Nicholas Thompson has had a glittering career to date, working with some of the top media outlets in the industry, previous roles including Editor-in-Chief for WIRED, Editor for The New Yorker, and Senior Editor for Legal Affairs. Most recently, he co-founded SpeakEasy AI, as well as became the CEO of The Atlantic. Having held some of the most esteemed roles in the writing, journalism, and tech spheres, Nicholas is regarded as one of the savviest minds in tech today. An advocate for using AI to boost writing ability and efficiency, Nicholas, as a speaker, encourages businesses to leverage tech in order to enhance their output and stay ahead of the game.
It all began in 1997 when Nicholas graduated in Earth System, Political Science & Economics from Stanford University and in 1999 took on his first role of Director of Marketing for Penguin Marketing, followed by becoming Editor at The Washington Monthly. In 2003, he became Senior Editor at Legal Affairs, and in 2005, Senior Editor at WIRED. It was in 2009 that he co-founded The Atavist, an award-winning digital magazine publisher, and he published his book, The Hawk & the Dove to high praise. By 2010, he was Contributing Editor for Bloomberg News and CNN International, as well as took on the role of Editor at The New Yorker. He was also a Contributor for CBS News as of 2015, featuring on CBS This Morning and CBSN regularly.
Nicholas was promoted to Editor-in-Chief at WIRED in 2017 and has received various prestigious awards as a result of his published stories, with some being made into films, including Ben Affleck’s Oscar-winning Argo, which is based on his story, The Great Escape. In 2021, he took the leap into the role of CEO of The Atlantic, leading one of the most prominent media organisations in the world.
A strong believer in the use of technology as a force for good, Nicholas co-founded SpeakEasy AI in 2022, a software company delivering AI-powered tools to bring more positivity to the online world. He has gained fascinating tech insights throughout the course of his career, from years of direct access to top AI researchers and executives. Thus, in his talks, Nicholas brings food for thought on how technology, digital, media, and politics are transforming the world around us – leaving audiences inspired and knowing how to really reap the benefits from AI.
How to hire Nicholas Thompson
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Nicholas Thompson 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.
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Nicholas Thompson's official speaking topics are listed below:
- The Big Questions You Need to Ask About AI & Your Organisation
- Talking AI – Moderation & Onstage Interviews
- What’s Old Is (Very) New – Digital Platforms & Legacy Companies
“He was unbelievable. Not one person had anything negative to say, in fact, the opposite. Everyone thought he was so entertaining, smart, insightful, and compelling. We want to hire him again.” – BMO Nesbitt Burns
“What a treat it was to have you orchestrate such an engaging panel discussion yesterday! We have heard so many positive comments about the panel and your moderation of it. There were no throwaway questions to be had – every question very carefully and thoughtfully crafted, and elicited pretty lively and edgy responses! We couldn’t have asked for more. It was a special evening and we’re grateful you made time for us.” – McKinsey
“I wanted to extend our heartfelt thanks for your exceptional presentation. Your insight and perspective not only elevated the event, but also left a lasting impression on our audience. I greatly appreciate the time you invested in preparing an inspiring and thought-provoking presentation, and I hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back in the future.” – Rockwell Automation
“I am fairly certain that was one of the most interesting sponsored events ever. You gave even those of us who are deep into these issues much more to think (and worry) about. Every single client, all of whom deal with these issues on a daily basis, are still talking about your presentation and the importance of understanding the quality of data and potential biases that go in AI in the first place. Thank you!” – Orrick, Silicon Valley
“Your speech was extraordinarily well received, and your moderation of the panel was done with great skill. The conversations that follow amongst our senior leadership during the rest of the day’s programming proved that the experience was invaluable for everyone in our organisation.” – Caesars Entertainment
“Nick’s insights and perspective not only elevated the event, but also left a lasting impression on our audience. I received multiple compliments and positive feedback about Nick’s topic from our attendees, and I’ve seen numerous mentions of his topic on social media. Thank you for contributing to the success of our Keynote event. I hope to have the pleasure of welcoming him back in the future!” – Rockwell Automation
“There was only one disappointing thing about Nick’s keynote for our event – that we didn’t get to do it in person! He was fantastic! So perfectly topical for our members. In a time of online event fatigue, he really managed to keep our attention. When we recorded his talk, I was astonished to find out he had been speaking for 30 minutes – it was so riveting that time just flew by.” – CAS Group
“Aside from organising the call, I wanted to thank you for your time at the conference. Your presentation added to our day, making it full of interesting discussion and topics.” – Berenberg Capital Markets
“Nick was fantastic! He struck the perfect balance of where he thinks AI is going long-term and the near-term practical implications for business leaders. He also had a great style about him – down to earth and humorous. Really, we couldn’t be happier!” – WCAS Management, LP
- 2022 – Co-Founder of SpeakEasy AI
- 2021 – CEO at The Atlantic
- 2017 – Editor-in-Chief at WIRED Magazine
- 2015 – Contributor at CBS News
- 2010 – Editor at The New Yorker
- 2010 – Contributing Editor at CNN International
- 2009 – Published The Hawk & the Dove
- 2009 – Co-Founder of The Atavist
- 2005 – Senior Editor at WIRED Magazine
- 2002 – Fellow at New America Foundation
- 2003 – Senior Editor at Legal Affairs
- 1999 – Editor at The Washington Monthly
- 1999 – Director of Marketing at Penguin Computing
- 1997 – Graduated in Earth System, Political Science & Economics from Stanford University
