Nicholas Thompson

CEO of The Atlantic, Co-Founder of SpeakEasy AI & Former Editor-in-Chief of WIRED

  • Former Editor of The New Yorker
  • Former Senior Editor of Legal Affairs
  • Former Contributing Editor for Bloomberg News & CNN International
  • Former Contributor for CBS News
  • Author of The Hawk & the Dove
  • His story, The Great Escape, was made into a film, Ben Affleck’s Oscar-winning Argo

Discover Nicholas Thompson’s biography of published work below.

The Hawk & the Dove
The Hawk & the Dove

When Nicholas Thompson is booked for events, they are known to discuss the following speaking topics:

The Big Questions You Need to Ask About AI & Your Organisation
Digital Platforms & Legacy Companies
Talking AI – Moderation & Onstage Interviews

Nicholas Thompson is a renowned journalist, author, and technology advocate who brings a unique perspective to media and artificial intelligence. As the CEO of The Atlantic and co-founder of SpeakEasy AI, he champions the ethical use of technology to foster positive change. A compelling and insightful speaker, Nicholas delves into the transformative power of AI, its implications for industries and society, and how we can utilise it responsibly.

Nicholas’ journey began with a multidisciplinary education in Earth Systems, Political Science, and Economics at Stanford University. After graduating in 1997, he quickly made his mark in journalism, starting as Director of Marketing for Penguin Books before transitioning into editorial roles at The Washington Monthly and Legal Affairs. In 2005, he became Senior Editor at WIRED, a position that would pave the way for his future as a leader in technology and media. In 2009, he co-founded The Atavist, an award-winning digital magazine, and published his highly praised book, The Hawk & the Dove. His editorial career has also included work for Bloomberg News, CNN, The New Yorker, and CBS News.

In recent years, Nicholas’ achievements have been remarkable. As Editor-in-Chief at WIRED, he guided the magazine to new heights, earning numerous accolades for its exceptional reporting. Some of his stories have been adapted into films, including Ben Affleck’s Oscar-winning Argo, based on his story, The Great Escape. In 2021, he became CEO of The Atlantic, leading one of the most respected media institutions in the world. In 2022, he co-founded SpeakEasy AI, a company dedicated to developing AI tools that promote positive digital interactions.

Nicholas Thompson is a top speaker choice by many for his ability to connect complex technological trends with their human and societal impacts. With a wealth of experience across journalism, storytelling, and AI innovation, he inspires audiences to embrace technology thoughtfully, making him a powerful advocate for a future where AI serves as a force for good.

Official Testimonials

Nicholas Thompson is regularly booked to engage audiences at events, read their latest feedback below:

“I wanted to extend our heartfelt thanks for your exceptional presentation. Your insight and perspective not only elevated the event, but also left a lasting impression on our audience. I greatly appreciate the time you invested in preparing an inspiring and thought-provoking presentation, and I hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back in the future.”

Rockwell Automation

“He was unbelievable. Not one person had anything negative to say, in fact, the opposite. Everyone thought he was so entertaining, smart, insightful, and compelling. We want to hire him again.”

BMO Nesbitt Burns

“I am fairly certain that was one of the most interesting sponsored events ever. You gave even those of us who are deep into these issues much more to think (and worry) about. Every single client, all of whom deal with these issues on a daily basis, are still talking about your presentation and the importance of understanding the quality of data and potential biases that go in AI in the first place. Thank you!”

Orrick, Silicon Valley

“What a treat it was to have you orchestrate such an engaging panel discussion yesterday! We have heard so many positive comments about the panel and your moderation of it. There were no throwaway questions to be had – every question very carefully and thoughtfully crafted, and elicited pretty lively and edgy responses! We couldn’t have asked for more. It was a special evening and we’re grateful you made time for us.”

McKinsey

“Nick’s insights and perspective not only elevated the event, but also left a lasting impression on our audience. I received multiple compliments and positive feedback about Nick’s topic from our attendees, and I’ve seen numerous mentions of his topic on social media. Thank you for contributing to the success of our Keynote event. I hope to have the pleasure of welcoming him back in the future!”

Rockwell Automation

“Your speech was extraordinarily well received, and your moderation of the panel was done with great skill. The conversations that follow amongst our senior leadership during the rest of the day’s programming proved that the experience was invaluable for everyone in our organisation.”

Caesars Entertainment

“There was only one disappointing thing about Nick’s keynote for our event – that we didn’t get to do it in person! He was fantastic! So perfectly topical for our members. In a time of online event fatigue, he really managed to keep our attention. When we recorded his talk, I was astonished to find out he had been speaking for 30 minutes – it was so riveting that time just flew by.”

CAS Group

“Nick was fantastic! He struck the perfect balance of where he thinks AI is going long-term and the near-term practical implications for business leaders. He also had a great style about him – down to earth and humorous. Really, we couldn’t be happier!”

WCAS Management, LP

“Aside from organising the call, I wanted to thank you for your time at the conference. Your presentation added to our day, making it full of interesting discussion and topics.”

Berenberg Capital Markets

To enquire about Nicholas Thompson for your event or corporate function, simply contact us via agent@ai-speakers-agency.com or call a booking agent on 0207 1010 553.