Garry Kasparov is a legendary chess grandmaster, political activist, and technology thought leader. He holds the record as the youngest world chess champion in history, a title he won in 1985 at the age of 22. His career is uniquely defined by his expertise in strategic decision-making under pressure, both on the chessboard and in the high-stakes world of geopolitics and artificial intelligence.
Kasparov became a critical figure in the public conversation surrounding AI following his famous matches against the IBM super-computer Deep Blue in 1996-97, which brought the field of machine intelligence into the mainstream. He continues to apply this expertise today, notably through his book, Deep Thinking: Where Machine Intelligence Ends and Human Creativity Begins. His continued focus on the digital world includes his role as a Security Ambassador for Avast Software, where he advocates for cybersecurity and digital rights.
In 2005, Kasparov retired from professional chess while still ranked #1 in the world to dedicate himself to political activism. He became a leading voice of the Russian pro-democracy opposition against the rising dictatorship of Vladimir Putin. Facing imminent arrest, he moved to New York in 2013, going on to serve as the Chairman of the Human Rights Foundation and founding the Renew Democracy Initiative to promote the principles of the free world.
As a speaker, Kasparov frequently addresses business audiences around the globe on strategy, decision-making, and politics. He utilizes the framework of his book, How Life Imitates Chess, to help leaders understand the strategic thinking required for success. His insights—particularly on the shifting dynamics of global stability through the lens of conflicts like Russia-Ukraine—are critical for organizations navigating an increasingly interconnected world of political, security, and economic risk.
