Perhaps more than any time in recent history, people need opportunities to reconnect. And not just reconnect with each other, but to reconnect with their organisations, their shared purpose, and their collective future.
As a keynote speaker, Simon Waller is privileged to create these opportunities for connection. To craft shared experiences that encourage people to look up, look out and see the world around them in new and exciting ways.
With post-graduate qualifications in futures thinking and a Master of Business Leadership, Simon was a founding member of Rio Tinto Iron Ore's scenario planning team in 2007. Since then, he has supported organisations of all sizes, from small businesses to large corporations, delivered hundreds of keynotes, and spoken to thousands of CEOs and business leaders on using scenario planning and foresight techniques to prepare for the future. Simon has also authored several books, including his latest, The Scenario Planning Guide, released this year.
For Simon, futurism is not just about wowing audiences with the latest selfie drone or Wi-Fi-connected suitcase. More than anything, it’s an opportunity to engage with people through visions of the future and in doing so, empower them to make smarter decisions in the present.
Inspired by the live music acts and its ability to bring an audience together, Simon seeks to create a multi-sensory experience that the audience will never forget. Through the use of cutting-edge video and sound mixing tools used by the world’s biggest live acts, and sprinkling in little moments of joy (such as home baked, AI designed biscuits), Simon aims to create immersive and unique experiences that are impossible to replicate in a virtual world.
Talking Points
Welcome to Generation AI
How will generative AI impact the future of us?Welcome to Generation AI
Throughout human history, we have been engaged in an increasingly intricate dance with technology. And although the connection between ancient stone tools and generative AI models might not appear obvious, there are recurring patterns in how technology has impacted both our work and our humanity.
So, before we get swept away with the hype (and hyperbole) surrounding generative AI, now is the best possible time to step back and reflect. To take a look at both the incredible opportunities that these new tools represent, but also the significant hurdles that will need to be overcome to realise those opportunities.
Part historical reflection, part futurist presentation, and part philosophical inquiry, this session provides a sophisticated and thoughtful exploration of generative AI and what we can learn from the past to make the most of our future.
All Your Possible Futures
Interactive scenarios that bring the future into the presentAll Your Possible Futures
Understanding the future is the ultimate competitive advantage. Defining strategies and making decisions is significantly easier if we know where the future is taking us.
But a distinct lack of hoverboards and personal robots reminds us the future isn’t always easy to predict. But there are tools and techniques futurists use to help people be better prepared, regardless of what the future brings.
‘All Your Possible Futures' starts with the creation of a set of custom future scenarios developed in collaboration with your team. These short, vivid and memorable stories of your future are then used as part of a group based exploration to identify new opportunities, challenges and strategic options.
More than just a keynote to inspire, or a workshop to teach, this interactive and immersive experience will leave participants with rich memories of the future that will influence conversations and shape decisions long after your event is over.
The Art of Future Thinking
Find better answers to big problems by thinking like a futurist.The Art of Future Thinking
If knowing the future is the ultimate competitive advantage, then being able to think like a futurist is one of the most important business skills of the modern age. In an era where increasing uncertainty and rapid change is making it harder to be strategic, futurism provides the best possible antidote to short-term thinking.
In this session, Simon Waller shows you how futurists are trained to recognise trends, uncover risks, and identify opportunities by thinking about the future differently. With nearly two decades of work as a futurist, Simon will share the mindsets, tools, and techniques that he and other futurists use to develop, explore, and engage others in their visions for the future.
Also delivered in a longer workshop format, this keynote is also ideal for upskilling leaders as part of a board retreat, team offsite, or strategy day.
Can Technology Make Us More Human
When you want to set the scene for something big. Can Technology Make Us More Human
We are constantly being blindsided by technology. Activities that were previously considered the sole domain of humans, such as driving vehicles and helping diagnose cancer, are now being done (often more successfully) by machines. As the rate of technology-driven change continues to increase, a very legitimate question arises: what type of work will be left for us?
It turns out that the progress of technology is more predictable than we think, and there are actions that we can take to improve our long-term relevance. Beyond that, we can also find ways to use technology to free our time from mundane tasks and invest in the uniquely human qualities that enrich our lives.
Video
Not all futurism is the same | Simon Waller | Saxton Speakers
Discover the difference between "fast futures" and "slow futures" with Simon Waller, an expert in helping organisations navigate what lies ahead. In this video, Simon explains how fast futures — like flashy gadgets and trends — may grab attention but often leave us feeling unfulfilled. Instead, he advocates for slow futurism, which is grounded in meaningful contemplation and actionable strategies. Simon’s approach encourages audiences to envision the future they want and take deliberate steps today to make it a reality.Simon Waller on things that make us go hmmm | Saxton Speakers
Simon Waller breaks down the "things that make us go hmm" in this engaging video, using examples like Worldcoin’s free crypto offer for eyeball scans to highlight the signals shaping our world. Simon explains how these signals go beyond surface-level curiosity to reveal the underlying trends driving change, such as the push for digital trust in the age of generative AI. His approach helps audiences better understand how to interpret and prepare for future challenges and opportunities.Simon has captivated ADAPT Edge event audiences this year and the experiential soundscape and method of delivery is world class. ... keep reading ADAPT
A thought-provoking keynote that I will be reflecting on for a while. Really impactful!
Inspiring and a breath of fresh air for my brain.
