David Webster

David Webster joined Google in 2022 to establish and lead the UX organization within their new Labs division, focusing on integrating human-centered principles into AI product development. This role continues his career-long dedication to bringing user insight, creativity, and design to humanize technology.

Prior to Google, David spent many years at IDEO. As one of the company’s original partners, his responsibilities spanned leadership of its largest P&Ls and client relationships. He led the San Francisco studio, the global Health & Wellness practice, the Palo Alto studio, and IDEO’s Products & Services and Realization groups.

David spent an early career chapter at GK Design in Tokyo, under the mentorship of renowned Japanese industrial designer Kenji Ekuan. He embraced Ekuan’s “human-machine-soul-energy” design ethos and has applied it to creating product-market-fit for emerging technologies, catalyzing organizational change, and building thriving, engaged, creative cultures.

Webster holds a Master’s degree in Industrial Design Engineering from the Royal College of Art and Imperial College, and a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering from University of Edinburgh. He is happiest when behaving like a kid with his kids.