David Carlin

David Carlin is a globally recognised advisor, author and keynote speaker working at the intersection of artificial intelligence, sustainability, finance and economic disruption. As the Founder of D.A. Carlin and Company, David leads a global team advising senior executives, financial institutions, corporates and governments on navigating emerging risks and identifying opportunities created by technological and environmental change. His expertise is particularly valuable as organisations consider how AI can transform sustainability reporting, risk management and strategic decision making. Rather than treating AI purely as a technology issue, David examines its implications for leadership, governance and organisational resilience, helping audiences understand where intelligent systems can create genuine value and where human oversight remains essential.

Before establishing his advisory firm, David built considerable experience across finance, consulting and international sustainability. He served as Head of Risk at the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative, UNEP FI, where he founded the UNEP FI Risk Centre, a centre dedicated to research and practical action on climate, nature and environmental risk. During his time at UNEP FI, David and his team supported more than 100 financial institutions around the world, developing approaches to climate scenarios, risk assessments, governance and disclosure. Earlier, David spent several years with Oliver Wyman, ultimately serving as a Principal within its Risk and Public Policy Practice. This combination of financial modelling, risk expertise and sustainability leadership gives David a strong foundation for examining the growing use of AI in complex organisational decision making.

Today, David continues to explore the convergence between digital transformation and the sustainability transition. He is a Senior Associate at the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, where his work sits at the intersection of climate, sustainability and finance, and he leads D.A. Carlin and Company as it supports organisations with sustainability, risk, regulation and innovation. His work considers practical applications of AI for sustainability professionals, including its potential role in ESG reporting, analysing complex information and improving decision making. David has also highlighted the governance challenges surrounding these systems, including data quality, transparency, accountability and the importance of maintaining human judgement. His wider thought leadership has earned recognition as a Reuters Climate Future Leader and LinkedIn Top Voice, while his insights have appeared across Reuters, Forbes, TIME and other leading international publications.

When hired as an artificial intelligence keynote speaker, David brings AI into the wider strategic context facing modern organisations. He explores subjects including responsible AI, AI in ESG reporting, digital transformation, sustainable finance, emerging risk and the relationship between human expertise and machine intelligence. David has delivered keynotes and workshops at international forums including COP summits, New York Climate Week and London Climate Week, alongside Financial Times and Economist events and private executive sessions. Known for colourful analogies and an ability to make complicated subjects understandable, David gives audiences practical insight into how AI is changing decision making. His combination of technology, sustainability, finance and risk expertise makes him a compelling speaker for organisations preparing for the green and digital transitions.