Vanessa Evers, renowned for her expertise in computer science and human-computer interaction, delivers compelling keynotes on the interplay between humans and intelligent systems.
Vanessa Evers works at the meeting point of artificial intelligence and human-centred design. Few people are better placed to help leaders understand what intelligent systems mean for people, organisations, and society. She is Director of the Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI), the Netherlands’ national research institute for mathematics and computer science. She also holds a full professorship and the Chair of Human Media Interaction at the University of Twente.
In November 2025, the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science appointed Vanessa as its first Chief Science Advisor. In this role she brings independent scientific insight directly into government policy. Her focus is the impact of AI across education, science, culture, and media.
Her career spans continents. In Singapore, she was the founding director of Nanyang Technological University’s Institute for Science and Technology for Humanity, where she remains a visiting professor.
Vanessa’s research examines the relationship between people and autonomous systems, such as robots, through a sociocultural lens. This work covers the detection of multi-modal human behaviour, the design of AI agents that respect social norms, and the evaluation of their impact on society. The result is a clearer understanding of how humans and machines can work together in ways that are intuitive, trustworthy, and genuinely useful.
As Physical AI moves out of the lab and into workplaces, homes, and public life, Vanessa’s work answers the question that decides whether it succeeds. Will people trust it, and will it behave well around them?
Vanessa founded the DesignLab at the University of Twente, a hub for multidisciplinary research that connects science with real-world challenges. She serves on the Supervisory Board of Radboud University. She is an editor for the International Journal of Social
…
Kishore Mahbubani is a distinguished diplomat and academic with over five decades in public service and academia. His profound insights on global policy, East-West relations, and diplomacy make him a sought-after keynote speaker for corporate events worldwide.
Linda Yueh, a distinguished economist, author, and speaker with a profound impact on global economic discussions, specialises in macroeconomics, globalisation, and China’s economic evolution. Her expertise enriches numerous prestigious institutions and media outlets.
Inma Martinez is a digital pioneer and artificial intelligence scientist. Her pioneering innovations and advisory roles have marked her as a leading figure in navigating and shaping the digital future.
Brad Templeton, a pioneering figure in computing and internet technology, has significantly influenced the digital world. His expertise spans from founding ClariNet to advising Google’s self-driving car team, making him a highly sought-after speaker on technology’s future.
Renowned neuroscientist Baroness Susan Greenfield, CEO of Neuro-Bio, specialises in neurodegenerative diseases and the impact of technology on the brain. Her insights benefit diverse sectors, including finance, technology, and education.
Theresa Schleicher is a keynote speaker, data scientist and leading expert on the future of retail. Known for her work with the renowned Zukunftsinstitut and Germany’s Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection, she helps retail companies, business leaders and industry audiences understand the future trends, AI developments and customer expectations shaping tomorrow’s economy.
Solitaire Townsend is a globally recognised sustainability expert, TED speaker and keynote speaker who helps organisations turn climate change into a story of action, creativity and possibility. As co-founder and Chief Solutionist at Futerra, she works with influential organisations to activate positive and optimistic change, giving business leaders a clearer way to approach sustainability, climate action and long-term impact.
Prof Deborah Nas is a keynote speaker who makes new technologies such as artificial intelligence, generative AI and quantum technology clear, engaging and useful for business audiences. With deep expertise in technological innovation, strategic design and technology adoption, she helps organisations understand what is changing and how to respond with confidence.
Steve Wozniak is the legendary Apple co-founder whose pioneering innovations helped launch the personal computing revolution. A renowned technology entrepreneur, inventor and philanthropist, he shares first-hand insights into innovation, creativity, entrepreneurship and the future of technology, making him an outstanding choice for corporate conferences and leadership events.
Christiana Figueres is a Costa Rican diplomat, former Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and an internationally recognised leader on global climate change. Best known for helping secure the historical Paris Agreement, she inspires audiences with lessons in collaborative diplomacy, climate leadership and stubborn optimism.
