Karen Hao

Karen Hao is an award-winning journalist and author who has become one of the most prominent voices in the global conversation on artificial intelligence. A former engineer at a Silicon Valley startup and a graduate in mechanical engineering from MIT, she combines technical rigour with investigative depth. She currently contributes to The Atlantic and leads the AI Spotlight Series for the Pulitzer Center, an initiative designed to train journalists internationally on how to report effectively on this transformative technology. Previously, she served as a senior editor for AI at MIT Technology Review and a foreign correspondent for The Wall Street Journal. Her bestselling book, Empire of AI: Dreams and Nightmares in Sam Altman's OpenAI, has received international acclaim, winning the National Book Critics Circle Award for Nonfiction and being named a book of the year by the Financial Times and The Economist. Beyond her writing, she co-hosts the BBC technology podcast The Interface and sits on the AI advisory board for the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism. Her work is so influential that it has been cited by Congress, integrated into university curriculums, and even adapted into museum installations, such as her flowchart exhibits in Vienna. Recognised on the TIME100 AI list as one of the world's most influential figures in the sector, Karen provides a vital perspective on the environmental and human costs of computing power. She moves beyond the hype of Silicon Valley to explore how massive data processing and energy demands impact our world, while seeking ways to ensure technology serves the collective good. Audiences book Karen for her unique ability to bridge the gap between complex engineering concepts and the urgent social and ethical questions facing modern business and society. On stage, Karen Hao is best known for talks on AI and Digital Business & Strategy. Audiences leave with a clear, practical view of the subject rather than a generic overview — every keynote is shaped around the brief and the room. Their work resonates with leaders across AI and Technology, where the themes translate directly into team decisions, customer experience and growth strategy. Karen Hao is regularly booked for Business Speaker, adapting tone, length and format to suit the event — from a 20-minute opener to a full conference keynote with Q&A. Based in UK, Karen Hao travels internationally for engagements. To check availability or request a tailored brief for your event, send an enquiry and we'll come back with fees, dates and a short summary of how Karen Hao would approach your audience.