Magnús Smári
Smárason
Researcher and builder working at the intersection of AI governance, institutional strategy, and production systems. Based at the University of Akureyri.
“Redefine what is possible.”
Current Work
The Irreducible Human
Life, Value, and Meaning in the Age of AI
Co-authored with Dr. Kristian Guttesen. A philosophical framework for AI governance grounded in what makes life worth living.
Learn more →The Master Mason Who Lives What Others Write Books About
Smári Sigurðsson · 120:00
Listen →When AI Becomes Judge (Part 2): The Double Standard: When AI Judges Students
If it is considered administrative malpractice to use Claude to judge the contribution of scholars, why is it considered "academic integrity" to use Turnitin to judge the originality of a student?
Read →Focus Areas
From governance frameworks to hands-on implementation. Research, teaching, and advisory in AI governance.
Institutional Alignment & Compliance
Institutional AI policy development, EU AI Act compliance, risk frameworks. Built from creating Iceland's first comprehensive university AI policy.
Governance Architecture & Triage
Executive AI briefings, readiness assessments, implementation roadmaps, and ongoing advisory retainers for institutions navigating adoption.
Cognitive Cross-Training
Hands-on AI training for leadership teams and staff. Half-day to two-day formats. Available in Icelandic and English.
Speaking & Keynotes
Responsibility Fog. Cognitive Debt. The Investment-Sentiment Gap. Original frameworks from someone who builds what he talks about.
Operational Sovereignty
Coaching and setup for individuals and teams. From leadership development to hands-on AI workflow implementation and internal system configuration.
Systems I've Built
“For 16 years I trained myself to diagnose complex systems under intense pressure. Now I apply that same thinking to AI governance.”
Magnús Smári SmárasonBefore AI governance, I was a paramedic and firefighter. That work taught me to think in systems, act under uncertainty, and always treat the patient — not the monitor.
Today I work at the intersection of AI governance, institutional strategy, and production systems at the University of Akureyri. My academic work applies what I call "Diagnostic Sociology" — emergency medicine pattern recognition brought to bear on AI's societal challenges.
I serve on the Rannís expert panel, teach AI adoption across sectors, and believe governance that doesn't ship isn't governance at all. Because I practice what I preach daily at the university, my external advisory capacity is reserved for select high-impact projects.
More about me →Temjum tæknina
Conversations about AI and society. Exploring the human side of the technology revolution.
The Master Mason Who Lives What Others Write Books About
Smári Sigurðsson · 120:00
Is Icelandic Lost in Translation? Language, Technology, and the Future
Lilja Dögg Jónsdóttir · 45:00
The Shadow in the Machine: Searching for Humanity in the Digital Sewer
Roberto Buccola, Giorgio Baruchello · 60
Get in touch.
My primary focus is AI governance research at the University of Akureyri. I also advise institutions and speak at events on request.
If your work involves institutional AI governance, critical infrastructure, or high-stakes strategy — I would be glad to hear from you.