Speaking about AI from real experience

Talks, panels and discussions that help business leaders understand what AI can offer, where its limits lie and what it takes to make it work.

I draw on more than 20 years in AI research, strategic leadership and hands-on delivery, bringing a grounded perspective without the hype.

Based in Dublin, Ireland

Enquire about speaking

Keynotes, conference talks, panels and Q&A

Research & technical depth

A PhD and a career in applied AI research. The depth to explain how the technology works, what it can do and where its limits lie.

Strategic leadership

Former Director of Data Science at UnitedHealth Group. Experience setting direction, building teams and making AI decisions inside a large organisation.

Hands-on delivery

Designing, building and deploying AI systems for organisations from startups to large enterprises. First-hand knowledge of what it takes to make them useful.

Informed judgement, grounded in experience

Together, these perspectives help me explain what AI can offer, what making it work involves and when a different approach makes more sense.

A useful conversation for your audience

I tailor each talk to the audience: who they are, how much detail is useful, and which examples will help.

A few example themes are below.

Where AI can help your business

Start with what your organisation is trying to achieve. Explore where AI can make a useful contribution, where its limits matter and when a simpler approach is the better choice.

Your audience takes away

A clearer way to recognise worthwhile opportunities and distinguish them from ideas that do not need AI.

What it takes to make AI work

A convincing demonstration is only the beginning. Explore the data, people, processes and integration involved in turning an idea into something an organisation can rely on.

Your audience takes away

An understanding of what delivery involves, why projects get stuck and what needs to be in place for practical use.

Making informed AI decisions

How do you assess an AI proposal or decide where to invest? Examine the questions leaders need to ask about capability, cost, risk and the organisation's readiness to use it.

Your audience takes away

Better questions to ask your teams and suppliers, and a grounded perspective on the choices ahead.

Speaking to a technical audience? I can go deeper into the engineering, evaluation and practical delivery of AI systems. Let's discuss the right level for your event.

What that experience brings to the room

My work in AI started long before the current wave of interest: a degree specialising in software engineering, a PhD in information retrieval, machine learning and NLP, applied research with companies from start-ups to Samsung, then building and leading AI systems and teams at multinationals, including as Director of Data Science at UnitedHealth Group. Today, through Clearlead AI Consulting, I work directly with companies of all sizes, advising on AI strategy and building the systems myself.

Many people now speaking about AI bring one part of that picture: a business background, academic theory, or a recent move across from software engineering. That is useful, but it is not the same as having done the whole of the work.

My own work covers the whole field of AI, not just generative AI: machine learning, NLP and data science too, while keeping up with the latest models and tools.

More about my background

Many people speaking on AI come from one of these. My work has covered all three.

Questions worth asking any AI speaker

If you are choosing someone to talk to your audience about AI, these are fair questions. Here are my answers.

Have they built an AI system themselves?: Yes. I have designed, built and deployed AI systems throughout my career, for organisations from start-ups to large enterprises.
Has it been put to work inside a real organisation?: Yes. In multinationals across consumer electronics, telecommunications and healthcare, including UnitedHealth Group, and today with the companies I work with directly.
Do they understand the technology underneath?: A PhD, post-doctoral research, and patents and academic publications.
Have they made AI decisions with real teams and budgets?: Yes. I have set technical direction and built and led AI teams in several multinationals, including as Director of Data Science at UnitedHealth Group.
Does their experience go beyond generative AI?: Yes. More than 20 years across machine learning, NLP and data science as well as generative AI. On each project I choose from established techniques through to the latest models and tools, depending on what the problem needs.
Are they still doing the work today?: Yes. I founded Clearlead AI Consulting and work directly with companies of all sizes, advising on AI strategy and building AI systems myself. What I say on stage comes from work I am doing now.

A format that fits the conversation

My speaking experience spans international research conferences, industry events and large internal company audiences. I adapt the content to the people in the room and what you want them to take away.

Talks & keynotes

A focused perspective for your conference or company event, connecting the bigger picture with the practical decisions your audience faces.

Panels & Q&A

An experienced technical and strategic voice in a wider discussion, with room to explore the questions that matter to your audience.

I also welcome podcast and media enquiries for clear, informed conversations about AI and its practical applications.

Looking for a smaller, tailored session? I also offer workshops and training, as well as private leadership briefings. For ongoing support, explore technical and board advisory.

Let's talk about your event

Tell me who your audience is and what you would like them to take away.

If you have them, include your proposed topic, date, and location or online format. An initial enquiry is enough to start; we can arrange a call to discuss the details.

Discuss your event

Based in Dublin, Ireland. Get in touch to discuss location and format.