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Robotics & Automation was last modified: July 29th, 2025 by Stern Strategy Group

Robotics & Automation

Daniela Rus headshot

Top Global Researcher on Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Computer Science Who Helps Public and Private Institutions Move Toward a Future Where Machines Are Integrated Into the Fabric of Life; Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, MIT; Director, MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) and the MIT AI Accelerator; Co-Founder of Liquid AI, Themis AI, Venti Technologies and TRC; Board Member; Class of 2002 McArthur Fellow; Member, National Academy of Engineering and American Academy of Arts and Sciences; 2024 John Scott Award Recipient; Author, “The Mind’s Mirror” (2024), “The Heart and the Chip” (2024)

Robotics & Automation / Artificial Intelligence / Digital Transformation, Information Technology & Data Analytics / Innovation & Design / Emerging Technology / Entrepreneurial Thinking & Investment Strategies / Supply Chain Management / Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) Issues / Future of Work / Futurists / Metaverse / TED Speakers / Founders & Practitioners / Must-Read Books / Women Speakers & Advisors

Global Futurist and Strategist Whose Frameworks Address How Emerging Technologies Will Disrupt and Transform Economies, Industries, Enterprises and Lives; Founding CEO, Cambrian Futures and Cambrian Labs; Professional Faculty for Futures, Strategy, Policy and Technology, University of California Berkeley Haas School of Business; Adjunct Professor of Practice, Hult International Business School; Honorary Adjunct Professor, UT Malaysia; Lead Co-Author, “The Great Remobilization” (2023), “The A.I. Generation” (2021) and the Forthcoming Book, “Data Wars”

Futurists / Emerging Technology / Strategy / Robotics & Automation / Artificial Intelligence / Economics, Capitalism, Geopolitics & Globalization / Digital Transformation, Information Technology & Data Analytics / Blockchain & Cryptocurrencies / Cybersecurity / Quantum Computing / Navigating Uncertainty / Bioengineering, Genetics & Cellular Agriculture / Moderators / Founders & Practitioners / Must-Read Books
Rumman Chowdhury headshot

World-Renowned Responsible AI Pioneer Helping Organizations Implement Safe, Secure and Transparent Solutions that Minimize Bias and Boost Cybersecurity Protocols; Innovative Inventor Holding Patents for Algorithms that Open Pathways for Fair and Balanced Assessments of Automated Systems; CEO and Co-Founder, Humane Intelligence; Responsible AI Fellow, Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society, Harvard University; First United States Science Envoy for Artificial Intelligence (Biden Administration); Former Member, Artificial Intelligence Safety and Security Board, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Artificial Intelligence / Emerging Technology / Robotics & Automation / Strategy / Digital Transformation, Information Technology & Data Analytics / Policy & Government / Cybersecurity / Founders & Practitioners / Trust & Empathy / STEAM / TED Speakers / Metaverse / Women Speakers & Advisors

Acclaimed Author, Journalist and Leading Thinker on the Future Who Explores Advancements in Emerging Technologies, Public Health and Climate Change; Policy Practitioner Forging Partnerships Across the Private and Public Sectors to Advance the Health of People and the Planet; Former Columnist and Editor-At-Large for Strategy and Innovation, The Washington Post; Senior Lecturer, MIT Program on Science, Technology, and Society; Former Senior Advisor for Climate Change Innovation, Obama White House; Author, “The Optimist’s Telescope”

Futurists / Moderators / Navigating Uncertainty / Sustainability, the Environment & Climate Change / Artificial Intelligence / Robotics & Automation / Policy & Government / Economics, Capitalism, Geopolitics & Globalization / STEAM / Health Care & Medicine / Metaverse / Must-Read Books / TED Speakers / Women Speakers & Advisors
Hod Lipson Profile Headshot - Square

Award-Winning Roboticist and Entrepreneur Who Educates Leaders on Emerging AI and Robotics Technologies and Their Coming Impacts on Business and Society; James and Sally Scapa Professor of Innovation and Chair, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University; Director, Creative Machines Lab, “25 Most Awesome Labs in the U.S.,” Popular Science; Co-Author, “Fabricated” and “Driverless” (Translated Into 7 Languages); One of the “World’s 7 Most Powerful Data Scientists,” Forbes

Robotics & Automation / Artificial Intelligence / Digital Transformation, Information Technology & Data Analytics / Emerging Technology / Supply Chain Management / Founders & Practitioners / Future of Work / Futurists / Innovation & Design / Transportation, Micromobility & Infrastructure / Must-Read Books / TED Speakers
Azeem Azhar headshot

Global Futurist, Exponential Thinker and Expert Investor; Founder, Exponential View; Visiting Fellow, Oxford Martin School; Executive Fellow, Harvard Business School; Digital Fellow, Stanford Digital Economy Lab; Host, “Exponentially,” Bloomberg TV; Co-Chair, Global Futures Council on Complex Risks, World Economic Forum; Award-Winning, Bestselling Author, “The Exponential Age”; Named one of Vox’s 2023 Future Perfect 50

Artificial Intelligence / Robotics & Automation / Entrepreneurial Thinking & Investment Strategies / Cybersecurity / Innovation & Design / Policy & Government / Strategy / Emerging Technology / Futurists / Business Model Innovation / Blockchain & Cryptocurrencies / Economics, Capitalism, Geopolitics & Globalization / Asia: Business, Geopolitics & Society / Sustainability, the Environment & Climate Change / TED Speakers / Future of Work / International Speakers & Advisors / Transportation, Micromobility & Infrastructure / Digital Transformation, Information Technology & Data Analytics / Hybrid Work & Work From Home / Platform Revolution / Founders & Practitioners / Executive Education / Must-Read Books
Gideon Lichfield - May 2023 Headshot

Trailblazing Journalist, Tech Guru, and Futurist Helping Organizations Anticipate Technology Trends That Are Poised to Disrupt Business and Society; Former Editor-in-Chief, WIRED Magazine and MIT Technology Review; Co-founding Editor, Quartz Magazine

Emerging Technology / Futurists / Robotics & Automation / Artificial Intelligence / Bioengineering, Genetics & Cellular Agriculture / Quantum Computing / Blockchain & Cryptocurrencies / Digital Transformation, Information Technology & Data Analytics / Trust & Empathy / Metaverse / Founders & Practitioners / Moderators
Jonathan Zittrain headshot

Renowned Expert on the Exquisitely Difficult Problems of Technology Governance, Including Artificial Intelligence, Distributed Computing, Privacy and Cybersecurity; Exceptional Moderator; George Bemis Professor of International Law, Harvard Law School, Professor of Public Policy, Harvard Kennedy School of Government, and Professor of Computer Science, Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences; Co-Founder and Faculty Director of the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society; Director, Harvard Law School Library

Robotics & Automation / Artificial Intelligence / Cybersecurity / Futurists / Moderators / Metaverse / Policy & Government / Future of Work / Emerging Technology / Leadership / Blockchain & Cryptocurrencies / TED Speakers / Trust & Empathy / Must-Read Books
Turkle_Sherry_Headshot 2023 cropped

Globally Recognized Authority on the Emotional and Social Impact of Technology on Psychology, Society and Business; Sociologist and Licensed Clinical Psychologist Underscoring the Critical Role of Empathy and Human Connection in an AI-Driven Era; Chaired Professor, Sociology of Science and Technology, and Founding Director of the Initiative on Technology and Self, MIT; Author of Pathbreaking Books on the Human Side of Technology, including “The Second Self” and “Life on the Screen,” The New York Times Bestseller, “Reclaiming Conversation,” and The New York Times Editor’s Pick Best Book of the Year, “The Empathy Diaries” (2021)

Trust & Empathy / Artificial Intelligence / Robotics & Automation / Emerging Technology / Wellness & Well-Being / Resilience / Future of Work / Company Culture / Education & Lifelong Learning / Human Resource Management & Talent Development / Inclusion & Belonging / Communication Strategy / TED Speakers / Women Speakers & Advisors / Inspirational Speakers / Must-Read Books
Peter Schwartz Headshot

Globally-Recognized Futurist, Business Strategist, Scenario Planning Expert and Strategic Planning Executive; Chief Futures Officer and Advisor to the Office of the CEO, Salesforce

Futurists / Strategy / Emerging Technology / Robotics & Automation / Must-Read Books / Founders & Practitioners
Iyad Rahwan Headshot

Acclaimed Futurist, Computer Scientist and Pioneering AI Scholar Whose Ongoing Research Reveals How Emerging Technologies Will Impact Humans and Related Long-term Investments; Foremost Expert on the Future of Work, Human-Machine Collaboration and the Ethics of AI and Autonomous Vehicles; Director, Center for Humans & Machines, Max Planck Institute for Human Development; Former Professor, MIT Media Lab; Editor, Artificial Intelligence Journal; Thinkers50 Radar Class of 2020

Robotics & Automation / Emerging Technology / Artificial Intelligence / Futurists / Social Media Marketing & Business Analytics / Transportation, Micromobility & Infrastructure / Metaverse / Policy & Government / Future of Work / Trust & Empathy / International Speakers & Advisors / TED Speakers
Jason Pontin Headshot

Visionary Futurist and Venture Capitalist Funding Dynamic Breakthrough Technologies in Computing, Energy, Life Sciences and Health Care; Leading Expert on New Technology, Innovation and the Future of Work; Renowned Journalist, Speaker and Moderator; Partner, DCVC; Chairman of the Board of Directors, Strateos

Emerging Technology / Entrepreneurial Thinking & Investment Strategies / Health Care & Medicine / Innovation & Design / Sustainability, the Environment & Climate Change / Futurists / Robotics & Automation / Artificial Intelligence / Bioengineering, Genetics & Cellular Agriculture / Blockchain & Cryptocurrencies / TED Speakers / Future of Work / Inspirational Speakers / Longevity & Aging / Moderators / Digital Transformation, Information Technology & Data Analytics / Energy & Renewables / Founders & Practitioners

Digital Health Pioneer, Entrepreneur and Inventor of Mobile & Wearable Technology for Emotional Intelligence and Well-Being; Expert on Emotion AI and the Ethics of Its Use; Top Cited Scholar in the Areas of Digital Health and Affective Computing; Co-Founder, Affectiva; Co-Founder and Chairman, Empatica; Director, Affective Computing Research, MIT Media Lab; Professor, MIT; Faculty Chair MindHandHeart

Robotics & Automation / Wellness & Well-Being / Health Care & Medicine / Emerging Technology / Entrepreneurial Thinking & Investment Strategies / Resilience / STEAM / TED Speakers / Women Speakers & Advisors / Must-Read Books / Founders & Practitioners
Nicholas Negroponte Headshot

Visionary on Technology and its Impact on Business and Society; Founding Chairman, MIT Media Lab; Founder, One Laptop per Child

Emerging Technology / Futurists / Robotics & Automation / TED Speakers / Founders & Practitioners / Must-Read Books
Kevin Kelly Headshot

Leading Voice on Emerging Technologies Who Equips Leaders with Practical Tools to Build Toward the Futures They Envision; Digital Visionary Preparing Organizations for Multiple Possible Technological Landscapes with Actionable Scenario Planning and Strategic Foresight; New York Times Bestselling Author, “The Inevitable”; Co-Founder and Senior Maverick, WIRED

Futurists / Emerging Technology / Robotics & Automation / Artificial Intelligence / Metaverse / TED Speakers / Must-Read Books / Asia: Business, Geopolitics & Society
Arnav Kapur Headshot

Leading Authority on Extended Intelligence, Closely Coupling Human Cognition and Artificial Intelligence; Pioneering Inventor and Innovator; 2019 TED Fellow; 2019 Lemelson-MIT Student Prize Winner

Robotics & Automation / Artificial Intelligence / Health Care & Medicine / Innovation & Design / Emerging Technology / Bioengineering, Genetics & Cellular Agriculture / Longevity & Aging / Neuroscience / TED Speakers / Experiential Programs
Ayanna Howard Headshot

Pioneering Innovator, Entrepreneur and Inventor of Robotic Technologies and Artificial Intelligence for Industry, Health Care and Education; Co-Founder and Board Director, Zyrobotics; Dean, College of Engineering, The Ohio State University; 2024 Forbes 50 Over 50: Innovation; Bestselling Author, “Sex, Race and Robots”

Robotics & Automation / Artificial Intelligence / Emerging Technology / STEAM / Futurists / Health Care & Medicine / Innovation & Design / Education & Lifelong Learning / Future of Work / Inclusion & Belonging / Trust & Empathy / Entrepreneurial Thinking & Investment Strategies / Founders & Practitioners / Women Speakers & Advisors / TED Speakers

Renowned Robotics and AI Expert Focused on Human-Robot Interaction; Leading AI Researcher & Innovator; Associate Director of Academic Affairs, Cornell University Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering; Head, Human-Robot Collaboration & Companionship Lab; Former Co-Director, IDC Media Innovation Lab

Robotics & Automation / Artificial Intelligence / Emerging Technology / Health Care & Medicine / TED Speakers / Future of Work
Horace Dediu - Micromobility

Leading Global Authority on Micromobility; Expert on the Future of Mobility and Smart Transportation; World-Renowned Mobile Industry Analyst and Visionary on Digital Business Disruption; Partner and Chief Market Strategist, Relay Ventures; Founder, Asymco

Emerging Technology / Sustainability, the Environment & Climate Change / Futurists / Robotics & Automation / International Speakers & Advisors / Transportation, Micromobility & Infrastructure / Digital Transformation, Information Technology & Data Analytics
Nicholas Carr Headshot

Award-Winning Author, Sociologist and Researcher Who Offers Illuminating and Provocative Insights on Technology’s Effects on Our Thoughts, Skills and Lives; New York Times Bestselling Author, “The Shallows” (2011 Pulitzer Prize Finalist), “The Glass Cage” (2015) and “Superbloom” (2025); Former Executive Editor, Harvard Business Review; Visiting Professor of Sociology, Williams College

Emerging Technology / Digital Transformation, Information Technology & Data Analytics / Future of Work / Artificial Intelligence / Robotics & Automation / Social Media Marketing & Business Analytics / Moderators / Must-Read Books
Matt Beane

Human Robot Interaction Pioneer and Leading Expert on the Future of Work and Skill Development Involving Intelligent Machines; Thinkers50 Radar Class of 2021; Technology Management Professor, University of California, Santa Barbara; Digital Fellow, Stanford University Digital Economy Lab and MIT’s Initiative on the Digital Economy; Author, “The Skill Code”

Emerging Technology / Robotics & Automation / TED Speakers / Future of Work / Hybrid Work & Work From Home / Artificial Intelligence / Health Care & Medicine
Jeremy Bailenson Headshot

Virtual Reality Pioneer and Leading Authority on Immersive Technologies That Are Reshaping Business and Society; Expert on VR and AR Tools That Improve Workplace Training and Culture and Prepare Companies for the Future of Work; Cognitive Psychologist; Founding Director, Virtual Human Interaction Lab, Stanford University; Co-Founder, STRIVR; Author, “Experience on Demand” (2018)

Emerging Technology / Future of Work / Communication Strategy / Sustainability, the Environment & Climate Change / Robotics & Automation / Human Resource Management & Talent Development / Company Culture / Customer Experience & Consumer Behavior / Inclusion & Belonging / Metaverse / Experiential Programs / Founders & Practitioners / Inspirational Speakers / Must-Read Books
BETH ALTRINGER

Award-Winning Designer and Expert on Combining Design, Technology and Behavioral Science to Create Innovative Products, Services and Experiences; Unrivaled Authority on Innovation Leadership, Product Desirability and Outside-the-Box Design Thinking; Founder, The Desirability Lab; Principal, Ames Studio; Professor of Practice and Executive Director, Joint Master of Arts in Design Engineering (MADE) Program, Brown University and RISD

Entrepreneurial Thinking & Investment Strategies / Innovation & Design / Marketing, Branding & Sales / Customer Experience & Consumer Behavior / Strategy / Emerging Technology / Artificial Intelligence / Future of Work / Robotics & Automation / Purpose / Women Speakers & Advisors

Pioneering Robotics Researcher Focused on Deconstructing Algorithms to Make Robot Processes Clear Through Explainable AI; Expert on Developing Socially and Physically Assistive Machines That Improve Lives; Foremost Expert on Human-Centered Robotics and Human-Robot Collaboration; Director, Human and Robot Partners (HARP) Lab and Associate Professor, Robotics Institute, Carnegie Mellon University

Robotics & Automation / Emerging Technology / STEAM / Health Care & Medicine / Artificial Intelligence / Future of Work / Inclusion & Belonging / Women Speakers & Advisors / International Speakers & Advisors