Mo Gawdat

AI Keynote Speaker · Former Chief Business Officer, Google X · Bestselling Author

Mo Gawdat is the former Chief Business Officer of Google X, Google’s “moonshot factory” of innovation. He is the international bestselling author of Solve for Happy, Scary Smart, That Little Voice in Your Head and Unstressable, host of the chart-topping podcast Slo Mo, founder of the One Billion Happy movement and Chief AI Officer of Flight Story.

Mo spent close to 30 years in technology, at IBM, NCR and Microsoft, then at Google, where he started close to half of its operations worldwide. At Google [X] he led business strategy, partnerships and deals for projects such as self-driving cars and Project Loon. He has co-founded more than 20 businesses.

After losing his son Ali in 2014, Mo made happiness his life’s work. Scary Smart, his book on the future of artificial intelligence, was named one of The Times and Sunday Times business books of the year.

Few speakers bring this combination: an insider’s view of where technology is heading, and a deeply human perspective on what it asks of us. Past clients include Google, Meta, Apple, Microsoft, HSBC, Goldman Sachs, Visa, Deloitte, PwC, EY, Unilever and Accenture.

Mo has been announced as the Business Keynote speaker for ISE 2027, one of Europe’s largest technology events.

Keynote topics

Scary Smart: The Future of AI and How You Can Save Our World
A 30-year tech insider’s view of where AI is heading over the next 10 to 20 years, and the ethical questions it raises. Mo shows audiences the role each of us plays in making sure AI serves humanity.

Innovation at Scale: The Principles of Moonshot Thinking
For decision makers and innovators: the lessons of Google X, and a systematic approach to building an innovation culture in any organisation. Mo gives this talk only a handful of times each year, behind closed doors for select executive groups.

Solve for Happy at Work
Research on how happiness drives productivity and performance, and the practical steps managers and HR leaders can take to build a workplace where people thrive.

How to Become Unstressable
A research-backed talk, based on the book he co-wrote with Alice Law, that gives teams the tools to manage stress, build resilience and focus on what matters.

Mo also speaks on Solve for Happy, Finding Silver Linings in the Face of Crisis, and his “Illusions” series on control, fear, thought and time.

Every talk is tailored to the audience, and each booking includes a 30-minute content alignment call with Mo. He speaks in person and virtually, including pre-recorded sessions.

Ready to book Mo Gawdat for your event? Enquire about fees and availability: [email protected]

Frequently asked questions

What does Mo Gawdat speak about?
Mo speaks on artificial intelligence and its impact on business and society, innovation and moonshot thinking from his time at Google X, and happiness, stress and wellbeing at work. His best-known keynotes include Scary Smart: The Future of AI, Innovation at Scale and Solve for Happy at Work.

Who is Mo Gawdat?
Mo Gawdat is the former Chief Business Officer of Google [X], the bestselling author of Scary Smart, Solve for Happy, That Little Voice in Your Head and Unstressable, host of the Slo Mo podcast and Chief AI Officer of Flight Story.

Can Mo Gawdat speak virtually?
Yes. Mo speaks in person worldwide and virtually, including pre-recorded sessions. Every booking includes a 30-minute content alignment call with Mo.

Where does Mo Gawdat travel from?
Mo is based in the United Arab Emirates and speaks at conferences, leadership events and private corporate sessions across Europe, the Middle East, the Americas and Asia.