AI ethics pioneer and one of Australia's most respected voices on responsible technology.
Dr Catriona Wallace has been working at the intersection of technology, ethics and human behaviour for more than two decades, and is widely regarded as one of Australia's most credible voices on the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence. She founded the Responsible Metaverse Alliance and the Ethical AI Advisory, and has built and exited multiple AI and customer experience businesses.
With a PhD in organisational behaviour and a long track record advising boards, regulators and listed companies, Catriona brings a rare combination to the stage: she understands the technology deeply, but talks about it in plain human terms. She translates what's actually happening inside AI systems — the opportunities, the failures, the risks for workers and customers — into language a boardroom can act on.
For leaders trying to make sense of generative AI, automation and the next decade of digital change, Catriona's keynotes turn anxiety into a clear, principled plan. She's a strong choice for technology, financial services and professional services audiences, and is particularly valued at events where women in technology is part of the brief.
Dr Catriona Wallace is a keynote speaker based in New South Wales who speaks on artificial intelligence, innovation and women in business. Book through Executive Speakers Australia.
With the release of Generative AI in November 2022, the world changed forever.
Technology’s intelligence and consciousness is advancing at a rate faster than humanity’s and we must now ask the following questions:
• Is AI technology useful, harmful or both?
• Who is guiding technology and its relationship to humanity?
• Where are we headed?
• Are we okay to passively continue with AI development knowing that it poses an existential risk, on par with nuclear war and pandemics?
• And … given there are no real laws or regulations that govern AI – what can we do?
Furthermore, just as we are getting our heads around this powerful AI technology, we are faced with the imminent arrival of Extended Reality, Metaverse and Quantum technologies.
In this important and highly topical keynote address, Dr Catriona Wallace will discuss: the current state of AI; humanity entering into the early stages of transhumanism; the power and invasiveness of AI and Metaverse worlds – the good and the bad; technology ethics and responsibility; and strategies for how we might direct technology for humanity’s good.
Key topics include:
• AI and the Metaverse – what are they? Good or bad?
• Technology vs human intelligence and consciousness.
• The age of Transhumanism, the future of technology and humanity.
• Development moratoriums & re-strategising technology for good
In this keynote, Dr. Catriona Wallace unveils a radically new leadership framework built for today’s volatile world. Drawing on her groundbreaking book Rapid Transformation, she introduces a triadic model: Ancient Ritual, Altered States of Consciousness, and Transformative AI. Through this lens, leaders are empowered to shift rapidly — from reactive to visionary, from burnout to purpose.
Key themes
• The three pillars of Rapid Transformation.
• Initiation, integration, and embodied leadership.
• Leading in the face of AI, war, climate collapse, and mental health breakdown.
• Shamanic and animist approaches to resilience and collective leadership.
• Ideal for executives, leadership teams, boards, future-focused strategists.
AI is not just a tool — it is a transformative force. But will it evolve in the image of our trauma… or our wisdom? In this provocative keynote, Dr. Wallace explores the frontier of Transformative AI — systems designed to catalyze insight, not just efficiency. This talk includes case studies on AI, AI-powered ritual, the 7 Principles of Transformative AI and tools for leaders to align technology with human and planetary flourishing.
Key themes
• What is Transformative AI?
• Designing AI with ethics, consciousness, and care.
• Navigating existential risk with expanded intelligence.
• The 7 Principles of Transformative AI.
• Tools to lead a Transformative AI practice.
• Ideal for tech and business audiences, AI developers, ethical leadership forums.
The world faces four converging crises — AI proliferation, climate collapse, mental health breakdown, and polarization — that demand more than strategies; they require transformed leaders. Dr. Catriona Wallace shares how ancient rituals, altered states of consciousness, and her Rapid Transformation framework can expand leadership capacity, deepen ethics, and drive systemic change. Drawing on her Shipibo shamanic training and global leadership work, she reveals practical ways to harness neuroscience-backed ritual and collective wisdom to meet this moment with clarity, courage, and purpose.
Key themes
• Ancient ritual and altered states as tools for transformative leadership.
• Responding to the four global challenges with expanded ethics and resilience.
• Collective healing and regenerative systems thinking for complex times.
• Ideal for cross-sector leadership summits, HR and leadership development, global forums, and transformational events.
Catriona acted as an agent to elevate student voices at the school leaders conference, students felt comfortable in sharing their views on the impacts of future technologies on their learning experience in schools. Catriona is an amazing speaker and highly recommended by Conference delegates.WA Secondary School Executives Association
Dr Catriona Wallace was a drawcard for our Conference. She had the full room engaged from the start and it was clear from all of our feedback the topic resonated with our delegates.Chair APIG National Conference Committee
Dr. Wallace provided a memorable experience for our first AI Masterclass, engaging the audience from start to finish.Upward, Hartford
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