Name:
Ian Hogarth, CBE
Role:
Chair of the UK Government’s AI Foundation Model Taskforce; Entrepreneur, Investor, and Visiting Professor at UCL.
Net Worth:
As of March 2025, Ian Hogarth’s net worth is estimated at $150 million.
Profile Overview:
Ian Hogarth is a British entrepreneur, investor, and AI expert renowned for his contributions to technology and policy. He is the Chair of the UK Government’s AI Foundation Model Taskforce, leading efforts to ensure safe and reliable development of advanced AI systems. Hogarth co-founded Songkick, a concert discovery platform, and Plural Platform, an early-stage venture capital firm supporting mission-driven founders. Recognized as one of TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in AI (2023), Hogarth combines technical expertise with a passion for ethical AI governance.
Bio:
Born in 1983 or 1984 in the UK, Ian Hogarth attended Dulwich College before earning a degree in Information Engineering from the University of Cambridge. He specialized in machine learning during his Master’s program, completing a project on computer vision systems for breast cancer biopsy classification. He also studied Mandarin at Tsinghua University in Beijing.
In 2007, Hogarth co-founded Songkick as part of Y Combinator’s accelerator program. Under his leadership as CEO, Songkick scaled to over $100 million in ticket sales and served 17 million monthly users. The company merged with CrowdSurge in 2015 and was later acquired by Warner Music Group following a landmark $130 million settlement against Ticketmaster for anti-competitive practices.
Hogarth transitioned into angel investing after Songkick, backing over 150 startups—more than 50 focused on AI applications across industries like healthcare, agriculture, and construction. In 2021, he co-founded Plural Platform to support mission-driven entrepreneurs. He has also co-authored the State of AI Report since 2018 and published influential works such as AI Nationalism, which explores the geopolitical implications of machine learning.
Ian Hogarth’s Role in Artificial Intelligence:
Ian Hogarth is a leading advocate for ethical AI development and safety. As Chair of the UK Government’s AI Foundation Model Taskforce, he oversees research into mitigating risks associated with advanced AI systems while promoting global norms for responsible innovation. The taskforce operates with £100 million in funding and collaborates with leading labs like OpenAI and Google DeepMind.
Hogarth’s work emphasizes the importance of transparency and accountability in AI policy. Through his writings and investments, he has highlighted risks posed by unregulated development of “God-like” AI models while advocating for frameworks that prioritize human welfare.
Nationality:
British
Age:
41 years old (as of March 21, 2025).
Educational Qualification:
- High School: Dulwich College.
- Bachelor’s Degree: Information Engineering from the University of Cambridge.
- Additional Studies: Mandarin at Tsinghua University in Beijing.
Sources of Wealth:
- Songkick: Co-founder; scaled to $100M+ ticket sales before acquisition by Warner Music Group.
- Plural Platform: Co-founder; invested in over 150 startups globally.
- Government Role: Chair of the UK AI Foundation Model Taskforce.
- Angel Investing: Backed startups applying AI across industries like healthcare and agriculture.
- Speaking Engagements & Publications: Co-author of the State of AI Report; recognized thought leader on AI geopolitics.
Random Fact:
Ian Hogarth once described machine learning as “eating the world,” updating Marc Andreessen’s famous phrase about software to reflect the transformative impact of AI.
Ian Hogarth’s career reflects his dedication to advancing technology responsibly while fostering innovation across industries. His leadership in policy and entrepreneurship continues to shape the global discourse on artificial intelligence safety and governance
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