Alok Sama

Alok Sama is a distinguished figure at the intersection of artificial intelligence, finance, and economics. Renowned as the former President and Chief Financial Officer of SoftBank Group International (SBGI), Alok spearheaded transformative global deals that reshaped technology and investment landscapes. He is the best-selling author of The Money Trap: Lost Illusions Inside the Tech Bubble, an insightful memoir offering a candid look at the intricacies and excesses of the tech investment world, drawing heavily from his firsthand experiences at the heart of high-stakes technology finance.

Alok’s impressive career spans over three decades, highlighted by significant tenures at prestigious institutions such as Morgan Stanley, where he rose to Senior Managing Director, leading their European communications practice and the Asia-Pacific technology, media, and telecom sector. His move to SoftBank marked a pivotal shift into direct tech investing, where he masterminded landmark deals including the $59 billion merger of Sprint and T-Mobile, and notably, the $34 billion acquisition of ARM Holdings, now recognised as a cornerstone in AI-driven semiconductor technology. Alok also successfully managed significant divestments, such as SoftBank’s multi-billion-dollar transactions involving Alibaba and Supercell.

Beyond dealmaking, Alok’s contributions extend into thought leadership within AI economics. He champions the transformative potential of AI technology, emphasising its role as an accelerator of innovation and economic productivity. His recent analysis, including influential articles published in The Times and insights shared on the McKinsey Inside the Strategy Room podcast, position him as a visionary who sees AI not as a disruption but as an enabler of exponential growth and productivity gains. Today, Alok advises leading investment firms including as a Senior Advisor to Warburg Pincus and as Chairman of Valhalla Ventures’ Advisory Board.

A compelling keynote speaker, Alok draws on his rich experience in high-stakes financial strategy and AI’s economic implications, providing deep insights and engaging narratives to global audiences. His presentations uniquely blend detailed financial acumen with visionary tech foresight, delivering powerful messages on AI’s future potential to transform economies, reshape investment strategies, and drive innovative business models worldwide.