Alex Wilson

Alex Wilson has 20 years of experience in the software engineering field, developing everything from embedded firmware to global-scale distributed systems. He found a passion for conservation and the environment after taking a sabbatical to study for an environmental science master’s degree. Since then, he has shaped a career at the intersection of technology, machine learning and the environment.

Before joining Google, Wilson worked for a start-up developing advanced smart metering technologies to help reduce domestic energy consumption. In his current role, Wilson works on Google’s research climate and energy team, expanding the reach of Project Sunroof—a solar power initiative aimed at accelerating the global rollout of rooftop solar. He has also worked on the analysis of earth observation imagery to enhance agriculture and food system resilience in the Global South. Wilson’s prior responsibilities at Google involved close collaboration with SkyTruth, applying machine learning to conservation efforts, and developing classification systems for Global Fishing Watch to identify and measure fishing efforts globally.

Wilson holds Masters of Science degrees from Imperial College London (environmental science) and the University of Oxford (computation), and a Bachelor of Science degree in physics from the University of Durham.