Simone M.

About Simone M.

Simone Zhenting Mao is an award-winning Canadian political theorist and AI governance researcher whose pioneering research integrates political philosophy, systemic design, and ethical technology governance. Her current work focuses on developing practically viable theories of AI alignment and frameworks for global governance. She was recognized as a “Leader of Tomorrow” at the 54th St. Gallen Symposium for her outstanding insights in global governance and international relations. Simone advances a long-term vision of cross-civilizational AI ethics, exploring the philosophical and institutional foundations of global cooperation, aiming to advance pure philosophy and human self-understanding. She is a researcher affiliated with Harvard University, currently working with, or having previously collaborated with, institutions such as University of Oxford, Sapienza University of Rome, Peking University, Renmin University of China, KU Leuven, the United Nations “AI for Good” initiative, the Canadian Parliament, as well as leading think tanks and NGOs. Simone’s value-pluralist framework for AI alignment addresses epistemic uncertainty, normative disagreement, and transnational institutional challenges, and is regarded as a pioneering contribution to ethical AI governance. Her intellectual foundation is deeply rooted in classical traditions, drawing from epistemology, Rousseau’s social contract theory, and post-Kantian political philosophy to rethink digital sovereignty, AI constitutionalism, and the ethical architecture of emerging technologies. Her research has been published in top-tier international journals and presented at the international conference alongside leading researchers. Simone is also actively engaged in public policy development and transnational collaboration. Her research contributions span urban and industrial development, AI regulation, policy evaluation tools, and multi-level governance mechanisms. Her work aims to advance pure philosophy and human self-understanding. All of her research converges into a grand project—aimed at rethinking the institutional and philosophical foundations of human coexistence. This enduring philosophical vision will also serve as the cornerstone of her doctoral research. https://zhentingmao.site/about https://calendly.com/zting-mao/30min

Experience

1. Leader of Tomorrow

   St. Gallen Symposium

   Jan 2025 — Present

Education

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology

  MicroMaster

  2023 — 2023

• Goethe-Institut

  German Language and Culture - B2

• Sapienza Università di Roma

  Bachelor in Classics and Philosophy (Italian)

• Harvard Business School

  Cross-Registration

• Harvard University

  Master’s Degree (ALM) in Government

• Harvard Business School Online

  Certificate program, CORe: Credential of Readiness

• Harvard University

  Bachelor’s Degree (ALB) in Economics, Minor in Government