Ms. Rachel Azafrani is Director, Office of Responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI), Microsoft Corporation. In this role, she oversees the governance of high-risk AI cloud services by developing and implementing internal and external strategy to mitigate Microsoft’s exposure to safety, human rights, and regulatory risk resulting from AI systems.
Prior to this, Ms. Azafrani served as a Security Strategist for Microsoft’s Digital Diplomacy team where she led company-wide public policy strategy for AI and the Internet of Things (IoT) security. Ms. Azafrani instituted a security update disclosure policy for Xbox consoles used by over 100 million consumers worldwide.
Other key roles she has had include Research Associate, Digital Ethics Lab, Oxford Internet Institute, UK and Cyber Advanced Support Operations Instructor, BlackHorse Solutions, Inc., where she managed teams for delivery of cybersecurity strategy products including for the Department of Defense. Here she trained over 400 U.S. government personnel to utilize cybersecurity, emerging technology, and social media in their counterterrorism, force protection, counterproliferation, and other mission sets.
Ms. Azafrani was named to the Women Leaders of Conversational AI Class of 2023, and in 2022, she was awarded a Special Jury Recognition from the Women in Artificial Intelligence. Other awards and recognition include being named as a German Marshall Fund Young Professional, a Rhodes Scholarship Finalist, and a Healy Scholar, Oxford University.
EDUCATION
University of Oxford, Oxford Internet Institute, M.Sc., Social Science of the Internet with Distinction
Georgetown University, Walsh School of Foreign Service, B.S.F.S., International Political Economy, magna cum laude