1. Amy Webb: The Academic Futurist

As a professor at NYU’s Stern School of Business and CEO of the Future Today Institute, Amy Webb provides a data-driven, academic look at long-term tech trends. Her methodical approach is best for audiences who need rigorous, quantitative strategic foresight to inform their long-range planning.

2. Kara Swisher: The Media Pundit

Kara Swisher is an icon of tech journalism, known for her unfiltered, insider’s take on the power players shaping Silicon Valley. Her provocative and direct style is ideal for an audience looking for high-level industry perspective and candid commentary on the week’s biggest headlines.

3. Alexandra Samuel: The AI Workplace Expert

Tech journalist and author Alexandra Samuel explores the practical challenges and opportunities of the modern digital workplace. Her data-informed advice is perfect for organizations looking to build more productive, engaged, and effective teams by mastering the tools of digital collaboration.

4. Jacob Ward: The Far-Ranging Tech Journalist

For organizations seeking to move beyond reporting and into preparation, Jacob Ward offers a unique and essential perspective. As a former NBC News technology correspondent and author of The Loop, which predicted the current commercial AI mania nearly a year before its arrival, Jacob’s work is defined by one core question: “What is technology trying to tell us about ourselves?”

This focus on the human side of technology makes him a powerful alternative for businesses grappling with the real-world implications of AI and automation.

A Focus on Actionable Frameworks, Not Just Reporting

While many tech journalists report on what happened, Jacob’s focus is on what’s next and what to do about it. He moves beyond the headlines to explore the underlying forces at play, explaining that he was never just a technology correspondent, but rather a “democracy correspondent or capitalism correspondent.” This approach helps leaders understand the commercial and ethical pressures driving innovation.

For corporate audiences, he provides tools like the “Super Villain test,” a workshop where he asks leaders: “If you were going to try to be manipulative and dangerous with this, what would it look like?” This framework helps companies identify risks and build processes to avoid becoming the next cautionary tale.

Translating Future Tech for Today’s Business

Jacob excels at making complex topics accessible to a broad audience—a skill he honed at NBC News. He avoids jargon to deliver clear, compelling insights into how AI is already shaping our choices. His central thesis in The Loop explains how AI-powered systems can create a “downward spiral of shrinking choices,” a critical concept for any business that relies on consumer behavior.

A Message of Corporate Responsibility and Agency

Ultimately, Jacob’s message is one of empowerment. He believes the future of technology is not pre-ordained but is being decided now by the people in the room. He challenges audiences by reminding them, “This innovation is absolutely in the hands of you. You are experimenting with live ammunition, and it’s important to understand the responsibility that you carry.” This is the call to action that transforms a keynote from a passive listening session into a catalyst for change.

The Quick-Scan Comparison

To help you make the best choice, here is a simple breakdown of these speakers’ core offerings.

Conclusion: Choosing Your Speaker

Choosing the right tech speaker means finding a voice that not only informs but also inspires meaningful action. While there are many excellent storytellers looking back at the history of Silicon Valley, a speaker like Jacob Ward provides the actionable frameworks needed to navigate the next wave of technological change responsibly.

Ready to see how Jacob Ward can prepare your team for the future? Learn more and watch his talks here, then get in touch to book him to speak at your event.