50 Best Keynote Speakers on AI and the Future of Work (2026)

Finding the right keynote speaker on artificial intelligence and the future of work is one of the most consequential decisions you will make as an event organiser in 2026. The wrong choice delivers an hour of recycled AI hype that your audience forgets before they reach the car park. The right choice fundamentally shifts how your leadership team thinks about job redesign, workforce transformation, and human potential in an era of unprecedented technological disruption.

The challenge is significant. According to the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2025, 86% of global employers expect AI and information processing technologies to be highly transformative to their business by 2030. The same report projects that AI will displace roughly 92 million existing jobs while creating approximately 170 million new roles. That net gain of 78 million jobs sounds encouraging until you realise that the transition between displaced and created roles will define whether organisations thrive or collapse. PwC research shows that AI exposed sectors are seeing wages grow twice as fast as others, while workers with AI related skills command a 56% wage premium. The organisations that get this transition right will dominate their industries. Those that do not will struggle to retain talent, maintain productivity, and stay competitive.

This directory is the most comprehensive resource available for event planners, conference producers, HR leaders, and organisational decision makers searching for the best keynote speakers on AI and the future of work globally. It covers 50 speakers across multiple categories, evaluation criteria for selecting the right fit, fee guidance, and a step by step framework for making the right choice.

One important note before we begin. Many organisations discover that the biggest challenge with AI transformation is not the technology itself but the leadership and people challenge that comes with it. If your event needs a speaker who addresses the human side of AI driven change, helping leaders navigate difficult conversations, build resilient teams, and lead people through uncertainty, Jonno White is worth serious consideration.

As a Certified Working Genius Facilitator, bestselling author of Step Up or Step Out with over 10,000 copies sold globally, and trusted facilitator across Australia, the UK, USA, Singapore, Canada, New Zealand, India, and Europe, Jonno brings the leadership edge that most technical AI speakers simply cannot deliver. Email jonno@consultclarity.org to discuss your event.

How We Ranked These Speakers

The speakers in this directory were evaluated across six dimensions designed specifically for the corporate and conference context. These criteria separate genuine experts from polished presenters who look impressive on a bureau website but deliver forgettable content on the day.

First, expertise and credentials. Does the speaker have genuine, verifiable experience in artificial intelligence and workforce transformation? We prioritised speakers with published research, successful AI company exits, technical leadership roles at major technology companies, proven advisory track records with Fortune 500 organisations, or demonstrated expertise in the people side of AI adoption.

Second, track record and results. Can the speaker demonstrate measurable impact from their keynotes? We looked for client testimonials, satisfaction ratings, repeat bookings, and evidence of audience transformation beyond the initial applause.

Third, methodology and approach. Does the speaker offer a clear framework that audiences can implement? The best AI and future of work keynote speakers provide actionable takeaways, not just inspiring stories or alarming statistics.

Fourth, service delivery options. Can they deliver keynotes, workshops, executive roundtables, fireside chats, and virtual presentations? Flexibility matters for modern event planning.

Fifth, audience customisation. Will they tailor content to your specific industry, audience maturity level, and organisational challenges?

Sixth, value and investment. Does their fee align with the impact they deliver? Speaker fees in this category range from $10,000 to $100,000 or more for the most recognised global names. Value should be measured by what your audience does differently on Monday morning, not by the speaker's celebrity status.

For more on how to evaluate keynote speakers and what to look for when booking, check out my blog post '50 Best Keynote Speakers on AI in the USA (2026)' at https://www.consultclarity.org/post/keynote-speakers-ai-usa.

The Complete Rankings

1. Heather E. McGowan (USA)

Heather E. McGowan is arguably the most recognised future of work strategist globally and our number one pick for this category. LinkedIn ranked her as its number one global voice for education, and Forbes named her one of the Top 50 Female Futurists. NYT columnist Thomas Friedman describes her as the oasis when it comes to insights into the future of work. She is the co-author of The Adaptation Advantage and The Empathy Advantage.

Her keynotes focus on workforce adaptability, lifelong learning, and human capability in the AI era. What sets Heather apart from most AI speakers is that she consistently brings the conversation back to people. Her research rich, graphic frameworks and powerful metaphors make complex workforce transformation topics accessible to diverse audiences. She does not just explain what AI is doing to work. She equips leaders and teams to adapt.

For organisations that want to extend this thinking into practical team facilitation, pairing Heather's strategic vision with a hands on workshop can be powerful. Jonno White, Certified Working Genius Facilitator and bestselling author, regularly facilitates team development sessions that translate big picture future of work thinking into practical team action. Email jonno@consultclarity.org to discuss combining keynote and workshop formats.

Best for: HR conferences, corporate strategy summits, and organisations wanting research backed frameworks for workforce adaptation. Bureau: All American Speakers, BigSpeak.

2. Ajay Agrawal (Canada)

Ajay Agrawal is the founder of the world's largest AI startup incubator and has advised both the US and Japanese governments on AI strategy. As co-author of the bestselling Prediction Machines and Power and Prediction, he helps organisations understand the economics of AI and why the fast follower strategy does not work in this space.

His keynotes focus on competitive strategy, business model implications, and the urgency of getting ahead in AI rather than waiting to see what happens. Agrawal is one of the few speakers who can make the economic argument for AI investment in language that resonates with boards and C suite audiences. His work on how AI changes the value of prediction, judgment, and data gives organisations a framework for understanding which roles will change, which will grow, and which will shrink.

Best for: Corporate strategy events, innovation conferences, and executive audiences who need to understand AI's economic implications. Bureau: The Lavin Agency.

3. Nicholas Thompson (USA)

As CEO of The Atlantic and author of The Running Ground, Nicholas Thompson brings a rare combination of media leadership and AI expertise to the keynote stage. He regularly shares the stage with AI giants including Sam Altman and Geoffrey Hinton, drawing on those conversations to explore how AI is changing the way organisations work.

His keynotes blend theory with practical business application, making them particularly effective for C suite and senior leadership audiences who need strategic clarity rather than technical depth. Thompson is one of the most in demand AI keynote speakers for leaders and corporations because he translates conversations with the people building AI systems into insights that business leaders can actually use.

Best for: Executive audiences, board retreats, and leadership summits wanting a high profile speaker who connects AI trends to business strategy. Bureau: The Lavin Agency.

4. Daniel Susskind (UK)

Daniel Susskind is the author of A World Without Work and co-author of The Future of the Professions. As a fellow at the Oxford Internet Institute, he brings genuine academic rigour to the question of what happens to jobs and professions as AI capabilities expand.

His keynotes challenge audiences to think beyond the optimistic narrative and grapple seriously with structural displacement risks. Susskind does not offer easy reassurance. He presents evidence and helps audiences think critically about the scale of workforce change ahead. For organisations that need honesty about the challenges rather than cheerful predictions, he is one of the most credible voices available.

Best for: Policy conferences, professional association events, and audiences wanting a serious, research backed examination of AI's labour market impact. Bureau: Chartwell Speakers, London Speaker Bureau.

5. Dr. Sean Gallagher (Australia)

Sean Gallagher is one of the strongest voices globally on reframing AI from a technology play to a talent strategy. As founder of Humanova and former head of Swinburne University's Centre for the New Workforce, he specialises in teaching leaders how to build AI intuition in their workforce and manage the transition from human only to human AI hybrid work.

His research driven approach resonates with organisations that want evidence based guidance rather than futuristic speculation. Gallagher is particularly effective for HR leadership audiences because he understands that the real challenge of AI adoption is not buying software but developing the workforce capability to use it well.

Best for: HR leadership conferences, workforce planning events, and organisations navigating practical role redesign. Bureau: Saxton Speakers, Platinum Speakers.

6. Zack Kass (USA)

As former Head of Go to Market at OpenAI, Zack Kass brings insider perspective on how generative AI is reshaping business models and workplace dynamics. His keynotes focus on championing a future of abundance, demystifying AI for non technical audiences, and guiding organisations through the practical implications of widespread AI adoption.

He is one of the most visible voices bridging the gap between Silicon Valley AI development and corporate implementation. Kass is especially strong for audiences that need to understand what the people building AI actually think about its impact on work and organisations.

Best for: Corporate events, innovation summits, and audiences wanting an insider perspective on how AI companies think about the future of work. Bureau: BigSpeak, NSB.

7. Cassie Kozyrkov (USA)

As Google's first Chief Decision Scientist and the founder of the field of Decision Intelligence, Cassie Kozyrkov brings unique credibility to conversations about how organisations should think about AI decision making. Her keynotes help leaders understand when to trust AI outputs, how to build decision making frameworks that incorporate AI capabilities, and why the biggest barrier to AI adoption is often human judgment rather than technology limitations.

Best for: Data driven organisations, analytics conferences, and leadership teams wanting frameworks for AI decision making. Bureau: NSB.

8. Brian Evergreen (USA)

Brian Evergreen is a global AI strategy advisor and author of Autonomous Transformation. As Microsoft's former Head of Autonomous AI Co-Innovation, he has helped Fortune 500 companies implement AI agents to streamline workflows and decision making.

His keynotes focus on redesigning roles and business processes in the era of automation, emphasising empathy, ethics, and human creativity at the core of AI deployments. Brian is particularly strong on the transition from AI as a chatbot to AI as an autonomous agent capable of executing multi step workflows, which is one of the hottest topics in the 2026 keynote market.

Best for: Technology conferences, enterprise leadership events, and organisations implementing agentic AI at scale. Bureau: AI Speakers Agency.

9. Ross Dawson (Australia)

Ross Dawson is a bestselling author, futurist, and one of Australia's most established voices on the intersection of humans and AI. His keynotes focus on humans plus AI, organisational redesign, and strategic approaches to leveraging AI without losing what makes organisations distinctly human.

He brings decades of advisory experience with major organisations and a practical approach that avoids both fear mongering and uncritical optimism. For Australian and Asia Pacific audiences in particular, Dawson is one of the most trusted voices on the future of work.

Best for: Strategy events, board sessions, and organisations wanting balanced, practical guidance on AI workforce integration. Bureau: Platinum Speakers.

10. Sol Rashidi (USA)

Sol Rashidi is a practitioner who has served as Chief Analytics Officer and Chief Data Officer at multiple Fortune 500 companies. Her book Your AI Survival Guide provides enterprise leaders with practical frameworks for navigating AI adoption without destroying organisational culture.

Her keynotes focus specifically on non-technical executive AI strategy, making her particularly effective for leadership audiences who are tired of being told what AI can do and want to know what they should actually do about it. If your audience includes executives who have sat through three AI keynotes already and still do not have a strategy, Sol is the speaker who can break through.

Best for: Executive leadership events, CHRO conferences, and organisations wanting practical AI adoption strategy. Bureau: Speakers Associates, All American Speakers.

11. Professor Carl Benedikt Frey (UK)

Author of The Technology Trap, Carl Benedikt Frey brings deep academic expertise in labour economics and the history of technological disruption. His keynotes provide historical context for the current AI revolution, helping audiences understand why some technological transitions create widespread prosperity while others concentrate benefits among a few.

Best for: Economic forums, policy conferences, and university led events. Bureau: Chartwell Speakers, London Speaker Bureau.

12. Kai-Fu Lee (Asia)

Kai-Fu Lee is the CEO of Sinovation Ventures and former President of Google China. His book AI Superpowers provides a global perspective on AI development that most Western speakers cannot offer. His keynotes focus on China's AI advancements, the global AI race, and what the future of work looks like when you consider the full picture of global AI capability rather than just Silicon Valley.

Best for: Global audiences, international business conferences, and organisations with operations across multiple continents. Bureau: Leading Authorities.

13. Sinead Bovell (Canada)

Sinead Bovell is the founder of WAYE, a tech education company preparing businesses and the next generation of leaders for a future shaped by emerging technologies. An eleven time UN speaker and MIT certified in AI ethics, she bridges the gap between youth perspectives, the future of work, and artificial intelligence.

Her keynotes are particularly effective for audiences navigating generational workforce dynamics alongside AI transformation. She addresses one of the most underserved angles in AI keynotes: if AI handles all the entry level work, how do junior employees ever develop the skills to become senior experts?

Best for: Future of work conferences, association events, and organisations grappling with generational workforce shifts. Bureau: Speakers Spotlight.

14. Pascal Bornet (Europe)

Pascal Bornet is a bestselling author and one of the most recognised automation experts globally. His keynotes focus on AI and automation, intelligent augmentation, and practical business adoption. He brings practical frameworks for organisations wanting to move beyond AI experimentation to enterprise scale deployment.

Best for: Digital transformation events, operations leadership conferences, and European market audiences. Bureau: London Speaker Bureau.

15. Jacob Morgan (USA)

Jacob Morgan is a professionally trained futurist, bestselling author, and keynote speaker who creates future ready organisations, leaders, and employees. His keynotes on AI powered transformation focus specifically on redesigning jobs, workflows, and business models to work with AI rather than against it.

He emphasises the rising value of human traits that machines cannot replicate, which resonates with organisations navigating the tension between automation and human capability. His research on employee experience in the AI era is particularly useful for HR audiences.

If your team is grappling with how to redesign roles while maintaining team cohesion and morale, Jonno White, bestselling author of Step Up or Step Out, facilitates executive team offsites and workshops that help leadership teams work through exactly those challenges. Hire Jonno White to facilitate a team workshop alongside your keynote. Email jonno@consultclarity.org.

Best for: HR conferences, employee experience events, and organisations redesigning their operating models around AI. Bureau: Leading Authorities, BigSpeak.

16. Amanda Johnstone (Australia)

Amanda Johnstone is CEO of Transhuman and has been named a TIME Next Generation Leader and LinkedIn Top Voice of AI. Her keynotes focus on people first AI, bridging technology and human resources leadership. She is particularly effective for audiences that include both technology enthusiasts and technology sceptics, as her communication style makes AI concepts accessible without oversimplifying the implications for workforce transformation.

Best for: Corporate events across Australia and Asia Pacific, HR conferences, and leadership development events. Bureau: Saxton Speakers.

17. Radhika Dirks (USA)

Radhika Dirks is a global AI advisor and one of Forbes's 30 Women in AI to Watch. She founded the first ever AI moonshot factory and offers dynamic, inspiring keynotes on the vast potential AI unlocks for individuals and organisations. She shows organisations not only how to implement AI at work but how to use it to pursue ambitious goals that were previously impossible.

Best for: Innovation conferences, startup events, and organisations wanting an optimistic, ambitious perspective on AI's potential. Bureau: The Lavin Agency.

18. Dr. Mark van Rijmenam (Europe)

Mark van Rijmenam is a strategic futurist and author of six books on technology and digital strategy. He specialises in trustworthy AI, the future of work, and leadership under exponential change. His keynotes help organisations navigate the transition from experimenting with AI to embedding it across operations.

Best for: Technology conferences, governance focused events, and European market audiences. Bureau: ICMI.

19. Theo Priestley (UK)

Theo Priestley is the author of Would You Follow a Robot Leader? and The Future Starts Now. His distinctive angle focuses on leadership in the age of machines, exploring what happens to authority, trust, and human connection when AI becomes embedded in management decisions. His keynotes challenge leaders to think about their evolving role rather than just their evolving tools.

Best for: Leadership summits, board retreats, and audiences wanting to explore the philosophical and practical dimensions of AI leadership. Bureau: Speakers Associates.

20. Fiona Passantino (USA)

Fiona Passantino is the author of AI-Powered Professional and specialises in AI human collaboration and leadership roadmaps for non-technical teams. Her keynotes are practical, accessible, and designed for audiences that need to understand how AI changes their daily work rather than how it changes the global economy.

She addresses one of the biggest gaps in the AI speaking market: content specifically designed for middle managers and operational leaders who are responsible for implementing AI driven changes but rarely get speakers who speak directly to their challenges.

Best for: Middle management events, operational leadership conferences, and organisations wanting practical, non-technical AI guidance. Bureau: All American Speakers.

For more on how keynote speakers can help organisations navigate the human side of AI driven change, check out my blog post '25 Proven Keys to Leading Your Team Through Change' at https://www.consultclarity.org/post/leading-team-change.

21. Mike Walsh (Australia)

Mike Walsh is one of the clearest bridges between disruptive technology and executive leadership in the speaking market. His keynotes on AI powered transformation, business leadership, and organisational reinvention help executives understand not just what is changing but how to lead differently in response.

Best for: Executive strategy events, C suite retreats, and global corporate audiences. Bureau: All American Speakers.

22. Richard Foster-Fletcher (UK)

Richard Foster-Fletcher is the founder of MKAI.org and a leading advisor on AI strategy and governance. His keynotes are known for a counterintuitive approach to AI, moving beyond hype to discuss how AI reshapes human judgment and organisational culture. He addresses the structural dynamics of AI adoption, helping executives understand displacement risk honestly.

Best for: Governance conferences, policy events, and organisations wanting credible, balanced guidance on AI's organisational impact. Bureau: Crescendo.

23. Allie K. Miller (USA)

Allie K. Miller is a former Amazon machine learning leader and one of the most followed AI business voices on LinkedIn. She makes AI accessible to business audiences while honestly discussing how roles are changing. Named a TIME100 Most Influential Person in AI, her AI-First Academy and keynotes help organisations build AI literacy across all levels, not just in the technology department.

Best for: Enterprise AI adoption events, women in technology conferences, and organisations building organisation-wide AI literacy. Bureau: Independent.

24. Paul Gibbons (UK)

Paul Gibbons is the author of The Science of Organizational Change and Adopting AI: The People-first Approach. He is unusually strong on people first AI adoption, combining organisational change expertise with practical frameworks for ethical, human centred AI deployment.

His keynotes help leaders understand that AI adoption is a change management challenge first and a technology challenge second. This is a message that resonates deeply with organisations that have tried to implement AI as a technology project and watched it stall because of human resistance.

Organisations navigating AI driven restructuring often find that the hardest conversations happen between individual leaders and their team members. Jonno White's bestselling book Step Up or Step Out (https://www.amazon.com.au/Step-Up-Out-Difficult-Conflict/dp/B097X7B5LD) provides a proven framework for exactly those difficult conversations, and has been used by leaders across the UK, Australia, Singapore, Canada, India, and the USA. Bring Jonno White in to deliver a workshop on leading difficult conversations during AI transformation. Email jonno@consultclarity.org.

Best for: Change management conferences, organisational development events, and leadership teams preparing for AI driven restructuring. Bureau: Speakers Associates.

25. Cheryl Cran (Canada)

Cheryl Cran is the author of NextMapping and Super.Crucial.Human, positioning her at the intersection of future of work, AI adoption, and human centred leadership. Her keynotes help audiences understand that leading through change in 2026 is inseparable from leading through AI transformation.

Best for: Leadership conferences, HR events, and Canadian and North American audiences wanting human centred AI perspectives. Bureau: Speakers Spotlight, NSB.

26. Tracey Follows (UK)

Tracey Follows is a futurist and founder of Futuremade who focuses on the intersection of technology, culture, and identity. Recently named one of the world's top 50 female futurists, she helps organisations consider what happens to human identity, purpose, and meaning when AI transforms how people work.

Her keynotes address questions most AI speakers avoid: what happens to self worth, professional identity, and motivation when traditional roles evolve or disappear. For organisations where morale and identity are as much at stake as productivity, Tracey is one of the most thoughtful voices available.

Best for: Culture focused events, HR leadership conferences, and organisations navigating the emotional and identity dimensions of AI transformation. Bureau: AI Speakers Agency.

27. Ethan Mollick (USA)

Ethan Mollick is a Wharton Professor whose work provides practical, real world examples of how generative AI acts as a co-pilot in daily knowledge work. His research on AI's impact on professional tasks is among the most cited in the field, and his keynotes translate academic findings into actionable insights for business audiences.

Best for: Education conferences, professional development events, and research oriented audiences wanting academic rigour. Bureau: Independent.

28. Dr. Catriona Wallace (Australia)

Catriona Wallace is the founder of Flamingo AI and a leading voice on AI ethics and the intersection of AI and human potential. Her keynotes address both the commercial opportunities and ethical responsibilities that come with workforce AI adoption. She brings both entrepreneurial credibility and academic depth to the stage.

Best for: AI ethics events, Australian corporate conferences, and organisations wanting both commercial and ethical perspectives. Bureau: Keynote Entertainment.

29. Anders Sorman-Nilsson (Australia)

Anders Sorman-Nilsson is a futurist and author of Seamless who specialises in the human side of technological evolution. His keynotes help audiences navigate the transition from analogue to digital to AI augmented work without losing the human connections that drive organisational success.

Best for: Cross generational audiences, Australian corporate events, and organisations managing digital transformation across diverse teams. Bureau: Celebrity Speakers.

30. Katie King (UK)

Katie King specialises in AI and the future of work with a focus on business transformation and leadership. Her keynotes help organisations understand how to approach AI adoption as a business strategy rather than a technology project. She is particularly effective for audiences in the UK market wanting practical, commercially focused AI guidance.

Best for: UK corporate events, business transformation conferences, and commercially focused audiences. Bureau: London Speaker Bureau.

31. Henrik von Scheel (Europe)

Henrik von Scheel is widely credited as the originator of the Industry 4.0 concept. His keynotes on AI, the future of work, and strategy bring a macro economic perspective that helps leaders understand how technological shifts reshape entire industries and economies. He has been recognised as one of the most influential management speakers of our time.

Best for: Manufacturing conferences, industry transformation events, and executive audiences wanting strategic macro perspectives. Bureau: AAE Speakers.

32. Wema Hoover (USA)

Wema Hoover specialises in leadership in an AI driven world, focusing on keeping people at the centre of transformation. Her keynotes help organisations understand that the technology is the easy part and that the real challenge is leading people through uncertainty, fear, and change.

Best for: CHRO conferences, people leadership events, and organisations wanting HR centred AI guidance. Bureau: BigSpeak.

33. Dr. Bailey Parnell (Canada)

Bailey Parnell is one of Canada's Top 100 Most Powerful Women. Her keynotes address the intersection of AI, leadership, wellbeing, culture, and ethical adoption. She is particularly strong for audiences concerned about the psychological impact of AI driven change, including anxiety about displacement, burnout during transformation, and the challenge of maintaining trust.

Best for: Wellbeing focused events, Canadian corporate conferences, and organisations prioritising the psychological dimensions of AI adoption. Bureau: Speakers Spotlight.

34. Ian Beacraft (USA)

Ian Beacraft is an AI strategy advisor specialising in workforce transformation, synthetic media, enterprise adoption, and organisational resilience. His keynotes help organisations understand how AI is creating entirely new categories of work while making others obsolete. He is particularly strong on the practical steps organisations need to take to build resilience during AI driven disruption.

Best for: Enterprise technology events, workforce transformation conferences, and organisations building AI resilience strategies. Bureau: Aurum Speakers Bureau.

35. Professor Gina Neff (UK)

Gina Neff is the Executive Director of the Minderoo Centre at the University of Cambridge. Her research focuses on the societal impact of AI and data, technology and democracy, and the future of work. Her keynotes bring genuine academic authority to questions about how AI reshapes labour markets, power structures, and organisational dynamics.

Best for: Policy conferences, university led events, and audiences wanting rigorous academic perspectives on AI and work. Bureau: Chartwell Speakers.

The AI transformation conversation is not just about technology. It is about how leaders communicate change, build trust during uncertainty, and help their people adapt. For organisations wanting a keynote or workshop that addresses the leadership and team dynamics of navigating AI driven disruption, Jonno White, host of The Leadership Conversations Podcast with 230 plus episodes reaching listeners in 150 plus countries, delivers keynotes that equip leaders with practical frameworks for leading through change. Whether virtual or face to face, reach out to jonno@consultclarity.org.

36. Ed Greig (UK)

Ed Greig is an experienced innovation executive who specialises in AI augmented collaboration and creativity. His keynotes focus on how AI enhances rather than replaces human ingenuity, showing organisations how distributed teams can use AI tools to brainstorm, prototype, and collaborate more effectively.

Best for: Innovation events, collaboration focused conferences, and creative industry audiences. Bureau: AI Speakers Agency.

37. Simon Waller (Australia)

Simon Waller brings a distinctive focus on AI ethics, the evolving nature of work, and leadership and culture to the Australian speaking market. His keynotes help organisations navigate AI adoption with an emphasis on maintaining the values, relationships, and cultural elements that make their organisation distinctive.

Best for: Australian corporate events, organisations beginning AI adoption, and values driven leadership audiences. Bureau: Platinum Speakers.

38. Nikki Greenberg (Australia)

Nikki Greenberg is a world leading futurist and innovation strategist focused on preparing organisations for a tech enabled future. Her keynotes help organisations envision what their industries look like when AI is fully embedded and work backwards to build practical roadmaps for getting there.

Best for: Innovation conferences, industry transformation events, and APAC audiences wanting future focused strategic guidance. Bureau: APB Speakers.

39. Sana Khareghani (UK)

Sana Khareghani is a Professor of Practice in AI at King's College London and former Head of the UK Government's Office for AI. She brings two decades of experience in shaping AI policy and its societal impact. Her keynotes address the ethical and practical implications of AI on the workplace and future job markets.

Best for: Government conferences, regulated industry events, and UK policy audiences. Bureau: Champions Speakers.

40. Rumman Chowdhury (Global)

Rumman Chowdhury is one of the most recognised voices in responsible AI globally. Her keynotes address AI governance, human impact, and the ethical frameworks organisations need to deploy AI responsibly. She is heavily used in European and Middle Eastern conference circuits and brings both technical credibility and policy expertise.

Best for: AI governance events, ethical AI conferences, and global audiences wanting rigorous responsible AI frameworks. Bureau: London Speaker Bureau.

41. Julian Moore (Australia/NZ)

Julian Moore specialises in applied AI, operational embedding, and building future fit organisations. His keynotes focus on the practical work of embedding AI into operations, member engagement, and customer service. He brings particular strength for associations and membership organisations navigating how AI changes their value proposition.

Best for: Association conferences, membership organisations, and Australian and New Zealand audiences wanting practical AI application. Bureau: ICMI, Keynote Entertainment.

42. Oliver Tian (Singapore)

Oliver Tian brings expertise in human centric AI, robotics, and workforce transformation to the Asian speaking market. His keynotes focus on responsible AI adoption and the practical implications of AI for workforces across Southeast Asia.

Best for: Southeast Asian corporate events, regional conferences, and organisations with operations across APAC. Bureau: Singapore Speakers Bureau.

43. Dr. David De Cremer (Europe/Asia)

David De Cremer is a renowned scholar with extensive global leadership experience, a futurist, and a published author. His keynotes bring together organisational behaviour research and practical leadership frameworks, helping leaders understand how to maintain trust, empathy, and human connection when AI transforms workplace dynamics.

Best for: Business school events, executive education programmes, and organisations wanting research backed AI leadership guidance. Bureau: Speakers.com.

44. Gerd Leonhard (Europe)

Gerd Leonhard is a highly acclaimed futurist who has delivered over 1,500 engagements across more than 50 countries. His keynotes focus on near term, present day observations about how technology is reshaping human experience and work. He brings particular strength on the ethical and humanistic dimensions of AI adoption.

Best for: Large scale conferences, European corporate events, and audiences wanting a humanistic technology perspective. Bureau: Speakers.com.

45. Fiona Wilhelm (Australia)

Fiona Wilhelm brings a human touch to AI storytelling, making future of work content accessible and engaging for diverse audiences. Her keynotes help organisations see AI transformation through the eyes of the people most affected by it, including frontline workers, middle managers, and those whose roles are most likely to change.

Best for: Internal communications events, employee engagement conferences, and organisations wanting to communicate AI change effectively. Bureau: Keynote Entertainment.

46. Professor Landry Signe (Africa/Global)

Landry Signe brings a critically important perspective on AI, prosperity, governance, and the future of work in Africa and the Global South. His keynotes address how AI transformation plays out differently in emerging economies, covering both the opportunities and the unique challenges that African organisations face.

Best for: International development conferences, African business events, and organisations with emerging market operations. Bureau: Independent.

47. Craig Wing (South Africa)

Craig Wing specialises in disruptive technologies, emergent business models, and the new world of work from a South African and broader African perspective. His keynotes help organisations in emerging markets understand how AI intersects with unique regional challenges.

Best for: African business events, emerging market conferences, and organisations with Southern African operations. Bureau: AAE Speakers.

48. Matthew Griffin (UK/Europe)

Matthew Griffin covers exponential technologies, the risks of AI, and the future of work. His keynotes address how technological advancements will reshape industries and provide fresh perspectives on innovation and risk management.

Best for: Risk management conferences, technology events, and audiences wanting balanced perspectives on AI opportunities and threats. Bureau: London Speaker Bureau.

49. Adam Markel (USA)

Adam Markel is a Resilience Researcher and AI, Future of Work, and Change Management Expert. As the number one WSJ Bestselling Author of PIVOT and Change Proof, he helps organisations build cultures of adaptability. His keynotes address how leaders can build resilience, manage fear, and lead teams through the uncertainty that AI driven workforce transformation creates.

Best for: Resilience focused events, change management conferences, and organisations where workforce anxiety about AI is high. Bureau: Independent.

50. Terence Mauri (UK)

Terence Mauri specialises in leadership, disruption, AI, and future ready organisations. His keynotes help leaders understand how to build organisations that thrive through continuous technological disruption rather than being paralysed by it. He brings practical frameworks for leaders who are tired of hearing about AI and want to know how to lead differently because of it.

Best for: Leadership conferences, disruption focused events, and UK and European audiences. Bureau: Speakers Associates, AAE Speakers.

Comparison Table

This table provides a quick reference for the 50 speakers listed in this directory, organised by primary specialty and geographic focus.

Speakers 1 through 10 cover the core AI and future of work landscape. Heather E. McGowan (USA) covers workforce adaptability and future of work strategy. Ajay Agrawal (Canada) focuses on AI economics and competitive strategy. Nicholas Thompson (USA) addresses AI and business leadership. Daniel Susskind (UK) covers labour market disruption and the future of professions. Sean Gallagher (Australia) specialises in AI as talent strategy. Zack Kass (USA) addresses generative AI implementation. Cassie Kozyrkov (USA) focuses on decision intelligence. Brian Evergreen (USA) addresses autonomous transformation. Ross Dawson (Australia) covers humans plus AI. Sol Rashidi (USA) specialises in enterprise AI adoption strategy.

Speakers 11 through 25 span academic expertise, regional specialisation, and the people side of AI. Speakers 26 through 40 cover organisational change, culture, governance, and niche applications. Speakers 41 through 50 extend the directory across emerging markets, resilience, and specialised leadership angles.

How to Choose the Right Keynote Speaker on AI and the Future of Work

Choosing the right speaker starts with clarity about what kind of transformation your organisation is navigating. A speaker who excels at explaining generative AI technology may be wrong for an audience that needs help managing the fear and uncertainty that comes with AI driven redundancies. An economist who brilliantly analyses labour market data may miss the mark at a leadership retreat where executives need practical frameworks for redesigning their teams.

Start by defining the type of AI challenge your organisation faces. Is it technology adoption, workforce reskilling, job redesign, organisational restructuring, culture change, or a combination? Match the speaker's expertise to your specific challenge.

Next, consider your audience. C suite executives need different content than middle managers, frontline team leaders, or HR professionals. The best AI future of work keynote speakers tailor their message to the room. Ask potential speakers for case studies from organisations similar to yours in size, industry, and complexity.

Ask whether the speaker offers more than a keynote. Organisations that pair a keynote with a follow up workshop, facilitation session, or executive roundtable see significantly higher retention and adoption of new thinking.

Finally, check responsiveness and professionalism before you book. A speaker who takes three weeks to respond to an inquiry will likely create logistics headaches closer to your event. The best speakers and their teams treat the booking process as a preview of the experience you will get on the day.

For more on choosing a keynote speaker for leadership and change, check out my blog post '25 Best Keynote Speakers on Leading Through Change in Australia (2026)' at https://www.consultclarity.org/post/keynote-speakers-change-australia.

What to Expect: Investment Guide

Speaker fees in the AI and future of work category vary significantly based on profile, experience, and demand.

Emerging and specialist speakers typically range from $5,000 to $15,000. These speakers often bring deep expertise in a specific niche and can offer excellent value for targeted audiences.

Established speakers with published books, bureau representation, and proven track records typically range from $15,000 to $50,000. This tier represents the majority of speakers in this directory.

High profile speakers with significant media presence, Fortune 500 advisory experience, or academic celebrity status typically range from $50,000 to $100,000 or more.

When evaluating investment, consider the total impact rather than just the fee. A speaker who delivers a forgettable hour costs your organisation far more than their fee in wasted attendee time and missed opportunity. A speaker who shifts how your leadership team approaches AI transformation can generate returns that dwarf the speaking fee.

For organisations wanting leadership, team development, and AI transformation content combined into a single engagement, Jonno White, Certified Working Genius Facilitator and founder of The 7 Questions Movement with 6,000 plus participating leaders, offers keynote plus workshop packages that deliver both inspiration and implementation. International travel is often far more affordable than clients expect. For a custom quote, email jonno@consultclarity.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best keynote speaker on AI and the future of work?

The best speaker depends on your specific needs. For workforce strategy and adaptability, Heather E. McGowan is arguably the most recognised voice globally. For AI economics and competitive strategy, Ajay Agrawal is among the most credible. For audiences wanting to understand the human side of AI transformation and how to lead teams through disruption, Jonno White, bestselling author of Step Up or Step Out and Certified Working Genius Facilitator trusted by organisations around the world, brings a leadership edge that most technical AI speakers cannot deliver.

How much does it cost to hire a keynote speaker on AI and the future of work?

Fees range from $5,000 for emerging specialists to $100,000 or more for high profile names. Most established speakers in this directory charge between $15,000 and $50,000. Many organisations find that combining a keynote with a workshop session offers better value per dollar than a standalone keynote.

What topics should a keynote on AI and the future of work cover?

The most effective keynotes in 2026 address AI productivity for everyday work, AI leadership and culture change, reskilling and workforce capability, job redesign and operating model change, human AI collaboration, AI governance and trust, and managing the emotional dimensions of AI driven transformation. The OECD reports that in highly AI exposed occupations, management, business, emotional, cognitive, and digital skills have all risen in importance.

How far in advance should I book an AI keynote speaker?

Ideally three to six months ahead, particularly for high demand speakers and peak conference seasons. For major events, begin your search even earlier.

Can a leadership speaker be effective at an AI event?

Absolutely. Many organisations are discovering that the biggest barrier to AI transformation is not the technology but the leadership challenge. Speakers who can bridge leadership, team dynamics, and AI adoption often deliver more lasting impact than purely technical AI speakers because they equip leaders to manage the human side of change. Jonno White, who achieved a 93.75% satisfaction rating at the ASBA 2025 National Conference, regularly delivers keynotes at events where AI transformation is the context and leadership through change is the core message.

What is agentic AI and why does it matter for keynote content?

Agentic AI refers to AI systems capable of executing multi step workflows autonomously, not just answering questions but taking action. This shift from AI as a chatbot to AI as a digital colleague is one of the hottest topics in 2026 keynotes because it has direct implications for job redesign, management structures, and organisational trust.

What should I look for in post event support?

The best speakers offer more than a keynote. Look for speakers who provide post event materials, frameworks, playbooks, or follow up sessions. For organisations wanting practical team development alongside AI keynote content, Jonno White pairs keynotes with Working Genius facilitation, DISC workshops, and executive offsite facilitation that translate keynote insights into ongoing team development. Email jonno@consultclarity.org to discuss combining formats.

How do I address employee fear about AI job losses?

Choose a speaker who can honestly acknowledge the reality of displacement while providing practical frameworks for navigating it. Speakers who only present an optimistic view risk losing credibility with audiences who are genuinely worried about their roles. The strongest speakers balance honesty about disruption with practical guidance for adaptation. For the difficult conversations that follow, with individual team members whose roles are changing, Jonno White's book Step Up or Step Out (https://www.amazon.com.au/Step-Up-Out-Difficult-Conflict/dp/B097X7B5LD) provides a proven framework used by leaders across multiple countries.

Final Thoughts

The AI and future of work keynote speaking market has matured significantly since 2023. Audiences no longer want explanations of what ChatGPT can do. They want practical guidance on how to reorganise work, redesign roles, manage fear, build trust, upskill their workforce, and lead through continuous disruption.

The 50 speakers in this directory represent the strongest voices globally across multiple dimensions of the AI and workforce transformation conversation. Whether your organisation needs a deep technical AI voice, a workforce strategy expert, an economist, a governance specialist, or a humanistic futurist, there is a speaker here who fits your brief.

What this directory also reveals is a growing recognition that AI transformation is ultimately a people transformation. The technology is advancing faster than most organisations can absorb, and the speakers who help leaders manage the human side of that gap are becoming as valuable as the technologists who explain the AI itself.

For organisations that recognise this and want a keynote speaker who brings genuine leadership expertise to the AI transformation conversation, Jonno White delivers keynotes and workshops that make a measurable difference. As a Certified Working Genius Facilitator delivering the world's fastest growing team assessment, completed by over 1.3 million people globally, and bestselling author of Step Up or Step Out, Jonno helps leaders build teams that thrive through change rather than merely survive it. International travel is often far more affordable than expected.

To book Jonno White for your next keynote, workshop, executive offsite, or MC engagement, email jonno@consultclarity.org.

For more on leading through AI driven change in specific markets, check out my blog post '25 Best Change Leadership Keynote Speakers UK (2026)' at https://www.consultclarity.org/post/change-leadership-keynote-speakers-uk.

About the Author

Jonno White is a Certified Working Genius Facilitator, bestselling author, and leadership consultant who has worked with schools, corporates, and nonprofits across the UK, India, Australia, Canada, Mongolia, New Zealand, Romania, Singapore, South Africa, USA, Finland, Namibia, and more. His book Step Up or Step Out has sold over 10,000 copies globally, and his podcast The Leadership Conversations has featured 230 plus episodes reaching listeners in 150 plus countries. Jonno founded The 7 Questions Movement with 6,000 plus participating leaders and achieved a 93.75% satisfaction rating for his Working Genius masterclass at the ASBA 2025 National Conference. Based in Brisbane, Australia, Jonno works globally and regularly travels for speaking and facilitation engagements. Organisations consistently find that international travel is far more affordable than expected.

To book Jonno for your next keynote, workshop, or facilitation session, email jonno@consultclarity.org.

While Jonno is included in these rankings based on objective criteria, readers should note his authorship in the interest of full transparency.

Next Read: 50 Best Keynote Speakers on AI in the USA (2026)

Finding the right keynote speaker on artificial intelligence for your next corporate event, leadership summit, or annual conference is one of the most consequential decisions you will make as an event organiser. The AI keynote speaking market in the United States has exploded over the past two years, and with that growth has come an overwhelming number of options.

Some speakers bring deep technical expertise from building the systems that power modern AI. Others translate complex concepts into actionable business strategies. Still others challenge audiences to think critically about ethics, governance, and the human side of technological transformation.

Keep reading: https://www.consultclarity.org/post/keynote-speakers-ai-usa