Richard Yonck

Futurist, Keynote Speaker & Author

Richard Yonck

Futurist, Keynote Speaker & Author

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Biography

Recognized globally for his ongoing research at the nexus of artificial and human intelligence, Richard has been helping audiences and businesses better understand the implications of exponential progress for decades— all while asking the question: What kind of future do we really want?

Drawing from a wealth of hands-on experience in technology, media and consultancy — from systems analysis and science writing to founding a futures consulting firm — Richard translates deep technical understanding into vivid foresight, exploring how advances in AI, healthcare, automation and workforce issues, quantum technologies, agritech, hybrid intelligence, and next-generation biotech will shape business, society, and personal identity. All while maintaining a human-centric focus on how we build the world of tomorrow.

As a keynote speaker and advisor, Richard has engaged audiences all over the world. His diverse list of clients includes Fortune 500 multinationals, governments, institutions, top universities and NGOs, such as Microsoft, Amazon, Samsung, Xerox, Naturipe, Fast Company, Atotech, U.S. State Department, UNDP, NATO, Georgetown University, and many others. Speaking at international conferences and industry summits, he offers a unique, deeply informed vantage point on emerging technologies and strategic futures.

Richard’s presentations — described by attendees as “awe-inspiring,” “passionate,” and “mind-blowing” are grounded in rigorous analysis and delivered with clarity and urgency. He assists businesses, governments, and organizations in anticipating coming disruptions and building resilience — not by defending the status quo, but by helping to shape a future that aligns technological possibility with human values.

As a leading expert in emerging technologies and trends, Richard has written for top publications such as Scientific American, Fast Company, World Future Review, GeekWire, Salon, and American Cinematographer. His work has been featured and quoted in publications such as Wall Street Journal, Forbes, The New York Times, BBC News, Wired, Puget Sound Business Journal, Investor’s Business Daily, and many more. He also regularly appears on radio programs and podcasts.

Richard is the author of two internationally-acclaimed nonfiction books — Future Minds and Heart of the Machine — that examine not only what machines will become, but how people might be transformed as a result as well. In Heart of the Machine, he explores machines capable of perceiving and influencing human emotion; in Future Minds he peers further ahead into a world where intelligence — artificial and human— evolves together. His latest science-fiction thriller, Mindstock explores some of these technologies through a very different lens, in order to better anticipate other possible futures.

Speech Topics

Future Thinking: Spatial AI, Agentic Assistants & the Future of Hybrid Intelligence

The next advances in AI will transform nearly everything about our world, allowing us to interact with our technologies in ways we can barely imagine. But these advances won’t come without their costs and challenges. As we enter this new phase of techno-human collaboration, what are the questions we should be asking ourselves and how can we ensure the technology benefits our lives, helping us to build a better tomorrow? In this enthralling talk by the best-selling author of Future Minds and Heart of the Machine, Richard explores the future of AI that goes beyond the hype.

Innovating the Innovation Ecosystems of Tomorrow

Innovation has always been critical to how we build our world. What new forms of intelligence, creativity, discovery, team building, financing, and infrastructure will soon drive the startups of tomorrow? How will we manage the accelerating pace of change, even as we propel it still faster? Perhaps most importantly, how will we innovate the innovation ecosystems of tomorrow?

Working Futures: Automation, Employment & the Future of the Workforce

Augmented Reality Docent. Genetics Interpreter. Digital Reputation Scrubber. VR Addiction Counselor. These are just a few of the new job titles we’re likely to see in the near future. At the same time, we’re told that many of today’s jobs will soon disappear. How will we adapt to a changing world where many of the jobs people have always performed are no longer needed? Just as importantly, how do we prepare for the jobs that don’t yet even exist?

Healthcare 2045: The Amazing Era of Hyper-Personalized Medicine

Next-generation gene therapies. Micro-interventions. mRNA-based cancer vaccines. Vastly extended healthspans and lifespans. Discover how the emerging technologies of AI, biotechnology, regenerative medicine, bionics and more are transforming the future of health care, wellness and longevity

The Era of Emotion AI: When Machines Understand Our Feelings

Our devices are becoming increasingly capable of reading, interpreting and influencing our emotions. Learn about the amazing future of emotion AI from the author of the best-selling book, Heart of the Machine. What will be the repercussions of such technology? How could it alter our society and our personal relationships? Ultimately, what can – and can’t – we expect from these technologies and what can we do to prepare ourselves?

FutuResilience: Preparing Your Organization for Unexpected Tomorrows

The 2020 pandemic broke the global supply chain and it took years before it was fully functional again. How can we improve our future resilience to better weather the next worldwide crisis? Resilience isn't merely reactive; it needs to be proactive as well. Anticipating, understanding and preparing for various kinds of disruption often makes the difference between shutdown, survival and success. In this keynote presentation, Richard identifies vulnerabilities and opportunities that can help you tackle tomorrow's challenges and build your future success.

Exponential Technologies that Power Exponential Organizations

Artificial intelligence, biotechnology, quantum computing, solar power, 3-D printing - all of a sudden, our world seems to be filled with exponential technologies. Why is this happening now and more importantly, what exactly is an exponential technology? Why do they seem to overtake our world overnight? How can we leverage its explosive growth in our businesses and other parts of our lives?

Testimonials

“A brilliant talk! Richard has a wonderful way of explaining complex concepts that are critical to our understanding of how humans and machines can work together. He really got everyone thinking more deeply about these important topics.”

- Parsons School of Design - The New School

“Wonderful! Your contribution helped the event shine with fresh perspectives!”

- Chief Operations Officer, Innovation Week

“I enjoyed your talk very much. Your points were very sound and I hope we can continue the conversation with our researchers.”

- Scientific Director, Czech Institute of Informatics, Robotics and Cybernetics

“Your work exploring the intersection of foresight, emerging technologies, and society has made a unique contribution to how we understand and anticipate the future.”

- President, GLOBSEC

“Richard Yonck is an intuitive thinker, shedding light on many possible futures that are unfolding in the automotive world. His depth of content was rich and his dialogue compelling. We had many positive comments on the content and presentation put forth by Richard from the automotive OEM attendee's, which catalyzed a number of deeper conversations outside of our conference. We look forward to hearing from Richard again in the not too distant future.”

- Business Director GMF North America, Atotech

“We are so thankful to you for making our event one to remember! Our team and customers continue to tell me how much they enjoyed your presentation. We also appreciate that you arrived early to have conversations with our partners and customers. It was an absolute pleasure to work with you from the very beginning.”

- Event Coordinator, Right! Systems, Inc.

“You were fabulous! I really enjoyed your talk and I believe that was the case for everybody as there was a very lively discussion and many questions afterward.”

- Co-Founder, Czech Women in AI

“You left our workforce deans with plenty of food for thought as they navigate the complex education and employment world we’re preparing students for.”

- Director, Workforce Education WA State Board for Community & Technical Colleges

“Recently we organized the first-ever Emotion AI Summit: featuring 28+ speakers and 300+ attendees at the MIT Media Lab. Richard joined tech leaders in the day-long event as a panelist on our “Future of AI: Ethics, Morality and the Workforce” panel. Richard helped make the Ethics of AI session one of my favorite of the event.”

- Director of Marketing, Affectiva