Richard Foster-Fletcher is the Founder and Executive Chair of MKAI.org – a venture through which he assists governments, organisations and educational institutions to develop, deploy and govern AI. Richard views AI as more than just a technological advancement, but more so an entity that can reshape our future. A proponent of ethical AI, Richard releases a weekly LinkedIn newsletter on The Future of Work, AI Ethics & Leadership. He was also regarded as a LinkedIn Top Voice in Leadership in 2023. Available to speak about the power AI holds to transform industries and societies, Richard is one of the most prominent keynote speakers to hire for you next AI event.
Richard holds qualifications in Implications of AI for Business Strategy from MIT Sloan School of Management and in Data Science Ethics from the University of Michigan. Host of The Boundless Podcast, Richard delves into how AI can be best utilised for societal benefit. Richard suggests that safeguards must be established to ensure that technologies such as AI augment rather than dominate human potential. Recognising that while AI possesses exponential potential it also brings along potent challenges, Richard works towards fostering AI’s responsible development and application at MKAI.org (Morality and Knowledge in Artificial Intelligence).
Through MKAI.org, Richard has created a space that encourages a free exchange of ideas, fosters innovation and supports diversity in perspectives. Richard’s career is rife with prominent positions such as Production Manager at BBC, Enterprise Sales Director at Oracle and Retail Director at Workplace Systems. Extracting valuable experience from these diverse roles, Richard possesses prominent knowledge in the technology, media and ethical governance sectors. Richard is also the author of “MKAI Report: Analysis of Outcomes and Strategic Directions from the UK Government and MKAI AI Safety Summits”. In this publication, Richard analyses the key insights from parallel AI safety summits in 2023.
Committed to encouraging innovation and upholding of ethical standards across the world, Richard is also an Advisory Board Member of the African Institute of AI. Now available to hire as a keynote speaker Richard delivers addresses on numerous topics such as evaluating AI substance and hype, anticipating the impact of AI, navigating AI and morality and how to adapt a workforce to work with AI. His foresight into the future on AI as an industry advisor and experience as an event moderator are pivotal to his expertise as a keynote speaker. Hire Richard Foster-Fletcher for your next AI event, and rest assured that you will leave with a superior understanding of ethical AI and how to shape the future of technology with conscience.
In 2024, we conducted an exclusive interview with Richard Foster-Fletcher on the Champions Speakers YouTube channel to hear what businesses should expect from the future of AI.
Richard Foster Fletcher's official speaker topics are listed below:
- AI and the Future of Jobs
- The Impact of AI on Education and Educators
- Skills of the Future
- Decision-Making and Artificial Intelligence
- Evolving Leadership in the Age of AI
- AI: From Compliance to Strategic Advantage
- Navigating Bias in AI Systems
- Developing a Shared Language for AI Ethics
- Navigating Transparency and Confidentiality in AI
How Top Leaders Break Through AI’s 'Imitation Layer' to Unlock Strategic Innovation
Why Leaders Need to Change Their Thinking—Not Just Their Technology—to Win with AI
Senior executives increasingly integrate advanced generative AI systems into their strategic decision-making processes, expecting these tools to deliver critical insights and spur innovation. Yet a subtle but profound strategic challenge often emerges: without a deliberate and clearly defined approach, AI systems tend to reinforce existing assumptions rather than challenge them.
The unintended consequence is an invisible "glass ceiling," subtly constraining your organisation’s strategic potential. Instead of delivering new insights, generative AI quietly reinforces established assumptions and existing ways of thinking. Left unaddressed, executives risk embedding past strategies into future plans, significantly limiting their ability to innovate and adapt at moments when fresh thinking and bold decisions are essential. Fundamentally, AI doesn’t challenge your organisation’s thinking—it mirrors it.
In this executive-level keynote, LinkedIn Top Voice for AI Richard Foster-Fletcher clearly articulates why current generative AI technologies inherently mirror—rather than evolve—your organisation's existing strategic thinking. Drawing on deep insights into AI's critical cognitive limitations, Richard equips senior leaders to recognise and overcome subtle yet significant barriers, including:
- Constrained contextual awareness: AI's limited ability to retain and apply strategic context, reducing its capability to contribute genuinely new insights.
- Superficial statistical reasoning: AI's reliance on pattern matching rather than deeper, causal understanding, leading to the reinforcement of familiar assumptions.
- Memory retention limitations: The inherent inability of current AI systems to sustain complex, ongoing strategic dialogues, restricting their effectiveness as continuous strategic partners.
This keynote positions senior executives to fundamentally rethink their strategic relationship with generative AI. Richard reveals precisely why conventional leadership approaches unintentionally limit the value AI provides, and how executives can shift their thinking to unlock deeper insights, transformative ideas, and breakthrough strategic opportunities.
"Your deep experience in AI is clearly evident—I appreciate the clarity and depth you bring to such a fast-evolving field."
Official Feedback from In-Person & Virtual Events
Feedback from In-Person Events:
"Richard has a unique quality:360° perception. If you want to have a real conversation that goes through every aspect of a topic, Richard is the person you want! Richard takes you further than most people I know. You always end up learning more about yourself and the information you were trying to convey. Richard is boundless indeed and will take you as well as your audience to the next level!" - Denis, AI Expert, Author & Speaker
"Richard's keynote at our recent EMEA Conference was both enlightening and engaging. His presentation, “AI in Action - Balancing Innovation and Integrity in Decision-Making” adeptly addressed the complex interplay of AI innovation and ethics, enhancing our understanding of these critical issues. Richard combined humour and humility to make the intricate topics of bias and the future of work approachable, while his interactive style enriched our session. We are grateful for his significant contribution to the conference and for advancing the conversation on ethical AI." - Megan, Executive Director, MBA Career Services & Employee Alliance
"Richard delivered an insightful and thought-provoking talk on the expansive implications of artificial intelligence on society, the future of work, and ethical considerations. His ability to articulate complex concepts in an accessible manner prompted a dynamic and engaging discussion among attendees. Richard's presentation not only highlighted the potential risks and rewards of AI adoption but also encouraged a deeper understanding of its impact. We are appreciative of Richard's contribution to our event and his role in advancing the conversation around AI. His expertise and passion for the subject matter were evident and greatly appreciated by all participants." - Andy, Executive Director, Major Projects Association
- 2024 – Host of the Demystifying Cyber Conference
- 2024 – Keynote Speaker at the EMEA Conference
- 2024 – Closing Speaker & Chief Guest at the ICFAI University Centre for Excellence in Cyber Law Conference
- 2023 – Author of “MKAI Report: Analysis of Outcomes and Strategic Directions from the UK Government and MKAI AI Safety Summits”
- 2023 – Named a LinkedIn Top Voice in Leadership
- 2019 – Executive Chair, MKAI
- 2019 – Host of The Boundless Podcast
- 2014 – Enterprise Sales Director, Oracle
- 2010 – EMEA Retail Director, Workplace Systems
- 2009 – Production Manager, BBC
How to hire Richard Foster-Fletcher
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Richard Foster-Fletcher 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.
