David Rowan

CO-EXCLUSIVE
  • Editor-at-Large and Founding Editor-in-Chief, WIRED UK
  • Author of 'Non-Bullshit Innovation: Radical Ideas from the World's Smartest Minds'
  • Renowned Tech Journalist, The Sunday Times
  • Founder, VOYAGERS - non-profit community solving health & climate problems

David Rowan explains compellingly how emerging technologies will impact business — and how leaders should prepare now. As founding Editor-in-Chief of WIRED magazine’s UK edition, David came to know the founders of WhatsApp, LinkedIn, Google, Didi, Spotify, Xiaomi, Nest, Twitter, and countless other ambitious startups from Tel Aviv to Shenzhen. He has since invested in more than 80 early-stage tech companies, including three that became billion-dollar “unicorns,” and built a health-tech and climate-tech fund, and he’s an adviser to Lakestar, one of Europe’s largest venture-capital funds. His bestselling book Non-Bullshit Innovation: Radical Ideas from the World’s Smartest Minds (Penguin, 2019) has been translated to Japanese, Korean, Russian and Ukrainian. The book, a 20-country quest for bold corporate innovation in the face of technology-led disruption, sets out 17 proven strategies for future-proofing a successful business — from “Turn products into services” to “Empower your team” and “Become a platform.”

David has been a technology columnist for The Times, GQ, Condé Nast Traveller and The Sunday Times, and founded the VOYAGERS not-for-profit community of 400 innovators working to solve health and climate problems. He has received repeat requests to keynote for clients such as Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Google, KPMG, McKinsey, Chanel, and Unilever, and has moderated events for the World Economic Forum and the UK and French governments. And he is still searching for the future

David will customize a talk for your meeting. His recent themes include: 

• How to build a radical culture of innovation 

• How emerging technologies will transform your industry 

• What AI, data analytics and blockchain mean for business leaders 

• How to optimize customer engagement 

• What talent wants in the new world of work 

• Why purpose plus profit is the new business mantra 

 

 



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Past Hosts Include:
  • Goldman Sachs
  • JP Morgan
  • Temasek, Singapore
  • Warner Bros
  • Google
  • Founders Forum NY
  • PopTech
  • APEC
  • World Economic Forum
  • Lloyds of London
Rave Reviews About David Rowan as a Speaker
David was incredible and we’ve had some great feedback already from our analysts and leadership team that were there. We were engaged, inspired and enjoyed every minute of his keynote.

Crises Force Adaptation. How Will You Innovate? | David Rowan [9:28] - Get Sharable Link
Talks & Conversations with David Rowan
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Why this is AI's "Netscape moment" — and what that means for your business

Netscape transformed what was an obscure academic and governmental hypertext network and opened the door to what became the multi-trillion-dollar internet economy. David Rowan is convinced this is the Netscape moment in the Artificial Intelligence era: the very beginning of a massive series of disru ...

Netscape transformed what was an obscure academic and governmental hypertext network and opened the door to what became the multi-trillion-dollar internet economy. David Rowan is convinced this is the Netscape moment in the Artificial Intelligence era: the very beginning of a massive series of disruptive industry upheavals built on AI that will create vast new wealth — and punish any business that underestimates the speed and depth of the shift to the new AI economy. You can already see the signals: from deepfakes, to ChatGPT, to medical AI’s reading patients’ CT scans, and more. So where do we go from here — and how should you prepare? David will translate how AI is being applied today in top university labs and in the most ambitious startups, and help you understand what is about to happen in your industry. Because you can't assume it will be business as normal.

Thought Leadership Topics in Fully Customized Keynotes

David Rowan is in-demand with groups Microsoft, Goldman Sachs, The World Economic Forum, TED Global, Google Zeitgeist, Fortune 100 businesses, and more. David’s recent presentations include: how smart companies are innovating, how to embrace transformative in an exponential era, how utilities will c ...

David Rowan is in-demand with groups Microsoft, Goldman SachsThe World Economic ForumTED GlobalGoogle ZeitgeistFortune 100 businesses, and more. David’s recent presentations include: how smart companies are innovating, how to embrace transformative in an exponential era, how utilities will change in the decade ahead, the future of the customer experience, and actionable strategies and lessons from the world’s fastest innovators.

The New Rules of Business

In this compelling talk, renowned tech journalist David Rowan shares the ten technology megatrends you can’t afford to ignore – and how they’ll transform manufacturing, hospitality, finance, insurance, entertainment, and travel industries. With a breadth of expertise and insider secrets from the wor ...

In this compelling talk, renowned tech journalist David Rowan shares the ten technology megatrends you can’t afford to ignore – and how they’ll transform manufacturing, hospitality, finance, insurance, entertainment, and travel industries. With a breadth of expertise and insider secrets from the world’s tech titans, Rowan reveals how to survive, prosper, and embrace transformation in a world of exponential technologies and what your business can learn from startup thinking.

Non-Bullshit Innovation: Radical Ideas from the World’s Smartest Minds

In this eye-opening, actionable, and engaging talk, Rowan takes audiences behind the scenes of the years of travel and research that went into his new book Non-Bullshit Innovation. Rather than innovate through jargon – with talk of change agents and co-creation gurus, ideas portals and webinars, mak ...

In this eye-opening, actionable, and engaging talk, Rowan takes audiences behind the scenes of the years of travel and research that went into his new book Non-Bullshit Innovation. Rather than innovate through jargon – with talk of change agents and co-creation gurus, ideas portals and webinars, make-a-thons and hackfests, paradigm shifts and pilgrimages to Silicon Valley – he reveals the companies and leaders that are truly and successfully thinking outside the box. From the bank that performs surgery to the country that’s an app store, Rowan’s talk is chock-full of engrossing stories collected on his 20-country journey from Peru to China. Packed with practical tips on radical ways to adapt and thrive in the digital age, Rowan’s talk reveals how to create genuine innovation regardless of your industry.

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<p><strong>Artificial Intelligence (AI): The world’s top artificial intelligence thought leaders, business moguls, and tech titans help businesses and industries plan for what’s next</strong></p>

Artificial Intelligence (AI): The world’s top artificial intelligence thought leaders, business moguls, and tech titans help businesses and industries plan for what’s next

Individuals, organizations, and companies are experiencing a seismic shift in our relationship to technology – in which once-heady concepts that seemed like science fiction have become daily headlines and urgent topics of conversation. With the transformative potential of generative AI widely available for personal and business use, leaders with a vision for innovation are scrambling to understand the most relevant use cases for their industry and goals. Amidst the tumultuous climate of concerns about governance, misinformation, and risk – decision-makers are turning to AI experts and policymakers to overcome the challenges and take hold of the profound opportunity at hand.

The Harry Walker Agency represents the world's top Artificial Intelligence thought leaders, business moguls, and tech titans who provide invaluable insight in the rapidly shifting landscape of AI and Chat GPT. Corporate leaders like former CEO & Chairman of Xerox URSULA BURNS, former President, CEO, and Chairman of IBM GINNI ROMETTY, and bestselling author DAVID ROWAN inspire their audiences to seize this incomparable moment and lean into innovation. Renowned internet pioneers like SIR TIM BERNERS-LEE, JIMMY WALES, and the Statesman of AI DE KAI unpack these exceptional tech advancements and speak with clarity on the unique opportunities they present for your business. Global tech executives like PayPal’s President and CEO DAN SCHULMAN, digital entrepreneur and VC investor PHIL LIBIN, tech entrepreneur and VC angel investor MICHAEL MIGNANO, and data scientist and tech founder KATICA ROY. Miracle on the Hudson Captain and international lecturer Ambassador SULLY SULLENBERGER, tech founder and change agent MIKE MUSE, and algorithm expert CATHY O’NEIL speak to how teams can work with AI to achieve astounding results, while emphasizing our values of ingenuity, courage, and inclusion. Data scientist and Cambridge Analytica whistleblower CHRISTOPHER WYLIE and globally recognized cybersecurity expert MARCUS HUTCHINS explain AI’s potential risks and how to navigate the complex cybersecurity issues.

If your organization is looking to maximize the potential of AI to upend your status quo, improve your processes and products, and increase growth and revenue, then turn to these AI speakers who bring relevant experience to the conversation to learn how to respond to emerging and disruptive innovation in an intelligent, nuanced, and meaningful way.

Explore HWA’s Artificial Intelligence Speakers >>

<p><strong>David Rowan explains why this is AI’s “Netscape moment” – and what that means for your business</strong></p>

David Rowan explains why this is AI’s “Netscape moment” – and what that means for your business

Back in 1994, Marc Andreessen released a free web browser called Netscape Navigator that heralded the birth of the consumer internet. Netscape transformed what was an obscure academic and governmental hypertext network and opened the door to what became the multi-trillion-dollar internet economy. DAVID ROWAN, founding editor-in-chief of WIRED magazine's UK edition, and author of the bestselling book Non-Bullshit Innovation (Penguin), is convinced we're at the Netscape moment in the Artificial Intelligence era: at the very beginning of a massive series of disruptive industry upheavals built on AI that will create vast new wealth — and punish any business that underestimates the speed and depth of the shift to the new AI economy.

You can already see the signals: from deepfakes, to ChatGPT, to medical AI’s reading patients’ CT scans, and more. But what we're seeing now is just a hint of the upcoming shifts that will impact politics, education, creative expression — even the very meaning of what it is to be human.

So where do we go from here — and how should you prepare? David will translate how AI is being applied today in top university labs and in the most ambitious startups, and help you understand what is about to happen in your industry. Because you can't assume it will be business as normal. In-demand with groups such as Microsoft, Accenture, JP Morgan, and more, David receives rave reviews such as: ”It was a fascinating presentation and we all enjoyed it.” (Goldman Sachs) and “The team was blown away and they are a hard group to impress.” (Google)

<p><strong>David Rowan’s bestseller ‘Non-Bullsh*t Innovation’ is a valuable guide on implementing real innovation</strong></p>

David Rowan’s bestseller ‘Non-Bullsh*t Innovation’ is a valuable guide on implementing real innovation

Founding editor-in-chief of WIRED UK DAVID ROWAN travels the globe in search of the most exciting and pioneering startups building the future. Rowan can spot the difference between pointless innovation theatre – corporate nonsense that has little to do with delivering real change – and true innovation. In his bestselling book, Non-Bullsh*t Innovation: Radical Ideas from the World's Smartest Minds, as he does in his speeches, he helps companies learn how to truly innovate and how to effectively respond to disruption.

Rowan reveals the companies and leaders that are truly and successfully thinking outside the box and provides an actionable guide on how other companies can emulate their success. In demand with groups such as Microsoft and Unilever, Rowan customizes his keynotes for every audience and regularly receives rave reviews such as: ”It was a fascinating presentation and we all enjoyed it.” (Goldman Sachs) and “The team was blown away and they are a hard group to impress.” (Google)

<p><strong>David Rowan delivers insights into the tech trends of tomorrow, today; consistently receiving rave reviews from audiences</strong></p>

David Rowan delivers insights into the tech trends of tomorrow, today; consistently receiving rave reviews from audiences

Few people have more access to the world’s leading technology and innovations from companies all over the world than DAVID ROWAN, the Founding Editor of WIRED UK and a renowned journalist. Rowan has spent time with titans of the tech and business world – such as Elon Musk, Niklas Zennstrons, Jack Dorsey, Larry Page, Reid Hoffman, and so many more. He brings what he’s learned about the latest developments impacting nearly every industry throughout the world right to your event

Rowan delivers insights into the tech trends of tomorrow, today, and consistently receives rave reviews from audiences such as, “David was incredible and we’ve had some great feedback... We were engaged, inspired and enjoyed every minute of his keynote” (Accenture) and ”We had nothing but praise for his forward-thinking piece, it was both informative and entertaining. I didn’t see a single attendee checking their smartphone during David’s talk, which is a testament to his skill as a speaker. I will definitely recommend him to our other offices around the world” (Terrapinn Limited).

Watch David Rowan at USI >>

<p><strong>David Rowan offers insights on the future of education </strong></p>

David Rowan offers insights on the future of education 

A prolific writer and speaker, DAVID ROWAN offers revealing insights on how new technologies will impact the future of education and work with clarity, substance and humor. The founding editor of WIRED UK, Rowan has spent years on the frontlines of innovation, diving into the work of the biggest, boldest names in business, and the institutions and startups at the cutting-edge. From spending time with the Elon Musks, Jack Dorseys and Larry Pages of the world, to decoding what's happening in research labs from Boston to Zurich, Rowan brings his close proximity to those redefining tech and translates the implications for the wider world. His articles for WIRED have included an in-depth look at a university in Paris that is reinventing the future of education, a fascinating interview with the founder of Khan Academy on how online education is redefining itself, an examination of Singularity University, and more.

Rowan has been sought-out for his thought leadership and fully customized keynotes at The World Economic Forum, TED Global, Google Zeitgeist, Fortune 100 businesses, and more. He has also been in-demand to speak for a range of educational institutions, including Harvard Business School, the Stockholm School of Entrepreneurship, and Autodesk University. Rowan’s bestselling book Non-Bullsh*t Innovation: How the World’s Smartest Leaders Manage Change details his global quest to identify visionary leaders who have managed to recalibrate their organizations in radical ways to grow and succeed in the digital age.

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Books by David Rowan
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Biography

David Rowan explains compellingly how emerging technologies will impact business — and how leaders should prepare now. As founding Editor-in-Chief of WIRED magazine’s UK edition, David came to know the founders of WhatsApp, LinkedIn, Google, Didi, Spotify, Xiaomi, Nest, Twitter and countless other ambitious startups from Tel Aviv to Shenzhen. He has since invested in more than 80 early-stage tech companies, including three that became billion-dollar “unicorns”, and built a health-tech and climate-tech fund, and he’s an adviser to Lakestar, one of Europe’s largest venture-capital funds. His best-selling book Non-Bullshit Innovation: Radical Ideas from the World’s Smartest Minds (Penguin, 2019) has been translated to Japanese, Korean, Russian and Ukrainian. The book, a 20-country quest for bold corporate innovation in the face of technology-led disruption, sets out 17 proven strategies for future-proofing a successful business — from “Turn products into services” to “Empower your team” and “Become a platform”. David has been a technology columnist for The Times, GQ, Condé Nast Traveller and The Sunday Times, and founded the VOYAGERS not-for-profit community of 400 innovators working to solve health and climate problems. He has received repeat requests to keynote for clients such as Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Google, KPMG, McKinsey, Chanel and Unilever, and has moderated events for the World Economic Forum and the UK and French governments. And he is still searching for the future. 

 

David will customize a talk for your meeting. His recent themes include: 

• How to build a radical culture of innovation 

• How emerging technologies will transform your industry 

• What AI, data analytics and blockchain mean for business leaders 

• How to optimize customer engagement 

• What talent wants in the new world of work 

• Why purpose plus profit is the new business mantra 

*HWA represents David Rowan for events all over the world, and we are his exclusive agency for engagements in North America