James Smith joins Atlassian Williams F1 Team after a decade of AI and data leadership at Google.
James holds a PhD in Computer Science from the University of St Andrews and spent 10 years at Google and DeepMind, where he led product and platform teams at genuine scale – including building Android’s data platform, adopted by over 3,000 engineers and informing performance decisions across three billion devices. He went on to co-found Human Native AI, a VC-backed start-up focused on data and AI, which was acquired by Cloudflare earlier this year.
Throughout his career, James has combined deep technical expertise with practical product and delivery – building high-performing teams, shipping AI at scale, and leading organisations through complex technological change.
James will further strengthen Williams’ senior leadership at a time when the team is investing in all areas to compete at the front in Formula 1. Technology is central to the team’s ambitions, with an outstanding portfolio of technology partners including Atlassian, Anthropic, VAST Data, Airia, Brillio and Keeper Security helping to deliver performance on track.
James Smith, Chief Information Officer commented:
“I am excited to be joining Atlassian Williams F1 Team at a moment when data and AI are becoming increasingly important to performance both on and off the track."
"Williams has an exceptional history, but what appeals to me most is the ambition for the next phase: building the systems, products and culture needed to compete at the front of the grid. I hope to bring my experience from Google, DeepMind and from founding Human Native to help the team move quickly, use AI pragmatically, and turn complex ideas into practical advantage.”
James Vowles, Team Principal commented:
“Success in Formula 1 has always been about combining technological innovation with the best people to deliver on track. With the technology developing at breakneck pace, the latest battleground in F1 is the ability to harness data and AI across all parts of the team."
"James has spent his career at that frontier – at Google, DeepMind and building his own company from the ground up – and I am delighted to welcome him to Atlassian Williams F1 Team as we continue to put technology at the heart of our ambitions to compete at the very front.”
About Atlassian Williams F1 Team
Atlassian Williams F1 Team is one of the world’s most iconic Formula 1 teams. Founded in 1977 by Sir Frank Williams and Sir Patrick Head, the team has won nine Constructors’ World Championships, seven Drivers’ World Championships and 114 Grand Prix races – making it one of the three most-successful teams in history. Based in Grove, Oxfordshire and competing at the pinnacle of motorsport, Williams continues to build for the future of Formula 1 through world-class engineering, racing excellence and a commitment to bringing fans closer to the sport than ever before.
