Vladimír Šucha is a leading expert in artificial intelligence, human agency and institutional resilience, who led the EU’s earliest studies on AI as the Former Director-General of the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre. He is also the Founder of ResilientCore, a platform dedicated to preserving human autonomy and mental resilience in the age of AI. With three decades of experience at the intersection of science, technology and public policy, Vladimír is a distinctive speaker who provides inside knowledge of how European policy is made, scientific rigour and a powerful personal story.
After receiving a PhD in Philosophy, Vladimír started his teaching career as an Assistant Professor at a university in Bratislava, working his way up to Head of the Department of Geology at the Faculty of Natural Sciences. During this time, he also began his work for the EU as a Secretary for the Permanent Representation of the Slovak Republic, later becoming the Principal Advisor to the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport. After a brief period as the Director of a Slovak Research and Development Agency, Vladimír transitioned into the role of Director for Culture and Media at the European Commission, where he oversaw the development of the EU’s new cultural policy. In 2014, he began his role as Director-General of the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre, leading over 3,500 scientists providing evidence for European policymaking. Today, Vladimír is the Head of European Commission Representation in Slovakia, a Visiting Professor at the European University Institute and Founder of ResilientCore, working with organisations, policymakers and organisations to navigate AI transformation.
Also a published author, Vladimír wrote the book ‘When Machines Begin to Think’, which sold out its first printing in Slovakia in four months and the Czech edition was published in September 2026. His research on AI has also been published in leading journals, such as Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence and the European University Institute.
A highly sought-after speaker, Vladimír has delivered dozens of invited talks across Europe to company boards, governments and public audiences over the past year. His keynotes cover topics including AI, mental resilience and safeguarding. His signature concept, The Silent Erosion, examines the harm of AI, with its effects of eroded judgement, outsourced thinking and weakened institutions, and provides solutions to respond to these consequences of AI. Available for keynotes, fireside chats, panels and workshops, Vladimír is an engaging and relevant speaker on AI who can be hired via Champions Speakers now!
Vladimír Šucha's official speaking topics are listed below:
The Silent Erosion: What AI Takes While It Helps
The flagship talk. Every AI regulation and AI ethics principles target what happens when AI fails. This keynote examines the harm that occurs when it works exactly as designed: eroded judgment, outsourced thinking, weakened institutions. Help and harm are the same event. For general, corporate and policy audiences.
Before We Lose the Ability to Govern: AI and Institutional Judgment
Drawing on many years in leadership positions in the European Commission, this talk shows how AI quietly hollows out the judgment of organisations, from boards to ministries, and what leaders must protect before the capacity to decide well disappears. For executive and government audiences.
Building the Human Immune System
Individuals, communities, businesses and institutions should strengthen mental resilience for the AI age. If erosion is the diagnosis, resilience is the response: a practical framework of five pillars, from emotional control to purpose and connection, for individuals, schools and organisations that want to use AI without being diminished by it. Available as keynote, masterclass or workshop.
Machines That Listen: AI Companions, Children & the Duty of Care
Based on a pioneering Slovak study testing intimate chatbot apps with declared minors, this talk confronts what AI companionship does to the youngest users and what parents, educators and regulators can actually do. For education, safeguarding and policy audi
- 2026 - Published Czech version of book 'When Machines Begin to Think'
- 2025 - Founder of ResilientCore
- 2025 - Visiting Professor at European University Institute
- 2022 - Head of European Commission Representation in Slovakia
- 2021 - Senior Policy Advisor for UNESCO
- 2014 - Director-General of Joint Research Centre at European Commission
- 2006 - Director for Culture & Media for the European Commission
- 2005 - Director at Slovak Research & Development Agency
- 2004 - Principal Advisor for Ministry of Education, Science, Research & Sport of the Slovak Republic
- 2004 - Head of Department of Geology of Mineral Deposits at the Faculty of Natural Sciences
- 1995 - Assistant Professor at Univerzita Komenského v Bratislave
- 1992 - Received PhD in Philosophy
- 1985 - Researcher at the Slovak Academy of Sciences
How to hire Vladimír Šucha
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Vladimír Šucha 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.
