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AI strategist & keynote speaker

Matt O'Neill

Matt O'Neill helps organisations navigate AI transformation while preserving essential human elements. As a future of work strategist and AI keynote speaker, Matt delivers practical frameworks for technological adaptation. Author of two books with 340+ presentations across 90 countries, he serves global clients including Shell, Macquarie, and Sage.

Trusted by Shell, Macquarie Group, Sage

Matt O’Neill, Speaker | Optimistic Futurist
Matt O'Neill

Matt O'Neill

London, United Kingdom

Typical fee range

£6–10k

This is an estimated fee range for local in-person events. Location and format affect the final fee.

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London, United Kingdom

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Matt O'Neill's biography

At a glance

  • Global futurist on AI, leadership, and the future of work
  • Author of The Future is Now and Future Hackers
  • Delivered 340+ talks across nearly 90 countries
Matt O’Neill is a futurist, author, and keynote speaker focused on how leaders and organisations adapt to artificial intelligence, technological change, and shifting expectations of work. He has delivered more than 340 talks and workshops across nearly 90 countries, working with leadership teams on four continents to help them make sense of what is changing and what still matters. His work draws on experience building and running marketing, communications, and forecasting businesses, as well as more than a decade of working with distributed, gig economy teams and emerging AI tools. Matt is best known for his practical approach to the future of work, leadership, and technology. Rather than distant predictions, he concentrates on the next five to ten years, helping organisations understand what is already underway and how to respond with confidence. His two books, The Future is Now and Future Hackers, explore how people and companies can stay effective as automation, data, and new business models reshape everyday working life. He speaks at conferences and delivers bespoke seminars and workshops for leadership groups across sectors, including banking, education, retail, manufacturing, media, software, and professional services. Clients such as Shell, Macquarie, Sage, Crédit Agricole, Warburtons, SugarCRM, and Randstad RiseSmart have engaged him to support strategic thinking, learning programmes, and organisational change. Matt’s work is anchored in a belief that technology should serve people, not replace them. His methods combine foresight, behavioural insight, and clear decision-making, giving leaders a structured way to interpret weak signals, assess risk, and decide what should remain human in an AI-enabled organisation. Audiences leave with frameworks for spotting change signals before they become crises, clarity on balancing AI capabilities with human judgment, and practical tools for building future-ready skills within their current teams. Book Matt to equip your organisation with confidence and concrete strategies for an AI-driven workplace.

Matt's showreel and videos

Topics, sessions and talks

What We Must Never Give Away To AI
Matt O’Neill explores how organisations risk losing judgement, responsibility, and agency as artificial intelligence becomes more capable and widespread. He cuts through hype and fear to focus on the small set of human principles that must remain in the hands of leaders, even in highly automated environments. Matt’s grounded, practical style gives decision makers a clearer sense of where to trust machines and where to draw the line.
Controlled FIRE: Foresight Interpret Realise Engage
Matt O’Neill introduces a disciplined way for organisations to spot change before it becomes a crisis. Using his FIRE framework, he shows how leaders and teams can identify meaningful signals, interpret what they mean, and decide where to act rather than react. The session blends strategic scanning with human insight, giving organisations a repeatable way to cut through noise and move forward with more confidence.
Leading In The AI Era
Matt O’Neill examines what leadership looks like when change is constant and artificial intelligence is reshaping roles, expectations, and pace. He looks at how leaders can offer clarity, empathy, and direction without pretending to have all the answers. Through practical frameworks and real-world examples, Matt shows how to create environments where people feel both supported and challenged as work continues to evolve.
Future-Ready For 2030
Matt O’Neill looks ahead to the skills, structures, and mindsets organisations will rely on as AI, automation, and new business models accelerate. He explores how humans and machines will increasingly work together, and what leaders need to build internally to stay adaptable. The session focuses on growing future-ready capability from within, while keeping organisations grounded in what makes people valuable.
Interactive AI: Collaboration in Action
Matt O’Neill integrates interactive AI elements into his keynote sessions, turning audiences into active collaborators. He transforms audience ideas into 3D holograms, refines sketches into professional visuals, and captures live input to create collaborative ebooks, articles, or podcasts. Matt demonstrates how human creativity, amplified by AI, produces meaningful outcomes in real time. This shared experience shows how organisations can combine human insight and technology to accelerate innovation, strengthen collaboration, and unlock practical value.

Why we recommend booking Matt

Matt O’Neill delivers clear, practical insights on adapting to AI and technological change, helping leaders build future-ready teams with confidence. Book Matt now to give your organisation the tools and strategies it needs to thrive in a rapidly evolving workplace.

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Trusted by Shell, Macquarie Group, Sage

Testimonials

I’ve listened to a number of futurists before, but I often walked away feeling like I hadn’t really learned anything. This experience was completely different. I was genuinely engaged throughout and have already made changes.

Stephen Swift

Ford Motor Company

Matt’s insights into why human engagement is essential for successful technological change have given us many new avenues to explore in how we talk about our work. His energy helped us create an original, thought‑provoking event that got the whole team talking. One of our best‑ever speakers – professional, polished and provocative.

EVP, International Communications Firm

Matt brought energy, insight, and fun to our AI week, engaging a global leadership audience of 400. His deep understanding of our business and culture ignited our teams', with many now actively pushing new frontiers. Highly recommended!

Simon Duckett

CIO, Sonnedix

Featured Projects

Matt O'Neill - Future Hackers book cover
Matt O'Neill - The Future Is now book cover

frequently asked questions

Something we've not covered here?

How do I book Matt O'Neill for my next event?
Email matt.oneill@getapeptalk.com or call PepTalk on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm Matt's availability and fees. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and a bit about your audience.
What is Matt O'Neill's speaking style like?
Matt O'Neill structures sessions around named frameworks, most notably his FIRE framework, which gives audiences a repeatable process for identifying change signals, interpreting their significance, and deciding where to act. He pairs this with practical tools drawn from real-world examples, enabling leaders to leave with concrete decision-making methods rather than general principles.
What topics does Matt O'Neill specialise in?
Matt O'Neill's sessions address human judgement and agency in AI-driven organisations, strategic foresight and change detection, and leadership during continuous technological change. He has delivered more than 340 talks across nearly 90 countries, working with clients including Shell, Macquarie, Sage, and Crédit Agricole.
Can PepTalk help plan the speaker programme for my event?

Yes. Beyond booking a single speaker, PepTalk helps shape a full programme, matching voices to your agenda, audience, and goals across a day or a series. It is a consultative service, not just a booking. Tell us about your event at getapeptalk.com.

What does 'typical fee range' mean?

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What's the difference between a keynote speaker, an MC, and event entertainment?

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Not necessarily. While the speakers listed on our website may not have worked with PepTalk in the past, they are recognized professionals in the industry and known to engage in similar events and engagements. Alongside direct talent, we work with a wide variety of speaker agents and talent agencies, to ensure we have the best selection of speakers, hosts, comedians and entertainers available.

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When booking a comedian, share your event format, audience size and demographics, any sensitive topics to avoid, and the tone you're after. PepTalk makes this easy — their booking process guides you through a simple checklist so nothing gets missed and your comedian is perfectly matched to your crowd.

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Can I book entertainment and speakers as a package?

Yes! At PepTalk, you can absolutely bundle entertainment and speakers into one seamless package. It's a great way to create a fuller event experience while enjoying simplified booking and better value. Our team handles everything together, making the process effortless for you.

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How far in advance should I book a motivational speaker?

Book a motivational speaker at least 3–6 months in advance, especially for popular speakers or large events. Top speakers get booked quickly, so earlier is always better. For major conferences or peak seasons, booking 12 months ahead ensures you secure your first choice.

Help, I need a last-minute speaker for my event!

No problem! We often handle last-minute requests and can secure or replace a speaker, comedian, awards or event host quickly — almost anywhere in the world. However, speaker availability might be limited as the event date approaches. Email hello@getapeptalk.com with your requirements.