Politics & society
The Hollow State
Why Britain Still Votes But No Longer Chooses
An examination of the gap between democratic choice and the institutions that exercise power—and a case for restoring public accountability.
Explore the bookRichard Russell
Author.
AI leader.
Founder.
I write about power, minds and the future of human control. As founder of AI Venture X, I also build and lead the delivery of enterprise AI and agentic systems.
01 / The books
View all books ↗Ideas worth
thinking through.
From democratic power to artificial intelligence, my books explore how we think, how we choose and how we retain control.
Artificial intelligence
The Consequence Machine
AI Agents, Superintelligence and the Fight to Stay in Control
What changes when AI can take action? A journey through agentic systems, increasingly capable machines and the choices that shape human control.
Explore the bookAlso by Richard
The Scent of Thought
Dogs, human cognition and the possibilities of other minds.
The Signal Inside
Book One of The Intelligence Threshold.
A novel by Richard Russell.
02 / AI & Engineering
Founder, AI Venture X
Building systems.
Taking responsibility.
Explore AI Venture XMy work combines hands-on AI engineering with the practical demands of enterprise delivery: clear responsibilities, controlled tools and human oversight.
At AI Venture X, I build agentic software and lead product architecture and delivery. Our AI Enabled Programme Delivery Office combines specialist AI workflows with experienced consultants and senior review.
100+AI agents in company workflows
20+ yearsTechnology & programme leadership
Public reference
Controlling an agent’s authority
A runnable Python example exploring approvals, revocation, tenant boundaries and recovery without duplicate actions. Uses a simulated agent and CRM.
Inspect the reference on GitHub ↗Programme Intelligence
From dependencies to decisions
An interactive example connecting schedule calculations and source-linked AI commentary. A practical bridge between programme delivery and AI, using synthetic data.
Explore the example ↗Product engineering
AI in working applications
A company website assistant, delivered AI personas and API access, plus development work on AI GrowthDesk and CampaignPilot AI.
View the product showcases ↗03 / Music
Night Harbour Records
A different kind
of composition.
My creative work also takes shape through Night Harbour Records. The label brings together five acts spanning jazz, alternative pop, country, rock and synthwave.
Discover the music- The Vale CollectiveModern jazz
- Miles MarlowDream-pop / synthwave
- Iron ValourAlternative rock
- Silverline SouthCountry
- Luna AvalonContemporary pop
04 / Background
Engineering, delivery & leadership
The experience
behind the work.
Full background on LinkedInMy background is in electrical and electronic engineering. Over more than two decades, I’ve worked across technology, financial services, telecommunications and major transformation programmes.
That experience shapes how I build AI systems today: with attention to integration, accountability and the work required to turn a promising idea into something useful.
Today
AI Venture X
Founder, AI engineering and enterprise delivery.
Delivery
Capita · ICAP · Transport for Greater Manchester
Transformation portfolios, trade surveillance and transport programmes.
Earlier
Samsung Semiconductor · Tellabs · Comverse
International technology and commercial leadership.
My ventures also include Quantara Capital, a programme exploring trading software for gold and selected foreign-exchange pairs, developed through AI Venture X.
Start a conversation
Books, ideas & collaboration.
For interviews, book enquiries, AI and advisory work, or creative collaborations, connect with me on LinkedIn.