Kelly Forbes Keynote Speaker

Co-Founder and Executive Director of the AI Asia Pacific Institute (AIAPI)
Strategic advisor on the governance of AI to leading organisations and governments
Former International Law Association (ILA) President of the Victorian Chapter (Australia) and founding ILA member in Singapore

Kelly Forbes's Biography

Kelly Forbes is the Executive Director of the AI Asia Pacific Institute (AIAPI), where she focuses on addressing the risks associated with artificial intelligence (AI) and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As a strategic advisor, Kelly acts as a bridge between policy, research, and industry, working with leading organisations and governments on the governance of AI.

With extensive experience in the Asia-Pacific region, Kelly has conducted research on AI governance, public-private dialogue, and government policy issues. She has been responsible for delivering and disseminating research findings, engaging the private sector in implementing AI guidelines and frameworks. Kelly’s technical expertise and practical applications of AI as a global challenge stem from her Bachelor of Laws dissertation, which examined the role of international law in promoting international cooperation and justice to solve global challenges.

Forbes’ dual qualification as a lawyer in both Common and Civil Law enhances her ability to tackle international challenges, where knowledge of laws and regulations across multiple jurisdictions is crucial for effective governance. She has held leadership roles in the International Law Association (ILA) and is an active member of the IEEE P2863TM Standards Development Group, focusing on the organisational governance of AI.

In addition to her roles at AIAPI and ILA, Kelly serves on the Editorial Board of the AI and Ethics Journal at Springer Nature and advises O.LLA, a pioneering platform in Health and Aged Care. As a renowned speaker and lecturer, she frequently addresses audiences on the intersection of law, ethics, and artificial intelligence.

Kelly Forbes has spent the past 15 years working in the Asia-Pacific region and is currently based in the United Arab Emirates, expanding her work in the Middle East. Her contributions have been recognised internationally, with her work being featured in Forbes magazine and various global conferences. With her diverse background and expertise, Kelly brings a unique perspective to the field of AI governance and its impact on sustainable development.

She leads the AI Asia Pacific Institute, working at the forefront of AI governance to help governments and organisations manage risk while advancing the Sustainable Development Goals.
She bridges policy, research and industry across the Asia-Pacific and Middle East, translating emerging AI regulation into practical frameworks leaders can implement with confidence.
She brings cross-jurisdictional legal expertise as a dual-qualified lawyer in Common and Civil Law, equipping boards to navigate complex, multi-market regulatory environments.
She contributes to global standards and thought leadership through roles with the IEEE P2863 Standards Development Group and the AI and Ethics Journal, shaping how responsible AI governance evolves.
Her briefings help senior audiences align innovation with ethics and compliance, turning AI governance into a source of strategic resilience and long-term trust.