Speaking

Speaking

I regularly speak to companies, foundations, professional associations, policy audiences, universities, and public conferences about the intersection of technology, power, and influence. This often includes talks on propaganda, viral rumors, scams and fraud, AI slop, and the systems that shape what people believe.

My talks draw on my research, my book Invisible Rulers, and more than a decade advising policymakers, civic institutions, and technology companies on online manipulation and platform governance. I focus on what is changing, what is overhyped, what is genuinely risky, and what organizations can do next.

I give keynotes, fireside chats, debates, workshops, private briefings, and board-level sessions. Most engagements are 30–60 minutes plus Q&A, and I tailor each talk to the audience.

Recent Themes

Understanding Influence

How influencers, algorithms, and online crowds shape what people see and believe — and why legacy institutions need to update their communication styles. This includes talks on communicating credible expertise when trust in institutions is declining, and nonprofits, scientific bodies, and other nonpartisan institutions are getting drowned out.

AI Slop, Scams, and the Future of Authenticity

How AI is changing the economics of spam, fraud, impersonation, and online manipulation — facts and solutions, without any hype.

Rumors, Propaganda, and Institutional Resilience

How online conspiracy theories and weak claims get laundered into media coverage, congressional hearings, litigation, and policy — and how institutions should respond. Case studies often include election integrity, public health, scientific research, platform governance, and political pressure campaigns.

Platform Power, Moderation, and Free Expression

How to design better online systems – through recommendation engines, moderation policies, and middleware – to give users more agency while reducing abuse.

Private briefings and workshops

I also offer tailored sessions for boards, executive teams, foundations, policy staff, civil society groups, and technology teams. Topics can include platform governance, AI, election or information integrity, child safety, rumor response, health misinformation, reputation risk, or the political environment around technology policy.

Chartwell Speakers handles my speaking engagements, both in the United States and internationally. You can reach me through them, or contact me here for debates or nontraditional requests.

Selected public talks & debates

See About page for podcast appearances & conversations