Richard Yonck

Richard Yonck is a global futurist, keynote speaker and author who takes audiences on a vivid journey into what comes next. Best known for ‘Heart of the Machine’, his acclaimed exploration of Emotion AI, Richard translates complex emerging technologies into clear, human-centred choices leaders can act on. 

Richard’s path into futures work began with a deep fascination for science and progress, paired with early hands-on experience in computing and media. He trained in storytelling and production at the London Film School, graduating with honours, then built a strong foundation in science communication through creating educational programmes. That combination, technical curiosity plus the ability to make ideas memorable, shaped the speaker he is today. Over time, Richard deepened his strategic lens through formal study in foresight and complexity, and decades of practical work across technology, consultancy and communications, giving him a grounded perspective on how innovation lands in the real world.

Across a fifteen year global speaking career, Richard has built a reputation for blending rigour with imagination. He is Founder and Lead Futurist of Intelligent Future Consulting, advising organisations on short and long-range futures, from technology strategy to societal implications. He has held influential industry roles including Computing and Artificial Intelligence Contributing Editor for The Futurist Magazine and Executive Board Member and Treasurer of Association of Professional Futurists. As an author, he has published the internationally recognised nonfiction books ‘Heart of the Machine’ and ‘Future Minds’, and he continues to contribute to leading publications and media outlets that shape public understanding of technology. Richard is also a TEDx speaker, bringing his thinking on the co-evolution of humanity and technology to a broad global audience.

Richard is hired because he makes fast-moving change feel understandable, relevant, and actionable, especially for senior audiences who need to make decisions without perfect certainty. His keynote topics include AI and hybrid intelligence, innovation ecosystems, future resilience, healthcare and longevity, and exponential technologies shaping business and society. These themes matter because they touch strategy, talent, ethics, trust, competitiveness, and identity, and they are already influencing products, regulation and customer expectations.