Martin Ford

Martin Ford is an internationally renowned futurist, AI consultant and bestselling author. A thought leader on the implications of future technologies, he regularly delivers presentations to leading organisations and audiences, ranging from industry leaders to government advisors and academic institutions. His TED Talk How We’ll Earn Money in a Future Without Jobs has received over four million views, establishing Martin as a leading speaker on artificial intelligence and robotics. In his speaking engagements, he explores the implications of advances in AI on the economy, workforce, and society.

Holding a BSE in Computer Engineering from the University of Michigan, Martin earned his MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management in 1991. He is a founder of a software development firm in Silicon Valley and a current member of the Board of Directors for Genesis Systems, a revolutionary start-up company with cutting-edge technology that can harness water directly from the air at an industrial scale. Moreover, Martin is a highly demanded consultant on AI, recently discussing the potential impact of robotics and AI on the US economy and workforce with the White House Chief of Staff. He is also an expert for the Rise of the Robots equity index for Société Générale.

An erudite writer, Martin frequently contributes to prominent publications, such as The New York Times, Forbes, Fortune, The Financial Times, and Harvard Business Review. The author of the New York Times bestselling Rise of the Robots: Technology and the Threat of Mass Unemployment, he has also written Architects of Intelligence: The Truth About AI From the People Building It, Rule of the Robots: How Artificial Intelligence Will Transform Everything and The Lights in the Tunnel. In 2015, Martin won the Financial Times/McKinsey Business Book of the Year Award and continues to earn international recognition for his timely publications.

Making several TV appearances, Martin is known for the documentaries and features, The Future of Work and Death, Notes on the Way Forward, Automation Nation, How to Build a Human and The Truth About Killer Robots. A proponent of universal basic income, Martin believes AI will be one of humanity’s most consequential technologies, affecting employment and drastically increasing income inequality. Sharing his thoughts on the challenges brought forth by advancements in AI, he has spoken at multiple prestigious events, including the TED Conference, Milken Institute’s Global Conference, Festival of Dangerous Ideas, and the St. Gallen Symposium. Now highly sought after for speaking engagements on implications of future technologies, he is available to hire via Champions Speakers.