Meet John Lucey, VP EMEA at Cellebrite and TechRound AI35 Judge…

Tell us about yourself

I’m John Lucey, Vice President of Sales for EMEA North at Cellebrite. Based in London, I’ve spent my career leading high-performing sales teams in the tech sector, focusing on integrity, growth, and talent development. I joined Cellebrite in May 2024, drawn by its mission to deliver impactful technology that empowers law enforcement and public safety agencies.

My background has been building strong teams, scaling innovative solutions, and working with partners to transform digital investigations in a rapidly evolving landscape.

Tell us about your company

Cellebrite is a global leader in Digital Investigative solutions, helping over 7,000 public safety agencies and enterprises across 100+ countries solve over 1.5 million cases annually. With a strong footprint across the EMEA region, Cellebrite works closely with all 27 EU national police forces and departments in major Western European cities.

With investigations becoming increasingly complex and the volume of digital evidence rising, there’s a real need for smarter, faster tools. Our AI-powered solutions, like Pathfinder for analytics and Guardian for evidence management, streamline workflows and close cases faster. We’re investing heavily in talent and resources to meet a growing demand and support the evolving needs of our partners. Our technology frees up examiners’ time by identifying critical evidence quickly and efficiently, which helps law enforcement protect the public and bring justice more swiftly.

What advice do you have for companies entering the AITech 2025?

Focus on using AI to solve real-world problems at scale. Innovation matters, but the impact is what truly counts. I would like to see more innovative solutions that make a transformative impact to help solve real-world issues and have the most considerable influence on society.

As AI becomes more a part of our lives and increasingly misused to cause harm, we need to be ahead of the curve with what’s developing to use this technology to prevent AI from emerging threats. At Cellebrite, we believe that AI should address tangible societal challenges, from easing backlogs in digital investigations to supporting frontline teams overwhelmed by data.

As AI becomes more sophisticated, we must evolve rapidly to keep up with the technological changes. Criminals already use AI to automate fraud and phishing schemes, making them harder to detect. Tech providers must stay ahead by equipping agencies with AI that counters these threats, speeds up investigations, and enhances decision-making. AI should be a force for good. However, it requires thoughtful governance and constant adaptation.

How do you suggest entrants should stand out from the crowd?

You want to ensure you’re innovative and ethical and that your product helps people become self-sufficient. Use your platform to demonstrate clear value and responsible innovation. Whether you’re helping to reduce fraud, automate casework, or streamline data processing, show how your AI improves lives. The most compelling AITech entrants will align their innovation with national priorities like safety, productivity, and digital efficiency.

Any final thoughts?

A clear priority for us would be to see companies invest in state-backed incentives such as the UK Government’s AI Opportunity Action Plan. By implementing AI safety objectives, the UK can become a leader in the AI revolution and shape it rather than conform. As AI becomes more used, we need to be agile in how we use it, especially when we can make better use of the technology and how we can use it for public services.