Viktor Mayer-Schönberger

Viktor Mayer-Schönberger is a leading voice in the digital age, known for his deep insight into big data, information governance, and the broader impact of technology on society. As a keynote speaker, Viktor brings clarity and foresight to some of today’s most complex topics, from AI regulation to digital privacy. He is Professor of Internet Governance and Regulation at the University of Oxford, and the co-author of the international bestseller ‘Big Data: A Revolution That Will Transform How We Live, Work, and Think’, a book that has helped shape the global conversation around the role of data in modern life.

Viktor’s career began in his home country of Austria, where his early talent in science and technology was recognised through his success in the International Physics Olympiad and the Austrian Young Programmers Contest. In 1986, while still a student, he founded Ikarus Software, where he developed Virus Utilities, a data security product that became the best-selling software in Austria. He went on to earn law degrees from the University of Salzburg and Harvard Law School, followed by a MSc in Economics from the London School of Economics. These formative experiences laid the foundation for his career at the intersection of law, economics, and digital policy.

Over the years, Viktor has become one of the world’s most respected thinkers in his field. He spent a decade at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, first as an Assistant Professor, then as an Associate Professor of Public Policy. His 2009 book ‘Delete: The Virtue of Forgetting in the Digital Age’ won both the Marshall McLuhan Award and the Don K. Price Award in 2010. He has written over a hundred academic articles and book chapters and has advised governments, businesses, and international organisations on digital governance. His work has been featured in major media including The New York Times, The Economist, BBC, and Le Monde, and he continues to serve on advisory boards for organisations like Microsoft and the World Economic Forum.

Viktor’s speaking style is clear, informed, and engaging. He tailors each keynote to his audience, combining cutting-edge research with relevant examples. His key topics include big data, AI governance, digital privacy, the right to be forgotten, and the future of capitalism in the data age - themes that are not only timely but essential for leaders navigating the modern world. For any organisation looking to understand and prepare for the future of information and technology, Viktor offers rare expertise and a global perspective.