Walter Pasquarelli is considered one of the most eminent global generative AI experts, having profoundly shaped society's understanding of how the technological revolution is restructuring economic, financial, and political structures. Currently, Walter is an Affiliated Researcher at the Bennett School for Public Policy at the University of Cambridge, an Advisor to Intel Corporation and a member of the Strategic AI Advisory Board of the Welsh Government. Having served as a trusted advisor to political and technology leaders, Walter is a pivotal voice in dissecting, analysing, and forecasting the strategic opportunities of AI. If you are looking to understand how generative AI will revolutionise society, hire AI expert Walter Pasquarelli today.
Before he became a distinguished AI expert, Walter was the Co-Founder and Chairman of Stichting Lend A Hand - an NGO targeting victims of violence, poverty and discrimination. In 2018, Walter moved into the field of AI, recruited as the Policy Lead of AI & Data for Oxford Insights. In this role, he was responsible for spearheading technology projects with international governments, including the UK Office for AI and the MENA Government. In 2019, Walter was a Guest Lecturer at Tecnológico de Monterrey, where he lectured on "Digital Commerce in the Age of AI". He later became a Consultant for the Open Data Institute, a role in which he helped to establish the Data Trust Advisory Board - a consortium of experts from NHS Trusts, Google Health and Roche. Walter has also worked as an AI Policy Fellow at the University of Bath Institute for Policy Research, where he researched the socio-political implications of Brain-Computer interfaces. In 2021, Walter became the Manager of AI & Society for The Economist. At The Economist, Walter managed a portfolio worth over $2 million USD, transforming policy and corporate perceptions on the real-life impacts of this exponential technology. Walter has also been tracking the evolution of Generative AI since 2017 - years before ChatGPT sparked a global hype.
Walter was also the Presenter of The Economist Data Dividend series during his time at the publication. In addition to these roles, Walter is also a member of the One AI Group of Experts and a Consultant on AI Governance & Policy for OECD - OCDE. Walter is also renowned for having developed the world's first AI Index, a tool benchmarking countries' preparedness to develop and deploy artificial intelligence across key strategic sectors. Such experiences have seen Walter featured in Forbes and POLITICO, and cited by the London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, and the UAE Minister of State for AI. Acknowledging his thought leadership in the field of AI, Walter was honoured with the prestigious Prospect Public Policy Award by the University of Cambridge's Bennett Institute in 2022.
Walter Pasquarelli is now a highly sought-after keynote speaker who shares his expertise at leading international events such as the World Economic Forum, CogX, and World Summit AI. Champions Speakers take great pride in being an official speaker agent for Walter Pasquarelli, honoured to represent a speaker who advises Fortune 100 executives, world leaders and royalty on the impact of generative technologies. A multilingual orator fluent in English, German, and Italian, with a working knowledge of Spanish, Walter provides bespoke keynotes and foundational masterclasses around generative AI, the responsible use of AI, data governance, AI policy, ethical and regulatory frameworks, strategic planning, and the future of work. With a unique ability to detail how generative AI will revolutionise society, Walter will present a unique and inspiring keynote at your event.
In September 2023, we sat down virtually with Walter Pasquarelli and discussed how AI is transforming the future and how businesses can best look to implement it. Watch our Exclusive Interview with Walter Pasquarelli.
Walter Pasquarelli's official speaking topics are listed below:
The Age of AI
The Generative AI Revolution & Its Impact on Humanity
In this session, Walter Pasquarelli explores the story of the Generative AI revolution and its impact on humanity. Attendees will uncover how this groundbreaking technology is reshaping the global economy, redefining creativity, and influencing the very fabric of society.
Walter will illuminate the current advancements, future possibilities, and ethical considerations that accompany this transformative era. Building on Walter’s experience advising the global pioneers of AI development, this keynote aims to inspire participants to understand Generative AI not just as a technological advancement but as a pivotal force in shaping our collective future.
Key Outcomes:
- Discover the foundational elements of Generative AI and its current applications across diverse fields - beyond the hype
- Explore how Generative AI is revolutionising industries and altering traditional notions of creativity, economics, and authenticity
- Analyse the societal implications and ethical challenges posed by the widespread adoption of Generative AI
- Identify strategies for leveraging Generative AI to foster innovation and understand our place as humans within this new paradigm
- Envision the future landscape shaped by Generative AI and its potential to redefine human experiences and interactions
Global AI Index
Insights from the Frontlines of Policy & Investment
Join Walter Pasquarelli for a critical session focused on mapping the global landscape of AI investments, regulations, and policies. Drawing on his experience in developing the world’s first AI Index, his work with the OECD and advising world leaders, Walter will provide attendees with a comprehensive understanding of how these factors are developing and interplay across different regions.
This session will equip participants with the insights needed to navigate the complexities of the global AI ecosystem and inform their strategic decisions effectively.
Key Outcomes:
- Develop a clear understanding of the global landscape of AI investments and regulations
- Identify key trends and patterns in AI governance across various regions
- Analyse the implications of diverse regulatory environments on global AI strategy
- Access actionable insights for informed decision-making in the AI space
The C-Suite's Guide to AI Readiness in [Your Industry]
In this targeted talk, Walter Pasquarelli presents an industry-specific analysis of AI opportunities and challenges.
Drawing from his extensive advisory experience across various sectors, he will outline tailored strategies for adoption and integration, focusing on real-world applications that can elevate organisational performance. This session aims to equip attendees with the insights and capabilities necessary to lead their industries in AI readiness.
Key Outcomes:
- Identify unique opportunities and challenges for AI adoption within their industry
- Navigate potential threats and develop mitigation strategies
- Create a roadmap for successful AI implementation tailored to organisational goals
- Empower teams to become AI-ready leaders in their sector
Synthetic Reality
A Revolution That Will Transform What We See, Believe & Feel
Join Walter Pasquarelli as he explores the concept of Synthetic Reality, a term he coined in 2019, long before the advent of generative technologies. With 90% of content online forecasted to be AI-generated, this session critically examines how synthetic media is reshaping our understanding of truth and authenticity in an increasingly digital world.
Drawing from his experiences at The Economist group, and one of the first political deepfake incidents he advised a European President on, Walter will highlight the profound implications for industries, politics and individuals. Participants will walk away with a clear perspective on the ethical challenges and innovative opportunities that AI-generated synthetic media presents.
Key Outcomes:
- Explore the implications of synthetic media on perception, truth, and knowledge
- Understand the transformative effects of synthetic media across various sectors
- Address ethical challenges associated with synthetic media and its impact on society
- Equip participants with strategies to navigate the evolving landscape of authenticity and trust in media
Official Feedback from In-Person & Virtual Events
Feedback from In-Person Events:
“Walter did an outstanding job as the Chair of the World Summit AI. His deep expertise and ability to engage the audience made the summit a resounding success." - Founder, World Summit AI
"Walter’s insights made AI clear and actionable for our government work." - Office of the Presidency of the Republic of Congo
"Walter’s ability to blend deep topic knowledge with engagement is truly impressive." - The Economist
"It was a pleasure to work with Walter. He has been incredibly collaborative, accessible and responsive. He explained complicated areas of AI, its relevance for governments and businesses with ease, which helped us make our conversations even more engaging for a very international audience with varied amounts of experience with AI." - Global Director, Coca-Cola
"Walter has a unique talent for making even the most complex AI concepts feel accessible and intuitive." - Prime Minister's Office of the Republic of Serbia
"Walter did a fantastic job in simplifying both the opportunities and challenges ahead for public sector and industry leaders as they work to rebuild their country's competitiveness in the new era of AI. His approach, using images and real stories, is a very powerful way to provide a full perspective and deeply engage public sector leaders." - Global Director, Intel
"Walter was really excellent- he got brilliant feedback from attendees and was great to deal with throughout." - Sean, Accenture
"In a field often clouded by jargon, Walter offers a clear and incisive voice on AI and policy issues. He excels both as a moderator and speaker, and greatly helped uplevel our team’s understanding of key issues." - Chief of Staff, Google
"We received excellent feedback on Walter’s keynote lecture! We had many questions from the attendees, and the session was very interactive." - Zi Ling, ViiV Healthcare
Feedback from Virtual Events:
"A big thank you for recommending Walter AI/GenAI speaker. In our feedback survey, 80% gave a rating of 5/5 for the session, which is great with such a heterogeneous population, with a lot of tech experts. I want to add that it was a real pleasure to work with Walter and you. Walter has been incredibly supportive, accessible and humble - it's truly a joy to work with him." - Devoteam
- 2025 - Advisor for Intel Corporation
- 2025 - Member of the Strategic AI Advisory Board for the Welsh Government
- 2023 - Affiliated Researcher of the Bennett School for Public Policy at the University of Cambridge
- 2023 - Consultant in AI Governance & Policy at OECD-OCDE
- 2023 - Member of the OECD One AI Group of Experts
- 2023 - Contributor to The Economist
- 2021 - Manager of AI & Society for The Economist
- 2020 - AI Policy Fellow at the University of Bath Institute for Policy Research
- 2019 - Consultant for the Open Data Institute
- 2019 - Guest Lecturer at Tecnológico de Monterrey
- 2018 - User Researcher for the Open Data Institute
- 2018 - Policy Lead in AI & Data for Oxford Insights
- 2014 - Co-Founder & Chairman of Stichting Lend A Hand
- 2014 - Project Manager for NGO Projeto Mundo Novo
How to hire Walter Pasquarelli
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Walter Pasquarelli 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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