Priya Lakhani – The Visionary Founder of CENTURY Tech Revolutionizing AI and Education

Introduction

Priya Lakhani OBE is one of the most inspiring figures in modern British entrepreneurship. As the Founder of CENTURY Tech, she stands at the intersection of technology, education, and ethics. Her mission has been to transform how students learn and how teachers teach—by blending artificial intelligence with human empathy. From her early success in business to becoming a global voice for ethical AI, Priya’s journey is a testament to persistence, creativity, and purpose-driven innovation.

Raised in a family of East African Indian heritage, she grew up with the values of hard work and social responsibility. Her transition from a successful law career to a globally recognized entrepreneur demonstrates courage and vision. Today, she continues to inspire through her commitment to equitable education, empowerment, and the ethical use of technology.

Quick Bio

Early Life and Education

Priya Lakhani’s early years were filled with curiosity, ambition, and entrepreneurial energy. Growing up in the United Kingdom in a family of East African Indian background, she learned the value of perseverance from her parents. Her father was a hardworking businessman who built factories in the UK, while her mother was creative and encouraging of her daughter’s ambitions.

From her school days, Priya displayed a natural business instinct—selling snacks to classmates and experimenting with trade ideas. She pursued law academically and became a trained barrister specializing in libel and media law. This professional background taught her the importance of communication, integrity, and ethics, which later became the foundation of her leadership philosophy in business.

Start of Career: From Law to Entrepreneurship

Priya began her career as a barrister in London, where she practiced media and libel law. Although she found success in her legal career, she felt a deep desire to create something that would generate real-world impact. In 2008, driven by passion and purpose, she left law and founded her first business, Masala Masala—a premium Indian cooking sauce brand that also provided meals to underprivileged people with every jar sold.

This business model combined profit with purpose. It was stocked by top retailers like Harrods, Harvey Nichols, and Waitrose. Priya’s initiative proved that social responsibility and business growth can go hand in hand—a theme that would continue throughout her career.

Founding of CENTURY Tech

In 2013, Priya Lakhani founded CENTURY Tech, an education technology company that combines artificial intelligence, learning science, and data analytics to personalize learning. Her goal was to revolutionize the education system by reducing teacher workload, improving student outcomes, and making education more accessible.

As the Founder of CENTURY Tech, she built a platform that adapts to every learner’s needs, helping students progress at their own pace. The system identifies knowledge gaps, recommends personalized content, and provides data-driven insights to educators. CENTURY Tech now operates in schools, universities, and corporations worldwide, proving that technology, when ethically applied, can truly empower education.

Leadership and Vision

Priya’s leadership style blends compassion with innovation. She believes that technology should serve humanity—not replace it. Her focus on ethical AI has earned her widespread respect in the global tech community. Under her direction, CENTURY Tech has expanded into more than 60 countries, providing intelligent learning systems that promote equity and opportunity.

Her philosophy centers on the power of persistence and purposeful innovation. She often emphasizes that “you must persist, persist, and persist again” — a mindset that reflects her unwavering determination. Priya’s strategic insight and genuine empathy have made her a sought-after speaker and advisor in technology, education, and ethical AI policymaking.

Awards and Achievements

Priya Lakhani’s accomplishments have earned her numerous national and international honors. In 2009, she was named Business Entrepreneur of the Year, recognizing her success with Masala Masala. In 2014, she received the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her outstanding contribution to business and community development.

Her leadership in technology has also been recognized by the World Economic Forum, where she was honored as a Tech Pioneer. Beyond awards, her true achievement lies in the positive impact she has created—improving access to education and advocating for responsible use of AI in society.

Advisory Roles and Influence

In addition to her business ventures, Priya has played important roles in shaping UK technology policy. She served as a Member of the UK Government’s AI Council, where she contributed to national discussions on artificial intelligence ethics. She also co-founded the Institute for Ethical AI in Education, ensuring AI’s use remains aligned with moral values and social fairness.

Priya has been a Non-Executive Board Member of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), where she influenced digital transformation and online safety initiatives. Her advocacy for inclusive technology continues to set new standards in leadership and innovation.

Legacy and Global Impact

Priya Lakhani’s legacy is one of vision, resilience, and compassion. She has shown that entrepreneurship can create social change and that technology can become a tool of empowerment. As a trailblazer in the education technology sector, she has bridged the gap between human learning and machine intelligence, bringing ethical AI to the forefront of global education.

Her work inspires leaders, educators, and innovators around the world to think beyond profits and build solutions that uplift communities. Priya continues to be a powerful voice for responsible innovation and equal opportunities for learners everywhere.

Conclusion

Priya Lakhani’s journey from a barrister to the Founder of CENTURY Tech is a story of courage, innovation, and integrity. She turned challenges into opportunities and built a business model that serves humanity. Her leadership proves that true success lies in creating value for others while advancing technology with ethics and empathy.

Through CENTURY Tech, she has changed how the world views education and continues to pave the way for a smarter, fairer future powered by responsible AI.

FAQs

Q1: Who is Priya Lakhani?
Priya Lakhani OBE is a British entrepreneur, lawyer, and the Founder of CENTURY Tech, an AI-based education technology company transforming learning worldwide.

Q2: What is CENTURY Tech known for?
CENTURY Tech combines artificial intelligence, data analytics, and learning science to personalize education and reduce teacher workload.

Q3: What awards has Priya Lakhani received?
She received the OBE in 2014 and was named Business Entrepreneur of the Year in 2009.

Q4: What is Priya Lakhani’s background?
She is a former barrister with East African Indian heritage who turned into a successful technology entrepreneur.

Q5: What is her vision for the future?
Priya aims to make AI in education ethical, accessible, and effective for all learners, ensuring equality and opportunity through innovation.

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