UNSW neuroscientist and world-leading expert on human intuition and imagination in the age of AI
Professor Joel Pearson is a neuroscientist, psychologist, author and broadcaster — a rare combination of academic rigour and genuine stage presence. The founder and director of the Future Minds Lab at UNSW, and a Professor in the School of Psychology, Joel is recognised globally as the world's foremost authority on harnessing human intuition and imagination in the age of artificial intelligence. Before completing his PhD in Neuroscience he studied art and filmmaking, a background that has given him an unusual ability to translate cutting-edge brain science into something both intellectually compelling and deeply practical.
Joel hosted the popular ABC Sydney radio show The Brain Box and has delivered keynotes for clients including Pixar, Google, KPMG, Macquarie Group, Lexus and Toyota. He is the author of The Intuition Toolkit — a book grounded in years of peer-reviewed research that gives leaders a science-backed framework for making better decisions faster.
Joel speaks on the psychology of AI disruption, the neuroscience of creativity and imagination, the science of intuition, and the leadership skills required to thrive in a world where change is constant and the human mind is the critical competitive edge. His presentations are equal parts enlightening and exhilarating — the kind that shift how people think long after they leave the room.
Prof Joel Pearson is a keynote speaker based in New South Wales who speaks on artificial intelligence, education and innovation. Book through Executive Speakers Australia.
The age of artificial intelligence is upending everything we know - from education and business operations to careers and the very fabric of our economy. This seismic shift towards advanced AI poses immense challenges but also transformative opportunities. In this thought-provoking keynote, Joel dives deep into the psychological impacts of generative AI and robotics that most leaders overlook.
We've made the mistake of ignoring the human psyche when adopting disruptive technologies before - think social media's unexpected and devastating effects. This time, we cannot afford to be caught off guard as AI triggers a tsunami of change. Joel provides an unflinching look at the uncertainties ahead while arming audiences with science-backed strategies to navigate turbulence, overcome fear, and position their organisations for success.
Learn about an AI-specific change model – to help your organisation become AI-ready. If you are introducing any AI products, then an AI-readiness plan for your people is a must!
In this paradigm-shifting talk, you'll discover:
• Profound ways AI will reshape industry, work, and society
• Why uncertainty ignites existential dread and anxiety (and how to counter it)
• Dangerous AI misconceptions that undermine readiness
• Human vulnerabilities exposed by AI
• A Blueprint for cultivating resilience and "future-proof" mindsets
Whether you lead a Fortune 500 company or an entrepreneurial startup, this keynote is a must for anyone committed to thriving rather than just surviving the AI revolution. Unlock the psychological tools to ride the wave of technological and human disruption with confidence.
We often take for granted the remarkable ability to conjure vivid mental images – a built-in form of virtual reality that shapes our thoughts, emotions, and experiences. However, for a significant portion of the population, this internal canvas remains blank, a condition known as aphantasia, or "blind mind."
In this captivating keynote, Joel takes the audience on an extraordinary journey into the world of those who navigate life without the aid of visual imagination. From Pixar founder Ed Catmull to artistic animators who create without a mind's eye, Joel unveils the fascinating stories of individuals thriving in the face of this neural diversity.
Through cutting-edge research and compelling case studies, Joel explores the profound impact of aphantasia on various aspects of human experience, including creativity, moral decision-making, lifelong memory formation, anxiety, addiction, empathy, and risk-taking behaviour.
Attendees will gain a deep appreciation for the remarkable diversity of the human mind and the myriad ways in which we process and interpret the world around us. Joel's presentation offers a unique opportunity to step into the shoes of those with aphantasia, fostering a greater understanding and empathy for this often-overlooked condition. Attendees will be guided through a series of interactive exercises and self-assessments, enabling them to discover their own cognitive style and explore the profound implications it holds for their personal and professional lives.
By shedding light on the vast spectrum of human imagination, Joel empowers the audience to embrace diversity, challenge preconceived notions, and unlock new perspectives on problem-solving, innovation, and personal growth.
Break past your limits and begin a transformative journey with 'Mastering Discomfort', an interactive keynote designed for individuals looking to boost performance, take smart risks, and thrive in a constantly changing environment.
This keynote explores why we naturally seek comfort and provides a framework for turning discomfort into a tool for personal growth. You will learn about the dual role of stress, understanding when it can be beneficial, and gaining techniques to use it effectively. The focus is also on developing emotional awareness to manage stress and achieve optimal mental performance.
Using insights from modern neuroscience, the keynote explains the principles behind resilience and grit and offers methods to train the mind to face and handle uncertainty with confidence. Prof. Pearson will guide the audience through these ideas while also sharing practical, evidence-based strategies to push beyond comfort zones.
Participants will leave with tools and techniques to face challenges, spark creativity, and adapt to the ongoing changes brought by AI, ultimately driving significant personal and professional growth.
This keynote is ideal for professionals who want to set and achieve ambitious goals, improve their problem-solving skills, and excel in environments that require adaptability and risk-taking. Equip your team with the skills to embrace change, reach new levels of achievement, and lead with resilience and foresight.
Ready to lead your team into the AI revolution? The future is here, and it's accelerating faster than ever—adapt now or risk being left behind. Leaders who fail to adapt risk being left behind as competitors leverage these advances for gains in productivity, efficiency, and improved decision-making. The time to adapt is now—AI is evolving too quickly to wait.
In the AI era, leaders must urgently adapt, unlearn what's comfortable, and adopt a beginner's mindset—Shoshin. The pace of change waits for no one. Expertise can be a barrier to innovation, trapping us in outdated thinking. To lead effectively, we need cognitive flexibility: the ability to unlearn, adapt, and see challenges with fresh eyes.
AI isn't here to replace leadership—it's here to enhance it. This keynote will give you a distinct competitive advantage in leading with authenticity while leveraging AI as an ally—boosting productivity, offering sharper insights, and helping you become more emotionally intelligent. The leaders of tomorrow will blend AI with authenticity, empathy, and vision, driving a future where human-centred values lead to exponential change.
Drawing on cutting-edge research and real-world stories, this keynote will explore:
- How to harness the 'augmented leader's advantage' with a beginner's mindset.
- How to avoid cognitive entrenchment by continuously challenging your beliefs.
- How AI can make you a more authentic and connected leader.
- Practical ways to leave your comfort zone and make discomfort a habit.
Walk away with practical strategies to cultivate curiosity, build flexibility, get out of your comfort zone and thrive as an AI-augmented leader. This is about thriving, driving change, and shaping a more human, innovative, and impactful world.
This keynote is for executives ready to embrace the thrill of discovery and lead with curiosity. You'll gain practical frameworks to step boldly out of your comfort zone and adapt to the challenges of the future. Success isn't about having all the answers—it's about asking the right questions.
In today's high-stakes, fast-paced business world, intuition is no longer a mystical idea—it's a groundbreaking capability, validated by cutting-edge neuroscience and ready to revolutionize how your team makes decisions. Based on the transformative insights from my book The Intuition Toolkit, this keynote will captivate and energize your team with a fresh, science-backed approach to harnessing intuition as a strategic advantage.
Discover how intuition, when cultivated with precision, becomes a game-changer in professional judgment and decision-making. This keynote introduces the Five Rules of Intuition, distilled from rigorous research and delivered with actionable clarity.
Represented by the acronym SMILE, these principles are:
• S: Self-awareness (Emotions can cloud intuition—learn to recognize and regulate them.)
• M: Mastery (Intuition improves with expertise—developing mastery sharpens its accuracy.)
• I: Impulses and Addiction (Separate authentic intuition from impulsive or addictive tendencies.)
• L: Low Probability (Know when intuition fails—avoid it in probabilistic decisions.)
• E: Environment (Trust intuition in familiar, predictable contexts where it excels.)
This is more than a presentation—it's a call to action. Grounded in the latest discoveries in neuroscience and cognitive psychology, this keynote will take your team beyond theory and into practical strategies for unlocking intuition's full potential. Imagine your organization navigating uncertainty with confidence, seizing opportunities others miss, and transforming high-pressure decisions into competitive advantages.
Step into the new age of intuition science. By integrating these principles into your corporate strategies, you'll empower your team to think faster, act smarter, and achieve unprecedented results. Book this keynote and give your organization the tools to elevate its decision-making, embrace innovation, and redefine success.
Ideal Audiences:
• Business leaders seeking a competitive edge through enhanced decision-making capabilities.
• Sports teams and athletes striving for split-second excellence.
• Traders and investors navigating high-stakes financial landscapes.
• Military personnel and first responders operating in critical situations.
• Entrepreneurs and innovators pursuing groundbreaking ideas.
• Anyone committed to personal growth and making better choices in life.
That was definitely one of the best training sessions I’ve been to.Macquarie Group
Joel’s address...was truly engaging, insightful and thought provoking, and left us all in equal parts excited about and terrified of what the AI revolution might bring in many aspects of our life. It was very well received and a real sign of the chord it struck with the audience was the conversation and debate it prompted afterwards. I’d highly recommend him.Sharp & Carter
Joel was great to work with. Really professional...His session was the first to book out, Overall performance 5/5!Toyota
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