Technology Futurist & Researcher; Former Director of WIRED Consulting; Co-Founder of 1715Labs; Expert on AI, Robotics & Space Economy

London, UK
Live Event: $30,000 - $50,000 Virtual Event: Please Contact More Fee Info

Sophie Hackford Biography

Sophie Hackford is a technology futurist, researcher, and keynote speaker whose work explores the intersection of advanced science and its implications for business, society, and the future of humanity. Hackford specializes in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, robotics, and the space economy, providing insights to leaders navigating emerging technologies. She synthesizes global breakthroughs in technology and science, engaging with maker, hacker, science, and space communities worldwide, from Shenzhen to Detroit, to identify new developments in the tech sector.

Hackford's career includes roles at WIRED Magazine, Singularity University at NASA Research Park in Silicon Valley, and the Oxford Martin School at Oxford University, where she raised $120 million for research initiatives. As director of WIRED Consulting and WIRED Education, she developed a consulting business for WIRED Magazine, connecting experts in technology and natural sciences to address business challenges. At Singularity University, Hackford contributed to programs exploring advancements in genetics, artificial intelligence, and engineering, and taught on the Executive Program's Space track as well as the University of Oxford Physics Department's entrepreneurship course.

Hackford has delivered more than 300 speeches to boards and executive teams, presenting to diverse audiences including technology conferences in Shenzhen, pension funds in Kuwait, and Hollywood film executives. Her presentations encourage dialogue around emerging technologies and their impact on business and society. Hackford has appeared on CNBC's "Squawk Box," BBC News, World Service, and BBC Tech Tent, and has been featured in publications such as Financial Times and Vogue.

As a strategic advisor, Hackford serves on the Advanced Technology Council at John Deere & Co, focusing on the future of food, climate, and agriculture. She co-founded and chaired 1715Labs, a spinout from Oxford University Astrophysics Department specializing in data labeling for AI algorithm training, and advises New Lab in Brooklyn. Hackford also sits on the boards of Not Just a Label and Classlist, two growth-stage startups. She maintains an optimistic perspective on the opportunities presented by rapid technological change.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 10/30/2026.

Sophie Hackford Speaking Topics

  • The World as a Computer

    Sophie will talk about the Earth becoming a computer, or a machine. Our home planet is being augmented to be capable of calculating things about itself, and about us.

    New sensing technologies are stretching the fabric of intelligence to include robots, satellites, and sensors, both powered by – and creating – huge amounts of data. Our lives are becoming increasingly entangled with robots, as our data powers their lives.

    From tiny antbots to drones to orbiting satellites, we are materially changing the surface of our planet (and beyond!) with hardware and software. Terraforming our planet just as much as others plan to terraform Mars.

    Machine intelligence now lives out in the wild, in our homes, offices, cities, farms, countries. These computational landscapes are starting to change how we understand and optimise life here on Earth – what we can know and what we can do.

    Finally, a new kind of intelligence is evolving from this planetary computer that we didn’t program in. Generative AI is one of the first examples of this emergence. As we can no longer lift the lid and see how it works, we need to ask some important questions about regulation, privacy, ethics, equity, and the ability to audit and control these new technologies. The role of humans in this brave new future will likely be a source of debate for years to come.

    Sophie will argue that we need a new science of intelligence to help us get to grips with our new robot buddies and our new robot home.

  • Metaverse and Digital Twins

    A metaverse may emerge, where we live out aspects of our lives in data-powered simulations. This requires a new mental model of the internet, taking into account digital objects, currencies, identities, experiences.

    Whether allowing us to merge with a piece of music or work with synthetic colleagues, metaverse technologies are more than just NFTs or cryptocurrencies. They are an opportunity to do impossible things and solve impossible problems.

    Furthermore, autonomy is powered by simulation technologies – only if born digitally and tested in a virtual proving ground, can robots live and work alongside us.

    As we gradually build up simulation infrastructure – avatar versions of warehouses, or container ports

    • we can then stitch such digital twins together in a ‘twinternet’. This internet of simulations would allow us to step inside our critical systems (supply chains, electric grid, health system, a city, or even the human body) and run/monitor them remotely?

    It’s the simulations’ world, we’re just living in it…

Read More +

Sophie Hackford Videos

Regulators have got to act on A.I. now, futurist says

Regulators have got to act on A.I. now, futurist says

Sophie Hackford, a futurist specializing in data and artificial intelligence, said it's important to avoid creating a world in which humans are...

How will space tech change our lives? Futurist Sophie Hackford ...

How will space tech change our lives? Futurist Sophie Hackford ...

Sophie Hackford's talk from our 2020 How To Change The World Conference is sure to inspire you to look up at the stars and wonder if humans ...

Pictet Meets Sophie Hackford

Pictet Meets Sophie Hackford

Why should we keep our eyes on the stars? In this episode, Luciano Diana interviews Sophie Hackford to explore why the future of space technology...

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  • What topics does Sophie Hackford speak about?

    Sophie Hackford is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Agriculture, Blockchain, Disruptive Thinking, Female Leadership, Finance, Futurism, Thought Leadership, Women in Tech
  • Where does Sophie Hackford travel from?

    Sophie Hackford generally travels from London, UK, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
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Sophie Hackford is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as The World as a Computer, Metaverse and Digital Twins, Data and AI and Web3. The estimated speaking fee range to book Sophie Hackford for your event is $30,000 - $50,000. Sophie Hackford generally travels from London, UK and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Barbara Belvisi, Sari Stenfors, Amber Case, Michelle Munson and Liya Safina. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Sophie Hackford for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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