As a result of accelerating change, a new breed of businesses is scaling 10 times faster than established organizational structures.
Salim Ismail calls these exponential organizations.
This talk describes the characteristics and attributes of these organizations and finishes with how to implement these ideas into established companies.
He looks at today’s fastest growing technologies and the social impact they will have on our organizational, political, legal, educational, and medical systems.
From artificial intelligence to biotech, these disruptive technologies are changing the face of many disparate industries and creating new innovations and opportunities.
Audiences walk away with a tailored action plan for moving forward that utilizes five internal and five external strategies to spur astounding growth – like partnering with an incubator and transforming their organization’s leadership team.
As a result of accelerating change, a new breed of businesses is scaling 10 times faster than established organizational structures. Salim Ismail calls these exponential organizations.
This talk describes the characteristics and attributes of these organizations and finishes with how to implement these ideas into established companies.
He looks at today’s fastest growing technologies and the social impact they will have on our organizational, political, legal, educational, and medical systems.
From artificial intelligence to biotech, these disruptive technologies are changing the face of many disparate industries and creating new innovations and opportunities.
Audiences walk away with a tailored action plan for moving forward that utilizes five internal and five external strategies to spur astounding growth – like partnering with an incubator and transforming their organization’s leadership team.
The confluence of new developments makes today the best time ever to be an entrepreneur.
Salim talks about how accelerating technologies, crowd funding, incubators, fablabs, and cloud computing have made it faster, better, and cheaper to be an entrepreneur.
This talk also covers the steps needed to create entrepreneurial ecosystems and start-up communities in different regions.
Today there are 8 billion internet-connected devices in the world. By 2020 Salim Ismail predicts there will be 50 billion.
Will computer driven cars be a reality in three years? Will we see a dramatically lengthened lifespan and delayed retirements in a matter of 1-2 decades? What does this mean for investment, growth, and contraction in key industries?
As the world becomes more digital, advancements in technology are skyrocketing. Technology strategist Salim Ismail knows the trajectory of fascinating projects that are sure to change our lives and challenge societal norms as we know them. His take on the impact to the financial services sector will have you thinking twice about where to put money and how much is needed for the future.
The fastest technological improvement today is being seen in biotechnology. According to technology strategist Salim Ismail, by the year 2020 it will be cheaper to sequence your genome than to flush your toilet. What will this mean for personalized therapies?
Will we eradicate allergies? Or grow replacement organs? Will artificial intelligence make better, more accurate diagnoses than human doctors?
Could a computer be your future surgeon? Ismail tells incredible stories of the research and development he’s seen first-hand and the potential for next-generation disruptive technologies.
He weighs the benefits with the sinister side and calls on society to prepare our systems for running the world (legal, political, medical) to meet the realities of the very near future.
Salim Ismail is a globally recognized futurist, bestselling author of Exponential Organizations, and the founding Executive Director of Singularity University. He has advised Fortune 500 companies, startups, and governments on harnessing exponential technologies to drive innovation while overcoming institutional resistance to change.
As founder of the Fast Track Institute, Salim helps cities and organizations design agile solutions to complex challenges, positioning them for success in an era of rapid disruption.
Salim Ismail is a visionary strategist and a renowned technology entrepreneur who has profoundly impacted the global business landscape. As the founding executive director of Singularity University and the author of the best-selling book Exponential Organizations, Salim has become a leading authority on disruptive innovation and exponential technologies.
As the founding executive director of Singularity University, Salim has played a pivotal role in shaping the institution into a global hub for innovation and thought leadership. Under his leadership, Singularity University has grown into a world-renowned institution that brings together some of the brightest minds in technology, business, and academia to solve humanity’s most pressing challenges. Salim’s work at Singularity University has cemented his reputation as a thought leader who is at the forefront of technological and societal change.
In addition to his work at Singularity University, Salim Ismail is also the author of the best-selling book Exponential Organizations. In this book, he explores how companies can achieve exponential growth by leveraging technology, culture, and leadership.
Salim Ismail is a visionary leader and a catalyst for change in the world of technology and business. His entrepreneurial success, combined with his deep understanding of exponential technologies, makes him a powerful voice in the conversation about the future of industries and organizations. As a keynote speaker, Salim Ismail’s ability to inspire and challenge audiences is unmatched, making him a top choice for events around the world.
View All Speakers and follow us on Twitter
Salim Ismail explores the challenge of disruptive innovation within organizations and society. He introduces the idea of the “immune system problem”—the tendency of institutions to resist change and attack new ideas.
Salim Ismail explores a central challenge of disruptive innovation: the immune system problem. When new ideas are introduced into large organizations or even into society they’re often attacked, resisted, or shut down by entrenched structures built for stability, not transformation.
Drawing on his experience at Yahoo, Salim describes how bureaucracy and rigid systems stifle innovation. He contrasts this with Apple’s unique ability to isolate small teams, shield them from the “immune system,” and unleash them to disrupt entire industries—music, phones, tablets, payments, and more.
Salim expands this analogy beyond corporations to our social and public institutions. Democracies, unions, and even marriage are outdated structures, built for a slower-moving world. With exponential technologies from AI and neuroscience to solar, drones, and biotech accelerating at unprecedented speeds, these rigid institutions are struggling, breaking, or outright collapsing under pressure.
His solution: an ExO Sprint framework a methodology pioneered at Singularity University and tested with corporations like Procter & Gamble, as well as cities like Medellín, Colombia. The approach:
Shock and awe — show leaders the exponential disruption that’s already here.
Edge + core teams — young leaders design disruptive solutions while incumbents redesign the core.
Immune suppression — create awareness so incumbents don’t attack new initiatives.
Layered innovation — combine technology, design, funding, and social policy before disruption hits.
This is, he argues, like giving a transplant patient immune-suppressing drugs allowing “new organs” of innovation to take root.
Salim calls for open-sourcing this process through the Fast Track Institute to help governments, organizations, and communities fix broken institutions and adapt civilization to a future defined by rapid, exponential change.
A: Yes — frameworks paired with implementation steps and examples.
A: 6–10 weeks for custom strategic engagements.
A: Templates, playbooks, and workshop materials are available.
In order to view the below you must be logged in.
Tom Goodwin is a dynamic and sought-after speaker who is at the forefront of innovation in marketing and artificial intelligence. With a career spanning over two decades, Tom has earned a reputation as a thought leader and visionary, constantly challenging the status quo and inspiring audiences around the world. His insights into the digital landscape […]
Julie Holmes is a trailblazer in the world of technology, innovation, and artificial intelligence. With an infectious enthusiasm, sharp wit, and unparalleled expertise, Julie has cemented her status as a leading voice in enterprise technology and startup ecosystems. Over a distinguished 25-year career, Julie has evolved from a tech enthusiast to a revered inventor, tech […]
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 […]
Vito di Bari resides in Miami, FL. He maintains a global reputation of excellence as the world’s premiere futurist, innovation strategist and inspirational keynote speaker. His charming and entertaining style leaves nothing to be desired. Vito is the only keynote speaker who has given a TEDx Talk in five world continents. Vito is an esteemed […]
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 […]
Tristan Harris is a globally recognized thought leader and advocate for ethical technology design. As the co-founder and executive director of the Center for Humane Technology, he has dedicated his career to addressing the pervasive influence of technology on human behavior and society. Frequently referred to as the “closest thing Silicon Valley has to a […]
Jensen Huang is a pioneering force in the world of computing, artificial intelligence, and graphics technology. As the co-founder, president, and CEO of NVIDIA, he has been instrumental in shaping the future of AI-driven computing, revolutionizing industries from gaming to healthcare and autonomous vehicles. His ability to foresee technological trends and push the boundaries of […]
Michelle Lee is a trailblazing AI keynote speaker, renowned technology strategist, and leadership expert who is shaping the future of artificial intelligence and digital transformation. As the founder and CEO of Obsidian Strategies, she has carved out a niche in guiding organizations through the complexities of AI adoption, ethical implementation, and future-ready leadership. With a […]
These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Speakers Inc.
All talent fees exclude VAT, travel and accommodation where required.
Our Mission:
© All rights reserved 2025. Designed using Voxel
