Professor
Yu Xiong
Academic entrepreneur, policy architect, and global thought leader at the frontier of Artificial Intelligence and Web 3.0.
"To make technology serve humanity, not the other way around."
Scholar, Entrepreneur,
Policy Architect
Professor Xiong is a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences (FAcSS) — the UK's National Academy for the Social Sciences, one of the most prestigious honours awarded to social scientists in the United Kingdom.
Professor Yu Xiong holds the Chair Professorship in Business Analytics at the University of Surrey, where he also serves as Founding Director of the Surrey Academy for Blockchain and Metaverse Applications (SABMA). He served as Associate Vice President for External Engagement from 2022 to 2025.
His career bridges three domains that rarely intersect with such depth: rigorous academic research, high-impact entrepreneurship, and national policy advisory. He has founded and led companies with a combined valuation exceeding £100 million, while his research — published in journals including Nature Communications — has shaped regulation from Beijing to Brussels.
As Chair of the Advisory Committee for the UK Parliament's APPG on Metaverse and Web 3.0 (2022–2024) and member of the APPG on Artificial Intelligence (2024–2025), he is a trusted voice at the intersection of technology, governance, and society.
Recent Engagements
From COP29 in Baku to the UK House of Lords, Professor Xiong is a sought-after voice at the world's most significant forums on AI, Web 3.0, and sustainable technology.
AI & Web 3.0 Ventures
A portfolio of companies spanning generative AI, blockchain infrastructure, decentralised social networks, and AI-powered analytics — combined valuation exceeding £100 million.
Endless Genesis Cloud
A blockchain and AI platform for climate data traceability and social sustainability. Announced at COP29, it reached unicorn status in March 2025 with over 200,000 global users.
VisitKeath.ai
A University of Surrey spin-out applying generative AI to educational data. Winner of the Times Higher Education Digital University Award (UK No. 2) and PIEoneer Award (World No. 2).
OxValue.ai
The only social science spin-out from the University of Oxford in a decade. Uses proprietary AI algorithms for data-driven valuations of technology companies and intellectual property.
Luffa
A decentralized social operating system for the fan economy, integrating wallet, identity, and loyalty. Strategic partner of Stability AI to build a decentralized AI ecosystem.
Datasection Inc.
Leading a £4.5M flagship research programme on cloud applications in generative AI environments for enterprise businesses at this Tokyo-listed company.
Fotor
A founding team member of one of the world's leading AI image editing platforms, now serving over 650 million users globally.
Visit
"Our study compared Bitcoin's energy impact to that of entire nations. The response was immediate — it informed climate discussions from Beijing to Brussels."
View the full publication list, citation metrics, and h-index on Google Scholar.
View on Google ScholarPioneering Research in
AI & Blockchain
Over 100 publications in leading international journals, with a focus on the intersection of AI, blockchain, and sustainable business. Research funding secured exceeds £8 million.
Policy assessments for the carbon emission flows and sustainability of Bitcoin blockchain operation in China
This landmark study modelled Bitcoin's carbon footprint in China, projecting emissions equivalent to the Czech Republic and Qatar combined. It directly influenced China's regulatory crackdown on crypto mining and shaped COP26 debates.
Read PaperWeb 3.0 Protocol-as-Platform: Vision and Framework for Decentralized Agentic Super Intelligence
Led by Professor Xiong, this report proposes a Protocol-as-Platform (PaaP) framework integrating AI-driven smart contracts, cross-chain interoperability, Zero-Knowledge Proofs, and AI-governed DAOs to transition Web 3.0 into a sustainable digital economy.
Read PaperBlockchain Analytics for Practitioners
A comprehensive guide to blockchain analytics for professionals, academics, and practitioners navigating the Web 3.0 landscape.
| Funder | Amount | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Datasection Inc. (TSE: 3905T) | £4,500,000 | 2025 |
| Research England | £1,500,000 | 2023 |
| JKL Capital | £1,000,000 | 2022 |
| Endless Protocol | £720,000 | 2024 |
| Therme Group | £340,000 | 2023 |
Shaping the Future of AI & Web 3.0 Policy
UK APPG on Metaverse and Web 3.0
Provided expert guidance to UK parliamentarians on policy, regulation, and societal implications of Web 3.0 technologies. Hosted senior panel meetings in the House of Lords.
UK APPG on Artificial Intelligence
Contributed to national AI ethics and governance strategy, ensuring UK policy keeps pace with rapid technological change.
University of Surrey
Led the university's external engagement strategy, forging partnerships with industry, government, and international institutions.
Surrey Academy for Blockchain & Metaverse Applications (SABMA)
Established and leads the UK's premier research hub for blockchain and metaverse applications, hosting international conferences and publishing landmark reports.
National & International Media Coverage
Professor Xiong's work on AI and Web 3.0 has been widely covered by leading national and international media, reflecting the global significance of his research and ventures.
AI fight is not man vs machine but between open and closed minds
Argues that AI is reshaping the value of professional skills rather than eliminating jobs, emphasising the irreplaceability of human judgment.
From Chongqing to the UK House of Lords
Honoured at the UK House of Lords for applying AI to social transformation and building new bridges between Chongqing and the UK.
Building the Foundations of Digital Trust
In-depth interview exploring how Endless Protocol and Luffa are architecting fair digital economies through transparency and decentralisation.
Bridging Blockchain, AI and the Real World
Profile covering his election as FAcSS, the Bitcoin carbon footprint study, Endless Protocol & Luffa, and advice to City leaders.
New Report Explores Merging Web 3.0 with AI Technologies
Coverage of SABMA's landmark report on Web 3.0 Protocol-as-Platform framework, proposing AI-driven smart contracts and decentralised governance.
Using AI to Amplify Web3 Value
Comprehensive interview on Endless Protocol's architecture, AI-Web3 integration strategy, and partnership with Stability AI.
How the Fan Economy is Making Everyone a Winner
Featured as one of the world's leading experts on the fan economy. Professor Xiong argues that loyal fans deserve economic rewards — 'What if loyalty was rewarded like labour?' — and is working with major Premier League clubs and music industry leaders to build the infrastructure for a participation-driven fan economy.
Culture War on Harvard Spells Disaster for America's AI Future
Op-ed arguing that undermining academic institutions weakens the ethical infrastructure underpinning AI governance. 'By weakening the institutions that embed human knowledge and ethical reasoning into AI, we risk creating a vacuum where technological power advances without meaningful checks.'
How Green Are Cryptocurrencies?
Invited expert on BBC Radio 3's flagship arts and ideas programme, sharing research on Bitcoin's environmental impact alongside LSE Professor Nick Robins, as part of the Green Thinking series ahead of COP26.
UK–China Deal Could Signal Post-Brexit Leadership of the West
Quoted on Sky News predicting that the UK–China trade partnership would position Britain as a global leader in innovation post-Brexit. 'China is aware that the UK is the most innovative country in the world.'
Britain Has Made a Huge Miscalculation with AI
Cited as a leading expert on AI's impact on the labour market, warning that Britain is unprepared for the scale of job displacement AI will bring — comparable to the industrial revolution.
When It Comes to Crime, You Can't Algorithm Your Way to Safety
Authored opinion piece in New Scientist raising serious concerns about AI-powered crime prediction tools, arguing that algorithmic systems cannot substitute for human judgment in criminal justice.
Awards & Distinctions
Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences (FAcSS)
One of the UK's highest honours in the social sciences — the national academy
Honoured at UK House of Lords
For applying AI to social transformation and UK-China bridge building
Global Gandhi Award
For outstanding contributions to innovation and sustainability
Falling Walls Scientific Breakthrough Award
For co-founding OxValue.ai
Vice-Chancellor's Award
For co-founding OxValue.ai
Times Higher Education Digital University Award
UK No. 2 — for Keath.ai
PIEoneer Award
World No. 2 — for Keath.ai
2012 Olympic Torchbearer
Carried the Olympic Flame across the UK
Get in Touch
Professor Xiong welcomes enquiries from researchers, industry partners, media, and policymakers interested in AI, Web 3.0, blockchain, and the future of the digital economy.
Surrey Business School
University of Surrey
Guildford, Surrey GU2 7XH
United Kingdom