Tech & Humanity Speakers

Dr. Babak Hodjat is a serial entrepreneur and the Co-founder and Chief Scientist of Sentient Technologies, architects of the world's largest distributed AI system. He is the principal inventor of the technology behind Apple's Siri. As the CTO of AI at Cognizant, he advises on the future of business dynamics, particularly the implications of natural language processing, machine learning, and genetic algorithms. His keynotes provide deep, high-level insights into distributed AI and the strategy required to successfully implement intelligent interfaces for mobile and enterprise computing.

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.

Eric O’Neill is a former FBI counterintelligence operative and author of the memoir Gray Day. He is best known for his central role in the capture of one of the most notorious spies in U.S. history, an experience that inspired the film Breach. Today, he is a leading expert on cybersecurity and risk management. As a keynote speaker, O’Neill provides a unique, behind-the-scenes look at the world of espionage and cybersecurity. He speaks on topics such as corporate security, risk management, and the future of cyber threats. His talks are highly compelling and offer a clear, actionable guide for protecting an organization’s most valuable assets.

General Bikram Singh is the former Chief of the Indian Army and a highly decorated military leader. He is an expert in strategic politico-military decision-making and leadership under pressure. The General was inducted into the US Army War College ‘Hall of Fame’ and received the ‘Legion of Merit’ from the U.S. President. His keynotes provide corporate leaders with unique insights on strategic affairs, security issues, management, and disaster management.

Samy Kamkar is a famous computer hacker, entrepreneur, and a leading expert on cybercrime and system vulnerabilities. He is best known for creating the MySpace worm and for inventing tools like PoisonTap and Evercookie to expose security flaws. A highly sought-after speaker on hacking and GDPR, Kamkar uses his firsthand experience to help businesses discover and fix their own security flaws. His research has revealed unlawful mobile tracking by major tech firms and his invention, PoisonTap, demonstrates the ease with which secured computers can be hijacked via simple USB devices.

Dr. Anthony Atala is a world-renowned surgeon and the Director of the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine. He is a pioneer whose team engineered the first lab-grown organ to be implanted into a human. His research focuses on growing and regenerating tissues and organs and includes breakthroughs in harvesting stem cells from amniotic fluid. As a speaker, he provides invaluable insights into the future of medicine, bioengineering, and the disruptive potential of 3D bioprinting and tissue fabrication technologies.

Dr. Justine Cassell is a foundational pioneer in Conversational AI, a faculty member at Carnegie Mellon University, and a senior researcher at INRIA Paris. She is the credited developer of the Embodied Conversational Agent (ECA). She is a long-time advisor to the World Economic Forum and a member of the French governmental committee CNNUM (Council on the Future of Digital in France). Her keynotes translate complex research into actionable insights on the impact of AI on learning and communication, focusing on developing technologies that evoke humans' most humane capabilities.

Parameswaran Venkataraman is a leading pioneer in Design Thinking and Behavioral Design in India. He is the Co-founder of '3 Big Things' and an expert who has held leadership roles at IDEO, Tata Digital, and Fractal.ai. The former Chief Design Officer at Fractal.ai and an HBS alumnus, his work is showcased as a case study in IDEO U's Design for Change course. His keynotes focus on Creating a Design Thinking mindset and translating design principles into personal reflections, leveraging his unique toolkit of Mindfulness and Design Thinking.

Cathy Hackl is a leading global futurist and technology strategist, often called the “Godmother of the Metaverse.” She is an External Partner at BCG and the Founder/CEO of Future Dynamics, her foresight lab. An Ad Age Leading Woman of 2023 and a prominent voice on CNBC and The Economist, her expertise spans AI, spatial computing, and next-generation consumer behaviors. Her keynotes are dynamic and tailored to inspire actionable change and strategic vision for navigating today's rapidly evolving technological landscape.

Dr. Sterling Anderson is a leading expert in self-driving technology and the Co-founder of Aurora, a prominent autonomous vehicle company. He previously served as the Director of Tesla Autopilot and Chief Product Manager of the Tesla Model X. With a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from MIT, his expertise is both extensive and deep. His keynotes provide essential insights on innovation, cooperative control of human-machine systems, and the future trends shaping the autonomous vehicle industry for corporate audiences worldwide.

Pascal Finette is a serial entrepreneur and former executive at Google, eBay, and Mozilla. He is a strategic advisor and founder of be radical, a boutique advisory firm focused on accelerating change and future-robust business strategies. He was the Faculty Chair for Entrepreneurship and Open Innovation at Singularity University. His keynotes deliver a "zero tolerance for bullshit" message, inspiring leaders to tackle meaningful challenges and transform organizations using practical insights on exponential technology and future-robust business strategies.

Yancey Strickler is the co-founder and former CEO of Kickstarter, the platform that helped creative people raise over $4 billion. He is a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader and a leading voice on values-driven business. His book, This Could Be Our Future, is a manifesto for a more generous world. His keynotes share the challenges and triumphs of the Kickstarter story, providing audiences with actionable insights on how creativity can solve anything and how to succeed by placing values before profit.

Dr. Gerard ’t Hooft is a Nobel Laureate in Physics (1999), recognized for his work on the quantum structure of electroweak interactions. He is a Distinguished Professor at Utrecht University and a world-leading theoretical physicist. His groundbreaking research on gauge theory and the holographic principle has profoundly advanced the study of black holes and quantum gravity. As a celebrated speaker, he delivers mind-expanding keynotes that showcase the true pioneering spirit of scientific investigation and bring the leading edge of theoretical physics to a mass audience.

Greg Lindsay is a globally recognized urban futurist and generalist, holding fellowships at MIT and the Atlantic Council. He advises governments and Fortune 50 corporations on the future of cities, technology, and work. His work has been exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and the Venice Architecture Biennales. As a speaker, he draws on his acclaimed research to deliver visionary insights into AI at urban scale, real estate trends, and the strategic foresight needed to navigate disruption.

Rahul Bose is a renowned actor, former international rugby player, and President of Rugby India. Time magazine called him "the superstar of Indian arthouse cinema." He is the founder of The Foundation, an NGO dedicated to fighting discrimination. His keynotes, delivered globally, merge his experiences in live combat and high-level sports to provide motivational insights on leadership, life choices, and public commitment to social and environmental change.

Rajiv Makhni is India’s foremost Technology Journalist, Managing Editor of NDTV, and the long-time host of popular tech shows like Gadget Guru. His philosophy is to make technology less intimidating and more empowering by cutting through the jargon and focusing on daily utility. His keynotes provide highly accessible insights on digital transformation and consumer technology, helping audiences navigate, question, and choose with confidence.

Ankit Fadia is a former author and television host known for his initial work in computer security. He is a graduate of Stanford University, where he studied Management Science and Engineering. He has authored several books on computer security and hosted the MTV show MTV What the Hack! His early claims of having worked with U.S. intelligence agencies and the CBI on cybercrime cases have been widely scrutinized and disputed by security professionals and the media.

Prithvi Shergill is a highly experienced Human Capital Strategist and the former Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) at HCL Technologies. He is a committed builder of inclusive, high-impact organizations. With over 35 years of experience, including a former partnership at Accenture, he advises on business strategy, digital transformation, and cultural alignment. His expertise focuses on leveraging digital and AI tools thoughtfully to support scale, access, and equity within organizations.