Dr. Helen Papagiannis

Speaking topics

Presentations listed below include in-person and virtual keynotes, as well as workshops, fireside chats, and other presentation formats.

• AI Plus

  In an era of relentless innovation, thriving requires more than adopting AI — it demands an AI-plus strategy. This keynote challenges leaders to rethink their assumptions, reinvent how they deliver value, and redefine the future of their industries.

  Drawing on two decades as a pioneering practitioner and futurist, including work with Jaguar Land Rover, Louis Vuitton, and the World Economic Forum, Dr. Helen Papagiannis explores how AI intersects with other technologies such as extended reality (XR) and even brain-computer interfaces (BCI) to drive unprecedented transformation and unlock new opportunities.

  This session pushes beyond simply asking, “what’s next?” to address the deeper question: “What comes after what’s next?” The rise of generative AI and other transformative technologies demands more than a tactical response — it requires a strategic and proactive vision. Leading companies across industries are developing proofs of concept, but the true opportunity lies in crafting an AI-plus strategy that positions AI within a broader ecosystem of emerging technologies. This is your roadmap to redefining the future of business.

• Reality Modding: AI and the Future of Creativity

  What if reality itself could be modded like a video game? The term mod — rooted in gaming culture and short for modification — refers to user-created changes to customize video games, from simple tweaks to extensive overhauls. But now, thanks to transformative technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Augmented Reality (AR), the boundaries between the virtual and the real are dissolving. Reality is becoming infinitely customizable, reshaping how we live, work, and create across every industry.

  Is there anything more quintessentially human than creativity? For centuries, we’ve considered it the hallmark of human ingenuity. But today, AI is challenging that notion. From crafting emotive music and generating compelling designs to inventing entirely new experiences, AI’s ability to process, remix, and innovate at scale is redefining what originality means.

  Packed with real-world examples and visionary insights, this keynote will empower audiences to rethink creativity, embrace the potential of reality modding, and understand how these technologies are reshaping industries. The future of innovation isn’t about choosing between human and machine — it’s about combining the best of both to unlock unimaginable possibilities. The ability to mod reality is no longer just for gamers — it’s for everyone.

• Augmented Human: How Technology Is Shaping the New Reality

  Our digital future is no longer a distant promise, but a rapidly growing industry with real-world clout. Consider Apple unveiling their much-anticipated Augmented Reality (AR) Vision Pro headset that seamlessly blends digital content with the physical world — it’s introducing a whole new era of computing.

  In this truly cutting-edge talk, Dr. Helen Papagiannis helps us understand the significance of AR and how it is further being organically integrated into our everyday lives. What opportunities does this seismic shift present for business, design, and culture? How can we contribute to and help define this new technological era? And how will it forever change the way we live, work, and play? With great gusto and up-to-the-minute examples, Papagiannis leads us head-on into our virtual future.

• Human-First Design: New Interfaces and Immersive Experiences

  Virtual worlds are projected to amass a staggering value of $1 trillion over the next three years with the rapid adoption and acceleration of generative AI and immersive technologies. As an invited member of the international group of leaders convened by the World Economic Forum (WEF), Dr. Helen Papagiannis is your guide to the next iteration of the Internet.

  In this informative and fun keynote, Papagiannis shares how your organization can thrive in this new terrain, developing digital spaces that can achieve the greatest positive impact with a human-first design approach.

• XR Goes Pop: Understanding the Future Across Multiple Realities

  We live in a world of multiple realities — augmented reality, virtual reality, and virtual beings powered by artificial intelligence. From this evolution emerges the growing discipline of XR, extended reality, where we’ll find ourselves moving across and between realities on a soon-to-be daily basis.

  This presentation offers a fascinating and cutting-edge look at the way these cross-realities are permeating contemporary culture, from high to low to pop (and everything in between). In her trademark nimble speaking style, Dr. Helen Papagiannis documents how these extensions of reality are informing and advancing culture though art, fashion, music, games, and celebrity.

  Don’t think that this is simply about art and entertainment. Rather, as Papagiannis articulates, popular culture is a mirror into which we can track trends related to commerce and the world at large. What does XR mean to you and your business? Papagiannis will ask you all the right questions, helping you discern the realities you should be preparing to explore.