More About Matt O’Neill

Matt O’Neill’s talks and workshops always get first class reviews and testimonials. He synthesises from a wide range of sources, then adds his own opinions. Most importantly, he respects that audiences are different and adapts his content to fit. He offers in-person keynotes and live or pre-recorded remote video keynotes, as well as pre- and post-event videos, and immersive virtual reality workshops for up to 15 participants.

Matt is the author of two books, The Future is Now (2017) and Future Hackers (2023), which together have sold over 20,000 copies worldwide.

– The Future Is Now: 23 Trends That Will Prove Key to Business and Life 
– Future Hackers: The Indispensable Guide For Curious Minds 

In 2025, deep in his own AI practice, he experienced firsthand what BCG and Harvard Business Review later named “AI Brain Fry”: the measurable cognitive cost of over-reliance on AI tools. Working through it produced MattOS, five traits that keep humans in charge as AI takes on more of their work. Judgment, Stance, Taste, Sense-Making and Responsibility. MattOS now underpins his keynotes and is used by leadership teams building the human side of AI transformation.

He has consulted with Shell on AI’s impact on leadership and with the British Board of Film Classification on future strategy. He has spoken at events including CWT’s Future of Business Travel conferences across the US and Europe.

Why Book Matt O’Neill?

He makes it stick: “I haven’t stopped talking about it to anyone who will listen – and even those who don’t.” – Cyndi Hunter, Director of Sales, United Airlines.

He reads the room: “Matt has a wonderful ability to connect with and communicate what is most relevant to a given audience.” – Melanie Small, Commercial Director, Randstad RiseSmart.

He makes it practical: “The workshops educated us on the fundamentals of AI and gave us real inspiration for how to use it inside our HR function.” – Sarah Draycott, L&D Lead, Warburtons.

He raises the bar: “One of our best-ever speakers. Professional, polished and provocative. What more could you want from a futurist?” – Julian Walker, Executive Vice President, Team Lewis.

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Here’s a trailer for Matt O’Neill VR events:

Matt O’Neill | Keynote Topics

Matt has been working at the intersection of AI and human leadership since 2016. His keynotes draw on that practice across three distinct audiences and needs.

Built to Thrive: Future Ready, Fully Human in the AI Era: For: C-suite, family offices and senior leadership teams

Forrester found that 94% of jobs that exist today will still exist in 2030. McKinsey estimates that up to 30% of work hours could be automated by the same date. The gap between those findings is where leaders need to act. This keynote draws on that research alongside four domains that determine whether people thrive or simply cope: work, mind, connection and meaning. It gives senior leaders a blueprint for keeping their organisations sharp and recognisably human as automation accelerates.

Key takeaways:

– A clear read on what automation means for your workforce by 2030
– The four domains that separate organisations that thrive from those that cope
– A practical blueprint to start using the following week

You Can’t Be Future Proof, But You Can Be Future Ready: For: General leadership audiences navigating constant change

Most organisations spend more energy trying to predict what comes next than preparing for it. This keynote argues for the opposite priority: building the adaptability to respond well to whatever arrives. The two critical skills worth building as AI takes over the routine are the synthesising mind and antifragility (growing stronger from adversity). This session shows how to develop them and why they hold their value when so much else is in flux.

Key takeaways:

– A clear case for why adaptability beats prediction as a strategic posture-
The two human skills that hold their value as AI capability grows
– How to build a culture of curiosity in place of one that runs on anxiety

Becoming Superhuman: For: Available as a keynote, half-day or full-day workshop. Executive groups, leadership teams and peer-advisory boards.

This session is practical from start to finish. It covers advanced prompting, the synthesising mindset, antifragility and a personalised AI productivity plan. Each person leaves with something concrete to use the following Monday. The format is a working session, built around output rather than observation.

Key takeaways:

– Advanced techniques that go beyond basic tool use
– A synthesising mindset that separates judgment from execution
– A personalised productivity plan, ready to use immediately

Matt O’Neill | Other Speaking Topics

AI Brain Fry: For HR, L&D and wellbeing audiences.
BCG and Harvard Business Review research shows that workers heavily reliant on AI tools make 39% more major errors, and 1 in 3 are actively planning to leave. Drawing on that research and his own firsthand experience, Matt gives leaders practical tools for spotting cognitive overload before it hits performance and retention.

The Human Authority Edge: For senior leadership, ExCo and Boards.
As AI takes on more decision-making, where must human judgment remain the final authority? This session introduces MattOS and gives leaders a defensible structure for embedding human accountability into how their organisations operate. Particularly relevant under the EU AI Act.

Beating AI Slop: For CMOs, brand strategists, communication professionals and marketing leaders.
As generative AI floods markets with generic content, the brands that survive will be the ones that backed taste over efficiency. Macquarie Dictionary named “slop” its 2025 Word of the Year. This session gives marketing leaders a practical toolkit for protecting brand voice and spotting weak AI output before it ships.

Matt O’Neill | Clients

Macquarie, Credit Agricole, Shell, Ford, United Airlines, SugarCRM, Sage, CWT, Ocean Outdoor, Warburtons, British Board of Film Classification, Vistage, Sonnedix, Morgan Sindall, Randstad RiseSmart, British Parking Association, Association of Association Executives, Joseph and Co, Unibail Rodamco, Westfield.

Call +44 1753 439 289 or email Great British Speakers now to book Futurist Matt O’Neill to speak at or perform at your next corporate event.  Contact us.