Dr Paul Dongha is a deep technologist who has pioneered the development and implementation of responsible AI strategies in large financial organisations. His approach brings together the troika of technological advancement, corporate integrity and the responsible use of AI. Paul is currently Head of AI Strategy and Responsible AI at NatWest Group and has extensive hands-on experience of building service-based, high-performance systems that use Big Data. Paul Dongha is the author of Governing the Machine: How to Navigate the Risks of AI and Unlock Its True Potential, which was named as an FT Book of the Month in 2025. He has given keynotes on both sides of the Atlantic, including speaking at the prestigious NY AI Summit.
For over 30 years, Paul Dongha has been an expert on Agentic AI models. These are autonomous systems that use advanced reasoning to set goals, plan, reason and problem-solve with minimal human intervention. Paul believes AI should be used as a tool to augment human work rather than just replace it. His experience and expertise has guided business leaders looking to balance innovation with accountability and trust as they implement this fast-changing technology. He believes that the adoption and deployment of AI at scale is a leadership imperative that must be driven from the boardroom and not the IT department.
As a visionary leader, boardroom advisor and advocate for human rights, Paul believes that in order for AI to fully benefit humankind, business must mitigate its risks and pitfalls with the sensible implementation of guardrails. He is an active participant in international forums, policy discussions and projects aimed at setting global standards for responsible AI. As well as working with the UK Government, Paul works alongside the UK Competition and Market Authority, the UK banking regulators, PRA and the FCA.
Paul Dongha has built the framework and driven the mindset of AI policy in many large firms, including Lloyds Banking Group, where he was Group Head of Data and AI Ethics. He has also had posts at Fujitsu Research, HSBC and Credit Suisse. Paul studied for a B.Sc., Masters and PhD at Manchester University, publishing his thesis on Agentic AI in 1996 – many years before people were even aware of its existence.
Paul has also volunteered for the St Giles charity, where he provided mentorship and career advice to the adult caseworkers of repeat drug-related crime offenders. Additionally, he has mentored sixth-form and university students. He has also delivered lectures on Generative AI at Harvard, at the Business School’s MBA Program.
