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11_Feb_CTO_Top Technology Speakers to Follow in 2025

Top Technology Speakers to Follow in 2025

How do you lead when the ground beneath your feet is constantly shifting? What does it take to embrace change – not as a challenge, but as an opportunity? How can leaders transform uncertainty into a strategic advantage in a world where disruptive technology rewrites the rules overnight? These pressing questions are at the forefront of every forward-thinking leader’s mind in today’s rapidly evolving business landscape.

One strategic approach to overcome these hassles, is to invest or listen to a tech keynote speaker. Following a technology keynote speaker can help you stay up-to-date on emerging technologies, industry trends, and future forecasts. This practice is helpful for leaders looking to maintain a competitive edge.

If you want to deepen your understanding in technology, follow the list of speakers given below. These tech experts can cover topics such as AI, innovation, disruption, Big Data, blockchain, machine learning, cybersecurity, the Internet of Things, Fintech, edge computing, and much more. Celebrated for their ability to provide practical, forward-looking guidance, these speakers can help you and your organization stay ahead of the curve and seize emerging opportunities.

Ray Kurzweil

Ray Kurzweil is one of the world’s leading inventors, thinkers, and futurists, with a thirty-plus-year track record of accurate predictions. Named one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in AI, he is a Principal Researcher and AI Visionary at Google, looking at the long-term implications of technology and society. Ray has been called “The Restless Genius” by The Wall Street Journal, “The Ultimate Thinking Machine” by Forbes, and the “Rightful Heir to Thomas Edison” by Inc. magazine. His latest book, The Singularity Is Nearer: When We Merge with AI, brings a fresh perspective on advances in the singularity, exploring how technology will transform the human race in the decades to come.

Whether you believe them or not, his forecasts/calculations/predictions have made him one of the most sought-after speakers in predicting future trends in the technology industry.

Kevin Systrom

One of the most successful entrepreneurs of his generation, Kevin Systrom is the co-founder and CEO of Instagram. This mobile app has revolutionalized the way people see photos. Systrom negotiated one of the most high-profile acquisitions in tech history, closing a deal with Facebook to buy Instagram for $1 billion.
Systrom maintains Instagram’s independence from its parent company, and continues to steer innovation and maintain his company’s reputation as a “clean and safe” place at a time when most social media platforms face increasing scrutiny for negativity.

A down-to-earth speaker who connects to audiences quickly and with ease, he loves to share his firsthand experiences navigating Silicon Valley and building relationships with talented people he could learn from.

James Whittaker 

James Whittaker is a distinguished technology executive who has enjoyed a career working for some of the biggest tech companies globally, such as Microsoft and Google. A visionary leader, skilled engineer, and captivating storyteller, James is now a popular choice as a keynote speaker for a range of public and corporate speaking engagements, talk shows, and conferences.

James commands an audience with authenticity and ease and is a master at motivating and providing vision to those who want it. His encouraging style and objective feedback enable listeners to achieve their tech goals as quickly as possible. A skilled engineer, visionary leader and storyteller, when looking for a speaker who will bring a broader understanding of technology to events, James Whittaker is a fantastic choice to opt for.

Stuart Russell

‍Stuart Russell is a true pioneer in artificial intelligence, robotics, and machine learning who wrote the authoritative text on AI. He is a professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences at the University of California, Berkeley, holder of the Smith-Zadeh Chair in Engineering, and director of both the school’s Center for Human-Compatible Artificial Intelligence and Kavli Center for Ethics, Science and the Public. His research covers a wide range of topics in AI and machine learning, with a core focus on ensuring that humans can always maintain power over AI systems that grow to be more powerful than ourselves. 

 Stuart is a vocal advocate for AI safety. One of the most captivating tech speakers in the industry, Stuart is outspoken about the risks of unregulated AI whilst also acknowledging and highlighting the positive future AI can create. 

Katie King

Katie King is a published Author, Keynote Speaker, and Consultant on Artificial Intelligence (AI), Generative AI, and business transformation.

Voted the leading AI strategist and ‘Top 10 influencer in AI’ in 2023, Katie has over 30 years of consulting experience across a range of sectors and has advised many of the world’s
leading business leaders, organizations, schools, colleges, and universities.

Katie can naturally engage with her audience and immediately create a rapport. The best thing about her is that she manages to make a scary techy subject very understandable and relatable. Her goal is to inspire and empower young minds, especially girls, about the exciting opportunities in AI careers. 

Scott Amyx

Scott, the Managing Partner at Astor Perkins (a venture capital firm)is one of the most sought-after keynote speakers globally. As a deep tech venture capitalist, Scott invests in some of the most cutting-edge technologies – quantum computers, space, climate tech, longevity, and autonomy. As an expert in innovation, he intimately understands the benefits of exponential technologies but also recognizes the need for human change management within organizations. As a keynote speaker, he addresses people’s greatest fears about disruptive technologies and how they and their organizations can harness the potential while mitigating concerns of human displacement.

Andrew Mcafee

Andrew McAfee is a scientist at MIT, cofounder of the generative AI company Workhelix, and the inaugural visiting fellow in the Technology and Society group at Google. His work investigates how digital technologies are changing the world and what kinds of companies are best able to lead this change rather than being disrupted by it.

Andrew has written for numerous publications including Foreign Affairs, Harvard Business Review, The Economist, the Wall Street Journal, and the New York Times. He has talked about his work on CNN and 60 Minutes, at the World Economic Forum, TED, and the Aspen Ideas Festival, with Tom Friedman and Fareed Zakaria, and in front of innumerable global and domestic audiences. He is also the host of the popular podcast Minds and Machines with Andrew McAfee.

Jack Dorsey

Jack Dorsey is a prominent tech entrepreneur and the co-founder of two of the most influential social media platforms of our time: Twitter and Square. As a leader, Dorsey is known for his unconventional business approach and commitment to building tools that empower people to communicate and transact in new ways. Over the years, he has shared many insightful and inspiring sessions on technology. Through his words and actions, Dorsey has demonstrated a commitment to innovation, simplicity, and human connection, and his legacy is sure to endure for many years to come. Whether you are a fan of Twitter, Square, or just curious about the world of tech entrepreneurship, there’s much to be learned from Dorsey’s insights and ideas.

Joy Buolamwini

Joy Buolamwini is the Founder of the Algorithmic Justice League, an organization leading a cultural movement against biased AI systems that perpetuate discrimination, such as racism. The aim is to create a more equitable and accountable technology.

She is a fascinating speaker who shares her knowledge and expertise on AI and the surrounding issues relating to bias and discrimination.  Her MIT thesis methodology uncovered large racial and gender bias in AI services from companies like Microsoft, IBM, and Amazon. Her research has been covered in over 40 countries, and as a renowned international speaker, she has championed the need for algorithmic justice at the World Economic Forum and the United Nations. As a creative science communicator, she has written op-eds on the impact of artificial intelligence for publications like TIME Magazine and New York Times. 

In brief

Following a keynote technology speaker has several advantages. From staying informed on the latest trends to inspiring innovation and enhancing digital transformation, the right speaker can provide you with the tools and knowledge needed to thrive in the digital age.

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Gizel Gomes

Gizel Gomes is a professional technical writer with a bachelor's degree in computer science. With a unique blend of technical acumen, industry insights, and writing prowess, she produces informative and engaging content for the B2B leadership tech domain.