Archetype 1: The Investigator

These speakers, often from major publications like the New York Times or tech-focused media, excel at telling the deep, investigative stories behind the biggest tech sagas. They are masters of narrative and context, pulling back the curtain on the power players and corporate dramas that shape Silicon Valley.

• Karen Hao: An award-winning journalist and author of Empire of AI, this TIME100 AI honoree is renowned for her groundbreaking reporting on the societal impact of artificial intelligence. She brings clarity and deep insight to her insider investigation of OpenAI and the story of one of the most consequential technologies of our time.
• Mike Isaac: As a veteran technology reporter for The New York Times and the bestselling author of Super Pumped, Mike provides a gripping, behind-the-scenes look at the scandals and successes of companies like Uber.

Best For: Audiences that need to understand the history, power dynamics, and culture of Silicon Valley.

Archetype 2: The Big-Picture Thinker

Data-driven and forward-looking, these speakers connect the dots between emerging technologies and broad societal trends. They analyze everything from economics and climate to consumer behavior, providing audiences with a clear-eyed view of the forces that will shape the coming decades.

• Derek Thompson: The #1 New York Times bestselling co-author of Abundance (with Ezra Klein), Derek is an expert on the future of intelligence, work, and how technology overlaps with our political landscape. He brings clarity to the complex economic and cultural forces driving innovation.
• Kara Swisher: An icon of the industry, Kara is known for her unfiltered, insider’s take on the power players shaping the tech world. Her provocative style delivers candid commentary on the industry’s most urgent headlines.

Best For: Leadership and strategy teams focused on long-range planning and understanding the macroeconomic and cultural shifts on the horizon.

Archetype 3: The Tech Humanist

The most critical questions in tech today aren’t about the what, but the why. Tech Humanists explore the intersection of technology and human behavior, focusing on the ethical implications and societal impact of AI and automation. They don’t just explain the technology; they explain what it means for us.

• Daron Acemoglu: One of the world’s most cited economists and the co-author of Power and Progress, this Nobel Prize winner provides a powerful framework for understanding the relationship between technology, power, and shared prosperity. He challenges the assumption that technological advancement automatically benefits all of society, offering a new look at the choices we must make to ensure innovation creates a more democratic future.
• Jacob Ward: As a former NBC News technology correspondent and author of The Loop, which predicted the current AI mania nearly a year before the arrival of ChatGPT, Jacob defines his work by one core question: “What is technology trying to tell us about ourselves?” He provides actionable frameworks for navigating the complex ethical landscape of AI.

Best For: Forward-thinking organizations looking to build a responsible, human-centric approach to innovation and understand the future risks and opportunities of AI.

Archetype 4: The Digital Sociologist

These thinkers examine how technology is rewiring our social and political landscape. They tackle urgent issues like surveillance capitalism, digital manipulation, and the future of work in the digital age, providing insight on how our technology is changing how we work, live, and create.

• Shoshana Zuboff: A Harvard Business School professor emerita and the acclaimed author of The Age of Surveillance Capitalism, Shoshana is the originator of the term “surveillance capitalism.” Her seminal work provides the foundational analysis of how personal data is used to predict and shape human behavior for profit.
• Shalini Kantayya: As the director of the acclaimed documentaries Coded Bias and TikTok, Boom, Shalini investigates the powerful human consequences of algorithmic bias. She highlights how AI can perpetuate inequality and tells the urgent story of the activists and researchers fighting to ensure our civil rights are protected in an increasingly automated world.

Best For: Audiences grappling with big-picture societal challenges, policy implications, and the role of technology in a modern democracy.

Archetype 5: The Transformation Strategist

These speakers focus on the practical application of technology within our economy and workplaces. They provide data-informed advice on everything from blockchain and the future of money to building productive and creative hybrid teams.

• Alexandra Samuel: A hands-on expert on the future of work, Alexandra is an award-winning technology journalist who helps organizations navigate the hybrid workplace, collaborate joyfully with AI, and build intentional digital structures that support connection and creativity.
• Michael Casey: A leading authority on the future of money and digital transformation, Mike has deep expertise in blockchain and cryptocurrency. The former Wall Street Journal columnist helps organizations understand how technology is reshaping economic power today.

Best For: Business audiences seeking practical strategies for adapting to digital transformation, whether in finance, team collaboration, or workplace culture.

How to Choose the Right Speaker: 3 Key Questions

1. What is Your Event’s Primary Goal? Are you looking for a history lesson, a forecast of the future, or an actionable plan for today?
2. What Does Your Audience Need? Do they need high-level inspiration, deep technical knowledge, or practical workplace advice?
3. Do You Need a Rear-View Mirror or a Windshield? Do you need to understand past events to make sense of the present, or do you need a guide to navigate the road ahead?

The Tech Speaker Archetypes at a Glance

Conclusion

The right tech speaker doesn’t just talk about the future; they equip you to build it. By matching the speaker archetype to your event’s goals, you can ensure a session that resonates long after the applause.

Want to book one of these speakers for your event, or learn about more of our top technology speakers? Get in touch with us today!