Meet Our SAIFCA Advocates
Building a safer future for children in an AI-driven world is not a task for any one profession, sector, or voice. It’s a shared responsibility - our Advocates are a testament to that belief.
Each of the individuals listed below has taken a clear stand: that the impact of artificial intelligence on children deserves more attention, greater care, and better solutions. By becoming a SAIFCA Advocate, they’ve joined a global, values-led network of people committed to shaping the conversation, sharing insight, and pushing for positive change.
Our Advocates include educators, technologists, policy specialists, researchers, healthcare professionals, parents, and others from across the world. Some bring decades of experience and leadership, others are just beginning their journey in this space and offer vital new perspectives. Together, they represent a powerful and growing movement of people determined to make a difference.
SAIFCA Advocates is a non-commercial initiative and all Advocates act in their capacity as individuals, rather than as representatives of any company, organisation or service. We focus purely on child safety and AI risk prevention.
🌱 SAIFCA Advocates support our mission by:
- Sharing their expertise, experience, and insight,
- Contributing ideas, perspectives, or written pieces,
- Helping raise awareness of AI risks to children,
- Staying connected to a global effort focused on safety, ethics, and empowerment.
We are truly grateful to every SAIFCA Advocate for being part of this work - and proud to stand alongside them in shaping a safer AI future for the next generation.
SAIFCA Advocates
Mónika Mercz – Visiting Researcher, The George Washington University
LinkedIn
Mónika Mercz is a visiting researcher at The George Washington University in Washington DC, where she is researching how AI can be integrated into child protection efforts. She is completing her PhD studies in Law and Political Sciences in Hungary, holds a degree in AI and Law from the University of Lisbon, and is a visiting fellow at George Mason University. Mónika has over seventy scientific publications, and has attended numerous international conferences. She is a founding editor of the Constitutional Discourse blog, leading the Privacy & Data Protection column.
Angie Normandale - Co-Founder, Managing Director, Aintelope
LinkedIn
Angie leads a research team applying the science of childhood development to make AI systems safer. She uses her considerable expertise to collaborate with academics, policy professionals, and a range of other professions, with a view to ensuring that AI systems are safe. Angie holds a degree in Experimental Psychology from Oxford University, and is currently studying for a Masters in Computer Science with AI.
Clara Hawking – Executive Director, Kompass Education
LinkedIn
Clara is a renowned AI ethicist and education leader specialising in AI safety, governance, and child protection, with expertise in K–12 education and responsible AI integration. Clara is a Center for AI and Digital Policy Fellow, an esteemed global speaker and media contributor. She currently applies her expertise to helping schools and organisations understand the implications of the technology children are using, and working to create safer digital environments for the next generation.
Ahmet Sami Konca – Assistant Professor Dr, Higher Colleges of Technology, UAE
LinkedIn
Ahmet holds a PhD in early childhood education, and carries out research on children`s interaction with digital technologies. Ahmet aims to use his considerable expertise to contribute to developing guidelines and policies about digital technology and AI, as well as leading education initiatives for parents and educators. He aspires to develop and evaluate cutting-edge educational tools that enhance both teaching and learning experiences, and has previously collaborated with UNICEF in Oman.
Andy Briercliffe – Global Advisor on Online Harms and Online Child Safety, Independent Consultant
LinkedIn
Andy has worked with various UK Government agencies in roles focused on child safety online, and also spent three years at Twitter. Andy brings extensive knowledge and experience in the area of online harms to children, and is passionate about reducing these risks to children.
Alan Robertson – UK Ambassador @ Global Council for Responsible AI; Consultant AI GRC, Costa Coffee
LinkedIn
Alan is an AI Ethics Advisor and Cybersecurity Specialist who also acts as an Advisory Board Member at Eunoia AI and as UK Ambassador @ Global Council for Responsible AI. He focuses on AI safety, digital governance, and protecting online communities through education and ethical frameworks.
Bianca Farthing – Founder and CEO, AI Edify
LinkedIn
Bianca focuses on ensuring that AI enhances academic challenge, critical thinking, and ethical engagement in education. She is currently studying at Oxford University for a master’s in Learning and Teaching, researching generative AI in education. Bianca is also a History teacher and a digital leader in the independent sector. Bianca collaborates with educators, researchers, and policymakers to develop AI-driven tools and frameworks that prioritise safety, transparency, and responsible adoption.
Zoë Bussewitz – University of Georgia School of Law; Affiliated with ASIS International
LinkedIn
Zoë is a Paragon Technology Policy Fellow and a steering committee member for ASIS’s Extremism and Political Instability Community. She is also a member of ASIS School Safety and Security Community and has worked as a Security Analyst at Hudson Yards and interned with the U.S. Attorney’s Office SDNY in the National Security and Counterterrorism Unit. She currently interns in the Investigations Division for the Office of the Attorney General of New York, and this summer will work for University of Maryland’s Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence and Security. Zoë’s academic and research interests revolve around exploring how technology aids the radicalisation of youth, and she is about to commence studies at the University of Georgia School of Law.
Amanda Dalia Parkin – Digital Transformation & Clinical Business Partner, NHS Cheshire and Merseyside ICB
LinkedIn
Amanda is a Digital Specialist in AI and Robotics, leading healthcare programmes with expertise in safety, governance, cyber security, and a strong commitment to child protection and digital literacy. Her leadership within the NHS in the UK has focused on establishing new standards for information transmission across care settings, striving for seamless healthcare delivery and robust digital solutions. Amanda is currently based in Canada, where she is exploring opportunities in government to drive improvement in healthcare through digital solutions.
Satwik Dutta – Eugene McDermott Graduate Fellow and Ph.D. Candidate in Electrical Engineering, The University of Texas at Dallas, USA
LinkedIn
Satwik’s doctoral research aims to create trustworthy child-centered Speech/Voice AI. His expertise includes both AI technology and policy surrounding children’s privacy, and he has a breadth of relevant peer-reviewed papers in the field. Satwik is focused on creating a safer AI future for children through his research.
Abel Pena Fernandez – Ethical AI & Child Safety Advocate, IEEE Senior Member, AI Advisor & Board Member
LinkedIn
As an IEEE Senior Member, Abel has been actively involved in AI standards development for several years, promoting governance frameworks with a focus on child safety and global best practices. He is recognised for his contributions to society and is dedicated to leveraging technology for good, while protecting vulnerable populations, particularly children. His expertise supports SAIFCA’s collaboration with policymakers and further enhances our positioning in this area.
Edith Utete – Lead Consultant , Digital Wellness Africa; Attorney
LinkedIn
Edith is a Digital Media Use and Online Safety Expert. Her work involves educating and empowering African communities on AI and digital literacy, digital citizenship and digital wellbeing. She is the Zimbabwe Chapter Lead for Women in Tech Africa and works to promote the participation of women and girls in STEM education and careers.
Rita Bateson – Director of Learning, Eblana Learning
LinkedIn
Rita is an educator, school leader and consultant working to support schools on safe, sustainable and ethical AI. She is focused on introducing AI in schools in line with the values of the International Baccalaureate. She aims to share her expertise in order to promote better AI safety for children worldwide.
Abdullah Olamilekan AbdulRahman – Partnerships Manager, Pristine SACC Education and Technology Initiative
LinkedIn
Abdullah has experience across a range of relevant domains, including education, research, and project management. He advocates for AI’s potential while promoting its responsible use, especially in children's education. Abdullah’s experience includes roles within organisations leading on curriculum development and early childhood education in Nigeria.
Christopher Sciullo – Family Digital Wellness Advocate; Educator
LinkedIn
Christopher is a parent of four and a seasoned IT leader. He now focuses on digital wellness education and tools to support safer, healthier tech habits in families. Christopher is passionate about creating a better digital world for children and dedicates himself to helping people navigate the rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Ogundele Rapheal Kehinde – Community Engagement Manager, Webfala Digital Skills for All Initiative
LinkedIn
Ogundele uses his considerable expertise in digital safety, child protection and online security, to advocate for children’s online safety through training programs, policy discussions and collaborative efforts with stakeholders. He has also undertaken leading roles in initiatives focusing on empowering women in North Central Nigeria by bridging the gender gap in technology and addressing gender-based violence, and on increasing participation of women in STEM fields.
Andrew Midura – Advisor to Joint Works Council on AI Governance, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
LinkedIn
Andrew is the first Advisor for the Joint Works Council at Merck KGaA's global headquarters in Germany, supporting responsible use of AI. Andrew is keen to champion the mission of SAIFCA and is particularly interested in national and international policy decisions that affect children and parents.
Tim Cook – Founder and CEO, AIConfident Ltd
LinkedIn
Tim leads a social enterprise dedicated to helping leaders and educators to lead with confidence in an AI enabled world. With over a decade working in AI technologies including 4 years as Deputy Head of the Government’s Office for AI and several years with the UK Ministry of Defence, he brings extensive experience to his current work in AI. Tim is particularly passionate about raising awareness of the risks to children from AI ‘companion’ chatbots.
Giulia Compagnone – Lawyer
LinkedIn
Giulia is an Italian lawyer, currently working as an AI Research Affiliate while pursuing studies in AI safety. Giulia is focused on shielding children from AI-related dangers, and empowering stakeholders to navigate AI responsibly.
Nada Radwan – Advanced AI Data Trainer and QA - English and Arabic
LinkedIn
Nada is a professional AI Data Traininer and Quality Analyst, aiming to make AI safer with a particular focus on diversity and inclusion. Nada focuses on preventing misuse or unsafe AI interactions as early as possible.
Eli Samuel – CEO, SafeTelecom Inc.
LinkedIn
Eli is a CEO and father of four. He focuses on developing safe tech solutions for children, and advocates for stronger safeguards in digital environments. Eli is passionate about children’s wellbeing in the digital world, and dedicates his time to raising awareness of alternatives to standard communications tech.
Amber Ivey – Founder, AiDigiTales
LinkedIn
Amber is focused on making AI accessible and safe for children through books, animation, and interactive learning experiences. She aims to ensure all children have equitable access to AI literacy in a safe and responsible way. Outside of her focus on children, Amber collaborates with a diverse range of government leaders to cultivate a robust data culture within their agencies.
Kimetha Dunn – AI UX Researcher and Founder
LinkedIn
Kimetha’s work focuses on safe AI literacy and education for everyone. She aims to use her unique cultural perspectives, technical background and parenting experience to help create a safer AI future for children. Kimetha is currently completing a master's in Human-Computer Interaction.
Muzaffar Ahmad – CAIO, Data Automation
LinkedIn
Muzaffar is an AI strategist specialising in AI safety, ethics, and governance. He advocates for responsible AI, child protection, and education, with expertise in automation and digital transformation.
Michael Mumbo – Co-Founder and Director , Edutab Africa
LinkedIn
Michael specialises in AI safety, child protection, and digital learning. He champions ethical tech integration in education, digital literacy, and policy advocacy to create safe, inclusive learning environments across Africa.
Bharath Puranam – Associate Professor of Exact Sciences, New Anglia University
LinkedIn
Bharath is an Associate Professor with an interest in researching safe implementation of AI and AI Safety in education. He is passionate about inspiring and educating the next generation of professionals, and is focused on contributing to the wellbeing of children via safe implementation of AI in education.
Dr V Guru Charan – Chief AI Officer, Collaborative Dynamics
LinkedIn
Dr. V Guru Charan is an AI research scientist; he holds a PhD in Theoretical Physics and currently works on enhancing the security of LLMs. Dr Guru Charan also contributes to various educational programs and local community development initiatives, and offers his extensive expertise and experience to SAIFCA in an advisory capacity.
Christina Wiremu-Brook – Head of Safe AI, NSW Department of Education
LinkedIn
Christina is a leading AI ethics and data strategy expert, focused on shaping the future of AI in high-risk, high-impact sectors. She is currently leading AI governance in one of the world’s largest public education systems.
Bianca Garibaldi – Director, Right to Innocence
LinkedIn
With over 20 years of experience in digital risk management and child protection, Bianca has led major initiatives across Latin America to investigate online threats, strengthen safety policies, and train professionals in emerging digital crimes. Her work spans social media, AI safety, OSINT investigations, and intelligence sharing – all focused on protecting children and creating safer online environments.
Dr Celia McCrea - Clinical Psychologist (retired)
Dr Celia McCrea is former Director of Postgraduate Psychology at Leicester University, with a research specialism in eating disorders and body image. She advises SAIFCA on the impact of AI in body image and mental health.
All SAIFCA Advocates have signed the following pledge:
“As a SAIFCA Advocate, I support the mission to protect children from AI risks while preparing them to thrive in an AI-driven world. I recognise both the immediate challenges facing children and the importance of ensuring advanced AI systems align with human wellbeing. I commit to contributing to awareness of these issues and supporting SAIFCA’s mission within my professional sphere.”
And support SAIFCA's mission:
Our mission is to protect children from the risks posed by artificial intelligence, inspire a future generation equipped to ensure advanced AI systems align with human well-being, and contribute meaningfully to societal efforts addressing AI challenges.
⬇️ If you or someone you know would like to strengthen SAIFCA's impact by becoming an official Advocate, please sign up for updates on new opportunities! ⬇️