Entrepreneur, Futurist & XR Innovation Leader; Co-Founder of METAVRSE; Author of "2030: A Blueprint for Humanity's Exponential Leap"

Toronto, Canada

Alan Smithson Biography

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.

BOOK Alan Smithson

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 06/02/2026.

Alan Smithson Speaking Topics

  • Unlocking the Potential of Exponential Technologies. Building Ethical and Profitable Solutions for a Better World

    In a rapidly evolving landscape of technological advancements, the ethical and profitable utilization of exponential technologies stands as a paramount challenge and opportunity. This insightful discussion delves into the intricate balance between innovation, profitability, and ethical considerations in the development and deployment of exponential technologies. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of how to harness the transformative power of technologies such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and blockchain to serve the greater good while ensuring financial viability.

    Key Takeaways:

    Navigating Ethical Dilemmas:

    • Explore the ethical implications of exponential technologies and learn strategies for navigating complex moral dilemmas.

    Profitability Through Purpose:

    • Discover how aligning business objectives with ethical principles can drive sustainable profitability and create lasting positive impact.

    Stakeholder Engagement:

    • Learn effective approaches to engage diverse stakeholders, including customers, employees, and communities, in the development and implementation of ethical technology solutions.

    Regulatory Compliance:

    • Understand the importance of regulatory compliance in mitigating risks and fostering trust in the ethical use of exponential technologies.

    Case Studies and Best Practices:

    • Gain insights from real-world case studies and best practices exemplifying successful integration of ethics and profitability in technology innovation.

    An engaging exploration of how to build ethical and profitable technology solutions that not only drive economic growth but also enhance the well-being and prosperity of humanity as a whole.

  • Building the METAVRSE - Lessons from building the infrastructure for the spatial web

    Embark on a journey into the realm of the METAVRSE, where the boundaries between the physical and digital worlds blur, and spatial computing takes center stage. In this enlightening session, participants will uncover the key insights and learnings gleaned from pioneering the development of infrastructure for the spatial web. From immersive virtual reality experiences to interconnected augmented reality interfaces, discover the intricacies of building the foundation for a seamlessly integrated digital universe.

    Key Takeaways:

    Architecting Immersive Experiences:

    • Gain insights into the design principles and technical frameworks essential for creating immersive virtual reality environments that captivate and engage users.

    Interconnectedness in the Spatial Web:

    • Explore the importance of establishing robust connectivity and interoperability standards to enable seamless interaction and collaboration across diverse spatial computing platforms.

    Navigating Data Privacy and Security:

    • Understand the challenges and considerations involved in safeguarding user data and ensuring privacy in an interconnected digital ecosystem.

    Scalability and Performance Optimization:

    • Learn strategies for optimizing the performance and scalability of spatial web infrastructure to accommodate growing user demands and evolving technological capabilities.

    User-Centric Design:

    • Embrace a user-centric approach to interface design and user experience optimization, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity across diverse user demographics.

    Future Trends and Emerging Technologies:

    • Stay ahead of the curve by exploring upcoming trends and emerging technologies shaping the future of the METAVRSE, from volumetric displays to haptic feedback systems.

    Join as we unravel the mysteries of building the METAVRSE and discover how to navigate the complexities of spatial web infrastructure to unlock new realms of possibility in the digital landscape.

Read More +

  • How do I book Alan Smithson to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Alan Smithson 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 Alan Smithson, 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 Alan Smithson or any other speaker of your choice.
  • What are the speaker fees for Alan Smithson

    Speaking fees for Alan Smithson, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Alan Smithson are $20,000 - $30,000 for live events and $10,000 - $20,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Alan Smithson, 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 Alan Smithson speak about?

  • Where does Alan Smithson travel from?

    Alan Smithson generally travels from Toronto, Canada, 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 Alan Smithson’s agent?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Alan Smithson 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 Alan Smithson 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 Alan Smithson 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.

Alan Smithson is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Unlocking the Potential of Exponential Technologies. Building Ethical and Profitable Solutions for a Better World, Building the METAVRSE - Lessons from building the infrastructure for the spatial web, AI / AGI / ASI - How to prepare for the exponential growth of everything., The Future of Spatial Retail and The World in 2030: Three Years of Growth, Three Decades of Transformation. The estimated speaking fee range to book Alan Smithson for your event is $20,000 - $30,000. Alan Smithson generally travels from Toronto, Canada and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Amy Jo Martin, Sharon Gai, Dr. Corrie Block, Erik Qualman and R "Ray" Wang. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Alan Smithson 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