Maz Hardey

Professor Mariann/Maz Hardey is Professor of Business and Computing at Durham University. Professor Hardey operates at the intersection where advanced computing meets human behaviour. As an Associate Director at the Leverhulme Centre for Algorithmic Life, she co-leads research within the “Being Human” theme with Nelly Bencomo, investigating how algorithmic architectures, specifically deepfakes and generative AI, are reconfiguring the boundaries of trust, reputation, and reality. Widely recognised for her “tri-sector” perspective spanning technology, sociology, and business, Professor Hardey’s work moves beyond simple detection to dissect the viral mechanisms of deception. Her research addresses the “Web of Disinformation,” exploring how malicious actors exploit social dynamics and how synthetic media destabilises the concept of truth in a global landscape. In addition to her role at the Leverhulme Centre for Algorithmic Life, she is part of the Directorate for Advanced Research Computing (ARC) at Durham University. This dual positioning allows her to provide critical translation between high-performance computing and the strategic realities facing society today. She is the author of Navigating the Web of Disinformation and After GAI, works that codify her approach to the profound implications of generative AI on digital integrity. Her insights are frequently sought by international media and the UK Government Digital Service, offering a roadmap for resilience in an age where society must remain the architect of its own reality.