Known as the “Tech Humanist”, Kate O’Neill is the founder and CEO of KO Insights, a strategic advisory firm dedicated to improving human experience at scale.
Her innovative approach bridges the gap between technological advancement and human-centric values, influencing how organizations navigate digital transformation.
With a career spanning over 25 years, Kate’s expertise is rooted in hands-on experience with category-defining companies. She was one of the first 100 employees at Netflix, where she pioneered the first content management role. She developed Toshiba America’s first intranet and founded [meta]marketer, one of the earliest digital strategy and analytics agencies.
Kate O’Neill’s expertise and insights are sought after by a diverse range of high-profile clients and audiences, including Fortune 500 companies and World’s Most Admired brands, as well as:
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Kate’s influence extends far beyond the corporate world. She is increasingly involved in shaping global technology policy and governance, particularly in the realm of artificial intelligence.
As an invited attendee to United Nations AI Advisory Body meetings, Kate has gained crucial insights into global AI governance, contributing to discussions that will shape the future of technology on a global scale.
Her work bridges the gap between business innovation and broader societal implications, offering a unique perspective that resonates with both corporate leaders and global policymakers.
Her approach is distinctively holistic: combining business acumen with a deep understanding of human needs. Kate advises business and civic leaders on creating data-driven and technology-enabled experiences that are both ethically sound and commercially successful. Her insights help organizations and individuals navigate the complex landscape of technological advancement, fostering a deeper understanding of how emerging technologies are reshaping our world.
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As a professional global keynote speaker, Kate captivates audiences worldwide with her insights on how data and emerging technologies are shaping the future of human experiences. She has delivered hundreds of keynotes (and virtual keynotes!) at industry conferences and private events around the world.
Her dynamic, playful, and wildly thought-provoking presentations have earned her comparisons to management guru Peter Drucker “for the digital age” and descriptions as “Sandra Bullock with brains by Microsoft.”
In addition to delivering galvanizing keynotes, she has moderated and participated in lively panel discussions such as for the United Nations COP25 Climate Change Conference, and regularly facilitates transformative executive workshops and retreats for Fortune 500 companies as well as non-profit boards.
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Kate’s influence extends to the written word as well. She is the author of multiple influential books, including “Tech Humanist” (which was featured at CES 2019), “Pixels and Place,” “A Future So Bright,“ and her latest, “What Matters Next,” coming in 2025.
Her written insights and expertise have been featured in prestigious publications such as WIRED, CMO.com, and USA Today.
Fun fact: Kate is a lifelong prolific and award-winning writer in a range of forms including essays, poetry, plays, and songs.
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Kate is a sought-after expert commentator, appearing on major media outlets including BBC, NPR, Marketplace, and NBC. Her ability to articulate complex technological concepts and their human implications has made her a trusted voice in the media landscape.
Her contributions have been widely recognized within the industry. Kate has been shortlisted for the Thinkers50 Digital Thinking Award and inducted into the CX (Customer Experience) Hall of Fame. She has received numerous accolades, including “Technology Entrepreneur of the Year,” “Power Leader in Technology,” and “Outstanding Woman in Data Analytics.”
Kate’s work is deeply rooted in the belief that meaning is fundamental to human experience. This perspective is informed by her background in linguistics and her experiences with profound loss, as detailed in her memoir “Surviving Death.”
Her advocacy extends to promoting inclusivity in technology, entrepreneurship, and leadership, earning her recognition from Google in their global campaign for women in entrepreneurship.
Throughout her multifaceted career, Kate O’Neill continues to be at the forefront of shaping a future where technology and humanity coexist in harmony, driving positive change on a global scale.
