Share
Nell Watson Profile Picture

Keynote SpeakerNell Watson

Machine Intelligence Engineer and Senior Scientific Advisor, The Future Society

Nell Watson is a Machine Intelligence engineer who worked to pioneer Deep Machine Vision at her company Poikos (now QuantaCorp), which enables fast and accurate body measurement from just two photos. This original, patented technology enables fast and simple 3D body measurement from only two planes (front and side), using... Read more

Watch Nell Watson in action

Popular Talks by Nell Watson

  • Gaming and the Metaverse

    Media synthesis technologies powered by AI are enabling unbridled creativity, as well as new ways to re-render old media content in super high definition. Whatever one can imagine can be breathed into existence. One can enter an original world never seen before, and have original conversations with AI-powered agents about…
  • Science & Innovation

    Machine Intelligence is greatly expanding our ability to understand the world, including ourselves. A positive feedback loop between human and machine innovation creates something greater than the sum of its parts. AI-designed antibodies, automated mathematical proofs, extremely efficient designs in new wonder materials will reshape our world. AI helps us…
  • Hitting The Ground Running With A.I.

    Machine Intelligence is as big a disruption as electricity was in the 20th century. It can seem confusing and hard to implement. This talk gives an overview of various terms and concepts, a timeline running from the past to the near future, and a crash course on how to practically…
  • Humanizing Machines

    Intelligent machines are beginning to understand the needs, drives, and even values of humanity, with huge opportunities for each of our lives and our global society. These technologies can transform our communities, making our world more safe and secure, and helping us to manage precious resources in new ways. how…
  • New Institutions

    In the wake of the second world war, the international community created powerful new institutions to protect human rights, enable free trade, and provide protection to the vulnerable. These institutions lead to the longest period of peace and prosperity in history. Sadly, the challenges of our present age are noticeably…
  • AI & Education

    How should we make sense of learning in a world where machines can instantly tell us any fact? Will AI function as a third hemisphere for our brains, or cause our brains to atrophy? The key skills of the 21st Century will be collaboration with others to work on complex…
  • Building New Institutions: The Stronger Society To Come

    How can we use the energy of change to move ahead and make the most of the silver linings in dark societal clouds. Newly decentralized and strengthened societal institutions are arising with great effect on business, travel, environment, work, globalisation and legislation. A peek into the mid-term future which is…
  • Agentic AI

    As AI systems become increasingly autonomous and capable of independent decision-making, new challenges emerge in ensuring they remain aligned with human values and interests. This talk explores the critical intersection of AI agency, value alignment, and governance structures needed for highly capable AI systems. We’ll examine how to design and…
  • AI & Reality Perception

    Artificial Intelligence is becoming incredibly sophisticated, able to manipulate people’s impressions of events and the news that they hear. Crucially, there is plausible deniability, the suggestions that an algorithm just happened to make a decision of a prediction without human design or intention behind it. This talk explores where technology…
  • Hybrid & Cognitive Warfare

    ‘Every general is prepared to fight the last war’, as Churchill once remarked. However, the realm of conflict is changing. New methods of hybrid warfare are emerging, which aim to win wars without firing a shot, through indirect forms of action such as demoralization and mass sabotage. How can one…

Biography

Nell Watson is a Machine Intelligence engineer who worked to pioneer Deep Machine Vision at her company Poikos (now QuantaCorp), which enables fast and accurate body measurement from just two photos. This original, patented technology enables fast and simple 3D body measurement from only two planes (front and side), using a simple cellphone camera, by applying sophisticated deep learning technologies. Thus enabling fast and accurate personalization services in telemedicine, mass customization, and retail.

Through her teaching as AI Faculty at Singularity University and author of Machine Intelligence courseware for O’Reilly Media, Nell Watson became aware of the importance of protecting human rights and ensuring that ethics, safety, and humanity are included into all A.I. She now serves as Chair & Vice-Chair respectively of the IEEE’s ECPAIS Transparency Experts Focus Group, and 7001 Transparency of Autonomous Systems committee on AI Ethics & Safety, engineering credit score-like mechanisms to safeguard algorithmic trust.

Nell Watson also chairs EthicsNet, a non-profit, building a movement of people who are committed to help machines understand humans better. This community acts as role models and guardians to raise kind AI, by providing virtual experiences, and collecting examples of pro-social practices. Alongside this she also chairs CulturalPeace.org, crafting Geneva Conventions-style rules for cultural conflict, and Pacha.org, connecting a network of service providers to help enable the
automated accounting of externalities such as pollution.

In her spare time, Nell enjoys coding games, such as her startup life simulator, Founder Life. Founder Life attempts to teach the mindfulness and psychological habits necessary for entrepreneurs to consistently execute under pressure.

Nell Watson serves as Senior Scientific Advisor to The Future Society at Harvard, and holds Fellowships from the British Computing Society and Royal Statistical Society. She lectures globally on Machine Intelligence, AI philosophy, Human-Machine relations, and the Future of Human Society, serving on the Faculty of AI & Robotics at Singularity University.

Ready to invite Nell Watson to your event?

Tell us about your event, one of our consultants will reach out within 24 hours.

How to book Nell Watson as a keynote speaker

How do I book Nell Watson for a keynote speech?

You can book Nell Watson through London Speaker Bureau by submitting the enquiry form on this page or calling our team. One of our consultants will respond promptly with Nell's current availability, speaking fees and any specific requirements for your event.

What are Nell Watson's speaking fees?

Nell Watson's speaking fees depend on the event format (in-person or virtual), the location, the length of the engagement and the level of customisation required. Please contact London Speaker Bureau for an up-to-date fee quote for Nell tailored to your event.

What topics does Nell Watson speak about?

Nell Watson speaks on Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Digital, Entrepreneurial, Future & Technology. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with Nell to align the content with your delegates and goals.

Is Nell Watson available for international events?

London Speaker Bureau can book Nell Watson for events worldwide, subject to Nell's schedule. Please send us your event date, location and format and we will confirm availability and handle travel and logistics on your behalf.

Does Nell Watson deliver virtual or online keynotes?

Virtual and hybrid keynotes are now a standard part of the speaking industry. Please contact London Speaker Bureau to confirm whether Nell Watson is available to deliver a virtual session for your event and on which platform (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, a bespoke studio or your own).

How long is a typical keynote by Nell Watson?

Most keynote speeches run between 45 and 60 minutes, often followed by a 15-30 minute Q&A. Other formats - shorter conference slots, panel appearances or longer workshop sessions - may also be possible. Share your agenda with London Speaker Bureau and we will confirm what Nell can accommodate.

Can Nell Watson tailor the keynote to our industry and audience?

London Speaker Bureau will brief Nell Watson on your audience profile, sector and objectives so the keynote can be shaped around your event. The level of customisation possible depends on the speaker and the lead time - contact us with your brief and we will confirm what Nell can offer.

What languages does Nell Watson present in?

Nell Watson delivers keynotes in English. This profile may not list every language available; ask London Speaker Bureau to confirm. If you require simultaneous interpretation or a multilingual format, please mention this in your enquiry and London Speaker Bureau will arrange it for you.

What makes Nell Watson a strong fit as a keynote speaker?

Nell Watson's areas of expertise include Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Digital, Entrepreneurial, Future & Technology. To get a clear sense of Nell's style, credentials and how they engage an audience, please review the biography, popular talks and any videos or testimonials shown on this page, or request a detailed speaker brief from London Speaker Bureau.

What kind of events can Nell Watson speak at?

Nell Watson can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Digital, Entrepreneurial, Future & Technology is relevant. Details of Nell's background and previous engagements are included in the biography above; contact us if you would like a more detailed list of past clients or case studies.

Does Nell Watson offer workshops, panels or fireside chats in addition to keynotes?

Beyond keynote speeches, many of the speakers on our roster also take part in workshops, executive masterclasses, panel discussions and fireside chats. Contact London Speaker Bureau with your preferred format and we will confirm what Nell Watson is able to offer alongside or instead of a keynote.

How far in advance should we book Nell Watson?

We generally recommend enquiring at least three to twelve months in advance to secure your preferred date with Nell Watson, particularly during peak conference seasons. Where possible we also accommodate shorter lead times - please contact London Speaker Bureau to check Nell's current availability for your dates.