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:
    1. Understand the strategic implications of AI across personal and enterprise use
    2. Learn how the Information Economy shapes future work and markets
    3. Gain practical frameworks for responsible, long-term AI adoption
Reading time: 2 min
Reviews: (0 reviews)
  • Travels from: San Francisco, CA
  • **Fee range: $50,001 - $75,000

Talent Services

Keynote Topics:

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

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.

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.

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.

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