The Leading Speakers Bureau

Associate Director of MIT Media Lab, Expert on Human-Computer Interfaces

Hiroshi Ishii is the Jerome B. Wiesner Professor of Media Arts and Sciences at the MIT Media Lab. At the MIT Media Lab, he founded the Tangible Media Group in 1995 pursuing a new vision of Human Computer Interaction. In addition, Hiroshi co-directs the Things That Think consortium. For this work he was awarded tenure from MIT in 2001 and elected to the CHI Academy in 2006 recognizing his substantial contributions to the field of Human-Computer Interactions through the creation of new genre called “Tangible User Interfaces.”

“Dr. Ishii pioneered the Tangible User Interface in the field of Human-Computer”

[expand title=”In detail”] Prior to MIT, from 1988-1994, Hiroshi led a CSCW research group at the NTT Human Interface Laboratories, where his team invented TeamWorkStation and ClearBoard. He was a visiting assistant professor at the University of Toronto and served as an Associate Editor of ACM TOCHI (Transactions on Computer Human Interactions) and ACM TOIS (Transactions on Office Information Systems). He received B. E. degree in electronic engineering, M. E. and Ph. D. degrees in computer engineering from Hokkaido University, Japan.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Hiroshi Ishii’s research focuses upon the design of seamless interfaces between humans, digital information, and the physical environment. In his presentations he gives insights on how technology will lead to behavioural changes in society and in business, reflecting that the future is something that we are creating.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]A mesmerising speaker and pure inspiration, Hiroshi Ishii’s presentations bring the wonders of science to any audience. [/expand]

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Founder and Head of BMW Startup Garage

Gregor Gimmy is co-founder and head of the BMW Startup Garage, the incubator for early stage automotive startups of the BMW Group. The Garage helps startups with technologies that can significantly advance or transform the automotive sector to succeed in this multi trillion dollar industry. Prior to the Garage, Gregor helped create BMW InnovationWorks, an internal Innovation Strategy team. He has also been a successful founder of three Internet startups and one innovation consultancy.

“An accomplished tech innovation strategist and entrepreneur”

[expand title=”In detail”] Before joining BMW, Gregor started various VC funded software companies in Silicon Valley and Europe. Prior to entrepreneurship, he worked at IDEO in Palo Alto where he helped transform IDEO from a Design to a strategic innovation consultancy by creating the Business Factors practice (which is the Business circle in IDEO’s Design Thinking). Gregor also lectures and publishes about innovation, and he mentors student research work. He studied business, engineering and acting at TU Stuttgart, Harvard and the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]With more than 15 years of experience in consulting big corporations and startups, Gregor is a leading expert who helps to identify new strategic product opportunities in the fields of Electric Vehicles, Digital Mobility, Autonomous Driving and Big Data. He shares insights into how to apply new innovation methods to any corporation worldwide. [/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]A gifted speaker, Gregor engages any audience as he explores new landscapes of business development and innovation strategy.[/expand]

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Director at Stanford Artificial Intelligence Lab

Fei-Fei Li directs the Stanford Artificial Intelligence Lab and the Stanford Vision Lab, as well as teaching Computer Science at Stanford University. As director of one of the leading Artificial Intelligence Labs in the world, Dr. Li is leading the next wave of Artificial Intelligence that is rapidly being integrated into companies, governments and the lives of individual customers. The way we work, drive, entertain and live our lives will never be the same again.

“Objects that think – a powerful idea which became a reality after decades of invention and research.”

[expand title=”In detail”] Dr. Fei-Fei Li heads a team of the world’s top scientists and students who enable computers and robots to see and think, as well as conduct cognitive and neuroimaging experiments to understand how our brains think. She is a world-renowned expert on computer vision, machine learning, AI, cognitive neuroscience and big data analytics. Her TED talk “How we’re teaching computers to understand pictures” is one of their most viewed talks. [/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Her presentations are fascinating journeys through the rapid advancements in AI and a look at the potential for all of us in the future. Through a wonderful series of photos and stories, Fei-Fei helps us realise the new era we are entering and captures our imaginations in the process. [/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]Fei-Fei’s powerful and thought-provoking speeches are tailored to each client and well received by any audience around the globe.[/expand]

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Director of Google Ideas & Advisor to the Executive Chairman Google, Inc.

Jared Cohen is the founder and Director of Google Ideas and an advisor to the Executive Chairman at Alphabet, Inc. He is also an Adjunct Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and a New York Times bestselling author. Previously he served as a member of the Secretary of State’s Policy Planning Staff and as a close advisor to both Condoleezza Rice and Hillary Clinton. He currently serves as a member of the National Counterterrorism Center’s Director’s Advisory Board and on the board of advisors for several companies.

“Named as one of TIME’s “100 most influential people

[expand title=”In detail”] Jared has conducted research in Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Afghanistan and throughout Africa. As part of his research, he has interviewed members of Al-Qaeda, Hezbollah, the Taliban, Somali pirates and he was one of three members of the first high-level American delegation to North Korea following the ascension to power of Kim Jong Un. The Washington Post and Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government named him to their inaugural list of Top American Leaders. Jared is also one of the WEF’s Young Global Leaders. He received his BA from Stanford and his MPhil in International Relations from Oxford.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Building on Jared’s extensive expertise in international relations, security issues and technology, he helps clients understand how these topics affect today’s businesses, economies and markets. Jared helps decision makers to navigate successfully in complex environments.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]His engaging and powerful message makes Jared Cohen a perfect choice to address audiences around the globe.[/expand]

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Eye Surgeon, Innovator and Co-Founder of PEEK

Andrew Bastawrous is a Kenya-based ophthalmologist who co-founded PEEK, a low-cost smartphone ophthalmic tool. PEEK was built to deliver eye care in some of the world’s most challenging places, to those who need it most. Andrew is a research fellow at the International Centre for Eye Health. Andrew has been recently voted one of the world’s 30 most influential people in public health and selected as a “Young Global Leader” by the World Economic Forum. He is also listed as an “Eye Health Leader” by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness.

“An authoritative expert and specialist advisor on ophthalmology”

[expand title=”In detail”] In 2011, Andrew was awarded a Medical Research Council (MRC) and Fight for Sight Fellowship to undertake the first longitudinal population-based study (follow-up study) of eye disease in Africa and the challenges he faced inspired the idea of a smartphone-based ophthalmic tool. He has published some 25 peer-reviewed articles focusing on international eye health and mobile technology in healthcare and has co-authored four book chapters. Andrew was awarded the MRC Max Perutz Science writing Award in 2012. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Andrew Bastawrous explains to audiences worldwide how a simple and affordable digital solution can transform lives. “The Peek Vision” enables doctors to give patients a full eye examination using smartphones. The phone diagnoses and conducts cataract scans, basic eye tests, and uses the phone’s flash to illuminate the back of the eye for signs of disease. [/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Andrew is an eloquent and inspiring speaker. In his presentations he shares his story with passion and energy. [/expand]

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Technology & Visual Effects Expert

Jordan Soles is a respected technology expert. As the CTO of Rodeo FX, he oversees all technological aspects of the company, from IT infrastructure decisions, to software and pipeline design, through production management. In recognition of his skills, Jordan was given the honour of participating on the VES Tech Council in 2012 and became a consultant for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for their Colour and Encoding system.

“Jordan’s work ethic and integrity translate to tremendous leadership”

[expand title=”In detail”] Jordan has a degree in Artificial Intelligence and Cognitive Science from the University of Toronto. He held a variety of visual effects positions which include Digital Production Manager with a special focus on digital resource management, director of technology and R&D to finally his current position overseeing all aspects of VFX technology. Jordan’s strong technological skills have allowed him to find new and interesting ways to utilise software to improve both, companies’ efficiency and functionality. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]In his presentations, Jordan brings a creative and innovative approach to solving technological problems. He helps decision makers to improve workflow and the final product. [/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]His logical and creative approach and his extensive work experience make Jordan Soles a sought after commentator on technology and innovation.[/expand]

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Cyber Security Specialist

James Lyne is the Global Head of Security Research for Sophos, one of the world’s largest security companies, trying to defend against malicious code. He is a self-professed ‘massive geek’ and has technical expertise spanning a variety of the security domains from forensics to offensive security. In an ever-expanding world of networked mobile devices, security threats are more widespread than ever, James believes that if we continue to ignore basic best practices, security is on a trajectory of failure.

“An expert on developments in technology and security challenges”

[expand title=”In detail”] James is also a Certified Instructor and Director, EMEA for the SANS Institute where he teaches a variety of subjects including incident handling and ethical hacking. For the past 10 years he has researched malware, hacking and cryptography. He has worked with many of the world’s largest organisations on security strategy, handled a number of severe incidents and is a frequent industry advisor. He has given multiple TED talks, including at the main TED event. He’s also appeared on a long list of national TV programs including CNN, NBC and BBC News.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]James is a firm believer that one of the biggest problems of security is making it accessible and interesting to those outside the Security Industry. As a result, he makes the most of every opportunity he can to educate audiences about security threats using incredible live demonstrations to show exactly how the cyber criminals do it. [/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]James exposes technology’s vulnerabilities while elevating the security awareness of everyday users. His gift lies in his ability to explain complicated concepts and abstract threats to diverse audiences around the world in a clear and easy to understand format.[/expand]

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Expert in Big Data & Analytics

Fern Halper, Ph.D., is director of TDWI Research for advanced analytics. She has published hundreds of articles, research reports, speeches and webinars on data mining, information technology, business analysis and strategy development during the past 20 years. Fern is co-author of several “Dummies” books on cloud computing, hybrid cloud, service-oriented architecture, service management and big data.

“A thought leader in Big Data”

[expand title=”In detail”] Prior to joining TDWI Fern was a partner at Hurwitz & Associates, a consulting, research and analyst firm that focuses on the customer benefits derived when advanced and emerging software technologies are used to solve business problems. She also served as Senior Vice President for enterprise applications and services for the Hurwitz Group and has held key positions at AT&T Bell Laboratories and Lucent Technologies. She taught courses on the use of information technology in business at several universities. Fern received her BA from Colgate University and her Ph.D. from Texas A&M University.[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Big data management is one of the major challenges that businesses, industries and organisations face. A thought leader in the area of advanced information technologies, Fern helps decision makers from all fields to make their companies smarter and enables them to innovate and grow faster.

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[expand title=”How she presents”]Her challenging presentations make Fern Halper a sought-after commentator at prestigious events around the globe.

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Computer Scientist

Noel Sharkey is a Professor of AI and Robotics and Professor of Public Engagement. He has held a number of research and teaching positions in the UK and the USA. Noel has moved freely across academic disciplines, lecturing in departments of engineering, philosophy, psychology, cognitive science, linguistics, artificial intelligence and computer science.

“The UK’s Leading Robotics Expert”

[expand title=”In detail”] He has published over a hundred academic articles and books as well as articles and web chats for BBC web pages and regular magazine articles. Noel is also Editor-in-Chief of the journal Connection Science and an editor of both Robotics and Autonomous Systems and Artificial Intelligence Review. Noel appears regularly on TV and is interviewed regularly on radio, in magazines and newspapers. He was chief judge for every series of Robot Wars throughout the world as well as “techspert” for 4 series of TechnoGames. He has been on lecture tours of India, China, Egypt with Australia and Singapore. Noel currently co-presents Bright Sparks for BBC N. Ireland.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]With unparalleled insights into what the future holds and how new technologies will affect the way we work and develop, Noel Sharkey offers audiences an invaluable sneak preview of what is just around the technology corner.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]An outstanding visionary Noel Sharkey’s fascinating hi-tech presentations and demonstrations are universally admired and enjoyed, furthering his reputation as one of the most important contributors to modern-day devices, systems and solutions.[/expand]

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Digital Business Strategist

Joaquim Alvarez is a digital business strategist with a telecommunication engineering background, specialist on software development solutions and telematics communications. He is passionate about technology and its applications to improve the quality of life of people. As the Digital Business Strategist for the Barcelona City Council, Joaquim has been instrumental in helping transform the City of Barcelona into what Fortune Magazine recently called the Most Wired City in the World.

“A thought leader on digital business strategies”

[expand title=”In detail”] One of his primary roles has been the development and operational execution of a self-sustainable mobile ecosystem in Barcelona. This has included defining a mobile relationship model between industry, government and citizens, as well as elevating the mobile industry in the City of Barcelona to the global level. He is the lead on a project entitled Apps4Bcn, a unique public-private partnership that aims to promote the creation and development of innovative initiatives that improve the quality of life of people through mobile technology, and encourage the adoption of these solutions by industry and Government. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Through his presentations, Joaquim uses his expertise to enable business leaders to design and implement digital systems. He is an inspirational leader in transforming traditional business culture into an environment ready to compete intelligently in the e-commerce world.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Joaquim is a highly motivating and articulate speaker. His enlightening presentations are always well received. He not only inspires but also presents his clients with actionable solutions that can be implemented immediately.[/expand]

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