Society Speakers

Dr. Kip S. Thorne is a Nobel Laureate in Physics (2017), Feynman Professor Emeritus at Caltech, and the co-founder of the LIGO observatory, which detected gravitational waves for the first time in 2015. He is an acclaimed author whose work, including Black Holes and Time Warps, has brought the leading edge of astrophysics to a mass audience. His keynotes illuminate the astonishing science behind the film Interstellar, providing an authoritative perspective on gravitational physics, wormholes, and the future of space exploration.

Dr. Hiroshi Ishiguro is a leading roboticist and Director of the Intelligent Robotics Laboratory at Osaka University. He is best known for pioneering the creation of lifelike androids, including his own robotic doppelgänger. His work is at the forefront of android science and sparks philosophical debates on the nature of human identity in an increasingly AI-driven world. As a speaker, he delves into the mechanics and philosophy of robotic design, sharing his expertise at international conferences.

Adrian Grenier is a famous actor best known for his role in Entourage and his work as a director and filmmaker. He is a prominent advocate for environmental consciousness and sustainable living. He is a Goodwill Ambassador for the UN Environment Program and co-founded SHFT.COM, an online community for environmentally responsible consumption. His keynotes inspire audiences to achieve social good by demonstrating how to apply a passion for the environment to both personal and professional life.

Megyn Kelly is a prominent journalist, television host, and best-selling author. She is a leading voice in American media, known for her incisive interviewing style and her powerful presence on major news networks. She is the author of the best-selling memoir, Settle for More. A compelling keynote speaker, Kelly provides an inside look at her life in the media and the principles that have guided her career. She speaks on communication, leadership, and resilience, offering a powerful and honest guide for navigating challenges and succeeding in a competitive environment. Her talks are ideal for leaders and teams.

Toby Walsh is a world-leading expert on artificial intelligence and the author of 2062: The World that AI Made. As a professor of AI at the University of New South Wales, he is a prominent voice in the ethical and societal implications of AI. As a keynote speaker, Walsh provides a clear and balanced perspective on the future of artificial intelligence. He offers a compelling look at the potential of AI while also raising the critical questions we must answer to ensure it is developed responsibly.

Dr. Sugata Mitra is a TED Prize winner and an influential expert in Educational Technology, renowned for his foundational Hole in the Wall experiment and the subsequent creation of Self-Organized Learning Environments (SOLEs). His research demonstrates that children's innate sense of learning is magnified when they are given the freedom to explore online in small groups. His work has led to the creation of The School in the Cloud and the “Granny Cloud,” which utilizes remote retired teachers to provide adult encouragement, ensuring learning is a self-organizing and effective process.

Rajdeep Sardesai is an award-winning senior journalist, Consulting Editor and lead news anchor of the India Today Group. He was the founder-editor of the IBN 18 network (CNN IBN). An Oxford alumnus and former President of the Editors Guild of India, he is the bestselling author of 2014: The Election that Changed India. His keynotes provide deep insights into national politics, media manipulation, and the profound social and political shifts occurring in India.

Ravi Venkatesan is a key thought leader in technology and business management. Having served as Chairman of Microsoft India, he plays a significant role in advocating for ethical digital transformation. Ravi's work focuses on utilizing technology as a tool for fostering sustainable, inclusive development across global communities.

Sudha Murty is the Founder-Chairperson of the Infosys Foundation, a best-selling author, and a former technologist. She is a recipient of both the Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri for her contributions to social work and education. Her career began as the first female engineer at TELCO, a role she secured by challenging gender bias. Her philanthropy includes founding several orphanages, supporting IT for government schools, and establishing the Murty Classical Library of India at Harvard University.

Neil Harbisson is a self-identified cyborg artist and activist best known for wearing an antenna, the "eyeborg," implanted in his skull that allows him to perceive color as sound. He is the co-founder of the Cyborg Foundation. His art explores perception, identity, and the borderlands of humanity and technology. As a sought-after speaker, he shares his unique perspective on how technology can deepen and extend what it means to be human, inspiring global audiences to think critically about the future of our species.

Hugh Evans is the Founder of the Global Citizens Movement, which has raised billions to fight extreme poverty. He is also the founder of the Oaktree Foundation, Australia’s first youth-run relief organization. As a powerful speaker, he shares his story of challenging the status quo of extreme poverty through social entrepreneurship and collective action. His efforts have secured cash commitments of nearly $40 billion to aid marginalized individuals and helped launch global fundraising campaigns with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Arundhati Katju is the acclaimed lawyer who successfully represented the lead petitioners in the landmark case that decriminalized homosexuality in India. She was named one of TIME Magazine's 100 Most Influential People in 2019. She is a Senior Fellow at Columbia University’s Center for Contemporary Critical Thought and an expert in South Asian law and identity. Her keynotes focus on LGBT rights litigation, the genealogy of sexual identities in South Asia, and the strategic use of constitutional law to drive social change and dignity.

Rudy de Waele is a Futurist, personal transformation coach, and an alumnus of Singularity University. He is a leading expert in innovation strategies, IoT, and digital transformation. He has created over 200 industry events globally and advises major brands including Google, IBM, and Louis Vuitton. His keynotes, informed by his book Shift 2020, provide leaders with actionable insights on how to re-invent businesses by leveraging AI, robotics, and digital transformation.

Zoya Akhtar is an award-winning Indian director and screenwriter who has successfully delivered hit films like Gully Boy and Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. She is a passionate advocate for gender equality and the mindset of Indian youth. An alumna of NYU's filmmaking program, she co-founded Tiger Baby Films. Her talks inspire creativity and positivism, drawing on her experience of successfully battling sexism and breaking barriers in the male-dominated directorial space of Hindi cinema.

Chetan Bhagat is a bestselling novelist and social commentator, named one of TIME magazine’s “100 most influential people in the world.” He is an alumnus of IIT-Delhi and IIM-Ahmedabad. His books, which include Five Point Someone and The 3 Mistakes of My Life, have been adapted into successful Bollywood films. His keynotes share motivational insights on youth, national development, and the necessity of making change happen in the country.

Roman Krznaric is a social philosopher, author of the internationally bestselling book The Good Ancestor, and a Senior Research Fellow at Oxford University. He explores the power of long-term thinking and empathy to drive societal change. The founder of the world’s first Empathy Museum, Krznaric’s talks and workshops, including appearances at TED Global, inspire audiences to question short-termism and leverage historical wisdom. His presentations offer a powerful toolkit for social entrepreneurs and leaders seeking to create fundamental, positive shifts in their organizations and communities.

Dr. Mallika Sarabhai is a renowned Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi dancer, actor, and activist. She is the Co-Director of the Darpana Academy of Performing Arts and holds a Ph.D. in Organisational Behaviour. Her work, which includes playing Draupadi in Peter Brook’s Mahabharata, blends Indian classical arts with contemporary social issues. Her keynotes leverage creativity and mythology to provide fresh perspectives on leadership, cultural change, and the artist’s role in promoting social justice and non-violence.

William Dalrymple is an eminent historian, best-selling author, and co-founder of the Jaipur Literature Festival. His historical and travel books have been translated into over 40 languages and have won multiple literary prizes. His acclaimed books, including The Anarchy and Nine Lives, explore the history and art of India, Pakistan, and the Muslim world. His keynotes offer profound, cross-cultural insights into history, art, and religion, informed by his work as an advisor to Princeton and Brown University and his decades of journalism.