Ben Hammersley

Ben Hammersley is a British journalist, futurist, and technologist known for coining the term "podcast" while writing for The Guardian. This term has since become central to digital media and audio content, shaping the podcasting industry and influencing how billions consume information worldwide.

Hammersley was the first reporter at The Times dedicated to covering the internet, reflecting his early engagement with digital technology and media trends. His career spans journalism, technology, and strategic foresight, providing a multidisciplinary perspective on the future of technology and society. Hammersley has contributed to newspapers and magazines including The Guardian and WIRED, where he served as Associate Editor and later Editor-at-Large at the launch of the UK edition. In these roles, he has advised governments and organizations on technology and media, including serving on the European Commission High Level Group on Media Freedom of the European Union.

Beyond print journalism, Hammersley has worked extensively in broadcasting and public service. He is the writer, host, and narrator of the Netflix and BBC television series "Cybercrimes with Ben Hammersley," filmed in multiple countries. He has presented programs for the BBC, including "Futureproof Yourself," and has twice hosted "Analysis" for BBC Radio 4, focusing on topics such as Facebook and genetic testing. Hammersley has also served as the UK Prime Minister's Ambassador to Tech City in East London, and has held fellowships at the Robert Schuman School for Advanced Studies at the European University Institute, the Centre for Creative and Social Technologies at Goldsmiths, University of London, and the Brookings Institution.

As an author, Hammersley has written internationally published books including "64 Things You Need To Know Now For Then," a guide to modern concepts, and "Now For Then: How To Face The Digital Future Without Fear," which explores technology, culture, business, and politics, and explains the complexities of the internet and cyberspace.

Hammersley is the founder and principal of Hammersley Futures, an international strategic forecasting consultancy that guides corporations and governmental agencies in navigating technological innovation. His work focuses on the future of crime and conflict, workplace and market evolution, and the cognitive tools required to adapt to ongoing technological change.

Drawing on personal experience in aviation, emergency medicine, genomic science, disaster response, and war reporting, Hammersley delivers insights to corporate and governmental clients worldwide. His presentations break down complex concepts in technology and digital transformation, using stories and analogies to make these topics accessible. Hammersley has spoken at events for organizations such as Deutsche Telekom, Ernst & Young, Accenture, Adobe, Deloitte, Airbus, Pfizer, Vodafone, KPMG, BlackRock, Microsoft, Google, the European Commission, and the UK Prime Minister's Office.