Tan Le is recognised as one of the most influential pioneers in the emerging field of brain-computer interface.
An inventor, explorer, and entrepreneur, she is the founder and CEO of EMOTIV, a San Francisco-headquartered neuroinformatics company that is on a mission to improve understanding of the human brain and to develop a platform for researchers, developers, and consumers around the world to be part of a global innovation task force. Her first-of-its-kind “brainwear” reads user's brainwaves, making it possible to control virtual objects with mere thoughts. Her company's brainwear is leading the way to a bold new future, tapping into the power of the human brain and pushing the boundaries of our cognitive powers to open up new possibilities for improving performance and health, and ultimately, to prevent disease.
Born in South Vietnam, Tan migrated to Australia as a refugee with her family in 1981. She began university studies at the age of 16 and went on to complete a bachelor's degree in law (honors) and commerce (honors) in 1998 at Monash University. In 1998, Tan was named Young Australian of the Year, catapulting her into a prominent role as a social activist and public speaker. She was voted one of Australia's 30 Most Successful Women Under 30, and her story was featured in the “Hope” section of the Eternity Exhibition of the National Museum of Australia. Tan was featured in Fast Company's Most Influential Women in Technology in 2010 and Forbes' 50 Names You Need to Know in 2011. She was named a National Geographic Emerging Explorer in 2013 and has been honored by the World Economic Forum (WEF) as a Young Global Leader since 2009. Tan currently serves on the WEF's Global Future Council on the Future of Neurotechnologies and Brain Science. The WEF's Network of Global Future Councils is the world's foremost interdisciplinary knowledge network dedicated to promoting innovative thinking on the future.
Talking Points
Entrepreneurship: Embracing Your Inner Outsider
How do successful entrepreneurs come up with ideas that change the world? Tan Le, chosen by Fast Company as one of the Most Influential Women in Technology in 2010, credits her success in innovation to her early struggles growing up as a Vietnamese refugee and Australian immigrant. Entrepreneurship: Embracing Your Inner Outsider
In this moving presentation, Le talks about the moment she realised her outsider status provided a freedom to think differently and helped her succeed as a woman working in biotechnology and engineering”where the challenge is to constantly push the boundaries of what is possible. Le will show audiences how free to themselves from the norms that get people stuck, to look at things with a fresh perspective, and to never stop asking questions.
The NeuroGeneration: How the New Era in Brain Augmentation Is Revolutionising the Way You Think, Work, and Heal
Due to rapid technological innovations in automation, A.I., and brain augmentation, there will be a dramatic disruption in social systems, political norms, and popular expectations. Society will be forced to rethink the nature of work, the way we interact with each other, and the principles on which we organise our societies. Advances in integrating humans and machines that combine analytical processing powers of computers with the creativity that is uniquely human will change how we think and lead.The NeuroGeneration: How the New Era in Brain Augmentation Is Revolutionising the Way You Think, Work, and Heal
In this talk, Tan Le will show automation and A.I. are not the threats they appear to be, but rather our allies as they become part of the new extended, augmented human organism.
Augmenting Huamn Potential – Where Neurotechnology Meets AI
In this groundbreaking keynote, Tan Le—CEO of EMOTIV and a pioneer in brain-computer interface technology—explores how the convergence of neurotechnology and artificial intelligence is redefining what it means to think, learn, and perform. With powerful stories and cutting-edge insights, Tan reveals how brain data and AI are unlocking new levels of focus, resilience, and cognitive capability—reshaping the future of work, leadership, and innovation. For organisations navigating rapid change, this keynote offers a transformative vision: not just smarter machines, but wiser humans.Augmenting Huamn Potential – Where Neurotechnology Meets AI
Imagine a world where a quadriplegic can drive a Formula One race car with the power of his thoughts. Where workspaces sense your state of mind and calibrate your environment to optimise your creativity, productivity, and wellbeing. Where marketers can create profoundly personal products and retail experiences. Or, anyone can use their mind to move objects or operate complex machinery. What sounds like science fiction has already happened, thanks to the “brainwear” invented by innovative neurotechnologist and entrepreneur, Tan Le.
A pioneer in the field of bioinformatics and neurotechnologies, Ms. Le and her Silicon Valley-based company, EMOTIV, are at the forefront of wearable devices that will one day be an inseparable part of how we all work and live. Their potential will upend healthcare as we know it, transform the lives of those with physical limitations, and give ordinary people the power to understand and harness the power of their own brains.
If you want to understand what the future holds, and how our untapped brain power will shape it, Tan Le presents a hopeful and inspiring look at how present-day technologies will forever elevate what it means to be human.
Video
A headset that reads your brainwaves | Tan Le
Tan Le's astonishing new computer interface reads its user's brainwaves, making it possible to control virtual objects, and even physical electronics, with mere thoughts (and a little concentration). She demos the headset, and talks about its far-reaching applications.Tan Le: My immigration story
In 2010, technologist Tan Le took the TEDGlobal stage to demo a powerful new interface. But now, at TEDxWomen, she tells a very personal story: the story of her family -- mother, grandmother and sister -- fleeing Vietnam and building a new life.Tan Le: How does the brain work in everyday situations?
Brain research is something typically done in a hospital or lab, taking a look at a patient experiencing some sort of brain irregularity. Tan Le believes that we need to take a different approach to better understand how the brain works in everyday situations. She demonstrates how in this talk. Tan Le is the founder & CEO of Emotiv Lifescience, a bioinformatics company that's working on identifying biomarkers for mental and other neurological conditions using electroencephalography (EEG).Manipulating the mind with Tan Le
Hacking your brain to move objects, boost productivity, and reduce stress. This is a future that Tan Le, CEO of Emotiv, is working on. Will this lead to the dawn of the "superhuman"?Tan Le is a very articulate young woman with great presentation skills. We have had a very positive response to the lecture with many requests for her to be a speaker at various functions. ... keep reading The Victorian Women's Council
Tan's message was an inspiration to all present by showing that a great leader is someone who can vision the future and inspire others to achieve it.
Tan Le is an extrodinarily gifted speaker with the ability to engage and move an audience in an intimate way.
Tan Le was very inspirational and her passion motivated a lot of listeners, here are their comments: 1. Extremely inspirational and motivational. 2. She wrapped it up with one solid phrase/ one solid idea. 3. A very inspirational speaker and a great example of how we can all influence the communities we are in.
an articulate, entertaining, informative and enlightening speaker.
Tan was the perfect person to speak at our breakfast. She was truly inspiring and our guests couldn't stop talking about her.
A delightful personality, which shined through in her presentation. She was a great ambassador for young Australia and for Vodafone.
We would like to thank you for your time and your most enlightening and informative address. Your input at our convention helped make it the success it was.
Tan is an exceptional speaker whose outlook on life is truly inspirational and motivating.
Tan Le is a very articulate young woman with great presentation skills. We have had a very positive response to the lecture with many requests for her to be a speaker at various functions.
Your address was thought-provoking, and very well received by the assembled Rotarians. Your words and the manner in which you delivered them were an inspiration to all of those present.
Tan Le was one of six guests discussing future thinking with Edward De Bono. In the company of a former Prime Minister, heads of industry and advertising wizards, she not only held her own but often shone.
Tan's story immediately captured the imagination of the audience, and the depth of the message she shared proved so inspirational that many people were moved to shared how Tan had impacted upon them emotionally.
