Dr. Ben Medlock
Harpenden,Hertfordshire
Summary
Technology entrepreneur with extensive expertise in applied NLP, machine learning, and AI. Co-founded SwiftKey (now Microsoft SwiftKey), scaling predictive keyboard technology to hundreds of millions of devices worldwide. Broad leadership and advisory experience across deep tech, big tech, bio tech, and clean tech. Strong background in academic research, with a focus on public good and philanthropic impact.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Philanthropy & Advisory Roles
Freelance
01.2021 - Current
- Trusted advisor in deep tech, clean tech and fin tech sectors, focusing on growth, organisation and technology strategy
- Active donor with Founders Pledge, focusing on global health and development
Acting CTO
Benevolent AI
London
10.2018 - 10.2020
- Led technical innovation and product development for AI-driven drug discovery.
- Restructured global team of over 200 to enhance alignment and create clarity.
- Developed and communicated new company strategy with clearly defined mission and measurable targets.
Senior Group Lead
Microsoft
London
03.2016 - 11.2017
- Successfully transitioned team of 100+ into Microsoft
- Established ongoing product development for SwiftKey which continues to this day
- Aligned team with Microsoft best practices for product and software development
Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer
SwiftKey
London
08.2008 - 03.2016
- Led development of predictive keyboard tech, deploying world's first mass market generative language model.
- Grew company from startup to global business with products used on hundreds of millions of devices.
- Led SwiftKey through its acquisition by Microsoft in 2016.
Education
PhD - Natural Language & Information Processing
University of Cambridge
Cambridge, England 09.2004 - 07.2007
MPhil - Speech and Language Processing
University of Cambridge
Cambridge, England 09.2002 - 07.2003
Bachelor of Science - Computer Science
Durham University
Durham, England 09.1999 - 07.2002
Skills
- AI and NLP (Natural Language Processing)
- Product Development & Scaling
- Leadership & Strategy in Complex Environments
- Technology Commercialisation
- Research & Publication (ACL, Journal of Biomedical Informatics)
- Outstanding Communicator
Affiliations
- Songwriting and Recording
- Philosophy of Language and Mind
- Science Fiction
- Health and Wellbeing
Accomplishments
- MBE for services to technology (2017 honours)
- Most innovative mobile app (2012 GSMA awards)
- Father of two beautiful daughters
Timeline
Philanthropy & Advisory Roles
Freelance
01.2021 - Current
Acting CTO
Benevolent AI
10.2018 - 10.2020
Senior Group Lead
Microsoft
03.2016 - 11.2017
Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer
SwiftKey
08.2008 - 03.2016
PhD - Natural Language & Information Processing
University of Cambridge
09.2004 - 07.2007
MPhil - Speech and Language Processing
University of Cambridge
09.2002 - 07.2003
Bachelor of Science - Computer Science
Durham University
09.1999 - 07.2002