Best known to a generation of viewers as the vibrant host of “Electric Circus,” this American-Canadian expert quietly reshaped global conversations on artificial intelligence, ethics, and equity, long after the cameras stopped rolling.
Juliette Powell, a pioneering media figure and technology ethicist, died unexpectedly on June 3, 2025, at the age of 54 due to acute bacterial meningitis.
Her passing was confirmed by her colleagues and loved ones through an obituary and tribute page. Powell was based in both New York City and Montreal, Quebec, and was widely respected for her interdisciplinary work across media, technology, and ethics.
Juliette Powell is seen on April 12, 2005, in New York City | Source: Getty Images
Powell was the founder and managing partner of Kleiner Powell International (KPI), a New York-based consulting firm focused on responsible technology and business strategy.
Through KPI, she advised governments and global corporations on ethical AI, data use, and the societal impact of emerging technologies. Her clients included the United Nations, Intel Labs, the Department of Justice, and the World Bank.
Her consulting roster also featured institutions such as Microsoft, IBM, Reuters, the International Chamber of Commerce, and the Montreal Institute for Learning Algorithms (MILA).
Juliette Powell and Melek Pulatkonak attend “DEAD END GENE POOL” Book Launch Party, A Memoir by WENDY BURDEN at 10 West 15th Street on April 8, 2010, in New York City | Source: Getty Images
Born in Manhattan in 1970, Powell moved to Montreal at the age of eight with her French-Canadian mother. Her early interests included math, science, and competitive swimming.
As a teenager, she challenged prevailing norms in beauty pageants, placing second in the Miss Montreal competition before becoming the first Black Canadian to win the Miss Canada title in 1989. She represented Canada at that year’s Miss Universe pageant while pursuing commerce studies at Vanier College.
Juliette Powell is crowned Miss Canada, circa 1989 | Source: Getty Images
Following her reign, Powell transitioned to television, joining MusiquePlus as a VJ in 1992. She hosted the dance music program “Bouge de là!” until 1996 while studying finance and business at McGill University.
That year, she moved to Toronto to host “Electric Circus” and “French Kiss” on MuchMusic, simultaneously taking courses in economics at the University of Toronto.
These programs helped introduce North American audiences to a range of international music genres and cultures, making Powell a familiar face in homes across Canada.
Juliette Powell and Melek Pulatkonak are seen at “DEAD END GENE POOL” Book Launch Party, A Memoir by WENDY BURDEN at 10 West 15th Street on April 8, 2010, in New York City | Source: Getty Images
In 1999, she joined CablePulse 24 as a business reporter and established Powell International Entertainment Inc., a media and consulting company. The company produced work with prominent global figures including Nelson Mandela, Richard Branson, and Janet Jackson.
The firm focused on bridging entertainment and corporate responsibility, pioneering a model of influence-driven media production that sought to inspire socially conscious leadership.
Juliette Powell and Peter Poplaski attend “A Night at Crumbland” celebrating Stella McCartney and Robert Crum’s Collaboration and the R. Crumb Handbook on April 12, 2005, in New York City | Source: Getty Images
Powell’s shift into tech ethics began in 2001 when she co-authored the media section for the UN Plan of Action at the World Conference against Racism. This engagement led to advisory roles at institutions such as the World Economic Forum and the World Bank.
She became a speaker and commentator on networks including CNN, NBC, BBC, and BNN, addressing topics like AI bias, cybersecurity, and digital privacy. She was also a frequent speaker at The Economist conferences and advised the E-G8, an extension of the G8 Summit dedicated to the future of internet policy.
Juliette Powell and Peter Poplaski are seen at “A Night at Crumbland” celebrating Stella McCartney and Robert Crum’s Collaboration and the R. Crumb Handbook on April 12, 2005, in New York City | Source: Getty Images
Powell earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Columbia University, graduating summa cum laude and joining Phi Beta Kappa. Her thesis, titled “The Limits and Possibilities in the Self-Regulation of Artificial Intelligence,” drew from her consulting experience and contributed to her academic foundation in AI and ethics.
In her Columbia application essay, she wrote, “Neither my mother nor my father had a high school education, but they insisted that I was not black or white, Canadian or American, French or English, Catholic or Jewish, but rather that I was blessed to be all of those things as a citizen of the world.”
Juliette Powell and Peter Poplaski pose at “A Night at Crumbland” celebrating Stella McCartney and Robert Crum’s Collaboration and the R. Crumb Handbook on April 12, 2005, in New York City | Source: Getty Images
In 2009, she published “33 Million People in the Room: How to Create, Influence, and Run a Successful Business Using Social Networking.”
Her work in the tech field continued with presentations at institutions such as MIT and Harvard, and participation in the E-G8 Summit in 2011, where global leaders discussed internet governance.
In 2021, she joined the faculty at New York University’s Interactive Telecommunications Program, teaching courses focused on media, technology, and ethics. In August 2023, she co-authored “The AI Dilemma: 7 Principles for Responsible Technology” with Art Kleiner.
Juliette Powell and Peter Poplaski are pictured at “A Night at Crumbland” celebrating Stella McCartney and Robert Crum’s Collaboration and the R. Crumb Handbook on April 12, 2005, in New York City | Source: Getty Images
The book addresses the risks and responsibilities involved in AI innovation and emphasizes the need for accountability and inclusivity in technological development.
The seven principles outlined in the book emphasize fairness, transparency, and community accountability, integrating viewpoints from engineering, business, government, and civil society.
Powell was known for her ability to connect diverse communities. She often hosted “Gatherings,” informal events bringing together leaders from companies like Cirque du Soleil, iRobot, and Twitter to network and collaborate. These events became a hallmark of her community-building ethos, aimed at fostering innovation through inclusivity.
Kleiner confirmed her passing on LinkedIn, writing, “My friend, colleague and coauthor Juliette Powell passed away suddenly of acute meningitis before June 3. Many of us are heartbroken and we will hold a memorial.”
Powell’s obituary noted that she is survived by “a myriad of loving friends, colleagues, and collaborators,” as well as her dog, Tyra Banks.
Her advocacy extended to empowering women of color and fostering respectful, compassionate environments for children. The family has requested that donations in her name be made to organizations such as Black Girls Code and Operation Respect.
A celebration of Powell’s life is planned for later this year, with further details to be announced. Her enduring impact continues through her scholarship, consulting work, and mentorship of students and colleagues alike.
