Our Team
Nitin Narang, a seasoned Political Consultant, entrepreneur, and Investor founded the Ideaz Factory in the year 2013. His wisdom and knowledge has far shined, for he has strategized major state elections and invested in over 20 companies across different sectors. Besides he is also the President of All India Chess Federation and the founder of Future Shift Labs.
Sagar Vishnoi, Co-Founder of Future Shift Labs, is a global expert at the intersection of AI, policy, and politics. With 12 years of experience in political communications strategy, he holds executive education from Columbia Business School and ISB, Mohali. A UN-awarded expert and member of the Coalition for Responsible Evolution of AI, he advises the Apolitical Foundation. His insights on technology and governance have appeared in BBC, Wired, MIT Tech Review, and leading Indian media. A TEDx speaker, he has addressed 40+ global forums, advocating for ethical AI and its role in shaping democracy responsibly.
Anhaietaa is passionate about creating a real impact in the policy landscape. A public policy and industry engagement professional, she started her journey in 2019, curating and driving nationwide campaigns for Facebook, ByteDance, and UNDP. She later pivoted into public policy for emerging technologies, focusing on India’s drone ecosystem. Experienced in policy advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and strategic initiatives, she has worked closely with governments and global organisations to bridge the gap between innovation and regulation, helping emerging industries thrive in a rapidly evolving landscape.
Sunanda R. Marak is a Ph.D. scholar in European Studies at JNU, New Delhi. She holds a double Master’s degree in International Relations& History. Her research delves into the EU’s cross-border cooperation policies, particularly focussing on Nordic-Baltic cooperation. Her academic interest & experience also extend to South Asia, SE Asia, and China. Professionally, Sunanda brings a diverse portfolio of experience, from teaching to working as a research analyst with prominent national & international think tanks. At FSL, she is currently a Senior Geopolitical Analyst & engages in exploring digital governance, AI policies, and international cooperation.
Bhairabi specializes in cybersecurity policies, cognitive warfare strategies, and non-state actors in cyberspace. She has worked with leading think tanks like the Observer Research Foundation, researching cyber threats, grey zone tactics, and AI governance. She has engaged in global stakeholder dialogues, including discussions with UN officials and policymakers. With experience in grassroots policy initiatives at Gunvatta Gurukul, Quality Council of India, she has contributed to rural governance. Holding a master’s in International Relations from Pondicherry University, she is passionate about security studies and emerging technologies. At Future Shift Labs, she focuses on strategic communications, research, and AI cybersecurity policy.
Abir Mahanta is a tech-savvy creative professional with 6+ years of experience in graphic design, delivering impactful work for 150+ clients, media houses, companies, and governments. Currently studying Computer Science with a specialization in Cyber Security, he bridges design and technology with precision and passion. From securing digital landscapes to crafting compelling visuals, Abir thrives on innovation, continuous learning, and creating meaningful impact across industries.
I’m Shubham Singh, a Cyber Security Expert specializing in ethical hacking, digital forensics, and penetration testing. Certified in CEH and Cyber Forensics, I’ve supported law enforcement in solving complex cybercrime cases, earning formal recognition from senior IPS officers. My dedication to ethical cybersecurity earned me the prestigious Cyber Knight Award from the MD & CEO of Aptech Ltd. With a results-driven mindset, I remain committed to protecting digital infrastructures and advancing cybercrime prevention.
Akanksha Dhanraj is a Technology Associate at Future Shift Labs with a strong focus on front-end development and user experience design. She plays a key role in redesigning and managing the organization’s website, working with WordPress, PHP, HTML, and CSS to deliver clean, scalable, and user-centric interfaces. Proficient in C++, JavaScript, React, SQL, and DBMS, she combines technical precision with design sensibility to build impactful digital experiences.
Yukta Bansal is a Partnerships Associate at Future Shift Labs, where she helps drive collaborations and projects that explore the role of AI in creating social impact. She works closely with teams and partners to support initiatives around responsible technology and inclusive innovation. With a background in science and experience in ESG research, Yukta enjoys connecting ideas from technology, sustainability and community development to make real world change possible. She is passionate about learning how emerging technologies can be used thoughtfully to build a better and more balanced future.
Sugam Vishnoi is passionate about the intersection of artificial intelligence and business innovation. With a background in Business Administration and experience as a US Healthcare Recruiter and Business Development Executive, he brings strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills. He is currently focused on exploring AI tools, automation, and data-driven strategies to enhance business efficiency. Sugam aims to combine human insight with AI to create smarter, more inclusive solutions for the future of work.
Neha Sethi is a recent graduate with a Master’s in Diplomacy, Law and Business, specialising in East Asia Studies and security studies, with foundational proficiency in Mandarin. Her academic focus includes India-China relations. Neha is currently involved in research on disinformation and Pakistan’s FIMI operation. With a strong commitment to leveraging her research and analytical skills, Neha aims to contribute to the understanding of security dynamics in East Asia, contribute to addressing global geopolitical challenges, as well as the growing complexities surrounding AI and digital governance.
Visiting Fellows
Damar is a prominent advocate for digital rights and media integrity, with over ten years of experience championing online freedom throughout Southeast Asia. As the former Executive Director of SAFEnet and a current consultant to the UN AI Advisory Body, he has played a key role in influencing global discussions on disinformation, democracy, and digital governance. His work continues to drive policy change and raise awareness on the importance of protecting digital spaces worldwide
Levan is an experienced and accomplished campaign manager with a strong focus on data-driven strategies and effective country branding. With a proven track record, he has successfully managed numerous high-impact campaigns both in the United States and across various international markets. Levan specializes in using predictive modeling techniques and advanced digital engagement tools to optimize campaign performance. His innovative approach and global perspective make him a valuable asset in the realm of political strategy and public outreach.
Dr. Christopher Nehring is a researcher, analyst, and media expert focused on disinformation. He currently serves as Director of Intelligence at the Cyber Intelligence Institute in Frankfurt, Germany. He has lectured on intelligence and media at Sofia University and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. Previously, he was a senior analyst at the Institute for Global Analysis in Sofia. Since 2017, he has also worked as a journalist and editor for outlets like Deutsche Welle, Spiegel, and Tagesspiegel.
Mateusz Łabuz is a researcher at the Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy at the University of Hamburg and a PhD candidate at Chemnitz University of Technology. A former career diplomat with Poland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, his work explores synthetic media, deepfakes, cognitive warfare, and social resilience. He lectures on cybersecurity, AI, and disinformation, and has published research on deepfake regulation under the EU AI Act at universities in Cracow and beyond.
Vidhi Sharma is a digital policy and international affairs professional with over five years advancing public-interest technology governance across global forums. Creator of the Global AI Governance Tracker and a former advisor to GIZ, GSMA, and CAIDP, she has shaped forward-looking regulation and built collaborations across AI safety, telecom policy, and online integrity. Having led fellowships and briefed senior stakeholders, Vidhi now drives innovation in tech diplomacy, youth mentoring, and inclusive digital development worldwide at speed.
Sharon De Cet is a cyber threat intelligence and geopolitical risk analyst with deep expertise in China’s role in global technology governance. Affiliated with The Spear Institute, her work spans foreign influence operations, cognitive warfare, and digital security policy. Focusing on EU–China relations, online safety, and international affairs, she examines how technology, security, and diplomacy intersect to shape future global norms. She advises on threat actor tactics, disinformation, and governance, turning insights into strategy, faster.
Pranjal Dwivedi is a public policy and AI governance specialist with 6+ years’ experience at the intersection of technology, ethics, and inclusion. A founding member and Project Manager at Inclusive AI, he works to build equitable systems dismantling barriers across gender, caste, religion, and class. With expertise in ethical frameworks, misinformation, and deepfakes, he has collaborated with NGOs to turn policy into community action. He holds a B.Sc. from Delhi University and a CPL public policy fellowship.
Apoorva Srivastav is a public policy and knowledge management professional with 5+ years’ experience in nutrition, governance, and community-led research. She has done Masters in Education Policy and Analysis from Harvard University. At UNICEF India (2021–2023), she led strategic knowledge tools and cross-state learning. She has advised on legislative matters in a Member of Parliament’s office and worked at PRIA and IIT Bombay on participatory governance and development communication. A TISS and Delhi University graduate, she brings expertise in social research, stakeholder dialogue, and public interest strategy.
Prachi is a research and policy professional working at the intersection of technology and society. A former Commonwealth and Cambridge Trust Scholar at the University of Cambridge, she holds an MPhil in Digital Humanities. She brings multidisciplinary experience across academia, government, and the creative sector to support evidence-based technology policy and institutional decision-making. She has contributed to nationally significant, public-facing initiatives, including the Partition Museum and the Parliament Museum project at the Lok Sabha Secretariat, and has led an Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) project examining national employment and skill development policies. At Future Shift Labs, her work focuses on AI policy, technology and labour, and the socio-cultural dimensions of technological change.