Top 10 Digital Transformation Speakers to Hire

What is Digital Transformation?

Digital transformation involves rethinking an organisation’s operations to create value by integrating technology at scale. It requires a clear strategy targeting specific areas and leveraging key capabilities to stay competitive and relevant. This ongoing process fundamentally reshapes how businesses operate.

Source: McKinsey & Company 

Why is Digital Transformation Important in a Business?

Here are 3 key ways in which digital transformation can benefit businesses:

• It enhances efficiency and agility, unlocking value for employees, customers, and shareholders
• It enables unique strategies like AI and cloud for superior customer experiences and predictions
• It redesigns processes, e.g., supply chains, to leverage advanced technologies like machine learning

Source: Accenture 

Who are the Top Digital Transformation Speakers?

The Motivational Speakers Agency conducted an official survey across 105 events between 2022 and 2024, that concludes the following 10 speakers are the leading digital transformation experts to book for events:

• Danilo McGarry
• Ben Hammersley
• Cathy Mulligan
• Alison McCauley
• Henry Ajder
• Henny Admoni
• Kate Darling
• Dame Wendy Hall
• Keren Elazari
• Adam Cheyer

You may also be interested in viewing The Official Top 17 Digital Disruption Speakers to Book.

1. Danilo McGarry

Danilo McGarry, a globally recognised expert in AI and digital transformation, inspires audiences as a keynote speaker. Named among the top influencers in AI by Engatica, Thinkers360, and The Times, Danilo brings 20 years of experience scaling technology and driving innovation for giants like UnitedHealth Group, JP Morgan, and Coca-Cola. A natural leader and policy contributor for the European Commission AI Alliance, he captivates audiences with insights on AI, automation, and the future of work.

Testimonial for Danilo McGarry:

"Danilo broke CitiGroup records in delivering its first Ai Automation program and setup a legacy of plans for years to come given his incredible skills to see and plan into the future and influence those around him (a vital skills when there are so many conflicts of interest in a program with so much change). It was a pleasure to work with Danilo he is truly a great leader." – Telefonica

2. Ben Hammersley

Ben Hammersley, founder of Agathonic.AI Inc and Principal of Hammersley Futures, is a leading digital transformation keynote speaker. Renowned for his expertise in futurism and technology, he advises global leaders, governments, and corporations on the disruption risks of the digital future. A former EU Commission advisor and BBC presenter, Ben’s engaging talks blend strategic foresight with practical insights, inspiring audiences worldwide. His speeches are lauded for their educational depth and vision, making him a top choice for future-focused events.

Testimonial for Ben Hammersley:

"Ben was fantastic. He gave a great keynote that was funny thought-provoking and extremely engaging." – Pfizer Ltd

3. Cathy Mulligan

Cathy Mulligan is a trailblazer in digital transformation, blending over 25 years of global experience with deep academic insights. As Founder of the Sustainable Society Digital Collective, she champions the fusion of technology and sustainability. A published author and expert on AI, blockchain, and smart cities, Cathy has shaped strategies at Ericsson, Future Cities Catapult, and beyond. Her leadership spans academia, corporate roles, and the UN, making her an influential voice in ethical, inclusive digital innovation.

4. Alison McCauley

Alison McCauley is a sought-after keynote speaker specialising in AI, digital transformation, and blockchain technology. Author of “Unblocked: How Blockchains Will Change Your Business”, she combines over 30 years of experience with insights from leadership roles at Accenture and PeopleSoft. Alison’s speeches inspire actionable understanding of complex technologies, blending her psychology and organisational behaviour expertise. A global thought leader, she engages audiences on the transformative potential of emerging technologies, emphasising innovation’s ethical and strategic dimensions.

Testimonial for Alison McCauley:

"Our audience absolutely loved Alison’s talk. She is not only an energetic and engaging speaker, she is an expert at cutting through the hype and making complex ideas simple." – UC Berkeley

5. Henry Ajder

Henry Ajder is a renowned digital transformation speaker specialising in Generative AI and synthetic media. Presenter of BBC’s “The Future Will Be Synthesised”, he explores the ethical, legal, and societal impacts of disruptive technologies. A Visiting Senior Research Associate at Jesus College Cambridge, he advises organisations like Meta and the European Commission. Recognised as a Top 20 European Power Player in AI, Henry is a sought-after expert, making complex innovations accessible and inspiring audiences worldwide.

Testimonial for Henry Ajder:

“Henry’s ability to grasp the deeply technical in lockstep with the societal implications of AI and fast-moving technologies is unequalled. It makes him an ideal advisor, who poses and answers the hard questions.” – Andy, Senior Director, Adobe Content Authenticity Initiative

6. Henny Admoni

Henny Admoni is a transformative keynote speaker blending expertise in computer science and cognitive psychology to explore human-robot interaction and ethical AI. As the A. Nico Habermann Assistant Professor at Carnegie Mellon, she leads cutting-edge research on assistive robots and human-centred AI systems. Drawing from her experiences at Yale and Wesleyan, Henny delivers compelling insights on robotics in healthcare, bridging diversity gaps in tech, and building trustworthy AI. Engage Henny to inspire your audience with actionable innovation.

Speaking Topics for Henny Admoni:

• The Promise of Robotic Health Care
• Planning Forward: The Future of Work is Brighter than You Think
• Building Ethical AI in a Skeptical World

7. Kate Darling

Kate Darling, a renowned MIT Media Lab researcher, captivates audiences as a digital transformation keynote speaker. With expertise in robotics and their societal impact, Kate delves into ethical, legal, and emotional dimensions of human-robot interaction. Her expansive knowledge, honed through academic accolades and advisory roles, bridges law, technology, and ethics. Featured in global publications like The New Yorker and WIRED, Kate's insights inspire transformative conversations about technology's evolving role in our lives and its implications for the future.

Testimonial for Kate Darling:

• Digital Disruption
• Human-Robot Interaction
• Robot Ethics

8. Dame Wendy Hall

Professor Dame Wendy Hall is a distinguished digital transformation keynote speaker and a pioneer in web science. Renowned for co-developing the Microcosm hypermedia system, she continues to shape AI, data science, and web policy. As Regius Professor of Computer Science at the University of Southampton, she brings unparalleled expertise to her talks. Wendy’s inspiring career, from founding the Web Science Research Initiative to advising global organisations, makes her an ideal choice for events on the future of technology.

Speaking Topics for Dame Wendy Hall:

• Artificial Intelligence
• Web Science
• Data Science

9. Keren Elazari

Keren Elazari is a leading digital transformation expert and keynote speaker specializing in cyber security, innovation, and hacker culture. With extensive experience as a cyber security analyst, industry leader, and founder of Leading Cyber Ladies, she is shaping global discussions on the role of hackers in society. A TED speaker and author featured in Financial Times and WIRED, Keren captivates audiences with insights on cyber threats, innovation, and ethical hacking, making her an exceptional choice for events worldwide.

Testimonial for Keren Elazari:

"I had the pleasure to invite Keren to hold the keynote at the IT Security Day (ITBN) 2007 conference which is the biggest of its kind in Hungary. Keren's deep knowledge on the presented topic (PKI) and especially her outstanding presentation style and skill made the keynote remarkable and memorable in the history of ITBN" – Marton, Head of Development and Product Management, IoT Inspector

10. Adam Cheyer

Adam Cheyer is a renowned digital transformation expert, blending his deep expertise in artificial intelligence, computer science, and entrepreneurship. As a co-founder of Siri and Viv Labs, Adam revolutionised personal digital assistants, shaping the AI landscape. His innovative contributions extend to roles at Apple and Samsung, where he advanced scalable AI platforms. An inventor with 38 patents and a public speaker, Adam inspires audiences with his insights into building transformative technologies and startups, leaving a lasting impact on digital innovation.

Speaking Topics for Adam Cheyer:

• The Future of AI & Business
• How to Build a Successful Startup: Lessons from the Founder of Siri Inc.
• I Can Help With That: The Future of Intelligent Interface Agent

Hire a Top Digital Transformation Keynote Speaker!

Learn how you can transform your business in the age of continuous technological advancements – hire one these leading digital disruption and transformation keynote speakers. To do so, fill our online contact form or call us one 0207 0787 876.

The speakers featured in this blog were regarded as the top digital transformation speaker based on an official survey conducted across 105 events between 2022 and 2024.