Engineer · Founder · Author · Speaker

Building the systems
the future needs now.

I'm Merrill Keating — mechanical engineer, civic tech founder, speaker, and author exploring AI, democracy, and what it means to lead before the world is ready for you. Based in Seattle. Working everywhere it matters.

As seen in USA Today · GeekWire · UN / World Bank
Merrill Keating — USA Today Women of the Year 2024
USA Today
Women of the Year
2024 · Washington
9 Published books spanning AI ethics,
consciousness, and youth leadership.
10+ Years mentoring young people
in STEM and civic leadership.
226K+ Community built around amplifying
girls and women who lead.
★ 3 Major national awards for leadership,
philanthropy, and innovation.

What I'm building

Recognition & Engagement

Grace Hopper Award Seattle Girls' School, 2025
USA Today Women of the Year Washington State, 2024
Outstanding Youth Philanthropist Bainbridge Community Foundation, 2024
World Bank Youth Summit Delegate, 2023 · 2024 · 2025
Space Generation Congress Delegate, Sydney 2025 (IAC)
One Young World Academy NATO & Global Security, 2026
NASA Space Grant Scholar UW Autonomous Insect Robotics Lab
ECOSOC Youth Forum United Nations, 2021 – present

Latest Writing

See all essays →

Children in the Dark, Systems in the Light

A response to Anthropic co-founder Jack Clark's Berkeley speech on AI situational awareness and the responsibilities of builders.

Beyond the Prompt: A Reflection on Co-Journeying with AI

A framework for thinking about the spectrum of human-AI collaboration — from tool use to genuine co-creation.

Sanctuary AI: An Alternative to Extractive Intelligence

What would AI look like if it were built on consent, restraint, and human-AI coexistence rather than engagement optimization?

Let's build something that matters.

Whether you're interested in Convexus, a speaking engagement, or a collaboration — I'd love to hear from you.

Get in Touch