For event planners 4 min read
How to choose an AI keynote speaker for your 2027 conference.
AI will be on almost every conference agenda in 2027. Here’s how to find a speaker who leaves your audience ready to act, not just impressed.
By Jess Wilson · Tech entrepreneur & AI keynote speaker
I’ve spent the last decade on both sides of the stage: building tech companies, opening national tours and interviewing the people building what’s next. Event organisers often ask me what separates a good AI keynote from a great one. These are the eight things I’d look for.
01 Start with the outcome, not the topic
“AI” is a topic, not a goal. Before you shortlist anyone, write down what you want people to think, feel and do when they walk out. Do you want leaders to approve a pilot, teams to stop fearing the tools, or your sales force to talk to customers about AI with confidence? A clear outcome makes it obvious which speakers fit and which ones are just on trend.
02 Choose a builder, not just a commentator
There’s a big difference between someone who has read about AI and someone who has built with it. Look for speakers who have founded, shipped or scaled real products, and who can tell you what actually happened, not just what the headlines said. Your audience can tell the difference within the first five minutes.
03 Ask how current the content is
AI moves month to month. A talk written a year ago can already be out of date. Ask any speaker when they last updated their keynote, what has changed in it recently, and who they are talking to in the industry right now. The best AI speakers are still in the room with the people building the technology.
04 Make sure it lands for everyone in the room
Most conference audiences mix technical and non-technical people. A great AI keynote leaves the engineers nodding and gives everyone else something they can use on Monday morning. Watch for jargon. If you can’t follow the speaker’s showreel, a big part of your audience won’t follow the keynote either.
05 Look for optimism with honesty
Your audience doesn’t need more hype, and it doesn’t need more fear. Look for a speaker who is genuinely excited about what AI makes possible and honest about what it means for jobs, skills and leadership. That balance is what builds trust and gets people to act.
06 Check they’ll tailor it to you
Ask what happens between booking and the event. A strong speaker will want a briefing call, will learn your audience and your industry, and will bring in examples that feel like they were written for your people. If the answer is “I’ll do my standard talk,” keep looking.
07 Think beyond the keynote
Many events get more value by booking one person for several roles: the opening keynote, MC for the day, a fireside interview with your CEO or a panel moderation. It keeps the day consistent, often simplifies the budget, and gives your audience a familiar voice from start to finish.
08 Book early for peak dates
The best speakers fill up around the busiest periods, especially February and March for International Women’s Day and the main conference seasons. If your date is fixed, start the conversation early. If it isn’t confirmed yet, a quick hold can save you a scramble later.