How to Thrive in the Age of AI
We’re living in the most transformative era in history, where machines and humans converge like never before. And as AI continues to reshape every industry and workforce, the need for visionary leaders who can harness its power and unlock new opportunities has never been greater.
Join me, Dr Mark van Rijmenam, as we dive into the fascinating world of synthetic media, data, and biology and explore the seven key principles of leading in a synthetic world.
From embracing your synthetic self to adopting an exponential mindset and long-term thinking, I’ll equip you with the tools and insights you need to thrive in this age of AI.
In this exciting and thought-provoking keynote, we’ll explore how to prepare for the synthetic future and apply cutting-edge technologies to drive innovation, growth, and transformation.
So, get ready to ignite your imagination, unlock your potential, and become a true leader in the era of synthetic reality!
Leadership in a World Driven by Exponential Change
As a leader, staying ahead of the curve and understanding how the world around us is rapidly evolving, fuelled by exponential growth in technologies like AI, is critical.
But in today’s fast-paced and ever-changing business landscape, missing the train can mean the end of your organisation, no matter how big or old your company is.
Together, we’ll explore the critical skills and competencies essential for success in a world driven by exponential change, from embracing an exponential mindset to developing a long-term strategic vision that will guide your organisation into the future.
In this inspiring keynote, I’ll take you on a journey into the future and equip you with the tools and insights you need to stay ahead of the curve.
So, get ready to embrace the future of leadership and become a true leader in the age of exponential change with me, Dr Mark van Rijmenam.
In this mind-bending keynote, we will explore what is real and what is fake in a world driven by synthetic data and media. In an algorithmic post-truth world, the lines between reality and fiction are becoming increasingly blurred, and it’s essential to understand how to navigate this new landscape.
As Morpheus said in The Matrix, “What is real? How do you define real?” But even his definition is no longer true in today’s world.
That’s why I’m excited to bring my digital twin to this talk and take the audience on a journey into the unknown, exploring the latest trends and emerging technologies that are reshaping our world and our perception of reality.
Together, we’ll explore the implications of this new world, from the challenges and opportunities of synthetic data and media to the ethical considerations of using these technologies.
So, get ready to challenge your assumptions and redefine your understanding of what is real and what is fake.
Dr. Mark van Rijmenam is a futurist, author, and advisor who helps leaders see beyond hype to identify strategic opportunities and risks from emerging technologies. His presentations convert data-driven trend analysis into clear strategic options, timelines, and capability requirements.
Mark emphasizes scenario planning and practical steps to futureproof organizations: which capabilities to build, which partnerships to pursue, and how to pilot fast. He’s known for grounding vision-level insights in immediate actions that executive teams can implement. Mark works well for leadership retreats, strategy offsites, and conferences where decision-makers must move from foresight to funding and execution.
Dr. Mark van Rijmenam is a globally recognized strategic futurist, keynote speaker, and thought leader on artificial intelligence, blockchain, and the future of work. As an in-demand speaker, he equips organizations with the knowledge and insights needed to navigate digital disruption, drive innovation, and prepare for the rapidly changing technological landscape. His ability to translate complex digital trends into actionable strategies makes him a sought-after expert for global enterprises, governments, and forward-thinking leaders.
With a PhD in Management from the University of Technology Sydney and years of experience advising Fortune 500 companies, Dr. van Rijmenam has positioned himself at the forefront of digital transformation. His engaging and informative presentations empower audiences to embrace emerging technologies, leverage data-driven decision-making, and future-proof their businesses in an age of exponential change.
With a deep understanding of (generative) AI, blockchain, the metaverse, and other emerging technologies, Dr Mark van Rijmenam is the trusted advisor to leading companies and governments seeking to innovate and thrive in the digital age.
Dr Van Rijmenam holds a Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management, a Master of Science in Marketing Management, and a PhD in Management from the University of Technology Sydney.
His research focuses on how organisations should navigate big data analytics, blockchain, and AI. Dr Mark van Rijmenam is a respected voice in the technology community and a member of the Professional Speaker Australia association and the Global Speakers Federation.
Dr. van Rijmenam is an authority on the impact of artificial intelligence, blockchain, and big data on business and society. Through his research and consulting work, he provides strategic guidance to executives and policymakers, helping them understand how disruptive technologies are reshaping industries and redefining competitive advantage. His expertise spans a wide range of fields, including digital ethics, the metaverse, and the role of decentralized technologies in shaping the future economy.
As the founder of Datafloq, a global media platform dedicated to big data and AI, he has been instrumental in educating professionals on data-driven innovation and emerging technology trends. His books, including The Organisation of Tomorrow and Step into the Metaverse, explore how businesses can adapt to digital change and harness new technologies to create value. His research-based insights and hands-on approach make him a trusted advisor to leaders seeking to stay ahead of the curve.
Dr. Mark van Rijmenam is a renowned strategic futurist, keynote speaker, and expert on artificial intelligence, blockchain, and the future of work. With a PhD in Management and extensive experience advising leading organizations, he delivers compelling insights that empower businesses to navigate digital disruption. His expertise in emerging technologies, combined with his engaging and research-driven presentations, makes him a sought-after speaker for global conferences and corporate events. Event planners looking to provide their audiences with cutting-edge knowledge and actionable strategies will find Dr. Mark van Rijmenam to be an invaluable addition to their speaker lineup.
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Dr. Mark van Rijmenam demonstrates how generative AI tools create synthetic media in minutes, showcasing AI’s speed, creativity, and disruption potential.
Dr. Mark van Rijmenam explains generative AI in simple terms: synthetic content created by AI. To illustrate, he shares how he produced a short video in just two minutes. Using ChatGPT, he generated a description of a “blue man.” He then entered the prompt into MidJourney to produce an AI-generated image, which he animated with DID and overlaid with text.
The result was a fully created synthetic video assembled in minutes, something unimaginable only a year earlier. His demonstration highlights the acceleration of AI tools, the accessibility of content generation, and the disruptive potential for industries dependent on media, creativity, and communication.
00:00 Introduction: definition of generative AI as synthetic content
00:20 Example: using ChatGPT to describe a blue man
00:40 MidJourney generates the image from the prompt
01:00 DID animates the image, adds movement and voice
01:30 Text overlays complete the video in minutes
01:50 Conclusion: two-minute creation showcases generative AI’s transformative speed
Dr. Mark van Rijmenam explains how AI, blockchain, and big data converge into the metaverse, urging leaders to build an open, inclusive, and future-proof digital society.
In this keynote, Dr. Mark van Rijmenam introduces himself as a strategic futurist, explaining his focus on how emerging technologies reshape organizations and society. He argues that AI acts as a catalyst for other technologies—accelerating blockchain, big data, and metaverse adoption. He warns against centralized, monopolized control of the metaverse, advocating instead for democratization of creativity through AI.
Mark outlines his definition of the metaverse as a convergence of the digital and physical into “phygital” experiences that augment both worlds. With advances in computing and the rise of quantum, AI will increasingly shape creativity. He likens claims of “building a metaverse” to claims of “building the internet,” underscoring the need for global collaboration.
Using immersive visuals, Mark shows how shifting perspectives—gestalt shifts—help organizations reimagine strategy. Audience testimonials emphasize how unique his presentations are: not just explaining the future, but embodying it.
He concludes that blockchain, AI, and big data together form the “holy grail” of tomorrow. Whether the metaverse becomes a brave new opportunity or a dystopian nightmare depends on how leaders act now.
00:00 Introduction: Mark frames his role as a strategic futurist
00:40 Emerging technologies as catalysts for each other (AI, blockchain, big data)
01:30 Warning: avoid a metaverse controlled by a single entity
02:20 AI as a democratizer of creativity
03:00 Audience feedback: immersive, tech-powered presentations
04:10 Metaverse defined as “phygital” convergence of digital and physical
05:20 Long-term view: internet being built for decades, not years
06:15 Quantum computing and AI reshaping creativity
07:00 Gestalt shift: new perspectives in business strategy
08:10 Blockchain, AI, and big data as the holy grail of innovation
09:20 The choice: brave new metaverse or dystopian nightmare
10:30 Closing remarks: responsibility in shaping the next internet
In this short clip, Dr. Mark van Rijmenam shows how AI and the metaverse converge to unleash creativity and redefine the future of digital experiences.
Dr. Mark van Rijmenam opens by referencing a Jason Silva video, highlighting how AI transforms words and imagination into digital creation. He explains that AI democratizes creativity, enabling anyone to generate art and ideas that once required advanced skills. Looking ahead, he emphasizes that the convergence of generative AI with the metaverse will deliver magical, immersive experiences where people can be whoever they want, in any environment they choose. He cautions that disruptive technologies often start small—quoting Clayton Christensen’s idea that the “next big thing starts off looking like a toy.” He positions the metaverse as exactly that: an emerging technology that may look limited today, but will soon transform how society creates and connects.
00:00 Introduction: Jason Silva video on imagination and AI
00:15 AI as a democratizer of creativity
00:35 Convergence of generative AI and the metaverse as a magical experience
00:55 Unlimited self-expression and immersive environments
01:10 Caution: disruptive technologies often appear trivial at first
01:26 Conclusion: the metaverse may look early-stage now but signals the future
In under 30 seconds, Dr. Mark van Rijmenam explains how blockchain, AI, and big data converge to create the organization of tomorrow.
Dr. Mark van Rijmenam describes blockchain, big data, and artificial intelligence as the “holy grail” for the future of organizations. Together, they enable new forms of collaboration built around data. He explains that big data provides analytics, blockchain ensures trust and transparency, and AI enables human-to-human, human-to-machine, and machine-to-machine interactions. This convergence, he argues, will make organizations more competitive, adaptive, and resilient.
00:00 Blockchain, big data, and AI named the holy grail for organizations
00:05 Technologies enable new forms of collaboration around data
00:10 Big data analytics provides insights and patterns
00:15 Blockchain ensures secure, trusted collaboration
00:20 AI enables human–human, human–machine, and machine–machine interactions
00:28 Conclusion: convergence creates more competitive organizations
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