Marc Porat: AI Visionary
AI futurist keynote speaker and technology innovator Marc Porat helps leaders translate artificial intelligence and information economy insights into clear, actionable strategies for business and society.
Quick Facts:
- Highlights:
- Cofounder of General Magic, a seminal company in mobile and AI history
- Originator of the Information Economy framework
- Advisor and board leader across AI, SaaS, sustainability, and communications
- Former senior economist at the US Department of Commerce
- Formats: Keynote Speaker and AI Strategy Advisor
- Audiences: Executive teams, boards, technology leaders, innovators, and organizations seeking strategic clarity on artificial intelligence and future economies.
- Outcomes:
- Understand the strategic implications of AI across personal and enterprise use
- Learn how the Information Economy shapes future work and markets
- Gain practical frameworks for responsible, long-term AI adoption
- Travels from: San Francisco, CA
- **Fee range: $50,001 - $75,000
Talent Services
Keynote Topics:
The Frontier of AI: Superintelligence
AI has arrived, AGI is arriving, and Superintelligence will be here faster than you thought. Frontier AI and intelligent agents will be smarter and more capable than all the humans on earth. With so much disruptive change coming, are we facing a technological dystopia or utopia, or something more nuanced?
Marc Porat has been at the forefront of technological and sociological revolutions over the course of his 30-year career, from coining the concept of “The Information Economy” to creating the first smartphone and intelligent agents with General Magic. In this fascinating talk that is equal parts positive and serious, Marc will share his vision of humanity’s future in the world of Superintelligence. Audiences will come away understanding how superintelligence can both create and destroy, and what it will mean for you personally and for your business.
Key benefits & insights:
- Understand where AI is today and where it will be in the next 3 years and beyond.
- Immerse yourself in what personal & business life will be like in the age of Superintelligence
- Gain some immediate, amazing advice—for example, how to create an AI digital twin, a chief of staff, or a team of tutors and doctors.
Audience
Appeals to a broad audience, a wide variety of backgrounds, levels, and ages.
Formats
30 / 45 / 60 min from large audience keynote to off-sites to fireside chats.
Positioning
AI Strategist | Visionary Technologist | Inspiring Leader
Navigating the Market Discontinuities of Superintelligence
AI is moving at lightning speed, creating a market discontinuity as profound as the Industrial Revolution. IIt can both create value for your business or destroy it. With superintelligence just around the corner, how can you, as a leader, and your business prepare for the future?
Drawing on 30+ years of founding breakthrough companies and his advisory work with large & small companies and private equity clients, Marc explores the personal, economic, and geopolitical implications of superintelligence. Audiences will come away learning how to identify opportunity windows, avoid risks, and build resilient and innovative strategies in a time of accelerating change.
Key Benefits & Insights
- Understand that sharp discontinuities are the black swans of this era—they can create and destroy value very quickly
- Learn how to think about AI-driven market discontinuities and take action before competitors.
- Motivate leaders to act decisively with a fine-grained strategic framework, with the awareness that falling behind might be unrecoverable, and moving with purpose can create an insurmountable moat.
Audience
Can be tuned to focus on high-level executives or a broad business profile.
Formats
30 / 45 / 60 min keynote; keynote + 30 min Q&A; executive roundtable.
Positioning
Technology Visionary | AI Strategist | Inspiring Thinker.
General Magic: The Inside Story of the Most Influential Tech Company You Never Heard About
As co-founder of General Magic, the Apple spinout, Marc Porat created one of the most influential stealth tech companies in the world. Described by thought leaders as “visionary”, “legendary,” and “iconic,”), the amazing team created the first smartphone and intelligent agents in the early 90s.. While General Magic was ahead of its time, its inventors later spawned the innovations of the iPod, iPhone, Android, intelligent agents, and more.
In this inspiring story of invention and failure, Marc shares how he envisioned the first smartphone (called the Pocket Crystal) before there was even an internet. He formed a superteam of tech geniuses from Apple who created all the technology you take for granted today—and all from scratch. While the company failed, the ideas Marc inspired changed the world. Audiences will come away learning not only the behind-the-scenes story of General Magic but also lessons on timing, building, scaling, and leading innovative organizations that can deliver breakthrough products without breaking themselves.
Key Benefits & Insights
- Translating moonshot vision into winning execution.
- Building hot, innovative cultures that can adapt to seismic market shifts.
- Avoiding failure mode
Audience
Appeals to a broad audience, a wide variety of backgrounds, levels, and ages.
Formats
30 / 45 / 60 min from large audience keynote to off-sites to fireside chats.
Positioning
Technology Visionary | CEO & Board | Inspiring Leader
Talent Short Bio
Marc Porat is a pioneering technology executive, economist, and futurist with more than 30 years of experience driving innovation across the global tech industry. He is best known for developing the concept of the Information Economy and for cofounding General Magic, the legendary Apple spin-off that created the foundations for smartphones, intelligent agents, and modern mobile computing.
Over the course of his career, Marc has held leadership roles as chair, co-founder, CEO, and board member across diverse sectors including communications, enterprise SaaS, sustainable building materials, and low-carbon manufacturing. He has advised and presented to Fortune 500 organizations worldwide, including Apple, Sony, Philips, Matsushita, France Telecom, and NTT, delivering hundreds of talks ranging from executive boardrooms to large-scale theaters.
As a keynote speaker, Marc is known for his clarity, depth, and ability to inspire action. His presentations focus on AI strategy across three critical domains: personal AI, business AI, and deep AI. He helps audiences understand not only where artificial intelligence is headed, but how to apply it responsibly and strategically today.
Read Full Bio
Marc Porat is a seasoned executive with over 30 years of experience driving innovation in the tech industry. He is best known for developing the concept of “The Information Economy” and cofounding General Magic, the iconic Apple spin-off that pioneered the first smartphones and intelligent agents.
In his presentations, Marc shares his AI strategic vision in three distinct areas: personal, business, and deep AI. Known for his clarity and inspiration, Marc translates his vision of the AI future into clear, actionable strategies for audiences.
As partner at Millennial Advisors, Marc Porat currently serves as an advisor to several AI companies, including Sherlund Partners (banking boutique focused on M&A in software and artificial intelligence); SandboxAQ (a software development company leveraging AQ – the powerful compound effects of AI + Quantum technology), And he is the chairman of a “stealth AI” company
Marc Porat’s career includes many leadership positions as chair, co-founder, CEO, and board member across various sectors—communication (General Magic), enterprise SaaS (Perfect Commerce), sustainable building materials (Serious Energy), and low-carbon cement (CalStar Products). He was also a senior economist at the US Department of Commerce and co-founder of a DBS company, Private Satellite Network.
The story about his visionary company, General Magic, was turned into an award-winning documentary film, General Magic: The Movie. General Magic is considered by many to be one of the most influential innovation startups in the history of technology, creating the precursors of the iPhone, Android, and an intelligent-agent-based cloud.
Marc Porat earned a Ph.D. in Economics and Communication from Stanford University, where he authored “The Information Economy,” a seminal dissertation in the field of macroeconomics and technology. His dissertation showed that the emerging “information sector,” comprised of knowledge workers and information technology, would become the dominant driver of the U.S. economy and workforce.
Contact us at Speakers Inc and follow us on LinkedIn
Videos
Interest to Book? Send us your enquiry
No reviews available for this post.
Talent FAQ's
Do speakers charge a flat fee or by the hour?
Speaker fees can vary depending on factors such as expertise, demand, and event specifics. While some speakers may charge a flat fee for their services, others may have hourly rates. It’s best to discuss fee structures directly with the speaker or their representative to understand the pricing model.
What is the typical duration of a keynote speech and what is included?
Keynote speeches typically range from 30 to 90 minutes, with the duration determined by the speaker’s expertise, the event’s agenda, and audience preferences. Keynote speeches often include a combination of inspirational stories, practical insights, and actionable advice tailored to the event’s theme or objectives.
Does the scale of the event and audience size affect a speaker’s fee?
The scale of the event and audience size can indeed impact a speaker’s fee. Larger events with a broader reach or higher attendance may command higher fees due to increased exposure and demand. Conversely, smaller events or niche audiences may offer opportunities for more flexible pricing arrangements.
Travel expenses and other costs
Travel expenses such as transportation, accommodation, and meals are typically negotiated separately from the speaker’s fee. These costs vary depending on the speaker’s location, travel distance, and event duration. It’s important to clarify travel arrangements and expenses during the booking process to avoid misunderstandings.
Deposits and securing a booking
Many speakers require a deposit to secure a booking, with the remaining balance due closer to the event date. Deposits are often non-refundable and serve as a commitment from both parties. It’s advisable to discuss deposit requirements and payment terms with the speaker or their representative when finalizing the booking.
Additional tips and takeaways
- Virtual speaking appearances are a cost-effective alternative to high speaking fees, often 10-50% cheaper than in-person rates.
- There is typically no difference in fee for a 15-minute speech versus a 60-minute speech.
- Some motivational speakers are open to discounting their fee if hired for more than one event by the same organization.
- When browsing speakers, consider their location to keep travel costs down.
- Personal connections to your organization or event location can increase your chances of securing a renowned speaker.
- Be upfront about your needs and expectations to ensure a successful partnership.
- Speaker bureaus like Speakers Inc help guide you through the booking process to negotiate the best deal with favorable terms.
Ready to find the perfect speaker for your event? Use our advanced search feature or contact us to get started today!
You may be interested in...
- (59)
Yossi Ghinsberg is a world-renowned adventurer, author, and keynote speaker whose incredible survival story in the Amazon jungle has captivated audiences worldwide. In 1981, Yossi embarked on a harrowing journey into the uncharted depths of the Bolivian Amazon, only to become separated from his companions and left alone to survive for three weeks against the […]
- Travels from: Tel Aviv-Yafo
- Motivational Speakers
- (14)
DJ Poun is a highly sought-after mobile DJ and event host, celebrated for his impeccable music curation and charismatic stage presence. Trusted by some of the world’s most renowned brands, including Nike, Mazda, and Dell, DJ Poun has spent over a decade perfecting the art of creating memorable experiences at conferences, corporate gatherings, and exclusive […]
- Travels from: Las Vegas, NV
- Mobile DJ
- (15)
Sara Blakely is the Founder and Executive Chairwoman of SPANX. She revolutionized the undergarment industry with just $5,000 and a “lucky” red backpack and turned it into a global brand known for inventing smarter, more comfortable solutions. Sara was named one of TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the world and was featured on […]
- Travels from: Atlanta, GA
- Innovation Speakers
- (25)
At 19, Jeremy Poincenot was just like any other sophomore at San Diego State University—enjoying life with friends, sports, and fraternity activities, all underpinned by his perfect 20/20 vision. However, life took an unexpected turn when Jeremy started losing his sight without any prior warning. Diagnosed with Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON), a rare genetic […]
- Travels from: San Diego, CA
- Motivational Speakers
- (54)
- (4)
Mel Robbins stands as one of the most influential figures in the realm of personal development, renowned globally for her transformative insights and empowering message. As both a celebrated podcast host and bestselling author, Mel has inspired millions to overcome obstacles, unlock their full potential, and create meaningful change in their lives. Mel Robbins is […]
- Travels from: Boston, MA
- Motivational Speakers
- (26)
Daymond John has come a long way from turning a $40 budget into FUBU, a $6 billion fashion game-changer. Throughout his career, Daymond has continued to be an entrepreneur in every sense of the word. He is not only a pioneer in the fashion industry but a Shark on the 4-time Emmy Award winning Shark […]
- Travels from: New York, NY
- Leadership Speakers
- (41)
Ty Bennett is the Owner & CEO of the largest Ninja Warrior Gym in the world and it’s not stopping there – soon he will have three Ninja Warrior Gyms to add to his portfolio. An active CEO and serial entrepreneur, he has built three multi-million dollar businesses in three different industries. Ty and his […]
- Travels from: Salt Lake City, UT
- Leadership Speakers
- (27)
For over a decade, Dupé Aleru has navigated her unique professional journey, seamlessly blending her passion for speaking and content creation into a fulfilling career as a motivational speaker and content creator. From her humble beginnings as a classroom teacher to her current role as an influential voice in the realm of motivation and personal […]
- Travels from: Los Angeles, CA
- Motivational Speakers
Disclaimer
These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Speakers Inc.
Fee Range Information
All talent fees exclude VAT, travel and accommodation where required.
