Former U.S. Navy Fighter Pilot & AI Safety Expert; Professor at George Mason University; Leader in Human–Autonomy Systems

Live Event: $10,000 - $20,000 Virtual Event: Please Contact More Fee Info

Missy Cummings Biography

Missy Cummings is a leading academic, engineering expert, and former U.S. Navy fighter pilot renowned for her work at the intersection of human–machine interaction, autonomous systems, and responsible artificial intelligence. She currently serves as a professor in the College of Engineering and Computing at George Mason University and directs the Mason Autonomy and Robotics Center, where her research focuses on human supervision of autonomous systems, ethical AI design, safety in automated technologies, and the socio‑ethical implications of emerging technology in safety‑critical domains.

Cummings began her career as a U.S. Navy officer and military pilot from 1988 to 1999, becoming one of the Navy’s first female fighter pilots and flying advanced aircraft such as the F/A‑18 Hornet. Her experiences in high‑pressure operational environments shaped her lifelong interest in how humans and machines interact and make decisions under stress.

An expert in systems engineering, Cummings holds a B.S. in mathematics from the United States Naval Academy, an M.S. in space systems engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School, and a Ph.D. in systems engineering from the University of Virginia.

Her research and policy contributions extend beyond academia: she has served as the senior safety advisor at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, where she brought her expertise to federal AI and autonomous vehicle policy, and continues to advise global initiatives on responsible AI, including as a commissioner for the Global Commission on Responsible Artificial Intelligence in the Military Domain.

Cummings is widely published in both technical and policy forums, with work addressing AI hazard analysis, human supervisory control, and the challenges of integrating autonomous technologies in transportation, aviation, and defense. She frequently speaks to industry and government audiences about the limits of machine learning, the importance of human‑centered system design, and the ethical deployment of autonomous systems.

Her trajectory—from breaking barriers in military aviation to shaping the future of autonomous technology—makes her a leading voice in conversations about safety, ethics, and the responsible integration of AI into complex human systems.

BOOK Missy Cummings

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 04/08/2026.

Missy Cummings Videos

Keynote 3: Dr. Missy Cummings

Keynote 3: Dr. Missy Cummings

Professor Mary (Missy) Cummings received her B.S. in Mathematics from the US Naval Academy in 1988 her M.S. in Space Systems Engineering.

The Pandora's Box of Autonomous Vehicles (AVs)

The Pandora's Box of Autonomous Vehicles (AVs)

Mary (Missy) Cummings received her B.S. in Mathematics from the US Naval Academy in 1988 her M.S. in Space Systems Engineering.

From Piloting Fighter Jets to Developing AI | Missy Cummings

From Piloting Fighter Jets to Developing AI | Missy Cummings

At Cognizant’s Inclusion in Tech: Work of Belonging conference, Cognizant VP and Managing Director of the Center for the Future of Work, Ben Pring,...

  • How do I book Missy Cummings to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Missy Cummings for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Missy Cummings, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Missy Cummings or any other speaker of your choice.
  • What are the speaker fees for Missy Cummings

    Speaking fees for Missy Cummings, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Missy Cummings are $10,000 - $20,000 for live events and available upon request for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Missy Cummings, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Missy Cummings speak about?

    Missy Cummings is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Engineering, Health & Wellness, Innovation, Mathematics, Navy, STEM, STEM Education, Technology, TED, Veterans, Women in Tech
  • Where does Missy Cummings travel from?

    Missy Cummings generally travels from an undisclosed location, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
  • Who is Missy Cummings’s agent?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Missy Cummings for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Missy Cummings for your next private or corporate function.
  • What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Missy Cummings or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
  • Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

    If you’re looking for the best, unbiased speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.

Missy Cummings is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics. The estimated speaking fee range to book Missy Cummings for your event is $10,000 - $20,000. Missy Cummings generally travels from and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Karen Palmer, Simone Giertz, Ayanna Howard, Vivienne Ming and Cady Coleman. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Missy Cummings for an upcoming live or virtual event.

Tell us about your event!

During normal business hours, we respond to most inquiries within 4 hours.
Please Select Event Budget
Please enter your message
Please Enter Your Name
Please Enter Your Email
  • Customized Service

    Our agents find the right fit for your event

  • Unparalleled Database

    Full access to all speakers & celebrities

  • One Stop Shopping

    A reliable and unbiased point of contact

  • Logistics Management

    Your personal Logistics Manager who takes care of all event details

This website is a resource for event professionals and strives to provide the most comprehensive catalog of thought leaders and industry experts to consider for speaking engagements. A listing or profile on this website does not imply an agency affiliation or endorsement by the talent.

All American Entertainment (AAE) exclusively represents the interests of talent buyers, and does not claim to be the agency or management for any speaker or artist on this site. AAE is a talent booking agency for paid events only. We do not handle requests for donation of time or media requests for interviews, and cannot provide celebrity contact information.

If you are the talent and wish to request a profile update or removal from our online directory, please submit a profile request form.

TOP