Speaker Guide

Keynote Speakers on Future of Work

How is AI changing work? What does the future economy look like? These speakers address the big questions about work transformation — from practical AI adoption to reimagining ownership and value distribution.

Last updated: September 2026

1Chelsea Rustrum

TEDx Speaker (2×) · AI Educator · Sharing Economy Author

Chelsea Rustrum connects the dots others miss. Her throughline: from the sharing economy to blockchain to AI, she's been tracking how technology redistributes value — and who benefits. Two TEDx talks (one on blockchain, one on community), author of "It's a Shareable Life," and now training teams on AI. Her keynotes are practical and provocative: how AI changes work, why ownership models matter, and what to actually do about it.

Topics: AI adoption · Future of ownership · Economic transformation · Community in the age of AI
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2Cal Newport

"Deep Work" Author · Georgetown Professor

Cal Newport wrote "Deep Work" and "A World Without Email," reshaping how knowledge workers think about productivity. His talks focus on focus, attention, and escaping the hyperactive hive mind.

Topics: Deep work · Digital minimalism · Knowledge work productivity

3Arun Sundararajan

"The Sharing Economy" Author · NYU Professor

Arun Sundararajan wrote the academic book on the sharing economy and gig work. His talks explore how platform-based work is reshaping employment and what comes next.

Topics: Gig economy · Platform work · Employment transformation

4Andrew Yang

Forward Party · UBI Advocate

Andrew Yang brought universal basic income into mainstream conversation. His talks address AI displacement, economic anxiety, and policy solutions for technological unemployment.

Topics: AI displacement · UBI · Economic policy · Political transformation

5Amy Webb

Future Today Institute · Tech Futurist

Amy Webb runs the Future Today Institute and delivers annual tech trend reports. Her talks are data-driven forecasts of how emerging technology will reshape industries.

Topics: Tech trends · AI forecasting · Strategic foresight

6Priya Parker

"The Art of Gathering" Author

Priya Parker wrote "The Art of Gathering" on how we come together. Her talks address how gathering and connection at work must evolve — relevant for hybrid, remote, and in-person teams.

Topics: Gatherings · Team connection · Hybrid work · Meeting design

7Brian Chesky

Airbnb CEO · Platform Economy Pioneer

Brian Chesky built Airbnb and has spoken extensively on the platform economy, trust, and how the internet enables new forms of work and income. Harder to book but high-impact.

Topics: Platform economy · Entrepreneurship · Trust · Distributed work

8Martin Ford

"Rise of the Robots" Author

Martin Ford wrote "Rise of the Robots" on automation and job displacement. His talks are thorough analyses of how AI and robotics will transform employment across industries.

Topics: Automation · Job displacement · Economic restructuring

Need a speaker who connects AI, ownership, and real transformation?

Book Chelsea.

Two-time TEDx speaker. Keynotes that land. Can also train your team on AI.

Book Chelsea →