Top 10 AI Thought Leaders to Follow in 2026

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming industries, and staying updated with the latest insights is vital.
This article highlights the Top 9 AI Thought Leaders to Follow in 2026, including innovators like Marie Outtier, Dr Merritt Moore, Shivvy Jervis, and Nicklas Bergman. These leaders stand out for their influence, excellent storytelling, content, and real-world impact, spread across business, ethics, science, creativity, and technology.
Hiring the top AI Thought Leaders can help organisations spread visionary ideas, gain an ethical perspective, introduce change, and implement actionable strategies to navigate AI’s rapid evolution.

Introduction
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revamping industries, driving innovation, changing businesses and transforming the way organisations operate.
As technology evolves at an astonishing speed, keeping up with the latest trends, insights and breakthroughs becomes critical for businesses and professionals alike.
That’s why following the most influential AI thought leaders can provide immeasurable guidance, invaluable support, inspiring ideas and practical strategies for navigating this fast-changing landscape.
In this article, we present the top 10 AI thought leaders to follow in 2026, highlighting their contributions and why their inspirational voices matter in the global AI context, particularly in the UK.

What Makes These AI Thought Leaders Stand Out

AI is vast and expanding, stretching across academics, business, technology and even the creatives. What distinguishes top AI thought leaders from the rest is several key attributes:

• Influence: They hold the power of great storytelling. Their insights shape industry trends, reshape policy and can spark meaningful debate and change across various sectors.
• Track Record: Many AI thought leaders have decades of experience developing cutting-edge AI technology, leading novel research or hand-holding global organisations through digital transformation.
• Content Output: From books and research papers to engaging social media posts and videos, they have consistently shared relevant, thought-provoking content that inspires.
• Thought Leadership Impact: These leaders don’t just believe in the theory; instead, they actively drive change by serving practical insights, inspiring action and helping organisations implement AI strategies successfully.

Moreover, our carefully curated list of AI thought leaders represents a diverse global perspective, including leaders from tech giants, academic institutions, startups, creative industries and government policy circles.

Top 10 AI Thought Leaders

1. Marie Outtier
Marie Outtier, a first-time, non-technical founder, transformed from eight years as a simple employee to launching an AI startup in the early days of machine learning-driven recommender systems (of course, well before GPT existed, too). As CEO, she built the product alongside her technical co-founder and secured over $2 million in funding, driving global expansion. Twitter acquired Aiden.ai’s software three years later to revitalise its SME market share. Marie then joined Twitter as a senior product leader, witnessing its cultural shift under Elon Musk.
Passionate about transforming the investor landscape, where only 9% in Europe have operational experience compared to 60% in the US, Marie has invested in 25+ startups, backing diverse founders. With 56% of her portfolio featuring at least one female founder, she actively roots for “women in tech”.
As one of the best AI thought leaders, Marie shares candid insights to inspire ambitious women. She is among the top artificial intelligence leaders, advocating for diversity and AI ethics worldwide.

2. Dr Merritt Moore
Dr Merritt Moore, a top AI expert, is a quantum physicist, professional ballet dancer and innovator who blends art and technology. She earned a physics degree from Harvard and a PhD in Atomic and Laser Physics from Oxford. Alongside her academic achievements, she has performed with prestigious ballet companies, including the English National Ballet and the Boston Ballet.
During the pandemic, Moore combined her expertise by programming robots to dance with her, leading to performances at the World Economic Forum, Forbes Women’s Summit and more. Moore dipped into the AI waters with her revolutionary dancing with the robots. She says, “When dancing with a human, she can see their emotions and personality and it’s hard to imagine anyone or anything else, whereas the robot is like a blank canvas, onto which she can project more personal feelings.”
“It can be a different memory of someone special to me who has passed away or a moment in time that I’m remembering or a fear or excitement about the future.” However, she feels that AI can be a new tool of expression only if we know how to ask the right questions.
Her groundbreaking work has been featured in TIME, The Financial Times, Vogue and the BBC and she has also collaborated with renowned brands like Louis Vuitton. Recognised in Forbes 30 Under 30, she was among the final candidates for the DearMoon project and BBC Two’s Astronauts: Do You Have What It Takes? Currently an Adjunct Professor at NYU Abu Dhabi, she teaches a course on creative robotics, merging science, technology and entrepreneurship.

3. Shivvy Jervis
Shivvy Jervis is one of Europe’s most trusted AI keynote speakers, renowned for making cutting-edge innovations accessible. Named a Champion of Change and one of Britain’s Women of the Year, she has headlined over 600 stages alongside industry icons, reaching millions globally.
As one of the best AI keynote speakers, Shivvy helps her audience understand Generative AI, the Metaverse and the connected world, helping businesses and individuals harness technology for real impact. She is a sought-after leader in AI, advocating for responsible innovation and prioritising human needs.
With a background in journalism, Shivvy investigates emerging trends in AI, neuroscience and future skills, earning praise from TED Talks and the World Economic Forum. A viral sensation on TikTok, she champions “tech-for-good” and the power of AI to shape a better future. She is known for being the voice of “What’s relevant in the noise?” and for her ability to make complex topics easy.
As one of the top generative AI leaders, Shivvy Jervis is dedicated to preparing us for the most pivotal changes.

4. Professor Dr. Larissa Suzuki
EUR ING Prof Dr Larissa Suzuki is a multi-award-winning computer scientist, engineer and AI ethics speaker. She is the youngest technical director at Google. She is the Data and AI Practice Lead for Google Cloud and is a Google AI Principles Ethics Fellow in the CTO’s office.
She is also a Visiting Scientist at NASA JPL and an Honorary Associate Professor at UCL.
Her 19-year career spans AI, smart cities, ML and neuroimaging for cancer diagnosis. She has held senior roles at Oracle, Founders4Schools and TfL, with experience at IBM, ARUP and the European Commission.
As one of the most prolific leaders in AI research, Larissa has received prestigious awards from MIT, Intel, Google and the IET. She has made significant contributions to advancements in AI ethics, data science and computing, shaping policies and driving the development of technology. Passionate about diversity in engineering, she actively supports inclusion initiatives. Her work drives innovation in AI, ethics and emerging technologies.

5. Steve Wozniak
Who doesn’t know Steve Wozniak? A renowned inventor, electronics engineer and technology entrepreneur, Steve co-founded the famous Apple Computer Inc. and played a pivotal role in the personal computer revolution of the 1970s and 1980s. Despite being expelled from the university for hacking, he later returned to UC Berkeley to complete his electrical engineering and computer science degree. He was further felicitated with the National Medal of Technology and induction into the Inventors Hall of Fame.
As one of the best AI keynote speakers, he emphasises the importance of human intelligence over technology. Speaking of AI’s transformative abilities, Wozniak highlights that while generative AI can generate impressive content, it lacks emotional depth. He believes AI expert speakers must address the ethical implications of AI, ensuring technology serves humanity rather than replacing it. A strong advocate for traditional education, he asserts that while AI may augment teaching, it cannot inspire critical thinking, thus reinforcing his role as a leading AI ethics speaker.

6. Avye Couloute
Avye Couloute is a multi-award-winning young changemaker and social entrepreneur championing women in STEM. Through her initiative, Girls Into Coding, she empowers girls aged 10-14 with free workshops in coding, robotics, engineering and 3D printing. Recognised globally, she has reached over 3,000 girls in 16 countries. Avye also leads sustainability and climate change workshops and is a DesignSpark-RS influencer. Her accolades include the Royal Academy of Engineering Excellence Award and UK Young Engineer of the Year.

7. Neil Harbisson
Neil Harbisson is a Catalan-raised, British-born contemporary artist and cyborg activist globally recognised for having an antenna implanted in his skull. Officially acknowledged as a cyborg by the government, his antenna allows him to perceive visible and invisible colours through vibrations in his skull, including infrareds, ultraviolets and even colours from space via an internet connection.
As the first cyborg, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, Harbisson no longer considers himself entirely human. His work explores identity, perception and the fusion of sight and sound, using technology as an artistic medium. In 2010, he co-founded the Cyborg Foundation to support cyborgs, defend cyborg rights and advance cyborg art. In 2017, he launched the Transpecies Society, advocating for self-design and creating new senses. As a top AI expert, Harbisson inspires audiences by blurring the boundary between humans and technology, redefining perception and pioneering the future of human-machine integration. The Cyborg Foundation, founded in 2010 by Neil and Moon Ribas, simplifies the understanding of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Artificial Senses (AS).

8. Dr. Kitty Yeung
Dr. Kitty Yeung is a distinguished name in the AI thought leaders list. She is a physicist, engineer and artist. As the founder of Wear It AI, she heralds the fusion of technology, fashion and sustainability. Previously, she led Microsoft’s fashion-tech incubation and served as Senior Director of AI at Browzwear. A Generative AI speaker and AI expert speaker, she applies generative AI, computer vision and robotics to revolutionise manufacturing and retail.
With a PhD in Applied Physics from Harvard and experience at IBM, Intel and Microsoft, Dr. Yeung bridges science and creativity. Her high-tech fashion brand, Art by Physicist, has gained her the title of one of the top 100 women in fashion tech by Women of Wearables. She also simplifies quantum computing through comics and educational materials featured in Forbes. She is a sought-after speaker on AI ethics, inspiring innovation across various disciplines.

9. Nicklas Bergman
Nicklas Bergman is a “straight-talking-no-nonsense” Swedish entrepreneur, venture capitalist and AI expert speaker who helps leaders navigate technological megatrends, particularly in AI. With 30+ years as an entrepreneur and 20+ years as a tech investor, he has built and backed businesses across industries, from nanotechnology to automotive and deep tech. As one of six investment committee members at the €5 billion EIC Fund, he invests in 100+ European startups annually, many pioneering AI advancements.
His futuristic outlook stems from living with technology 24/7 and engaging with scientists, innovators and entrepreneurs. While recognising AI’s transformative potential, he warns about overlooked ethical dilemmas and societal unpreparedness. His book Navigating the Techstorm explores the business impact of emerging technologies beyond the hype and was listed in Entrepreneur Magazine as one of the top 10 business books read in 2018. Today, he focuses on AI investments, advising organisations on leveraging AI’s power while ensuring responsible innovation. For Bergman, AI must serve humanity, not just show the world what’s possible.

Why Follow AI Thought Leaders?

Top AI experts don’t just inspire. They lead by change, enabling decisive action and inspiring organisations to grow and pivot. Following AI thought leaders offers multiple advantages:

• Gain hands-on experience and early insights into emerging technologies and trends.
• Learn practical and useful strategies for AI adoption from industry pioneers.
• Understand the ethical dilemma, societal impact and business challenges surrounding AI.
• Inspire innovative thinking within your organisation that helps challenge the status quo and enhance market competitiveness.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, corporate executive, researcher or policymaker, these thought leaders offer actionable ideas that can drive meaningful change.

How AI Thought Leaders Influence Organisations

Many leaders in AI don’t limit their impact to thought-provoking articles or keynote speeches. Their insights actively shape business strategies and innovation cultures.
For example, as seen above, Jeremy Schwartz, a global business leader and one of the top AI thought leaders, renowned for driving transformative growth through AI-driven marketing, branding, content creation, innovation and algorithmic testing, reversed the decline of Pandora, creating €20bn in market value.
At L’Oréal UK, he led the groundbreaking “Because I’m Worth It” campaign, while at The Body Shop, his leadership contributed to a €1bn acquisition. His innovative strategies at Coca-Cola generated over $10bn in annual sales.

From Thought Leadership to Action: Booking an AI Expert Speaker

If you want to inspire and uplift your next conference, corporate event or innovation workshop, booking one of the best AI keynote speakers is what you need.
These experts do more than talk “the theory” – they connect their audiences with real-world applications, inspiring them to think critically and practically lay out roadmaps for AI adoption.
Looking to bring cutting-edge insights to your organisation? You can book Artificial Intelligence (AI) speakers, who deliver tailored presentations on generative AI, AI-driven marketing and strategies, ethical implications and more.

Conclusion

AI has taken the world by storm, evolving continuously at a remarkable pace, offering immense opportunities and complex challenges. Keeping pace with this evolution is critical for any organisation or individual seeking to lead in their field.
By following the top AI thought leaders, you gain access to excellent insights, proven strategies and visionary ideas that not only inform but inspire action.
Whether through research, public speaking, conferences and workshops or social media engagement, these leaders are shaping the AI revolution, bit by bit.