Zahaan Bharmal

For over 15 years, Zahaan Bharmal has held a range of roles at Google, including Chief of Staff to the company's Chief Marketing Officer, and Head of Strategy at Google DeepMind. Now, as Senior Director of AI Marketing for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, he shapes how AI is communicated and understood across the region.

Prior to Google, Zahaan was a policy advisor and speechwriter for the UK Government, crafting speeches for leaders including Tony Blair, Bill Clinton, and Nelson Mandela. This ability to communicate complex ideas in clear and compelling ways has been a hallmark of his work - whether explaining the implications of AI or making science accessible to broad audiences.

Beyond his Google career, Zahaan is a passionate science communicator. He is the author of the acclaimed book The Art of Physics, which explores how principles from physics help us simplify complexity in everyday life. It has been described as “a book that will transform how you understand human behaviour” by Thomas Erikson, the author of Surrounded by Idiots, and as “exceptionally interesting” by writer, broadcaster and philosopher Alain de Botton.

Zahaan also founded YouTube Space Lab, the world’s largest space science competition. For his leadership inspiring millions of children worldwide to take a greater interest in science, he was awarded NASA’s Exceptional Public Achievement Medal.

Engaging and thought-provoking, Zahaan speaks in a personal capacity to share his unique perspective on the intersection of AI, physics, and human decision-making. He translates cutting-edge science into actionable insights, helping leaders harness technology and scientific thinking to navigate an increasingly complex world.