Somi Arian is a filmmaker, entrepreneur, podcast host, and technology commentator working at the intersection of AI, finance, investment, and economic transformation. She is the founder of production companies in the UK and Saudi Arabia, splitting her time between London and Riyadh while producing documentaries and strategic media exploring the Kingdom’s transformation under Vision 2030. As a speaker and moderator, Somi has appeared at events including LEAP, SuperReturn, TEDx, Cambridge University, Condé Nast, and Adweek, contributing to conversations around AI, the future of work, innovation, investment, and economic transformation.
After achieving her master’s degree in political philosophy, Somi strived to use her skillset to better organisations and companies that may need it. Somi’s first independent documentary, 'The Millennial Disruption', received multiple international awards and was featured on BBC Radio 5 Live. The film explored the impact of technological disruption on business and society, featuring brands including Bentley, The Economist, Jaguar Land Rover, Steinway, and Marie Claire. Her recent documentary work focuses on sectors shaping the future of Saudi Arabia and the wider region, including venture capital, private capital markets, fintech, artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, sustainability, and innovation. Productions include 'From Silicon Valley to Riyadh', 'Building Tomorrow Today', 'The Next Green Chapter', 'Fintech Arabia' and 'Scaling Saudi: The Rise of Private Capital Markets'. Her work has been distributed through platforms including Shahid, Saudia Airlines, Riyadh Air, Argaam, stc TV, and Tahaluf channels, reaching investors, policymakers, and international business audiences.
Somi is also the host of On Point by Argaam, Saudi Arabia’s flagship English-language business podcast, featuring long-form conversations with founders, investors, policymakers, and global business leaders focused on capital, technology, leadership, and the future of the region. Through her documentaries, podcasts, and interviews, she has spoken with global founders, investors, technologists, and policymakers, including Gary Vaynerchuk, Tom Bilyeu, Raoul Pal, and Sriram Krishnan of A16z, as well as senior Saudi government officials, investors, and entrepreneurs shaping the Kingdom’s future. In addition, Somi is the author of 'Career Fear (and How to Beat It)', published by Kogan Page, exploring the future of work and adaptation in the age of artificial intelligence.
As a speaker, Somi has been described as insightful, energetic, and empowering. Using a mix of theory, actionable advice, tips and tricks, Somi ensures to engage every member of her audience. Describing her role as a ‘Transition Architect,’ Somi is interested in working on frameworks to address the challenges of humans and technologies merging. Somi offers talks and workshops and has delivered these to industry leaders from organisations such as the BBC, Marie Claire, Amazon, HSBC and many more. To learn more about our modern digital age and how to be prepared for the future of business, hire Somi Arian today!
Somi Arian's speaking topics are listed below:
- Emerging Technologies
- What is De-Fi and Why Should You Care?
- The future of Democracy
- The future of the world with Blockchain technology
- Why We Need Women in the Top Tier of Business
- Women: Present, Past and Future
- How Technology is the Key to Elevate Women’s Socioeconomic Status
- The Gender Data Gap
- Preparing the Workforce for the Age of Artificial Intelligence by developing (Human) Skills
- Recruiting and Retaining Millennials and Gen Z
- Defining Purpose in the Age of Technology
- Thought Leadership and Employer Branding
- Intergenerational Differences in the Workplace
- Using Technology to Drive Diversity and Inclusivity
- The Millennial Mindset: What Drives Consumer Behaviour in the Digital Native Generation
- Automation, Artificial Intelligence, and the Future of Marketing
- Building Brand Perception In The Digital Age
- The Role of Purpose in the Future of Marketing
Official Feedback from In-Person & Virtual Events
Feedback from In-Person Events:
”Somi’s session was really insightful and covered a lot of ground in a short amount of time. All in all though a great session, and we would definitely have her back.” - Shaun, Conference Producer, Haymarket Media Group
”Overall great content, nice that she has a book to pair with it. We are grateful that we were able to make this work given such short notice.” - Monika, Director of Tech Leadership Development, AIM Institute
”Very few people are able to beat the quality of content and quality of production that Somi does.” - India, Marketing Administrator, The Recruitment Events Co
“Somi is a real pleasure to work with. The effort that she put into her content really showed. The talk was extremely engaging and insightful; I thoroughly liked the fact that a good mix of theory and actionable tips and tricks were presented. We had great feedback from our clients who attended and I hope to work with Somi again in the future.” - Perri, Meltwater Media Intelligence
“Somi spoke about how best to empower millennial employees, by giving them autonomy and space to innovate. It resounded well with our audience of senior female technologists, in our firm, fully delegating the responsibility to accomplish the task is how we do business.” - Hilary, Morgan Stanley
"Somi had a lot of interesting and thought-provoking things to say – both in regards to tech disruption and human response. We loved having her there to broaden the conversation about CX on the panel as well." - Shammah, Chief Disruptor Live
"Somi delivered great value to a panel we hosted on the influencer marketing space and was great at communicating her thoughts to a wide-ranging audience in a manner that everyone could understand key points." - Patrick, Open Influence
“Somi’s keynote on the Millennial Disruption had a very high score regarding her knowledge of content, presentation ability, and audience participation. Her talk met the audience’s high expectations and professional interests." - Flaminia, Conference & delegate manager, Richmond Italy
“We have received some wonderful feedback, thank you for contributing to the success of this year’s event. Your session was greatly appreciated and truly valuable for those in attendance” - Amy, Senior Conference Producer, American Lawyer Media LLC
- 2020 - Published her book, Career Fear (and how to beat it)
- 2020 - Started her Podcast, the Somi Arian Podcast
- 2020 - Founded and CEO of InPeak
- 2020 - Opinion Columnist for CEOWorld Magazine
- 2018 - Directed a documentary, The Millennial Disruption
- 2015 - Founded and CEO of Smart Cookie Media
- 2010 - Producer/ Director for Marjan Television Network Ltd.
- 2010 - Graduated from University of St Andrews with a Masters in Philosophy
- 2005 - Program Officer for United Nations
- 2004 - Program Officer for International Organization for Migration (IOM)
- 2001 - Visa Officer for Royal Netherlands Embassy
How to hire Somi Arian
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Somi Arian for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
** We do NOT accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, birthday messages or any other non-commercial contact with the speakers or acts. Each speaker on the website may not have necessarily worked with Champions in the past but are known to perform such engagements within the industry.
