Deployed the World's First National AI Education Pilot.
Ready to Scale.
Playbooks, pilots, and partner orchestration that convert into national-scale AI deployment. BTR provides governments with faster time-to-value, reduced policy risk, and a repeatable deployment system.
Faster Government GTM
18 months of ministerial relationships across 3 jurisdictions. Skip the relationship-building phase.
Reduced Policy Risk
Proven governance frameworks, safety case methodology, and procurement-friendly packaging.
Repeatable System
Codified playbook that scales across countries without bespoke consulting for each engagement.
Proof
Iceland AI for Educators
The world's first national-scale AI deployment in education. Featured on Anthropic's website as a pioneering government partnership.
Measured Outcomes
Teachers onboarded
To pilot launch
Pilot to national
Vendors coordinated
Reference available: Director of Innovation, Ministry of Education, Iceland
View official government page →Case Study Details
Context, deliverables, governance framework, and roadmap
Context
Iceland's Ministry of Education sought to deploy AI tools for teachers while maintaining data sovereignty, privacy compliance, and pedagogical quality.
What Shipped
- • Multi-vendor pilot with Anthropic + Google
- • Custom training curriculum
- • Evaluation framework
- • Vendor governance structure
Governance & Safety
- • GDPR-compliant data handling
- • No student data exposure
- • Ministry oversight committee
- • Escalation pathways
What's Next
- • Phase 2: All Icelandic schools
- • Nordic replication discussions
- • 40+ country pipeline
Capabilities
Government AI Deployment Operating System
Repeatable methodology for sovereign AI deployment. From strategic advisory to technical deployment to partner orchestration—a system that transfers, not a service that depends on consultants.
National AI Strategy
End-to-end strategy development for sovereign AI initiatives
Sovereignty Analysis
Trade-off frameworks for sovereignty vs. capability decisions
Regulatory Framework
AI governance and compliance architecture design
PPP Structuring
Public-private partnership design and negotiation
Risk Mitigation
Assessment and planning for deployment risks
Model Localization
Fine-tuning and adaptation strategies for local context
Infrastructure Planning
Sovereign compute and data residency architecture
Data Governance
Compliance architecture for GDPR and local regulations
Vendor Management
Selection criteria and relationship governance
Security Framework
Security-first deployment and monitoring protocols
Partner Connection
Connecting nations with frontier AI technology partners
Sovereignty Negotiation
Negotiating data and model sovereignty with hyperscalers
Ecosystem Building
Developing domestic AI capabilities and talent
Research Programs
University and research institution partnerships
Stakeholder Coordination
Multi-party alignment across government and industry
Five Models of AI Sovereignty
A codified methodology for evaluating and implementing sovereign AI strategies
Full Autonomy
Domestic models & infrastructure
Sovereign Infra
Foreign models, domestic compute
Governed Partnership
Strong contractual controls
Strategic Access
Preferred access, policy controls
Open Consumption
Commercial APIs
Deliverable Assets
6 transferable playbooks and frameworks included in engagement
Sovereign AI Operating System
Phases, milestones, artifacts per deployment stage
Reference Architecture
Data governance, RAG, eval, logging, security
Government Deal Kit
Procurement language, DPIA templates, risk register
Pilot Instrumentation
Outcome measurement, dashboards, eval protocol
Partner Governance
Steering committee templates, escalation pathways
Safety Case Outline
Structured safety assessment for gov't deployment
Why BTR
The Honest Broker for Sovereign AI
In a crowded landscape of AI consultancies and national initiatives, BTR occupies a unique position: independent counsel at the intersection of national interests and the technological frontier.
True Independence
Not beholden to any single vendor. We provide objective sovereignty trade-off analysis without conflicts of interest.
Unparalleled Network
Active relationships with OpenAI, Anthropic, Google Cloud, AWS, and NVIDIA. Direct access to frontier AI capabilities.
20+ Year Track Record
Two decades translating emerging technology into policy and organizational change. Crypto, blockchain, cloud, now AI.
Security Experience
Advisory experience with security-sensitive government organizations including U.S. intelligence agencies.
Technical-Policy Bridge
Rare ability to understand both sides: what technology can deliver and what governance requires.
Global Perspective
Experience across 5 continents. Sovereignty means different things in different contexts—we understand that.
"The decisions nations make in 2026-2027 will determine their AI sovereignty for decades. The window for strategic positioning is now."
Leadership
Josh Klein
Founder & Principal Strategist
For two decades, Josh Klein has helped nations and enterprises navigate the most consequential technology transitions of our era. From cryptocurrency and blockchain to cloud computing and now Sovereign AI, he bridges the gap between technical possibility and strategic reality.
His advisory experience with U.S. government organizations including intelligence agencies provides unique insight into security-first AI deployment, while his working relationships with OpenAI, Anthropic, Google Cloud, AWS, and NVIDIA ensure access to cutting-edge capabilities.
Operating from Iceland—a nation recognized for digital innovation, sustainable infrastructure, and strong privacy protections—BTR provides independent counsel at the intersection of national interests and technological frontier.
Advisory & Board Roles
Speaking
Publications & Media
Client Categories
- National governments and ministries
- Security-sensitive government agencies
- Multilateral organizations
- Fortune 500 enterprises
- Leading technology companies
By The Numbers
For strategic consultation:
josh@btr.isOur People
Senior Advisors
BTR brings together deep expertise in enterprise AI strategy, sovereign infrastructure, behavioral economics, and government AI deployment.
Mike Smith
Enterprise AI Strategy
Technology strategist and AI ecosystem expert. Former leader in EY's Technology Strategy group, partnering with senior leaders at major financial institutions on complex enterprise-wide transformation programs.
Deep insight into the AI landscape through Scrappy Capital, a micro VC with 20+ early-stage investments. Has evaluated hundreds of AI and technology companies, bringing pattern recognition across the ecosystem.
Bill Cromie
Technical Cofounder & Sovereign Infrastructure
Serial CTO specializing in large-scale, mission-critical systems at the intersection of AI, identity, and public infrastructure. Currently building Vouch, a sovereign-grade identity platform for governments.
Co-founder of Blue Ridge Labs at Robin Hood, launching FreshEBT, GoodCall, JustFix. Co-creator of NTWRKR multi-agent architecture for government AI deployment.
Dr. Eszter Czibor
Research & Evaluation
Behavioural economist specializing in science, innovation and technology policy. PhD from University of Amsterdam, postdoctoral scholar at University of Chicago.
Currently teaching "AI Economy" at University of Reykjavik. Senior research roles at Nesta's Innovation Growth Lab and StateUp, working with European Commission, UNDP, NASA SBIR.
Gísli Guðmundsson
Iceland Strategy & Operations
Senior Consultant at KPMG Iceland focusing on practical AI applications. Previously at Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation where he led development of Iceland's first AI Action Plan.
Founded multiple hardware startups with international experience spanning China, Germany, and UK. Currently finishing Master's in AI and Language Technology.
The Iceland Advantage
Neutral Ground for Sovereign AI
Iceland's unique position—geographically, politically, and technologically—makes it an ideal base for independent Sovereign AI counsel.
Neutral Jurisdiction
Stable democracy with no geopolitical agenda in AI dominance. Trusted by all parties.
Privacy-First Culture
Modern Media Initiative, strong GDPR implementation, history of protecting digital rights.
Sustainable Infrastructure
100% renewable energy, global leader in sustainable data centers. Green AI credentials.
Digital Innovation Leader
One of the world's most digitally advanced societies, pioneered e-government services.
North Atlantic Bridge
Strategic position between North America and Europe for international collaboration.
Nordic/EU Alignment
Strong ties to Nordic AI initiatives and EU AI Act regulatory framework.
Ecosystem
Working With the Leading AI Ecosystem
BTR maintains active working relationships with the world's leading AI providers through pilot discussions, joint engagements, and government coordination work.
Technology Partners
Working sessions, pilot discussions, and government coordination engagements
Enterprise Experience
Government & Institutional
Advisory and speaking engagements
Governance Frameworks
Get Started
Request Strategic Consultation
Let's discuss how BTR can support your strategic objectives.
Prefer direct contact?
josh@btr.is