Co-Founder of Siri Inc., Chief AI Strategy Officer at Sherpa.ai, Founder of Humanistic AI & TED Speaker Whose Speech Has Been Viewed Over 2 Million Times

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Tom Gruber is a TED speaker, board member of the International Journal of Human-Computer Studies and authority on artificial intelligence. He engages audiences with his unrivalled knowledge of computing. Co-Founder of Siri Inc., which was later acquired by Apple, Tom created a technology which shot to fame as a key component of the iPhone. When booked for events, he imparts with audiences the wisdom gained over his highly influential career, leaving a lasting impression. For corporate audiences, his knowledge of the digital landscape can revolutionise their potential. Insightful, knowledgeable and passionate, Tom is an expert of his field.

After studying Psychology and Computer Science at University, Tom revolutionised the education system. He designed a computer-assisted instruction system, which is now used in the Psychology department. Progressing to a Master's level, he created an intelligent communication prosthesis assistant, which allowed disabled people to communicate in their natural language fluidly, followed by a PhD critical research project on AI and computer assistants. Starting in the late 1980s, Tom was a Research Associate at the Knowledge Systems Laboratory of the Computer Science Department at Stanford University, before becoming a Senior Project Leader in 1994.

Tom has worked on several media projects, including How Things Work. Believing in the power of education, he later presented a business plan for corporate training, which has become a driving force behind his public speeches. As the Chief Technology Officer of Intraspect Software, Tom helped corporations to collaborate on a larger scale, contributing to the collective body of knowledge. Having sparked his interest in AI in the 1990s, he created hypermail in 1994 and Siri in 2007. After three years of perfecting the software, it was acquired by Apple in 2010 and integrated into their iOS and macOS. Thanks to Tom's extensive career, he has published several books, including “The Acquisition of Strategic Knowledge” in 1989 and respected journal entries. Currently, Tom serves as the Chief AI Strategy Officer at Sherpa.ai, alongside his roles as Founder of Humanistic AI & AI Advisor at Gold AI.

Tom's TED Talk has been viewed over two million times, a testament to his unrivalled influence. Titled "How Can AI Enhance Our Memory, Work and Social Lives", it described Tom's goals to create "humanistic AI", which will become a key part of our day to day lives. For Tom, AI will help us to become superhumans, capable of high standard perception, creativity and cognitive function. In the industry of design, advanced computing will enable heightened skills. In his TED Talk, Tom described how "we are in the middle of a renaissance in AI, every time a machine gets smarter, we get smarter". When booked for events, Tom Gruber is able to spark audiences’ interest in artificial intelligence, its applications and its opportunities. Hire Tom Gruber now!

In June 2022, we sat down with Tom to discuss the future ethical risks of AI & his motivations & experience of creating Siri. Watch our Exclusive Interview with Tom Gruber.

Books

The Acquisition of Strategic Knowledge

Reviews

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Tom Gruber has received a 4.5 star rating across 20 events in 2023.

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Sophia Reed

Director of Sales

"Tom Gruber is an inspiring AI and technology speaker who makes complex ideas feel simple and exciting. As a co-creator of Siri, he shares real-world insights on how AI can amplify human potential. His talks are engaging, thought-provoking, and leave audiences feeling energized about the future of technology and humanity."

How to hire Tom Gruber

Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Tom Gruber 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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Tom Gruber's official speaking topics are listed below:

AI and Humanity Today: The Promise and Problems of Generative AI

In this overview of modern AI, which is updated with fresh insights every time it is given, Tom explains how these systems are created, what they are great at, what to be careful with, and the exciting applications that they enable. He brings to bear decades of experience in designing AI systems and advising AI companies. Applications include education, creative services, software engineering, knowledge management, mental health care, and augmented cognition. He offers insights into the potential risks to individuals and society from ungoverned applications, and a positive vision for the future of truly personal AI.

AI, Big Data, and Humanity: Risks and Opportunities

In this thought-provoking talk, Tom lays out a clear ethical choice. The key lies in aligning the objective of the machine with human values: engineering the AI systems to augment and collaborate with us for the betterment of humanity. Drawing from his direct experience building planetary-scale AI and advising a new generation of Humanistic AI companies, Tom offers insights to entrepreneurs, investors, and policy makers navigating the high-stakes decisions of AI today.

How to Build the Future: Practical Principles for Startup Founders

Tom outlines four key factors that led to Siri’s success — factors that are essential to any successful startup. He shares insider details of Siri’s trajectory, while providing real-world examples from other companies, showing how attendees can put these principles into practice with their own ventures.

Official Feedback from In-Person & Virtual Events

Feedback from In-Person Events:

"Tom Gruber is the rare practitioner who can lucidly explain how things work - and what they mean for us. His understanding of the social impacts of digital innovation is built from the ground up and he brings to the stage an unusual insight into AI and a strong sense of how designers and engineers can change digital systems to better confront the ethical challenges that this new age poses. A passionate and profound observer of digital life, Tom is the first rank of public speakers on emerging technologies and how humans can manage them for maximum benefit" - Mark, Editor & Publisher, Willamette Week, Founder, TechfestNW