Clay Williams is a computer scientist and theologian. His scientific interests include artificial intelligence, combinatorial optimization, computational biology, software engineering, and software validation and verification. He is also interested in complex systems research, and how it helps uncover deep connections between seemingly unrelated biological, physical, and social systems. Complex systems thinking is also the starting point for his post-theistic theological explorations. He is married to poet and writer David Groff.

He received a BS (1987) in computer science from New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, and an MS (1990) and PhD (1994) in computer science from Texas A&M University. His MS thesis topic was on predicting code-based measurements from models, and his PhD work explored combining qualitative and quantitative reasoning to try to understand how individual cell dynamics and cell signaling lead to the emergence of a robust immune response. He also has a degree in Systematic Theology (1997) from the General Theological Seminary, where he wrote a thesis on implications of the theology of Paul Tillich for gay Christians.

Clay currently serves as Vice President of Mobile Applications at Greenphire, where he leads teams focused on enhancing the participant experience in clinical trials.