Paul Smith, CIO of Amnesty International, offers a rare glimpse into what it means to lead technology in one of the world’s largest and most complex nonprofit organisations. With operations in over 150 countries, Paul’s role goes far beyond the usual CIO remit: from safeguarding whistleblowers in war zones to supporting campaigners in politically sensitive regions, all while working under tight budgetary constraints. He explains how Amnesty prioritises ethical, value-driven investments that support frontline human rights work, and why standard ROI metrics often fall short in a mission-led environment.

Paul also reflects on the unique challenges of managing technology across a global, federated structure where each entity has different needs, tools and levels of digital maturity. He shares how his team is tackling this with shared platforms, a strong architectural backbone and a focus on inclusive design.

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