Ilya Sutskever: Former Chief Scientist at OpenAI
Ilya Sutskever is a pioneering AI scientist and OpenAI co-founder whose breakthroughs in deep learning, neural networks, and AGI research have shaped the modern era of artificial intelligence.
Quick Facts:
- Highlights:
- Co-founder and Chief Scientist of OpenAI
- Architect behind ChatGPT, GPT-4, DALL·E, and AGI-driven research directions
- Co-inventor of AlexNet, TensorFlow contributions, and sequence-to-sequence learning
- Former Research Scientist at Google Brain; early DeepMind collaborator
- Formats: AI research keynote speaker and deep learning thought leader
- Audiences: Technology conferences, cybersecurity summits, AI researchers, enterprise innovation teams, government agencies, and leaders navigating the future of intelligent systems.
- Outcomes:
- Clarity on frontier AI research, AGI pathways, and deep learning breakthroughs
- Actionable insights on cybersecurity risks and safeguards in the AI era
- High-level understanding of how neural networks and generative models are reshaping every sector
- Travels from: San Francisco, CA
- **Fee range: On Request
Talent Services
Talent Short Bio
Ilya Sutskever is one of the most influential figures in artificial intelligence, celebrated for his foundational contributions to deep learning, computer vision, and natural language processing. As Co-founder and Chief Scientist at OpenAI, he has guided the creation of some of the world’s most impactful AI systems, including ChatGPT, GPT-4, and DALL·E 2. His leadership has helped establish OpenAI as a global force for advancing and safely deploying artificial general intelligence.
Before co-founding OpenAI, Ilya made defining contributions to the field through his work at Google Brain and DeepMind, where he co-invented technologies that changed the trajectory of AI, including sequence-to-sequence learning, key components behind modern machine translation, and the research foundations influencing AlphaGo. Earlier in his career, his work with Geoffrey Hinton produced AlexNet, the breakthrough neural network that transformed computer vision and ignited the deep learning revolution.
A Fellow of the Royal Society and a Time 100 Innovators honoree, Ilya is a sought-after keynote speaker whose insights illuminate the future of human-machine collaboration and the societal impact of advanced AI.
Read Full Bio
Ilya Sutskever is a world-renowned thought leader in artificial intelligence, respected for his pioneering contributions to computer vision, machine translation, and robotics. As Co-founder and Chief Scientist at OpenAI, he has been instrumental in the development of transformative technologies including ChatGPT, GPT-4, and DALL·E 2. Ilya’s early breakthroughs — notably co-inventing DeepMind’s AlphaGo and Google Brain’s TensorFlow — have firmly established him as one of the most influential figures in AI. His expertise in neural networks, deep learning, and natural language processing makes him a sought-after speaker at leading technology and cybersecurity events worldwide.
Raised in Jerusalem, Ilya Sutskever pursued his studies in Computer Science at The Open University of Israel before transferring to the University of Toronto, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and a PhD in Computer Science. Under the mentorship of AI pioneer Geoffrey Hinton, he co-invented the AlexNet, a convolutional neural network that revolutionized computer vision. Following a prestigious postdoctoral fellowship with Andrew Ng at Stanford University, Ilya went on to co-found DNN Research, later acquired by Google, where he advanced his expertise as a Research Scientist on the Google Brain project.
Ilya Sutskever’s career has been defined by his drive to push the boundaries of AI innovation. In 2016, he became Research Director at OpenAI and has served as its Chief Scientist since 2018, guiding some of the organization’s most significant advancements. Notably, he is the inventor of sequence-to-sequence learning, a technique fundamental to the evolution of machine translation. His work is motivated by a mission to develop artificial general intelligence (AGI) that benefits all of humanity, positioning him at the forefront of the future of AI and cybersecurity.
Recognized with honors such as inclusion in MIT Technology Review’s 35 Innovators Under 35 and the Time 100 Most Influential People in AI, as well as being elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, Ilya Sutskever’s achievements speak volumes. His speaking engagements offer rare insight into the future of technology, cybersecurity, and human-machine collaboration. Hire Ilya Sutskever via The Cyber Security Speakers Agency to bring unparalleled expertise and vision to your event.
View further Artificial Intelligence speakers and follow us on LinkedIn
Talent Videos
The Exciting, Perilous Journey Toward AGI | Ilya Sutskever | TED
Just weeks before the management shakeup at OpenAI rocked Silicon Valley and made international news, the company's cofounder and chief scientist Ilya Sutskever explored the transformative potential of artificial general intelligence (AGI), highlighting how it could surpass human intelligence and profoundly transform every aspect of life. Hear his take on the promises and perils of AGI — and his optimistic case for how unprecedented collaboration will ensure its safe and beneficial development. (Recorded October 17, 2023)
Video Summary & Key Moments
You’ve all experienced the progress of artificial intelligence. Many of you may have spoken with a computer, and a computer understood you and spoke back to you. With the rate of progress being what it is, it’s not difficult to imagine that at some point in the future, our intelligent computers will become as smart or smarter than people. And it’s also not difficult to imagine that when that happens, the impact of such artificial intelligence is going to be truly, truly vast.
And you may wonder: Is it going to be OK when technology is so impactful?
And here my goal is to point out the existence of a force that many of you may have not noticed — a force that gives me hope that indeed, we will be happy with the result.
What is AI?
Artificial intelligence is nothing but digital brains inside large computers.
Every single interesting AI that you’ve seen is built on this idea.
Over decades, scientists and engineers have been figuring out how such digital brains should work and how to build and engineer them.
It is fitting that the seat of intelligence in humans is our biological brain, and the seat of intelligence in artificial intelligence is an artificial brain.
As AI advances, people — companies, governments, researchers — will increasingly:
-
Recognize the stakes
-
Collaborate to ensure safety
-
Act out of enlightened self-interest
-
Prioritize humanity’s future over competitive pressure
He believes this global shift in behavior will help us navigate AGI wisely.
Key Moments
Ilya Sutskever (OpenAI Chief Scientist) — Why next-token prediction could surpass human intelligence
In this 47 minute conversation, OpenAI Chief Scientist Ilya Sutskever explains why next-token prediction may exceed human intelligence, how AI progress unfolds, and what breakthroughs still matter.
Video Summary & Key Moments
In this wide-ranging interview on The Lunar Society, Ilya Sutskever reflects on the drivers of his research success, the dynamics of AI capabilities, and the path from today’s large language models to systems that surpass human performance. He attributes his scientific breakthroughs not to innate advantage but to giving his work everything he has, emphasizing perseverance and deep understanding over flashes of new ideas.
He discusses why illicit use of AI has not yet exploded, suggesting it may already be occurring quietly or that foreign actors have not fully operationalized current models. He notes that large-scale tracking of misuse is technically possible with specialized operations.
On AI’s economic window before AGI, he expects a multi-year period of rapidly increasing value, though hindsight may compress it into only a few standout years. When asked why AI adoption might disappoint, he identifies reliability as the sole plausible culprit; unreliable systems dampen real-world value regardless of capability.
Sutskever challenges the assumption that next-token prediction limits models to human-level performance. Accurate prediction requires understanding the underlying reality that produces text, and a sufficiently capable model can extrapolate beyond any individual person by inferring how a hypothetical, more advanced mind would behave.
On training, he explains that most reinforcement learning data already comes from models themselves, with humans training only the reward function. He expects human-AI collaboration, not full automation, to dominate future training improvements.
Key Moments
- 00:10:57 – Data, models, and research
- 00:15:27 – Alignment
- 00:20:53 – Post AGI Future
- 00:26:56 – New ideas are overrated
- 00:36:22 – Is progress inevitable?
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...
- (13)
- (3)
Dominic Thurbon has cracked the code for making change happen, with the ultimate formula to drive innovation, future-proof your workforce and design brands that really matter. Dom is an internationally engaged speaker and facilitator who helps individuals and organisations drive behaviour change in the face of external disruption. He is a Partner in the Climate […]
- Travels from: Sydney, NSW
- Artificial Intelligence
- (24)
Sarah Armstrong-Smith is one of the most influential cybersecurity leaders in the industry. With three decades of front-line experience, including roles as Chief Security Advisor at Microsoft and Group Head Crisis Management at The London Stock Exchange, Sarah delivers transformative strategies to help organisations build resilience to digital disruptions and global crises. In 2022, Sarah […]
- Travels from: London, UK
- Cybersecurity Speakers
- (7)
- Featured
Considered one of the top voices in AI and the future of work, Ian Beacraft is a trusted advisor to the world’s most innovative companies. The founder and Chief Futurist of Signal and Cipher, Ian leads a change management firm advising clients how to turn AI form a tech initiative into Augmented Individuals that multiply […]
- Travels from: Chicago, IL
- Artificial Intelligence
- (12)
Sam Rad (Samantha Radocchia) is a lifelong student of humanity – futurist, anthropologist, and entrepreneur. She is the founder of Radical Next, a meta-media studio creating transformative stories, experiences, and media productions that shape a positive future. Her upcoming book by the same name, Radical Next: Thriving in Times of Radical Change explores how “radical next ideas” and […]
- Travels from: New York, NY
- Futurists Speakers
- (51)
Dr. Fei-Fei Li is one of the most influential figures shaping the future of technology and artificial intelligence. Often referred to as the “Godmother of AI,” she is the visionary behind ImageNet—the groundbreaking dataset that gave machines the ability to “see,” launching the deep learning revolution that fuels today’s AI applications. From powering tools like […]
- Travels from: Stanford, CA
- Artificial Intelligence
- (72)
- (5)
Tim Urban, a master of unraveling the intricate tapestry of modern life, offers audiences around the globe insights into leadership, technology, artificial intelligence, creativity, innovation, and the human experience. His unique ability to clarify complex subjects with humor and relatable examples has made him a beloved figure and a sought-after speaker at conferences, corporate events, […]
- Travels from: New York, NY
- Motivational Speakers
- (52)
Susan Oh is a multi-award winning former business journalist (CNBC, Economist Intelligence Unit), trans media marketing campaigns creative (Expedia, Twentieth Century Fox), and civic technologist who has worked in Silicon Valley, New York City, Hong Kong, and Dubai. She is a globally respected thought leader and pioneer as among the first to model a commercially […]
- Travels from: New York, NY
- Artificial Intelligence
- (30)
Karen Hao is a globally recognized voice at the forefront of AI reporting, named one of TIME’s 100 most influential people in AI and heralded as “one of the foremost tech journalists covering AI” by Dr. Joy Buolamwini. A former Silicon Valley engineer turned investigative journalist, Karen is the author of the New York Times bestselling book Empire […]
- Travels from: Hong Kong
- Artificial Intelligence
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.
