Stephen Witt is hired as a speaker on artificial intelligence, technology and business because he combines rigorous reporting with a rare historical perspective. He is one of the leading historians of artificial intelligence and a frequent contributor to The New Yorker, with ongoing coverage of subjects such as the data centre boom and the emerging market for AI risk analysis. He also appears regularly on NPR and in the opinion pages of the New York Times, giving his analysis weight with senior business and policy audiences.
His authority is anchored by The Thinking Machine, a definitive history of Nvidia and modern AI. The book became a bestseller in multiple countries and, in 2025, was named the Financial Times Book of the Year, the FT Schroders Business Book of the Year and the Sunday Times Book of the Year. Built on exclusive access to Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, including half a dozen in-depth interviews, it explains how Nvidia became the most valuable corporation on Earth and why Jensen emerged as one of the most successful business leaders of his era.
On stage, Stephen translates these insights into practical frameworks leaders can apply immediately. He unpacks Jensen Huang’s counterintuitive strategies, from designing systems around the “speed of light” to committing early to what appeared to be a “zero billion dollar market”. He shows how these ideas extend beyond technology firms, using examples like Nvidia’s early GPU bets to illustrate how organisations in any sector can make smarter long-term investment decisions.
Beyond books and journalism, Stephen brings strong storytelling credentials as an executive producer of two major documentary series now on Paramount Plus. How Music Got Free, co-produced with Eminem and LeBron James, and Supervillain for Showtime, demonstrate his ability to turn complex cultural and technological shifts into compelling narratives. This experience gives his talks clarity, pace and impact, leaving audiences with a grounded understanding of how AI is reshaping business, and how to respond with confidence.
