Keith Dear

Keith Dear is a Visiting Senior Research Fellow at the University of Exeter's Defence Studies Department, based in the School of Security Studies. He serves as CEO & Founder of AI strategy start-up Cassi and holds multiple high-profile fellowships, including at RUSI (UK's leading national security think tank), the University of Oxford's Changing Character of War Programme, and Cambridge Judge Business School. His military career includes roles as a Group Captain in the RAF's 601 Squadron and extensive international deployments in conflict zones like Iraq, Afghanistan, and Mali. He previously led Fujitsu’s £22M Centre for Cognitive Technologies, driving AI, quantum computing, and digital twin innovations.

Education includes a PhD in Experimental Psychology from Oxford, an MBA from Cambridge, an MA from King's College London, and a BA from Lancaster University. His research focuses on AI ethics, human-machine collaboration, national security, and geopolitical strategy. He advises UK government bodies, the UN, and serves on advisory boards for tech and space start-ups.

Publications span AI in warfare, surveillance psychology, and predictive intelligence, with a focus on bridging academic research with practical military and corporate applications. Awards include a 2023 Cambridge award for interdisciplinary work and contributions to RUSI and the House of Lords AI inquiry. His speaking engagements address global audiences on tech strategy, defense modernization, and ethical AI governance.