Helen Edwards

About Helen Edwards

I have spent my career at the edges of chaos: where technological innovation collides head-on with traditional ways of doing things. I am often described as being able to “link the un-linkable,” to see new counter-intuitive outcomes, and having a knack for spotting the signal in the noise. I\'ve been an entrepreneur, venture capitalist, technology executive, writer, editor, market researcher, engineer, and product manager. I’ve been the CIO of Transpower, New Zealand’s national grid, head of emerging products at Pacific Gas and Electric, and head of corporate venturing for Meridian Energy. In 2017, the artificial intelligence market research firm I founded alongside my husband, Dave Edwards, was sold to Atlantic Media, and we continued our work at Atlantic Media’s subsidiary Quartz. As a husband-and-wife team, we have worked together since 2009, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. My expertise includes- Advising top executives on AI strategy and complex change - Guiding research on disruptive sectors and identifying the key metrics for success - Crafting compelling narratives to demystify technological change - Delivering the moment of clarity that empowers bold decisions and harnessing the transformative potential of AI If you\'re ready to ensure your organization thrives in this complex age of artificial intelligence, let\'s connect.

Experience

1. Co-founder

   Artificiality Institute

   Oct 2019 — Present

   The Artificiality Institute guides humanity through its most profound transformation yet—living alongside synthetic intelligence. As a beacon of hope for human flourishing in a synthetic world, we illuminate the human journey into a future where identities blend, cognition extends beyond biology, and meaningful symbiosis with synthetic minds becomes reality. Through inquiry, design, and dialogue, we shape a future where human and synthetic minds do more than coexist—they co-create. In this shared evolution, we extend the meaning of being human through story, relationship, and systems rooted in lived experience.Originally founded in 2019, Artificiality was re-established in 2025 as a nonprofit research institute dedicated to shaping the human experience in a synthetic world. We are currently awaiting 501(c)(3) status.Our Mission and Vision- Mission: To shape the emerging human experience in an increasingly synthetic world through participatory research, inclusive design, and public storytelling- Vision: A world where human identity is enriched by awe of diverse intelligences, wonder at emergent consciousness, and symbiosis with minds created for our minds- Metrics: We will co-create a public record of 1 million moments between people and AI, influence products reaching 1 billion people, and help shape technologies that positively impact 1 trillion hours of human life.

Education

• University of Virginia Darden School of Business

  Venture / innovation / business

  2001

• University of Canterbury

  Engineering, Chemical Engineering

  1986 — 1988

• University of Virginia Darden School of Business

  Entrepreneurship/Entrepreneurial Studies

• Massey University

  Post-graduate Diploma in Technology, Dairy Science

  1989 — 1990

Skills

• Commercialization
• Energy
• Utilities
• Public / Private Partnerships
• International Business
• Strategic Planning
• IT Governance
• Strategy
• Innovation Management
• Program Management
• Business Strategy
• Management
• Product Development
• IT Strategy
• Renewable Energy
• Leadership
• Strategic Policy Development
• Governance
• Mergers & Acquisitions
• Cleantech
• Project Management
• Venture Capital
• Start-Ups
• International Business Experience