Alison McCauley

Artificial intelligence is already changing "possible". A key driver of competitive success will soon be how effectively you harness its power. What stands in the way is often not the technology itself, but the challenge of the human dimensions: how to raise AI literacy, navigate vast and complex implications, understand where and how to innovate, and foster adoption. I’m dedicated to demystifying this future through my writing, speaking, and teaching.

• Career strategist focused on closing the gap between transformative technology and people’s understanding of how to use it to unlock business value
• Decades of experience advising both founders and the Fortune 1000 C-Suite
• International best selling author (O' Reilly Media, 2019); articles in Harvard Business Review, Forbes, and Venture Beat; over 90,000 learners have taken my LinkedIn course
• Linkedin Top Voice in Artificial Intelligence
• Women in AI advocate and in-demand female keynote speaker on artificial intelligence and the acceleration of tech-driven change

Speaking Topics - 

Being Human at the AI Crossroads

AI is rewriting the rules of what's possible, and like it or not, every business and its leaders faces a critical inflection point. Harnessing AI could secure your future, but if you fail to adapt, you could fall irreversibly behind. But making AI work for you is easier said than done. An unprecedented pace of innovation means the landscape constantly shifts under your feet. And AI introduces new complexities that many organizations struggle to navigate.

With two decades guiding business leaders through the maze of emerging tech, Alison will give you grounding in the shifts we’re facing from a human perspective, and what to do about them. She’ll unravel the complexities of AI’s rapid progression, and provide a holistic view of its transformative impact on business and society. She’ll share insights on the long-term consequences and shifts in the competitive landscape, along with practical advice on how to foster an organization that’s ready for this next digital age. 

AI & Us: Strategies for Families in an AI-driven World

In this interactive talk, Alison shares her insights as a mom with a 30-year career at the front edge of tech to prepare yourself and your family for an AI-driven world. Artificial Intelligence is already reshaping our cultural landscape, unlocking a new “possible” and altering what drives success. But it’s also bringing us new problems we need to navigate, from deepfakes and disinformation to ethical concerns in education, shifting job landscapes, and even questioning our understanding of what it means to be human.

How do we guide our families? What do we tell our kids about how to succeed in a future where AI is ubiquitous? How do we stay safe in an era of deepfakes everywhere? Where should AI be used—and not used—for schoolwork?

With stories and frameworks, Alison helps you to understand the nuances of AI's integration into our lives. You’ll come away with practical knowledge to personally engage with AI, and ready to engage in meaningful discussions with those around you.

AI and the Future of Society: Ethical Dilemmas & Transformative Promises

AI is rapidly reshaping our world, promising to revolutionize sectors from healthcare to education, making what was once deemed impossible within our grasp. Its capabilities could accelerate breakthroughs to solve some of humanity's most pressing challenges. Yet, as we stand on the brink of this new era, we also face unprecedented complexities. The advent of AI brings forth questions about the essence of humanity, bias and ethics, the future of employment, and the integrity of our information landscape. Never has it been more urgent to critically engage with and consciously shape the trajectory of our digital future.

The conversation around AI oscillates between optimistic visions of a new renaissance and dire warnings of existential risk and catastrophic outcomes for humanity. The path forward requires us to thoughtfully navigate betweenthese polarities. This talk explores the contours of this landscape, examining both the promises AI holds and the caution it warrants.