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Chris Kutarna

Chris Kutarna

Keynote Speaker: Co-Author of Best-Selling "Age of Discovery: Navigating the Storms of Our Second Renaissance," Two-time Governor General's Medallist, a Sauvé Fellow and Commonwealth Scholar, Fellow of the Oxford Martin School

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  • Speaking Fee:
    Live Event Fee: $20,000 - $30,000
    Virtual Event Fee: $10,000 - $20,000
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Chris Kutarna Biography

Chris Kutarna is a two-time Governor General’s Medallist from Canada, a Commonwealth Scholar and a Fellow of the Oxford Martin School at the University of Oxford.

In 2006 Kutarna moved to Beijing, started a business, sold it, then paid himself for five years to do a doctorate in politics at Oxford and to write Age of Discovery. Prior to that, he spent time with the Boston Consulting Group in New Zealand and Australia.

Kutarna’s open letters, posted weekly, are deemed required reading by some of the world’s smartest people and shape the debate in media, boardrooms, and classrooms around the world. In his best-selling debut book, Age of Discovery (with Ian Goldin), he drew upon Renaissance wisdom to predict both Brexit and Trump.

Kutarna demystifies the new Age of Discovery which is upon us. All the signs - social media, populism, globalisation, the rise of China, AI, genetic modification and more - herald its arrival. Kutarna tears up the outdated mental maps that have served us so poorly in recent years - maps that led us to think that Brexit was impossible, that Trump was unelectable and that globalisation was irreversible. He tears up the unconscious biases that obscure our understanding of present political, economic, technological and social trends.

Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Chris Kutarna and other top speakers and celebrities.

Chris Kutarna Speaking Topics

“How to See the Future”

  • I explode two myths that commonly cloud our foresight: that the future is linear, and that it will be a technological utopia. ‘What's left is a simple, powerful truth: we never arrive to the future. Instead, whether through our action or inaction, we are creating the future ourselves—right now, and all the time.’
  • Pushing that insight beyond its trite motivational qualities, I apply it to set better expectations about our own future by studying what humanity created out of similar circumstances in the past.
  • With a depth that varies with the talk’s duration, I develop the comparison between the ‘First Renaissance’ and today and offer lessons from that past to help us navigate the present.

“Our Age of Discovery and How to Navigate It”

  • I open by recognizing that to understand the human story, yes, we need the best available facts and analyses, but we also need a strong imagination to weave the threads together into a coherent whole.
  • I expertly canvass major demographic, economic, and technological trends shaping the world today. I argue two broad conclusions: that this is the best time in history to be alive, and simultaneously the most fragile.
  • Having empowered my audience with a solid fact-base for this perspective on the present, I then equip them to navigate these twin truths successfully by drawing upon wisdom gained the last time humanity faced these twin, conflicting conditions: the Age of Discovery

“Navigating The A.I. Storm”

  • Translate AI gobbledygook into plain concepts you’re already familiar with, enabling you to bring all your intuitions and experience to bear when assessing AI opportunities, threats and investments
  • Actually teach you the key “algorithms” and “architectures” that power the most popular AI applications today, using nothing but a bag of everyday objects (no math required!)
  • Separate the self-serving hype of AI evangelists and VCs from the genuinely breakthrough applications and possibilities
  • Shatter our collective “AI delusion”—namely, that machine intelligence is superior because it doesn’t suffer from the same computational limits that humans do
  • Renew your appreciation for human intelligence and make plain the vital role of executive leadership and foresight to correct AI’s inherent shortsightedness. Chris will tear apart the most common AI assumptions and highlight the big mistakes that this artificial idea of intelligence has already led executives across many industries to make:
  • The assumption that math & statistics can fully capture human phenomena and social values. They cannot;
  • The assumption that the data we feed into algorithms, or the algorithm itself, is value-free and unbiased. They are not;
  • The assumption that rational calculation trumps emotional or intuitive judgment. It does not;
  • The assumption that the past is the best predictor of the future—especially in times of radical uncertainty. It is not;
  • The assumption that we should aim to optimize complex systems. We should not. Rather we should aim to keep the most number of options open, while still maintaining stability.

“Leadership in the Second Renaissance”

  • Machiavelli, who coached Italy’s princes through the first Renaissance, famously observed that ‘Fortune favors the bold.’ But what he meant by that is not what people assume. His point was that in times of upheaval, “wait-and-see” is a dangerous strategy. Rapid change is quickly making existing structures, policies and processes obsolete. Only impetuous initiative can shock organizations out of present habits and discover necessary new ones. When disaster strikes, organizations “should not blame Fortune, but rather their own indolence.”
  • What this insight means to how we assess corporate and business risks
  • Examples of businesses that are flourishing through the application of Machiavelli’s wisdom, and of others that are floundering for failure to do so

“Trade in the Second Renaissance”

  • The three keys to a revitalized trade agenda, for policy-makers and business, that can overcome the anti-globalization rhetoric that has stuck trade development in its tracks:
  • New lens: The big picture behind “why trade matters” that has been missing from public discourse
  • New language: Why ‘globalization’ is dead, and the rhetoric that must replace it
  • New maps: Why our conceptual maps of the world need to be redrawn

Chris Kutarna Videos

Future of work 2018: Chris Kutarna - YouTube
ILTM 2017 Global Forum | Chris Kutarna - YouTube
Towards a new renaissance | Christopher Kutarna | TEDxBerlin ...

How do I book Chris Kutarna to speak at my event?

Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Chris Kutarna for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Chris Kutarna, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Chris Kutarna or any other speaker of your choice.

How much does it cost to book Chris Kutarna for a speaking engagement?

Speaking fees for Chris Kutarna, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Chris Kutarna are $20,000 - $30,000 for live events and $10,000 - $20,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Chris Kutarna, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

What topics does Chris Kutarna speak about?

Chris Kutarna is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Economy, Authors, Political, Government, Artificial Intelligence, Futurism, Leadership and Business Leadership.

Where does Chris Kutarna travel from?

Chris Kutarna generally travels from London, UK and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.

Who is the agent for Chris Kutarna?

AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Chris Kutarna for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Chris Kutarna for your next private or corporate function.

What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Chris Kutarna or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.

Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.


Chris Kutarna is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Economy, Authors and Political. The estimated speaking fee range to book Chris Kutarna for live events is $20,000 - $30,000, and for virtual events $10,000 - $20,000. Chris Kutarna generally travels from London, UK and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Amy Jo Martin, Jeffrey Kluger and Peter Thiel. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Chris Kutarna for an upcoming event.

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 08/11/2023.

Chris Kutarna Speaking Topics

  • “How to See the Future”

    • I explode two myths that commonly cloud our foresight: that the future is linear, and that it will be a technological utopia. ‘What's left is a simple, powerful truth: we never arrive to the future. Instead, whether through our action or inaction, we are creating the future ourselves—right now, and all the time.’
    • Pushing that insight beyond its trite motivational qualities, I apply it to set better expectations about our own future by studying what humanity created out of similar circumstances in the past.
    • With a depth that varies with the talk’s duration, I develop the comparison between the ‘First Renaissance’ and today and offer lessons from that past to help us navigate the present.

  • “Our Age of Discovery and How to Navigate It”

    • I open by recognizing that to understand the human story, yes, we need the best available facts and analyses, but we also need a strong imagination to weave the threads together into a coherent whole.
    • I expertly canvass major demographic, economic, and technological trends shaping the world today. I argue two broad conclusions: that this is the best time in history to be alive, and simultaneously the most fragile.
    • Having empowered my audience with a solid fact-base for this perspective on the present, I then equip them to navigate these twin truths successfully by drawing upon wisdom gained the last time humanity faced these twin, conflicting conditions: the Age of Discovery

  • “Navigating The A.I. Storm”

    • Translate AI gobbledygook into plain concepts you’re already familiar with, enabling you to bring all your intuitions and experience to bear when assessing AI opportunities, threats and investments
    • Actually teach you the key “algorithms” and “architectures” that power the most popular AI applications today, using nothing but a bag of everyday objects (no math required!)
    • Separate the self-serving hype of AI evangelists and VCs from the genuinely breakthrough applications and possibilities
    • Shatter our collective “AI delusion”—namely, that machine intelligence is superior because it doesn’t suffer from the same computational limits that humans do
    • Renew your appreciation for human intelligence and make plain the vital role of executive leadership and foresight to correct AI’s inherent shortsightedness. Chris will tear apart the most common AI assumptions and highlight the big mistakes that this artificial idea of intelligence has already led executives across many industries to make:
    • The assumption that math & statistics can fully capture human phenomena and social values. They cannot;
    • The assumption that the data we feed into algorithms, or the algorithm itself, is value-free and unbiased. They are not;
    • The assumption that rational calculation trumps emotional or intuitive judgment. It does not;
    • The assumption that the past is the best predictor of the future—especially in times of radical uncertainty. It is not;
    • The assumption that we should aim to optimize complex systems. We should not. Rather we should aim to keep the most number of options open, while still maintaining stability.

  • “Leadership in the Second Renaissance”

    • Machiavelli, who coached Italy’s princes through the first Renaissance, famously observed that ‘Fortune favors the bold.’ But what he meant by that is not what people assume. His point was that in times of upheaval, “wait-and-see” is a dangerous strategy. Rapid change is quickly making existing structures, policies and processes obsolete. Only impetuous initiative can shock organizations out of present habits and discover necessary new ones. When disaster strikes, organizations “should not blame Fortune, but rather their own indolence.”
    • What this insight means to how we assess corporate and business risks
    • Examples of businesses that are flourishing through the application of Machiavelli’s wisdom, and of others that are floundering for failure to do so

  • “Trade in the Second Renaissance”

    • The three keys to a revitalized trade agenda, for policy-makers and business, that can overcome the anti-globalization rhetoric that has stuck trade development in its tracks:
    • New lens: The big picture behind “why trade matters” that has been missing from public discourse
    • New language: Why ‘globalization’ is dead, and the rhetoric that must replace it
    • New maps: Why our conceptual maps of the world need to be redrawn

Chris Kutarna Videos

Future of work 2018: Chris Kutarna - YouTube
ILTM 2017 Global Forum | Chris Kutarna - YouTube
Towards a new renaissance | Christopher Kutarna | TEDxBerlin ...
Chris Kutarna on "Predicting the Future Through the Past" - YouTube

Chris Kutarna Reviews

  • Chris spoke at our inaugural Executive Edge Asia event in May 2019 in Tokyo. Leading up to the presentation, Chris worked closely with my team to craft the messaging and storyline of the keynote taking into close consideration of our theme and business requirements whilst providing valuable inputs to ensure that his presentation gave the macro view of the possibilities of the future. His keynote on the Leadership in the Second Renaissance really resonates with our CXO audience. During his presentation, he helped us see the big picture and illustrates the possibilities when we, as leaders, shift our perspectives to look at the present context with different eyes – and ask different questions. Many of our clients gave very favorable feedback on his presentation and helped them see their business from a fresh look. I would highly recommend Chris to speak at events for senior business executives.
    DXC Technology - Jun 20 2019

  • How do I book Chris Kutarna to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Chris Kutarna for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Chris Kutarna, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Chris Kutarna or any other speaker of your choice.
  • How much does it cost to book Chris Kutarna for a speaking engagement?

    Speaking fees for Chris Kutarna, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Chris Kutarna are $20,000 - $30,000 for live events and $10,000 - $20,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Chris Kutarna, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Chris Kutarna speak about?

    Chris Kutarna is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Economy, Authors, Political, Government, Artificial Intelligence, Futurism, Leadership and Business Leadership.
  • Where does Chris Kutarna travel from?

    Chris Kutarna generally travels from London, UK and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
  • Who is the agent for Chris Kutarna?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Chris Kutarna for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Chris Kutarna for your next private or corporate function.
  • What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Chris Kutarna or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
  • Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

    If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
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