Alan Smithson

Alan Smithson is an entrepreneur, futurist, author, and a recognized voice in extended reality (XR) and emerging technology. Smithson co-founded METAVRSE, a company known for delivering more than 1,000 XR and artificial intelligence solutions and events for Fortune 500 companies before evolving into a boutique advisory serving royal families, sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and governments navigating artificial intelligence, XR, quantum computing, robotics, space, and education technology.

Smithson co-invented the first touchscreen DJ system, "Emulator," which was featured on Dragons' Den, G4TV, and WIRED. "Emulator" received DJ Mag's Innovative Product of the Year Award. Before METAVRSE, Smithson's entrepreneurial work in music technology included launching "Emulator," which was used by artists and brands such as Linkin Park, Armin Van Buuren, Microsoft, Sony, and Heineken. This innovative approach led Smithson into the XR industry, where he established himself as a global authority.

Smithson hosts the "XR For Business" podcast, a widely followed resource in the XR and technology sector, and serves as an independent advisor on the business of XR to major companies, chief investment advisors, and ultra-high-net-worth family offices. He is a founding member of the VR/AR Association, a member of the IEEE Mixed Reality Ethics Committee, and a judge for the global Auggie Awards.

Smithson has been recognized as a top retail influencer and digital futurist, and is a TEDx speaker and podcast host. His ideas have reached audiences at TED, CES, SXSW, AWE, Economist Summit, and Korea AI Summit, and his work has been featured in Harvard Business Review, MIT Technology Review, Forbes, and The Economist. Smithson authored "2030: A Blueprint for Humanity's Exponential Leap," a roadmap for understanding converging technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and quantum computing.

In addition to his entrepreneurial pursuits, Smithson serves as a board advisor to HSTAR Space, a space transportation enterprise. Together with his wife, Julie, Smithson co-founded Unlimited Awesome, a global AI-powered learning platform featuring a personalized AI tutor, an AI course builder, and the 6 Castles Human Flourishing curriculum. Through their family office, 6ix Ventures, they support founders building infrastructure in artificial intelligence, robotics, biotechnology, quantum computing, education, and XR. Smithson is committed to inspiring and educating future leaders to think and act in a socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable way, maintaining a strong presence in the fields of emerging technology and innovation.