We’re deep in the midst of the spooky season, and many of us agree it’s the best time of year to snuggle up on the couch and watch a scary movie. Vampires and ghosts are a classic choice, but horror and sci-fi have always gone hand in hand, so perhaps you’re craving a dose of mad science and the scariness of deep space instead? And while you can’t book a ghost, alien or android, you can book a roboticist or astrophysicist, so anyone with a deep interest in the latest advancements in AI tech and interstellar investigation need look no further than the speakers featured below.

Marita Cheng is the founder of Robogals, AiPoly and Autobot and a top technology speaker with a focus on AI and robotics. Her organizations and projects range from educational programs aimed at getting young girls interested in engineering to the manufacture of robots and systems that assist the visually impaired and those with other disabilities. An energetic and effective speaker, she has spoken over 350 times in 15 different countries.

The founder and chief scientist at Jibo, an open platform designed to let developers successfully utilize social robots, Cynthia Breazeal is a prominent global innovator as well as an Associate Professor of Media Arts and Sciences at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. As a top innovation keynote speaker, she’s a great choice for organizations interested in the applications of socially intelligent robots.

 Consultant for NASA and Hyperloop José Morey is a top innovation keynote speaker who has assisted in the creation of intelligent systems for use in aerospace. A member of multiple AI advisory boards, he has spoken with, and inspired, audiences in every industry, from radiology to finance and government.

Ken Goldberg is an award-winning inventor and artist with a focus on automation for use in warehouses, homes, and operating rooms. As the director of the UC Berkeley AUTOLAB (among many other things!), he oversees student roboticists in their research. The veteran of over 400 keynotes and lectures, he is a top innovation speaker.

Astronomer and innovation keynote speaker Jill Tarter is the former Director of Research at the SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) Institute, which is the most comprehensive project ever undertaken in the search for alien communications and signals. An active educator, she’s assisted the NSF and NASA in developing programs for children in grades 3-9, and has plenty of experience presenting information to non-professionals and anyone with an interest in the study of space.

Top keynote speaker Sebastian Thrum is the author of over 370 scientific papers and has been named the fifth most creative person in business by Fast Company, as well as Global Thinker #4 by Foreign Policy. One of the developers of Google’s self-driving car and a former instructor at Stanford University, he aims to educate audiences, especially those made up of students, in the potential of robotics.

Marc Raibert is the founder and CEO of Boston Dynamics, a company dedicated to developing some of the world’s most advanced robots. A former professor at MIT and Carnegie Mellon University, he is a top creativity and innovation keynote speaker.

The chief scientist at Baidu Research, Andrew Ng is the author of over 100 papers on machine learning and robotics and an instructor at Stanford University who has taught over 100,000 students. With an interest in deep learning and his experience creating top quality online courses, he’s a great option for virtual engagements.

Astronaut and biochemist Peggy Whitson is a top keynote speaker who began her astronaut training in 1996. A participant on ten spacewalks who has accumulated 377 total days aboard the ISS, she has a wealth of scientific knowledge to share with those interested in the details of spacecraft and life in orbit.

CEO of Spinglass Eric Daimler is also a top innovation keynote speaker and AI expert. An authority in the field of robotics, he has co-founded six technology companies throughout his career. He actively works to empower communities to engage with and leverage new technologies through his keynotes and lectures.

BigSpeak is proud to work with top scientists and thought leaders. If you are looking to bring a headliner to your conference or online event, please reach out to us at info@bigspeak.com and we’ll happily assist you in securing a great innovation keynote speaker.