Beyond the AI Hype is a non-technical exploration of the future of AI, designed to help business leaders understand its strategic implications and anticipate second and third-order impacts. Delivered as a keynote or interactive workshop, this session equips leaders with the knowledge and confidence to guide informed conversations about AI across their organisation.

Exploring The Paradox Of Progress.

From the first rudimentary stone tools to the might of the industrial revolution, we have consistently transcended human limitations through our ability to imagine, create and use new technologies. But these tools didn’t just redefine our work; they redefined our desires and our very identity. Now, with the emergence of AI and machine learning, this cycle continues, challenging us to once again reconsider what it means to be human.

For leaders, this has led to a critical challenge: How do we encourage the uptake of these new digital tools and at the same time support our people to succeed in the face of what feels like overwhelming change?

Simon reveals that the progress of technology, while transformative, is not entirely unpredictable. He offers a framework for understanding this ongoing narrative of human-technology interaction, and how we can actively shape its next chapter. He shows that by leveraging technology, we can invest in the uniquely human qualities that will allow us to succeed. This session offers a powerful lens through which to view our past, understand our present, and prepare for our future.

Creating a Culture
That Prospers in Unpredictability.

Celebrating the 20th anniversary of his one and only Sydney to Hobart yacht race, Simon shares a gripping personal story of how a ragtag crew of amateur sailors won their division against all odds.

Through the use of dynamic visuals and interactive technology, he shares his story of the race culminating in a pivotal moment that tested the crew's leadership, resilience, and resolve. Using this as a foundation Simon shares compelling and nuanced insights into the role of teamwork and leadership for organisations navigating uncertain times. This is not a story of heroic survival, it’s a story about how average people doing common sense things can win at the game of life and work.

Blurring the boundaries between keynote and workshop, Navigating Uncertainty is a unique participant experience. Seamlessly blending powerful storytelling with actionable insights, this session will help foster a culture that embraces the unpredictable and helps your people find joy and fulfilment on their voyage together.

Find Better Answers To Big Problems By Thinking Like A Futurist.

If being able to see what’s coming is the ultimate competitive advantage, then cultivating future thinking skills is essential for every modern organisation. In today's world of increasing uncertainty and rapid change, futurism offers the best defense against reactive thinking, enabling organisations to prosper by anticipating challenges, discovering new opportunities and building adaptive capacity.

In this keynote, Simon Waller unveils the secrets of how futurists are trained to think beyond the present. With nearly two decades of experience as a futurist, Simon shares the proven mindsets, practical tools, and effective techniques that he and other futurists use to develop, explore, and engage others in their visions for the future.

This transformative keynote, also offered as a longer workshop, is ideal for upskilling leaders at board retreats, team offsites, or strategy days, equipping them to navigate the complexities of tomorrow by building the skills they need today.

This unique keynote brings together the science of decisions, the art of storytelling, and the power of interactive experiences to show how good decision-makers can become great ones. Perfect for leadership teams, boards and government councillors aiming to develop next level decision-making and decision-advisory skills.

How Will Generative AI Impact The Future Of Us?

Before we get swept away with the hype (and hyperbole) surrounding generative AI, now is the perfect time to take a pause and reflect.
Although there is clear potential for generative AI tools such as Chat GPT to transform our lives and our work, they bring with them almost as many questions as they have provided answers. This session has been developed to support decision makers and leaders navigate this tricky technology landscape through unbiased and independent insights. Simon directly confronts the key ethical and operational considerations: algorithmic biases, output efficacy, environmental impact, the need for operational shifts and the opportunities for employee upskilling. Emphasising adaptability and strategic agility, he provides actionable strategies for maximising long term value, mitigating short term risks and ensuring AI remains a human-centric tool.