The Official Top 10 Best Quantum Keynote Speakers for 2026 Events
What Are the Benefits of Hiring a Quantum Assets Speaker?
Quantum is moving from lab curiosity to commercial reality. The UK has committed £2.5 billion over 10 years to build a leading quantum-enabled economy, while further funding of £500 million aims to develop sovereign capability. Globally, the quantum market could reach $97 billion by 2035, rising to $198 billion by 2040. A great quantum speaker makes that momentum tangible. They translate complex science into practical opportunities, inspire responsible adoption across AI, cybersecurity and drug discovery, and leave audiences confident about where value and risk really lie.
Why is understanding Quantum AI Important today?
Quantum AI is accelerating fast. McKinsey projects the total quantum market at $97 billion by 2035, with BCG estimating $450-$850 billion in economic value by 2040. Yet 95% of organisations lack a quantum roadmap, even as IBM and Google say large-scale machines are in sight by decade’s end. The best way to discover which keynote speakers fit your budget is to contact The AI Speakers Agency today! Our dedicated booking agents use their expertise to ensure the perfect speaker, who fits your expenditure, is selected for your event.
Who Are the Best Quantum AI Speakers Trending in the UK?
This official selection of the Best Quantum Speakers trending with UK audiences is based on vetted data from 187 industry events, speaker evaluations and comprehensive audience polls. Below you’ll find experts who bring quantum, AI and ethics to life for business audiences.
- Kay Firth-Butterfield – Global authority on AI governance and ethics
- Vladimer Botsvadze – Award-winning digital & AI strategist shaping customer growth
- Edgar Perez – Quantum computing & cybersecurity speaker for enterprise leaders
- Ray Kurzweil – Futurist on exponential tech and AI’s next decade
- Cristina Criddle – FT technology journalist and trusted tech moderator
- Vivek Wadhwa – Entrepreneur-academic on disruptive tech and policy
- Olympia LePoint – Rocket scientist on “Quantum Deciding” and AI literacy
- Reshma Saujani – Girls Who Code founder on talent, inclusion and AI skills
- Hannah Fry – Mathematician and presenter demystifying algorithms and risk
- Joy Buolamwini – Algorithmic Justice League founder on fair and accountable AI
Kay Firth-Butterfield
Kay Firth-Butterfield is a globally recognised leader in AI governance and ethics. She currently serves as CEO of Good Tech Advisory and in 2024 received the TIME 100 Impact Award. Her earlier career saw her practising as a barrister and judge in the UK, before pivoting into technology and policy roles. At World Economic Forum she led the AI & Machine Learning division and served on the Executive Committee, shaping agenda-setting work on ethical AI. In her keynotes she charts how senior executives, technology teams and regulators can build trustworthy AI systems – and by extension, apply the same rigor to quantum-enabled approaches. Kay brings clarity to governance frameworks, shows how to craft procurement and oversight processes, and inspires action across industries. Audiences consistently highlight her blend of legal precision, tech fluency and sharp insight into what it takes to adopt frontier tech responsibly. She is an excellent fit for events where innovation, risk-management and leadership alignment converge.
Official Testimonials for Kay
“At a high-profile event last week Kay was a guest speaker who took part in a fireside chat with one of our client’s senior business leaders, the topic being ‘Responsible innovation in the age of AI’. Kay was a delight to work with throughout and had a wonderful presence onstage; professional, insightful, incredibly interesting but also with a very warm and friendly air. Kay was also very open pre-event to join a couple of calls, both to enable us to give her a full briefing but she also took the time to virtually meet with her ‘interviewee’ to discuss flow, key topics and develop a relationship which again ensured a much more cohesive, relaxed and engaging tone when in the live situation. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Kay for any speaking engagement.” – Antonia, Senior Content Producer, Smyle
Vladimer Botsvadze
Vladimer Botsvadze is a multi-award-winning digital and AI strategist, known for helping boards and executive teams navigate technology-driven growth. With more than 15 years’ experience guiding Fortune 500 firms and start-ups, he has been ranked the No. 1 Global Marketing Thought Leader by Thinkers360 and cited as a Top 20 Global AI Thought Leader. Vladimer’s stage presence is dynamic, his content practical and led by real performance metrics: for example, how customer-strategy aligns with AI-enabled personalisation or emerging quantum capabilities in data-rich sectors. His keynote speeches focus on energising teams and driving measurable change rather than abstract vision alone. He makes complex technological shifts – including the implications of quantum-enhanced analytics – accessible for commercial audiences. If your event needs a speaker who links technical possibility to market outcomes and mobilises people to experiment, measure and win, Vladimer delivers on that promise.
Official Testimonials for Vladimer
“Vladimer is an incredibly digitally savvy influencer and has an extensive experience in marketing, whose expertise I depend on hugely. He helps to create business opportunities and drive brand awareness for organizations of all sizes. I’ve no hesitation in recommending Vladimer as a true professional industry thought leader.” – Fatimah, Head of Global Marketing at MediaMath
Edgar Perez
Edgar Perez is a recognised authority at the intersection of quantum computing, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. He has addressed leaders at the US SEC, the Department of Defence and global Fortune 500 boards — guiding them from awareness to action. Edgar has authored several books (including The AI Breakthrough) and draws on a background as a former McKinsey consultant and global strategist. On stage he demystifies quantum-enabled systems by linking them to business realities: portfolio risk, supply-chain optimisation, post-quantum readiness. His style is accessible yet rigorous, using case studies and timelines to show value-pools and risk traps. For executive summits or strategy off-sites that aim to shift from “we should watch quantum” to “we can act on quantum”, Edgar offers a clear path from science to strategy.
Official Testimonials for Edgar
“Thank you very much for your participation in Berlin at the European Institute CEO Roundtable. Your presentation was fascinating, a really informative session. The delegates seemed to hang off your every word! We greatly appreciate you taking the time out of your busy schedule to join us for the event and look forward to working with you again in the near future.” – Karen, European Institute
Ray Kurzweil
Ray Kurzweil is one of the most recognisable futurists of the last half-century, known for his long-range forecasts on AI, neuroscience and computing. His books, including The Singularity Is Near and its 2024 sequel, continue to shape debate on how technology reshapes business and society. Ray spent more than a decade as a Director of Engineering at Google, working on natural-language understanding and machine intelligence. His inventions range from advanced text-to-speech tools to music-creation systems, giving him a rare blend of scientific, entrepreneurial and creative expertise. In his keynotes he breaks down exponential progress into decisions leaders can act on, such as planning for AI integration, preparing talent, and recognising where quantum acceleration could transform research, manufacturing or drug discovery.
Official Testimonials for Ray
“Ray came in and really inspired our employees. His presentation was extremely well received, and many people in the audience expressed their gratitude for being in the presence of one of their true heroes. My inbox has been filled with thanks and expressions of how their perspective on their jobs has really changed. I don’t think we could have asked for much more than that!” – Dolby
Cristina Criddle
Cristina Criddle is a technology correspondent at the Financial Times and one of the UK’s most trusted voices on big tech, AI and digital policy. She reports across some of the most influential stories in technology, including platform governance, labour issues in AI development, and the real-world impacts of emerging tools. Her journalism is known for clarity, accuracy and balance, and that same approach shapes her work as a moderator and event host. Cristina brings sharp questioning, active listening and precise framing to high-level panels, which keeps discussions focused and engaging. She helps audiences understand what matters behind the headlines, whether that’s regulation, safety, consumer behaviour or the business risks created by fast-moving technology. For events exploring quantum, AI or frontier computing, Cristina offers an informed and neutral voice who grounds expert debate in facts.
Official Testimonials for Cristina
“Just to say Cristina was excellent at the event yesterday – a really good talk and panel session that opened the eyes of even some of the younger people in the audience. I think she enjoyed it too!” – Kevin, Managing Director, Carr Consulting & Communications
Vivek Wadhwa
Vivek Wadhwa is an entrepreneur-academic who helps leaders prepare for rapid shifts in technology, talent and global competitiveness. A former Distinguished Fellow at Harvard Law School, Carnegie Mellon University and Emory University, he examines the impact of AI, robotics, biotech and quantum computing on business and policy. Vivek advises organisations and governments around the world, giving him a grounded view of how innovation actually lands in the real economy. His keynotes combine research with stories drawn from his work with founders, scientists and policymakers. He explains how companies can position themselves for breakthroughs, build technically literate teams and make sense of intersecting fields such as AI, quantum sensing and automation. A recent example he often shares is how AI-driven drug discovery moved from theory to measurable results far faster than expected, a pattern he believes will repeat as quantum tools mature. Vivek speaks with clarity and conviction, offering organisations practical steps for navigating disruption without fear.
Official Testimonials for Vivek
“I had Vivek Wadhwa do a presentation last night for Boston Scientific and he was fantastic. His presentation was customised for the healthcare audience and he got many glowing remarks after the event. The thing that stood out to me the most was that the client had Vivek do a lot of editing and changing of his presentation on the day of the event. Vivek was fine with it and told me ‘I want to make the client happy’… I can without a doubt say Vivek Wadhwa is one of the easiest speakers I’ve worked with recently.” – Boston Scientific
Olympia LePoint
Olympia LePoint is a former NASA rocket scientist who worked on 28 Space Shuttle missions and later developed the decision-science model she calls “Quantum Deciding.” Her career spans advanced engineering, STEM education and neuroscience-informed leadership coaching. Olympia specialises in helping audiences make stronger decisions under uncertainty, drawing on her own journey from overcoming personal adversity to shaping major aerospace projects. In her keynotes she explains how the brain responds to risk, pressure and disruption, and she teaches practical methods for reframing fear so teams can act with confidence. She links these ideas to frontier technologies, including AI and quantum-enhanced systems, showing leaders how to evaluate risk and opportunity with a calm and structured mindset. A recent example she uses is her framework for navigating high-stakes technical errors, which she translates into tools for corporate teams facing fast-moving innovation.
Olympia’s Official Speaker Topics
- Artificial Intelligence Literacy and Ethics
- Artificial Intelligence
- Science and Technology
Reshma Saujani
Reshma Saujani is the founder of Girls Who Code and CEO of Moms First, known internationally for championing equal access to technology careers. Girls Who Code has now reached hundreds of thousands of young people and continues to expand its AI curriculum, giving Reshma rich insight into the future talent pipeline. Her work centres on building systems that support women, parents and underrepresented groups, and she speaks with both urgency and optimism about closing the skills gap. Reshma helps organisations understand why diverse teams produce stronger AI and quantum-enabled solutions, and she offers practical ways to widen access to training and opportunity. She draws on examples from Girls Who Code alumnae who have progressed into engineering, AI research and early-stage entrepreneurship. Her talks are high-energy, values-driven and filled with clear steps leaders can act on, whether that’s redesigning recruitment, updating learning programmes or communicating purpose with more clarity.
Reshma’s Official Speaker Topics
- Closing the Gender Gap in Tech
- Technology
- Women & Leadership
- Fail First, Fail Hard & Fail Fast
- Advocacy
Hannah Fry
Professor Hannah Fry is a mathematician, author and BBC presenter who specialises in the maths of human behaviour, risk and complex systems. She is widely respected for her ability to make technical subjects accessible without oversimplifying them. Hannah has written bestselling books, fronted major BBC documentaries and lectured internationally on algorithms, data and uncertainty. Her keynotes help audiences understand the strengths and limits of models, including how AI systems behave in real-world environments and what quantum capability might add to the mix. She uses clear examples, such as how small modelling assumptions can lead to large errors in finance or healthcare, and how good communication can prevent misinterpretation. Hannah tailors her sessions to the context of each event, whether that’s decision-making, safety, innovation or public trust. Her delivery is warm, engaging and grounded in evidence, which makes her an excellent fit for leadership events and sector-specific conferences.
Hannah’s Official Speaker Topics
- Ethical Implications of Artificial Intelligence
- The Societal Impact of Machine Learning Algorithms
- AI’s Role in Decision-Making & Innovation
- The Future of Work in an AI-Driven World
- Making Data-Driven Insights Accessible
Joy Buolamwini
Dr Joy Buolamwini is the founder of the Algorithmic Justice League and a pioneering researcher known for exposing bias in facial-analysis systems. Her work on the “coded gaze” has shaped global policy discussions and influenced regulations in the US, EU and beyond. Joy brings a powerful mix of technical skill, artistic perspective and ethical insight, built through years of research at MIT and advocacy across industry and government. Her talks explain why fairness, transparency and accountability matter as organisations adopt AI and begin evaluating quantum-enabled capabilities. Joy offers clear steps to improve data quality, oversight and governance, using examples from audits that revealed real-world harms and prompted meaningful change. She is particularly strong in sessions that need both inspiration and guidance, where audiences want to understand not only the problem but the path to responsible practice.
Book a Quantum Speaker Today
Hiring a quantum speaker turns complex science into clear, practical action. The right expert will demystify quantum and AI, show where value and risk sit, and give your team the confidence to plan, invest, and innovate responsibly. Explore our full roster of quantum and AI speakers to find the best fit for your event.
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- Top 10 Lists
- 11 July, 2026
