February 9, 2026

Top 12 Keynote Speakers on Artificial Intelligence | 2026 

Medha Mehta
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As AI continues to revolutionize industries, the need for expert insights has never been greater. These 12 keynote speakers are at the forefront of AI, shaping its future through innovation, ethics, and real-world applications. Whether you're an industry leader or an AI enthusiast, their talks offer invaluable perspectives for 2026 and beyond.

Top Keynote Speakers on Artificial Intelligence for 2026

1. Calum Chace

Image source: frontrowspeakers.com 
  • Background: A best-selling author and philosopher, Calum Chace is the co-founder of the Economic Singularity Foundation. He is a former BBC journalist and KPMG Director who has dedicated over a decade to studying the long-term societal effects of machine intelligence.
  • Impactful Speeches: Chace is best known for his theories on the "Two Singularities", the Economic Singularity (mass technological unemployment) and the Technological Singularity (superintelligence). He explores how humanity can navigate a world of radical abundance.
  • Accessing Content: His talks are available through platforms like the London Futurist Podcast, his blog "Pandora’s Brain," and global forums where he advises governments on AI policy.

Useful AI-Related Keynotes/videos Links

  1. Artificial Intelligence and the Two Singularities
  2. Social Impact of AI: Technological Unemployment & Super-intelligence
  3. The Economic Singularity: A Jobless Future? (Vimeo)
  4. Surviving AI: The Promise and Peril of Artificial Intelligence (Book)
  5. The Future of Jobs in the Age of AI

2. Aleksandra Faust

Image source: wikipedia.org 
  • Background: Currently the Chief AI Officer at Genesis Molecular AI, Aleksandra Faust previously served as a Director of Research at Google DeepMind. She co-founded the Reinforcement Learning (RL) team at Google Brain and is an IEEE Fellow recognized for her work in autonomous systems and robotics.
  • Impactful Speeches: Faust is a pioneer in "Autonomous Agents" and Reinforcement Learning. Her talks often cover the technical path toward Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), safe robot navigation, and the future of embodied AI that can interact with the physical world.
  • Accessing Content: Her technical keynotes and research presentations are frequently featured on Google DeepMind’s channels, Stanford University’s seminar series, and the "AI for Good" global summits.

Useful AI-Related Keynotes/videos Links

  1. Toward Scalable Autonomy — Stanford Seminar
  2. Autonomous Agents in the Era of Large Language Models (EEML '24)
  3. The Future of Robots for Good: The Quest for Embodied AI
  4. Learning to Learn for RL — SPAR Invited Speaker
  5. Levels of AGI: Operationalizing Progress on the Path to AGI (Research/PDF)

3. Richard Foster-Fletcher

Image Source: fosterfletcher.com 
  • Background: Richard Foster-Fletcher is the Founder and Executive Chair of MKAI.org (Morality and Knowledge in Artificial Intelligence) and a leading advisor on AI strategy and governance. A former director at Oracle and a graduate of the MIT AI Strategy program, he serves as an advisor to the United Nations and the UK Parliament on the ethical implementation of frontier technologies.
  • Impactful Speeches: Foster-Fletcher is known for his "counterintuitive" approach to AI, moving beyond the hype to discuss how AI reshapes human judgment and organizational culture. He frequently speaks on the "Two Singularities," the future of work, and the importance of creating a shared language for AI ethics across global boundaries.
  • Accessing Content: His insights are regularly shared through his "Boundless" podcast, his "What Still Matters" newsletter, and keynote sessions at global forums like the AI for Good Global Summit and various European business briefings.

Useful AI-Related Keynotes/videos Links

  1. AI in Action — Balancing Innovation and Integrity in Decision-Making
  2. Toward Scalable Autonomy and Ethical Governance: A Conversation
  3. The Structural Dynamics of AI Adoption (Full Essay/PDF)
  4. Harnessing AI for Economic Growth: Keynote at Ankara
  5. MKAI Report: Analysis of Strategic Directions from AI Safety Summits

4. Allie K. Miller

Image source: insightpartners.com 
  • Background: An award-winning AI leader and investor, Allie K. Miller was formerly the Global Head of Machine Learning Business Development for Startups and VC at Amazon (AWS). She also launched IBM Watson's first multimodal AI team and has been named a "TIME100 Most Influential Person in AI."
  • Impactful Speeches: Miller focuses on the "AI-First" mindset, helping businesses bridge the gap between technical AI potential and measurable ROI. She is a vocal advocate for increasing diversity in the AI workforce and simplified "human-in-the-loop" design.
  • Accessing Content: As the most followed AI business voice on LinkedIn, her insights are available through her "AI-First Academy," MasterClass, and keynote presentations at major global tech conferences.

Useful AI-Related Keynotes/videos Links

  1. The Future of AI is Now — ScaleUp:AI Keynote
  2. 7 Steps to Design, Build, and Scale an AI Product
  3. Unlocking the Exponential Power of an AI-First Enterprise
  4. ChatGPT Did NOT Title This Podcast — Discussion with Adam Grant
  5. How to Use AI to Make Money, Save Time, and Be More Productive

5. Kai-Fu Lee

Image source: Ted Talk
  • Background: Kai-Fu Lee is the CEO of Sinovation Ventures and a prominent figure in AI, having held executive positions at Apple, Microsoft, and Google. He authored "AI Superpowers," discussing AI's global impact.
  • Impactful Speeches: Lee provides a global perspective on AI, particularly focusing on China's advancements and the future of work.
  • Accessing Content: His talks are featured on various online platforms, including conference websites and YouTube.​

Useful AI-Related Video Links

  1. Understanding Artificial Intelligence
  2. How AI teaches us what it means to be human
  3. How We Are Building China’s Leading AI Company
  4. How Artificial Intelligence Will Help Teachers
  5. Six ways A.I. will change the world
  6. How AI can save our humanity

6. Sam Altman

Image Source: EconomicTimes
  • Background:
    Sam Altman is the CEO of OpenAI and a prominent entrepreneur and investor. Before OpenAI, he was the President of Y Combinator, where he helped shape the startup ecosystem by mentoring numerous successful tech companies. Under his leadership, OpenAI launched ChatGPT, DALL·E, and GPT-4, pushing AI into mainstream adoption.
  • Impactful Speeches:
    Altman’s speeches focus on the future of AI, its transformative potential, and the ethical and economic implications of widespread AI adoption. His ability to blend technical insights with a visionary perspective makes his talks engaging and thought-provoking. He often discusses AI safety, the role of governance, and how AI can reshape industries and economies.
  • Accessing Content:
    Altman frequently shares insights on AI and technology via his Twitter (@sama), blog posts, and interviews on YouTube. His keynote talks at AI conferences and tech summits are also widely available online.

Useful AI-Related Video Links

  1. AI governance, ethics, and innovation
  2. What Startups Will be Steamrolled by OpenAI & Where is Opportunity
  3. Expensive To Train AI Models, But Doable
  4. In the Age of AI
  5. The race to build AI that benefits humanity

7. Nina Schick

Image source: NinaSchick.org
  • Background:
    Nina Schick is a recognized expert in AI, deepfakes, and misinformation. She is the author of Deepfakes: The Coming Infocalypse and has advised global leaders, including the U.S. government, the European Union, and NATO, on AI governance and cybersecurity. Schick is also the founder of Tamang, an advisory firm focused on generative AI.
  • Impactful Speeches:
    Schick’s talks focus on the implications of generative AI, particularly in misinformation, democracy, and digital security. She delivers compelling narratives on the ethical and societal impact of AI, emphasizing the urgent need for regulation and awareness. Her ability to break down complex topics in an engaging and accessible manner makes her keynotes highly impactful.
  • Accessing Content:
    Her insights can be found in TED Talks, interviews on platforms like YouTube, and her published articles. She is also active on LinkedIn and Twitter (@NinaSchick), where she discusses AI trends and risks.

Useful AI-Related Video Links

  1. The Rising Threats Around Synthetic Media
  2. AI & Information Integrity
  3. How could societies adapt to generative AI
  4. Generative AI as infrastructure for humanity
  5. Deepfakes, Politics, and AI

8. Andrew Ng

Image source: Forbes
  • Background: Andrew Ng is a renowned AI researcher and entrepreneur. He co-founded Google Brain, served as Chief Scientist at Baidu, and is a co-founder of Coursera, where he offers popular machine learning courses.​
  • Impactful Speeches: Ng's ability to demystify complex AI concepts and his focus on real-world applications make his presentations both accessible and insightful.​
  • Accessing Content: His courses are available on Coursera, and his talks can be found on platforms like YouTube and conference websites.​

Useful AI-Related Keynotes/video Links

  1. Andrew Ng Explores The Rise Of AI Agents And Agentic Reasoning | BUILD 2024 Keynote
  2. Andrew Ng’s Videos on Coursera 
  3. AI isn't the problem — it's the solution
  4. How AI could empower any business
  5. Andrew Ng: Deep Learning, Education, and Real-World AI | Lex Fridman Podcast

9. Fei-Fei Li

Image source: Yourstory
  • Background: A professor at Stanford University, Fei-Fei Li co-founded AI4ALL, aiming to increase diversity in AI. She also served as the Director of Stanford's AI Lab and as Chief Scientist of AI/ML at Google Cloud.​
  • Impactful Speeches: Li emphasizes human-centered AI and ethical considerations, highlighting the societal impacts of AI technology.
  • Accessing Content: Her lectures and keynotes are available on platforms like YouTube and through Stanford University's channels.​

Useful AI-Related Keynotes/videos Links

  1. The Future of AI is Here — Fei-Fei Li Unveils the Next Frontier of AI
  2. With spatial intelligence, AI will understand the real world
  3. Human-centered AI
  4. Shaping the future of AI: A talk with Dr. Fei-Fei Li & Jack Hidary
  5. Exploring the AI Revolution

10. Adam Cheyer

Image source: SpeakersAssociates
  • Background: Adam Cheyer co-founded Siri (acquired by Apple) and Viv Labs (acquired by Samsung), significantly contributing to the development of virtual assistants.​
  • Accessing Content: His presentations are available on conference websites and video platforms like YouTube.​
  • Impactful Speeches: Cheyer shares insights into AI's practical applications and the challenges of creating conversational interfaces.

Useful AI-Related Keynotes/videos Links

  1. The Future of AI
  2. AI 2034 predictions
  3. Building practical AI systems
  4. The World Needs Entrepreneurship
  5. Artificial Intelligence: Beyond All Expectations?
  6. How to Manage Data Privacy While Building AI Models

11. Joy Buolamwini

Image source: Ted Talk
  • Background: Joy Buolamwini is a computer scientist and the founder of the Algorithmic Justice League, which focuses on combating bias in AI systems.​
  • Impactful Speeches: Buolamwini's talks shed light on the ethical implications of AI, particularly concerning bias and fairness.
  • Accessing Content: Her TED Talk, "How I'm fighting bias in algorithms," and other presentations are available online.

Useful AI-Related Video Links

  1. Who Controls AI?
  2. No One is Immune to AI Harms
  3. Unmasking AI: My Mission to Protect What Is Human in a World of Machines
  4. The Coded Gaze: Dr. Joy Buolamwini on the Flaws of Facial Recognition Tech
  5. How I'm fighting bias in algorithms

12. Katherine Elkins

Image source: austincollege.edu 
  • Background: Katherine Elkins is a scholar and keynote speaker focused on human-centered AI, ethics, and the cultural impact of artificial intelligence. She is a professor of AI, literature, and digital humanities and works extensively on how AI systems influence human creativity, decision-making, and society at large.
  • Impactful Speeches: Elkins’ keynotes explore ethical AI design, agentic AI systems, and the role of humanities in shaping responsible AI. Her talks are especially relevant for organizations looking beyond technical performance and focusing on trust, accountability, and long-term societal impact.
  • Accessing Content: Her public lectures, panel discussions, and keynote talks are available through university event pages, global AI conferences, and selected recorded sessions online.

Useful AI-Related Keynotes / Video Links

  1. From Homer to GPT: The Collision of Human Imagination and AI
  2. The Crisis of AI: A New Curriculum for Human-Centered AI (PDF)
  3. Professors Katherine Elkins & Jon Chun: Narrative & Artificial Intelligence
  4. AI Innovation and Global Responsibility: A Public Talk
  5. The Shapes of Stories: Sentiment Analysis for Narrative (Book)

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