FUTURIST SPEAKERS
20 world leading futurist speakers trending in 2025
Every year the 311 Institute and The Futures Authority, in collaboration with The Speakers and other global partners, publish the definitive list of the world’s most influential Futurist and Futurism Speakers. Based on direct experience and public opinion from audiences and leaders in over 80 countries this authoritative list is trusted by academic institutions, businesses, event organisers, and governments worldwide.
Carefully curated, and with a deeper dive into the backgrounds of our top three leaders, it’s an independent recognition of the Futurist Speakers whose ideas, impact, and insights have tangibly shaped the future of our industries and planet. From keynote speaking to strategic foresight these thought leaders are booked not because they’re famous – but because they deliver.
WHAT IS A FUTURIST?
‘FUTURIST’ WITH A LOWER CASE ‘F’
In a way every one of us is a futurist, with a lower case ‘f,’ because we’re all constantly thinking about the future and trying to figure out how best to navigate it and improve it for ourselves. In fact, not only is it estimated that we spend up to 40% of our mental musings thinking about the future, with most of it being about the near future (78%) versus the deep future (22%), but there are experts who say that thinking about the future is a uniquely human trait and that our brains are literally built, by “natures design,” to “perform mental time travel.” After all, we all dream and imagine, and through the power of story telling we are all able to take advantage of other people’s experiences, imaginings, and reflections to prudently guide our own future behaviours and develop futures scenarios in our minds.
‘FUTURIST’ WITH AN UPPER CASE ‘F’
By comparison though, a futurist with an upper case ‘F’ is often someone who has chosen to dedicate their life and their career to exploring, discussing, and shaping “What comes next” – whether that’s the next month, the next year, the next decade, or even the next Century. And beyond. Sometimes seen as “creative architects” they are people who help us envision and imagine what could be – the so called Plausible, Possible, Preferred, and even Preposterous futures.
I often think of Futurists, including myself, as the business and societal equivalent of Expedition Leaders – taking teams of intrepid adventurers and explorers into uncharted territory while trying to predict and navigate the terrain ahead of time before it comes into view. And Futurists have a lot in common with expedition leaders in many other ways as well – especially those Expedition Leaders who help some of the world’s greatest adventurers push the limits of human endurance and performance.
After all, both roles require the ability to see beyond the present, and anticipate trends and scenarios in the future. Both need to develop strategies to deal with and navigate unpredictable conditions, and adapt and pivot as new information and risks appear. Both need to be able to weigh potential threats and opportunities. Both need to guide their clients through ambiguity and make decisions often based on imperfect data that drive collective progress. Both need to be able to clearly communicate their insights, plans, and visions. Both have to combine creative and pragmatic problem solving skills to overcome obstacles and stay on course. Both need to be constantly observing and learning. And both professions empower others and inspire their clients to embrace change and explore new horizons.
Ultimately, a Futurist is someone who you should be able to rely on to guide through uncharted “future territory” and come out successful at the other end.
WHY IS FUTURISM IMPORTANT?
Look around you and no matter where you live or your circumstances you don’t have to look very far to see how the world around you is changing. Today though, the changes we are seeing are without precedent in Human history, and very different to those our ancestors and ancient ancestors witnessed. Today’s change is multi-dimensional, taking place simultaneously in the digital, physical, and virtual worlds. It’s more complicated, complex, and confusing. It’s more disruptive and pervasive, at the global and local level. And, most of all, the pace of change has accelerated exponentially, with that pace of acceleration itself accelerating, so much so that today we can change the whole world in just a single day.
From its origins in the early 20th Century Futurism has long captivated humanity’s imagination. It represents a forward-looking approach to understanding and shaping tomorrow’s world, and rooted in art, literature, philosophy, and science it transcends disciplinary boundaries, giving us all a lens through which we can envision possibilities, confront challenges, and innovate for the future. Originally seen by companies as an optional benefit today Futurism, it can easily be argued, is no longer an option – it’s a necessity.
In a world where increasingly powerful sci-fi like technologies challenge what it is to be human on a daily basis, in a world where global industries can be disrupted in days, not years, and where markets can get wiped out in hours, and in a world where geopolitical actions and movements all too often seem to be a pretext for the Butterfly Effect, where chaos ensues and follows, it’s no surprise that business leaders, individuals, and politicians everywhere are struggling to make sense of the world we live in today – let alone the future. But, as the world around us increasingly seems to have more in common with a Hollywood movie than reality as we knew it, as we see Human-level Artificial General Intelligence (AI) emerging on the horizon, witness thousands of trends change the world even the best of us may be under estimating just how “wild” the future is going to be, which means that Futurism – the bridge between today and tomorrow – and the ability to envision and explore the myriad of futures we have in front of us, so that we can “avoid surprise” is now more crucial than ever.
WHO IS THE BEST FUTURIST IN THE WORLD?
Every year our company and our sister and partner organisations participate in hundreds of global events and interact with tens of millions of people in more than 80 countries so, drawing on exclusive feedback and information from stakeholders that include royal households, world leaders and ministers from the G7, G20, and G77, as well as the boards and senior leadership teams of many of the world’s largest and most respected brands we hear about the best and the worst.
Leaning on this experience and insights we present you with the official selection of the 20 most sought after Futurist Speakers trending now. Endorsed by agents and praised by clients these speakers have been instrumental in helping businesses navigate rapid technological changes and societal shifts. Their proven expertise and ability to offer actionable insights ensure that organisations are prepared for the future. Explore our exclusive, reliable selection to discover more about a speaker who can guide your team towards innovation and success.
This year our selection for the world’s best Futurists include:
- Matthew Griffin
- Jonathan Brill
- Andreas Ekström
- Ray Kurzweil
- Gerd Leonhard
- April Rinne
- Amelia Kallman
- Jack Uldrich
- Tony Seba
- Neal Stephenson
- Richard Watson
- Lars Thomsen
- Werner Vogels
- Alice Charles
- Michio Kaku
- Kathryn Parsons
- Nick Bostrom
- Barton Goldberg
- John Vary
- Roger Spitz
1. MATTHEW GRIFFIN
Former director of IBM’s National Security division, director Dell-EMC Enterprise Sales, Global Head of Cloud at Atos, Founder of the 311 Institute, university lecturer.
Matthew Griffin, is a multi-award winning geopolitical advisor, leadership coach, and Futurist who NASA have described as a “Walking encyclopaedia of the future” and a “Futurist polymath.” One of the world’s most renowned Futurists and strategic foresight experts Matthew is the 15 times author of the best selling “Codex of the Future” series, and is the Founder and Futurist in Chief of the 311 Institute, a global Futures and Deep Futures advisory firm working across the next 50 years whose mission it is to democratise access to the future for everyone, irrespective of their abilities or background. An in demand international keynote speaker, university lecturer, and mentor he is also the only Futurist to have been invited to speak alongside world leaders at both the UN COP and WEF Davos, and his two multi-award winning YouTube channels put him in the top 0.1% of YouTubers worldwide.
A rare talent in his past Matthew helped build and lead several multi-billion dollar business units for Atos, Dell-EMC, and IBM, and his ability to identify, track, and explain the impacts of hundreds of emerging technologies and trends on global business, culture, and society has earned him a powerful reputation and a roster of clients that include royal households, world leaders, G7, G20, and G77+ governments, and many of the world’s most respected brands including ABB, Accenture, Adidas, AON, ARM, BCG, Centrica, Citi Group, Coca Cola, Dentons, Deloitte, Disney, Dow, EY, KPMG, Lego, Legal & General, LinkedIn, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Qualcomm, RWE, Samsung, T-Mobile, UBS, VISA, and many others.
Regularly featured in the global media including the AP, BBC, Bloomberg, CNBC, Discovery, Forbes, Khaleej Times, Telegraph, TIME, ViacomCBS, WIRED, and the WSJ, Matthews mission is to help organisations create a fair and sustainable future whose benefits are shared by everyone irrespective of their ability, background, or circumstances.
2. JONATHAN BRILL
Former Global Futurist & Research Director of HP, Executive Chairman & Head of Strategic Innovation for the Center for Radical Change
Jonathan Brill stands at the forefront of future trends, renowned for his profound insight into strategic foresight and technological innovation. As a best-selling author of ‘Rogue Waves’ and a seasoned expert who has shaped strategies for industry giants like HP and CCD Innovation, Jonathan commands a unique position in the realm of change management. His role as Head of Strategic Innovation and Decision Science at the Center for Radical Change, coupled with his academic contributions at Singularity University, cements his reputation as an eminent thought leader. His experience as a Global Futurist and Research Director at HP, where he steered pioneers towards novel growth avenues, and his impactful keynote deliveries at prestigious platforms such as TED Women and Harvard, underline his exceptional oratory prowess. Jonathan’s voice resonates globally, shaping the discourse on the future of business. For those seeking a speaker who can truly illuminate the path forward in an era of relentless innovation, Jonathan Brill is the quintessential choice.
3. andreas ekström
Journalist for Sydsvenskan, Winner of the Speaker of the Year Award in Sweden & TEDx Speaker
Andreas Ekström is a successful journalist, having worked as a reporter and columnist for Sydvenskan for the past two decades. Alongside his journalism, Andreas is also a passionate educator on the future of all things digital, speaking on digital humanities. Highly knowledgeable in the developing field of social technology, Andreas has helped thousands of organisations to futureproof their operations with technology. Formerly invited to deliver the TED talk The Moral Bias Behind Your Search Results and the TEDx talk Google Knowledge, Google Money, Google Power, Andreas is a seasoned futurism speaker.
4. RAY KURZWEIL
Chief Futurist of Google, Awarded the National Medal of Technology & Innovation
Ray Kurzweil stands as a colossus in the realm of technology and futurism. Garnering the prestigious Grace Murray Hopper Award in 1978 and the National Medal of Technology and Innovation in 1999, his inventions – ranging from the first CCD flatbed scanner to advanced musical synthesisers – have revolutionised how we interact with the world. But it’s his clairvoyance in predicting the digital age, the rise of AI and the obsolescence of fossil fuels that cements his status as a premier futurist. Recognised by three U.S. presidents and hailed as a “revolutionary” by PBS, Ray’s insights at global conferences like TEDx and SXSW are not merely speeches but glimpses into tomorrow, shaped by a lifetime at the vanguard of the tech frontier. His vision extends to AI, robotics and the tantalising prospect of human longevity, making him an unparalleled guide to the possibilities that lie ahead.
5. GERD LEONHARD
CEO of The Futures Agency, Co-Author of The Future of Music & Fellow of the Royal Society for the Arts
Named as one of the top futurist keynote speakers in the world, Gerd Leonhard has dedicated his career to preparing the world for the future. CEO of The Futures Agency, Gerd sits at the helm of a global network of over 30 leading futurists, predicting how the world will change as we know it. Fellow of the Royal Society for the Arts and named as one of the Leading Media Futurists in the World by The Wall Street Journal, Gerd prepares clients for the near future with insights on media, business, society, humanity, commerce, technology and communications. Having formerly spoken for Fortune 500 Companies and the likes of Sony, Nokia, Google, The Financial Times and Lloyds Bank to name but a few, don’t miss out on accelerating your business with an insightful speech from Gerd Leonhard.
6. april rinne
Founder & Chief Change Navigator of April Worldwide, Named as a Forbes 50 Leading Female Futurist
April Rinne is a distinguished futurist, recognized as one of Forbes’ “50 Leading Female Futurists” globally. A Harvard Law School alumna and a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, she’s advised entities like the World Bank, Nike, and Airbnb. Rinne’s expertise lies in easing the anxiety around change, helping individuals and organizations transform uncertainty into strategic advantage. Her experience spans prestigious roles, including advising for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and as Director for Water.org. With a track record of predicting market trends—from portfolio careers to the sharing economy—Rinne is also the author of “FLUX: 8 Superpowers for Thriving in Constant Change” and a member of Thinkers50 Radar. Her insights guide organizations of all sizes to navigate and thrive amidst perpetual change.
7. amelia kallman
Futurist for The Big Reveal UK, Host of the XR Star Podcast & One of the Top 25 Women in the Metaverse
Amelia Kallman, a prominent London-based futurist, speaker and author, specialises in emerging technologies like XR, AI and IoT. She consults globally with clients like Unilever and the UK Government, offering insights into future trends, technology’s impact and human rights issues. Recognised as a top influencer in the metaverse, she hosts ‘XR Star’ and writes for platforms like WIRED UK. With a theatrical background, Amelia brings a unique approach to technology communication. Her career includes leading roles in tech agencies, international speaking engagements and mentorship in responsible tech. She’s also an acclaimed author and researcher, currently exploring the impact of AI in gaming.
8. jack uldrich
Global futurist & Chief Unlearning Officer of The School of Unlearning, bestselling author of Foresight 2020
A preeminent authority on artificial intelligence, technology and digital disruption, Jack Uldrich is renowned for his industry-defining understanding of futurism. Providing experience-driven predictions for the future, Jack arms businesses with tools that they can use to adapt their practices and stay ahead of the curve. A bestselling author, Jack has published the titles The Best Big Thing is Really Small, Jump The Curve, Into The Unknown and Foresight 2020, in which he shares his predictions and insight on what is shaping tomorrow. Having also been published in The Wall Street Journal and The Futurist, don’t miss out on an authoritative speech on what will make or break your industry from Jack Uldrich.
9. tony seba
Co-Founder of RethinkX & Former Instructor of Entrepreneurship, Disruption & Clean Energy at Stanford University
Tony Seba is a leading Stanford University Lecturer, who is an Amazon no.1 bestselling author of Clean Disruption of Energy and Transportation: How Silicon Valley Will Make Oil, Nuclear, Natural Gas, Coal, Electric Utilities and Conventional Cars Obsolete by 2030. Awarded the Clean Energy Action’s Sunshine Award, Tony is a leading futurist forecasting what the future of our planet will look like if we do not pay attention to climate change. Featured in The New York Times and Bloomberg’s Forward Thinking: A Sustainable World, 2040, Tony has formerly spoken for companies including Google, Davos and J.P Morgan.
10. neal stephenson
Coiner of the term ‘Metaverse’, New York Times Best-Selling Speculative Fiction Author & Recipient of the British Science Fiction Association Award
Neal Stephenson is a New York Times No.1 Bestseller author, who is famed for writing the title Snow Crash. In his book Snow Crash, Neal coined the term ‘Metaverse’, which has once again become popular with the social media platform Facebook adopting the name Meta. Coining a term that was way beyond its time, Neal is booked as a futurism speaker to share his thoughts on the exciting and futuristic concept of a metaverse.
11. richard watson
Founder of www.nowandnext.com, Futurist in Residence at the Cambridge Judge Business School & Former Futurist in Residence of Foresight Practice at Imperial College London
A revered futurist, Richard Watson has enjoyed a career lecturing at The University of Cambridge, The Ministry of Defence and Imperial College London. Having also worked for the Ministry of Defence, the Department of Education and the Cabinet Office, Richard is an expert on the way that technology is shaping our future and how digitalisation will automate society. Regarded as one of the finest strategic forecasters and futurists in the UK, book Richard to help you accelerate your business and stay ahead of the curve.
12. lars thomsen
Chief Futurist of Future Matters, Member of the Future World Society Named one of the Most Influential Futurists in German-Speaking Countries
Regarded as one of the Most Influential Futurists in German-speaking countries, Lars Thomsen is widely known for his role as the Chief Futurist of Future Matters. Sharing his predictions for the future of energy, work, smart networks and mobility, Lars is also a member of The World Future Society. Sharing expert strategies for developing business models, Lars covers everything from the future of mobility to the future of work.
13. werner vogels
Vice President & Chief Technology Officer of Amazon Named on WIRED’s Top 10 Cloud Computing Leader in 2010
Werner Vogels is famed for his role as the Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of Amazon. Initially joining Amazon as the Director of Systems Research, Werner is now widely known for his work on Amazon’s Dynamo – the shopping cart feature used by millions of customers on a daily basis. Also the Co-Founder of Reliable Network Solutions and a member of the Cornell University Computer Science Department, Werner educates all with his expertise on the future of technology. Helping conference audiences to navigate the complexities of the digital world, book Werner to discover how you can future-proof your business with technology.
14. ALICE CHARLES
Head of Cities & Urban Development for the World Economic Forum, Former Parliamentary Assistant & Researcher for MP at the Houses of Oireachtas
Alice Charles is the Head of Cities and Urban Development for the World Economic Forum, sharing her expertise on the future of smart cities. Involved in a range of projects that include urbanisation and future-proofing cities, Alice is on a mission to deliver the fourth industrial revolution. Having also worked as a Parliamentary Assistant and Researcher for MP in the House of Oireachtas, Alice has worked with some of the biggest leaders to accelerate a move towards more advanced and futuristic cities.
15. MICHIO KAKU
Professor of Theoretical Physics at the City College of New York, Science Populariser & Theoretical Physicist
A Professor in Physics at the City College of New York, Michio Kaku is a world-leading futurist renowned for his advancements in theoretical physics. The Co-Creator of string field theory, Michio has also achieved eight New York Times Bestseller books including the titles The Future of Humanity and Beyond Einstein. Sharing his intricate knowledge and research, Michio related his findings to the future of business and society as a leading futurist speaker.
16. KATHRYN PARSONS
Founder & Co-CEO of Decoded, Appointed MBE for Services to Education & Named on the 35 Women Under 35 list by Management Today
Kathryn Parsons is a leading futurist, famed as the Co-CEO of Decoded. Educating audiences on technological advancements, Kathryn is helping businesses to be ahead of the curve and accelerate their business to fit with the requirements of the future. Named as one of the 30 Most Important Women in Tech Under 30 and one of the 35 Women Under 35 by Management Today, Kathryn is on a mission to deliver technological education. Book Kathryn today to learn how your organisation can be a business of the future.
17. NICK BOSTROM
Founding Director of the Future of Humanity Institute at the University of Oxford Named as one of Foreign Policy’s Top 100 Global Thinkers
Nick Bostrom is famed as the founding Director of the Future of Humanity Institute at the University of Oxford. Accelerating the development of technology to benefit humanity, Nick has twice been listed as one of the Top 100 Global Thinkers by FP and authored the New York Times Bestseller Superintelligence: Paths, Dangers and Strategies. When booked as a futurism speaker, Nick shares with audiences the technological advances that will futureproof businesses.
18. BARTON GOLDENBERG
Founder & President of ISM Inc, Digital Transformation Strategist & President of The Rotary Club
Barton Goldenberg is a pioneering digital transformation strategist, famed as the Founder and President of ISM Inc. Also a credible author, writing the titles CRM Automation, CRM in Real Time and Definitive Guide to Social CRM. Throughout his career, Barton has driven digital transformation, and when booked as a futurism speaker he can help businesses to accelerate their business with technology that will make them stay ahead of the curve.
19. john vary
Futurologist & former Innovation Manager for John Lewis Partnership, former Innovation Architect & Digital Solutions AV Strategy Lead for Burberry
With a career revolving around the prediction of the future, John Vary is renowned as a futurologist, who addresses changes that will make or break an industry. Currently, John works as a Futurologist for the John Lewis Partnership, and has formerly enjoyed roles of Innovation Manager for John Lewis and Innovation Architect for Burberry. With a decorated history in retail, John is a renowned thought leader in the field of retail disruption and explores alternative futures for the industry. Generating continued customer engagement for John Lewis Partnership, John is an expert on ensuring that businesses stay ahead of the curve and sustain success in the future.
20. roger spitz
Renowned Futurist, President of Techistential, Founding Chair of Disruptive Futures Institute, Former Bnp Paribas Managing Director, Bestselling Author on Disruption Strategy & World Economic Forum Global Foresight Network Member
Roger Spitz is a world-class keynote speaker who helps businesses and leaders navigate uncertainty and harness disruption for success. As President of Techistential and Founding Chair of the Disruptive Futures Institute, he delivers powerful insights on strategic foresight, climate resilience, and AI ethics. His bestselling four-volume series, The Definitive Guide to Thriving on Disruption, is a vital resource for organisations adapting to systemic change. Recognised by the World Economic Forum for his expertise, Roger captivates audiences with transformative strategies to future-proof their businesses. His talks inspire proactive leadership, equipping decision-makers with the tools to anticipate and capitalise on emerging trends.
BOOK A FUTURIST SPEAKER TODAY
THE BEST FUTURIST SPEAKERS FOR CORPORATE EVENTS AND CONFERENCES
Whether you’re planning a board retreat, global conference, innovation summit, leadership offsite, or any other form of event the right speaker can transform how your audience sees the future.
If you’d like guidance on selecting the best fit for your event, or to check availability for one of the names listed above, then get in touch with our expert team who can assist you.
Enquiries are welcome from agencies, companies, and event organisers worldwide.
