The AI Asia Pacific Institute (AIAPI) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr William Cole and Roger Moyes to its Board of Directors, and Dr David Berend to its Advisory Board, strengthening AIAPI’s leadership and expertise as it facilitates the responsible adoption and development of AI. .
Dr William Cole, who previously served on the AIAPI Advisory Board, joins the Board of Directors, reflecting his longstanding contributions to the Institute and deep expertise at the intersection of public policy, economic development, and emerging technologies. He currently serves as Senior Fellow and Advisor to the President at the Commonwealth Club World Affairs of California (CCWA), and as an Advisor to AIAPI.
Dr Cole’s career spans senior roles in government, non-profit, and academic institutions, including nearly three decades with The Asia Foundation, where he led strategic program development across democracy and governance, law, urban development, and the societal impacts of technological change in Asia. His work has included extensive experience with USAID, postings in Indonesia, Washington D.C., and Afghanistan, and a Visiting Fellowship at the Australian National University’s Coral Bell School. Dr Cole brings a distinctly transdisciplinary perspective to AIAPI’s work, with focus on the impact of disruptive technologies on Asian economies, political systems, and security, as well as the future of advanced middle-income countries amid rapid technological and geopolitical change.
Also joining the Board of Directors is Roger Thomas “Tom” Moyes, a seasoned banking and economic development professional with nearly 30 years of experience across Asia. Mr Moyes has held senior management and board-level roles in commercial banking, and has managed economic development projects for both the U.S. and U.K. governments. His career includes appointments at the Asian Development Bank and the International Finance Corporation, as well as senior technical advisory roles with the World Bank. His deep regional experience and financial-sector insight will support AIAPI’s work on AI-driven economic transformation and workforce readiness.
Dr David Berend joins AIAPI’s Advisory Board, bringing strong expertise in responsible AI, data science, and AI governance. Dr Berend is recognised for his work on responsible and ethical AI systems, including award-winning research in data science and contributions to discussions on AI accountability and societal impact. His experience bridges technical research and real-world AI governance challenges.
Commenting on the appointments, Kelly Forbes, President and Executive Director of AI Asia Pacific Institute, said, “We are delighted to welcome Dr William Cole, Roger Moyes, and Dr David Berend into these leadership roles at AIAPI. They bring a unique combination of depth, credibility, and real-world experience that will greatly strengthen our research and advisory work. As AI adoption accelerates across the region, their collective expertise will be invaluable in helping governments and organisations navigate the responsible development and adoption of. We very much look forward to working closely with them.”
These appointments reflect AIAPI’s continued commitment to building a multidisciplinary leadership team capable of guiding evidence-based research, policy engagement, and practical advisory work on responsible AI and the future of work in the Asia Pacific.
About AI Asia Pacific Institute
The AI Asia Pacific Institute (AIAPI) is a global organization committed to strengthening the Asia-Pacific economies by facilitating the responsible development and adoption of artificial intelligence.
