Mark van Rijmenam

Named one of the must-know AI influencers — one of just 16 (human) voices shaping the future of AI by Salesforce, Dr. Mark van Rijmenam is a strategic futurist and global keynote speaker known for empowering leaders to thrive amid exponential change. As an Architect of Tomorrow, he inspires others to shape a future that aligns with humanity’s highest values, turning challenges into opportunities through bold, actionable solutions.

Formerly describing himself as an Optimistic Dystopian, Dr. van Rijmenam has evolved into an Architect of Tomorrow—equipping Fortune 500 companies, governments, and changemakers to navigate the complexities of emerging technologies with vision, resilience, and purpose.

As a renowned speaker, Global Speaking Fellow, Global Guru in Futurism, and 5-time author, he has captivated audiences in over 30 countries, blending academic rigour with cutting-edge innovation. His expertise spans AI, blockchain, the metaverse, and other transformative technologies, making him a trusted voice in digital transformation and innovation.

Dr Van Rijmenam holds a Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management, a Master of Science in Marketing Management, and a PhD in Management from the University of Technology Sydney. His research focuses on how organisations should navigate big data analytics, blockchain, and AI. He is a respected voice in the technology community and a member of the Professional Speaker Australia Association and the Global Speakers Federation.

As a distinguished 5-time author and corporate educator, Dr Van Rijmenam is celebrated for his candid, independent, and balanced insights. His engaging and thought-provoking presentations, webinars, workshops, and podcasts empower audiences to embrace the future and stay ahead of the curve in today’s rapidly changing digital world.

Dr. van Rijmenam’s pioneering contributions include delivering the world’s first TEDx Talk in VR and, in 2023, presenting a TEDx Talk in Athens alongside his digital twin. In 2024, he launched a digital twin offering on-demand conversations in 29 languages, bridging the gap between digital and physical worlds—once again redefining engagement and thought leadership.

As the founder of Futurwise, Dr. van Rijmenam provides hyper-personalized insights that cut through the noise of rapid change, empowering individuals and organizations to make informed decisions with clarity and confidence. His writing, including five influential books, reflects his candid, balanced insights and his commitment to ethical, sustainable progress.

Mark van Rijmenam Talks About

Leadership 4.0: Thriving in the Synthetic Age

We are living in the most transformative era in history, where machines and humans converge like never before. As emerging technologies, such as (Generative) AI, the metaverse or quantum computing, continue to reshape every industry and workforce, the need for visionary leaders who can harness its exponential power and unlock new opportunities has never been greater.

In this impactful and inspirational keynote, Dr Mark van Rijmenam, a renowned expert in technological leadership, reveals how visionary leaders can harness the power of emerging technologies to shape their businesses and prepare for tomorrow.

In this insightful & strategic keynote, audiences discover:

• How to achieve an EXPONENTIAL MINDSET to harness, adapt and guide transformative technologies RESPONSIBLY.
• How to ELEVATE DIGITAL AWARENESS within your organisation to ensure a thriving digital future for all your stakeholders.
• The secrets to THINK LONG-TERM, especially with AI, as decisions made today have long-lasting impacts that define your digital legacy

Delegates will leave equipped with the strategies, insights, and foresight to navigate the complex terrain of Leadership 4.0, ensuring they remain at the forefront of the digital revolution.

Leadership 4.0 is an essential conference keynote for any forward-thinking leadership event or an immersive half-day workshop.

Metaverse Mastery: Decoding Reality in an Immersive World

How spatial computing will change business forever. As the boundary between digital and physical continues to blur, businesses and individuals must ready themselves to operate seamlessly across both realms. In this cutting-edge keynote, Dr Mark van Rijmenam, a digital innovation trailblazer, unveils the transformative potential of spatial computing for business, work, and daily interactions.

The metaverse can be seen as the next iteration of the internet: a version that supports immersive, interactive, and persistent online digital experiences. It is not a single place, let alone one specific virtual world, but it will affect every industry and every organisation.

In this futuristic & engaging keynote, audiences discover:

• The profound implications of the METAVERSE for BRAND IDENTITY, CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT, and NEW MARKET OPPORTUNITIES.
• How to cultivate a METAVESE-FIRST mindset, ensuring adaptability in this rapidly-evolving digital era.
• Navigating challenges in ETHICS, PRIVACY, and SECURITY within immersive digital experiences.
• Participants will develop a comprehensive understanding of the metaverse’s role in shaping the business world and the tools to master it.

Metaverse Mastery is the perfect keynote for tech summits, business conferences, or an extensive half-day seminar.

Building a Bionic Business: Constructing AI-Driven Organizations

Why embracing AI is no longer optional but a necessity.

Generative AI has taken the world by storm, but within the next decade, only organisations that embrace AI at all levels within their organisation will survive. Embracing AI, digital twins and robotics within your business will result in human-machine collaboration, creating a bionic business ready for tomorrow.

In this fast-paced and inspiring keynote, Dr Mark van Rijmenam demystifies the journey of transforming organisations through generative AI, digital twins and robotics, illustrating both its profound benefits and inherent challenges.

In this futuristic keynote presentation, audiences will discover:

• The unparalleled ADVANTAGES of AI in ENHANCING PRODUCTIVITY, DRIVING INNOVATION, and CREATING COMPETITIVE EDGE using AI, robotics and digital twins.
• Strategies to integrate AI while ensuring ETHICAL USAGE, TRANSPARENCY, and EMPLOYEE INCLUSION.
• Overcoming common roadblocks in ADOPTION, SCALABILITY, and TRUST.

Attendees will walk away with a roadmap for creating a bionic organisation, ready to face the future confidently.

Building a Bionic Business is an indispensable session for business leaders and tech enthusiasts or can be tailored to a detailed half-day workshop.

The Digital Renaissance: Reimagining Work and Collaboration

Why the future of work demands reinvention in the face of digital transformation.

The future of work revolves around three megatrends with significant implications for the employee experience: data, decentralisation, and automation. As we experience a digital renaissance, how we work and what we do will forever change.

In this enlightening keynote, renowned futurist Dr Mark van Rijmenam charts the course of work and collaboration in a world where decentralised systems, autonomous agents and the metaverse are becoming the norm, disrupting the future of work and collaboration.

In this insightful and highly-relevant keynote, audiences discover:

• The DRIVING FORCES reshaping WORKPLACE DYNAMICS, TEAM COLLABORATION, and LEADERSHIP.
• How to foster a culture of INNOVATION, FLEXIBILITY, and INCLUSIVITY in a decentralised work environment.
• How to attract GEN Z to your organisation, be it as an EMPLOYEE or CUSTOMER

Participants will depart with a blueprint to reshape their organisations, ensuring they remain competitive in the Digital Renaissance.

The Digital Renaissance is a tailor-made keynote or half-day workshop for professionals and business leaders that want to prepare their businesses for tomorrow.

Unleashing the Generative AI Genie: A Dive into AI’s Promises and Perils

Why understanding generative AI’s dual-edged sword is crucial.

Generative AI is a form of AI that can create original content, such as text, images, and entire virtual worlds. In the coming years, technologies such as large language models or machine learning will disrupt entire industries and societies.

In this captivating keynote, Dr Mark van Rijmenam delves into the ground-breaking realm of generative AI, exploring its potential and the cautionary tales it brings. He might even bring his digital twin to the stage to energise your audience.

Generative AI is transforming industries, but with great power comes great responsibility.

In this forward-looking & thought-provoking keynote, audiences discover:

• The REVOLUTIONARY CAPABILITIES of generative AI in CREATIVITY, INNOVATION, and PROBLEM-SOLVING.
• The ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS and potential pitfalls in deploying generative technologies.
• How to balance INNOVATION with RESPONSIBILITY, ensuring generative AI serves humanity and not the other way.
• Audience members will be equipped with the knowledge to navigate the promising yet perilous waters of generative AI.

Unleashing the Generative AI genie is a must-attend for tech innovators, and ethical thinkers, or can be turned into an immersive half-day workshop for executive leaders.

Data-Driven Destiny: Harnessing the Power of Information

Why mastering the art of data is a prerequisite for success.

In a world awash with information, true leaders know how to decipher, harness, and act upon the tsunami of data coming their way. This requires digital awareness and digital literacy across the organisation.

In a world dominated by big data, leaders need to think exponentially. In this compelling keynote, data strategist Dr Mark van Rijmenam unravels the transformative power of data, showcasing how businesses can utilise it to innovate, optimise, transform, and lead.

In this in-depth & strategic keynote, audiences discover:

• The role of BIG DATA in shaping MARKET TRENDS, CUSTOMER BEHAVIORS, and BUSINESS STRATEGIES.
• Techniques to extract MEANINGFUL INSIGHTS, ensure DATA INTEGRITY, and protect PRIVACY.
• How to foster a CULTURE OF DATA LITERACY and drive decisions grounded in robust data analysis.
• Participants will leave with the strategies and tools to truly harness the immense power of data in their respective domains.

Data-driven destiny is the go-to session for data enthusiasts, business strategists, or an expansive half-day seminar.