish is currently a project of Coral Reef Alliance where it continues to create market-based economic development opportunities for remote, indigenous populations. ### Co-Founder & CEO @ Spud Flower Jan 2012 – Jan 2013 | San Francisco, CA Spud Flower was a social gift giving platform used by family and friends to help children save for college and build generational economic mobility. ### Principal @ Tiellium Consulting Jan 2009 – Jan 2012 Consult with businesses and governments on sustainability and technology strategies. Clients included The Environmental Agency of Abu Dhabi, Cisco Systems, several start-ups, and other SMBs. ### Lead, Urban Innovations (consultant) @ Cisco Systems, Internet Business Solutions Group - Public Sector Practice Jan 2009 – Jan 2011 Western Hemisphere Lead, Smart+Connected Commmunities Institute (consultant) (January 2011 - August 2011) Global Product Manager, Smart Cities (consultant) (September 2009 - December 2010) The Internet Business Solutions Group (IBSG) serves as the tip of the spear of Cisco's medium- and long-term strategy and builds markets for the company to sell into 5-10 years in the future. IBSG lives at the intersection of strategy, technology, and business process reengineering. Built a global, stakeholder-rich ecosystem for the Smart+Connected Communities Institute to share thought leadership on urban innovations. + Winner of the Golden Bridges Award (Green, Eco-Friendly & Cleantech), + Winner of the Stevie American Business Award (New Product or Service of the Year). Provided Product and Program Management for Urban EcoMap, Connected Urban Development, and Dialogue Cafe and assisted with technology and product strategy for the Planetary Skin Institute. + http://urbanecomap.org + http://connectedurbandevelopment.org + http://dialoguecafe.org + http://planetaryskin.org ### Graduate Teaching Assistant, Capital Markets @ Presidio Graduate School Jan 2008 – Jan 2011 Emerging energy and carbon markets are taught alongside a traditional capital markets curriculum. ### Sr. Strategist (Consultant) @ Abu Dhabi Environment Agency Jan 2009 – Jan 2009 Built cradle-to-grave strategy for electronic devices, leveraging global best practices in public policy, to help the environmental agency become a “beacon of sustainability." ### Sr. Manager, Research & Product Development @ Premier Retail Networks Jan 2004 – Jan 2008 | San Francisco, CA Sr. Manager, Research & Product Development (January 2006 - June 2008) Sr. Systems Engineer (June 2004 - December 2005) Led engineering R&D and product efforts, including product strategy, development, and integration. PRN was a global media solutions firm and the 5th largest television network in the U.S. (according to Nielsen viewership studies). ### Founder + CEO @ tiellium - elemental media Jan 2002 – Jan 2004 Consulted with small and medium businesses to provide technical architecture and design-related services and solutions. ### Performer @ Dr. Danga Grimaldi's Exhibition Fantastique Jan 2000 – Jan 2003 As it turns out, it's a lot of fun to dress in costume, dance, juggle fire, and entertain the masses. ### Systems & Network Engineer @ Northrop Grumman Jan 1999 – Jan 2003 Systems & Network Engineer (June 2000 - June 2003) Systems Administrator (August 1999 - May 2000) Engineering Co-op / Intern (June 1999 - August 1999) Worked with the Public Safety Division to design and build ICT infrastructure that enhanced public safety and security. Offered any role I wanted after co-op, "what will it take to keep you?" ### Co-Founder & SVP of Design @ Webmasterworks Jan 1996 – Jan 1999 One of five founders of this web design & services firm. Sold for a profitable exit. ## Education ### M.B.A. in Sustainable Management Presidio Graduate School ### B.S. in Computer Science Engineering, Information Systems The Ohio State University ### Continuing Studies in Ethics of Technology Stanford University ## Contact & Social - LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/stiell - Website: http://steven.tiell.com/ - Website: https://ethicsofdata.com --- Source: https://flows.cv/stevent JSON Resume: https://flows.cv/stevent/resume.json Last updated: 2026-04-08