Stepping onto the stage, I thrive on converting cautious AI onlookers into confident champions.
Dawid Naude is a trailblazer in business, disruption, and innovation, shaping the future by translating AI’s potential into real world impact.
Committed to making AI exciting, accessible, and impossible to ignore, he helps organisations to make every employee more productive, reimagine what’s possible, and achieve breakthrough innovation.
As the CEO and Founder of Pathfindr, Australia’s leading, AFR award-winning AI accelerator, Dawid is one of the country’s foremost AI innovators, educators, and implementers. A prominent AI speaker, Dawid’s keynotes have built a reputation for exciting audiences into action. With an infectious energy and a gift for making the complex feel simple, he is renowned for converting cautious AI onlookers into confident champions.
Dawid lives and breathes technology—not just for the thrill of innovation, but for the immense difference it makes to people’s lives. Ultimately, Dawid believes AI’s superpower isn’t simply its ability to optimise the status quo, but capacity to ignite breakthrough ideas and opportunities. Entirely new, and better, ways of thinking, doing and being.
His dynamic CV spans consulting, leadership and founder roles across digital, technology and innovation. A key player in Cloud Sherpas’ explosive startup years, Dawid was instrumental in the Company’s acquisition by Accenture in 2015. Joining the Firm’s technology innovation division, Dawid accelerated to Partner within three years and led projects for the likes of Qantas, NAB, AMP, Foxtel, and Government.
Through Pathfindr, Dawid now thrives on helping bold leaders to unlock AI’s full potential today—not in some distant future. Named one of AFR BOSS’ Most Innovative Companies in its founding year (2024), Pathfindr’s clients include Woolworths Group, Victoria Government, Honey Insurance, Standards Australia, Engie, Engineers Australia, Australia Post, Pemba Capital Group and Hunter Water.
An advisor to Government and industry bodies across APAC, Dawid is proud to be at the forefront of AI’s evolution and impact.
Talking Points
Fishing with dynamite - How to leap into AI right now
Discover how AI is reshaping industries and explore bold strategies for integrating AI into your organisation. Fishing with dynamite - How to leap into AI right now
This session will inspire you to unlock new possibilities and leap into the future of AI.
This isn’t a futuristic art of the possible, but practical stories and demos of how to get started today.
Closing the gap - How AI can be the thing that saves education
Imagine a future where every student has a personal tutor - 24x7, patient, in any language for any ability.Closing the gap - How AI can be the thing that saves education
Also imagine a world where every teacher has a teachers assistant, helping them prepare, reflect and execute their teaching.
To what level could society go if every child gets a stellar education, and every teacher gets the support they need.
Video
Dawide Naude | Embracing AI and Innovation Keynote | Saxton Speakers
Dawid Naude | Australian Business Events Association Keynote
Audio
Dawid opened our eyes to the power of AI, the exciting changes coming to business banks, and the future of lending! ... keep reading Westpac Commercial Banking
Dawid left us all inspired about how we could use AI, even the Googler's learned a lot.
One of our members said it was the best association presentation they've seen in 30 years. Dawid made all our members aware and excited about AI, there was a long queue to chat to him afterwards.
Dawid made us all realise that we've had our head in the sand - and that it's an exciting technology to embrace right now.
Dawid’s talk was a massive hit. He was engaging, funny, and brought to life AI for our entire audience, as well as challenging us to think bigger.
Dawid’s immersion sessions were fantastic - he has an art for showing what’s possible when it comes to identifying new capabilities.
It was an amazing experience working with Dawid. MBA books talk about the qualities of a good leader and few meet those qualities like he does - i.e. technical, smart, inspiring, cool under pressure, open to new ideas, reasonable, and above all, gives you freedom to drive a project to success.
Dawid has an exceptional ability to understand complex challenges, and then build optimal solutions through strong trust & credibility with all stakeholders. He consistently demonstrates collaborative enterprise behaviour.
Dawid's story, from his global transitions to his evolution from finance to technology and entrepreneurship, exemplifies a profound commitment to personal growth, professional excellence, and the pursuit of innovation. His story continues to unfold with the development of Pathfindr so I’d recommend you buckle up because Pathfindr is no doubt going to be a brand to watch!
