Founder, Chairman & CEO of Hanson Robotics, Created Sophia the Robot, Former Robotics Researcher & Design Consultant at Walt Disney Imagineering & Won Tech Titans’ Innovator of the Year Award

David Hanson, Ph.D., is the founder, chairman, and CEO of Hanson Robotics, where he leads groundbreaking work in artificial intelligence and human-like robotics. Widely recognised as the creator of Sophia the Robot, the world’s first robot citizen, David is pioneering the development of machines capable of empathy, communication, and social interaction. His vision focuses on merging science, engineering, and artistry to build robots that can enrich human life and society. Today, he continues to shape the global conversation on AI and robotics as one of the world’s most influential technology innovators.

Credentials and Impact

David has built a career at the intersection of robotics, artificial intelligence, and design, combining technical expertise with creative vision. He began as a robotics researcher and design consultant at Walt Disney Imagineering, where he contributed to the development of lifelike animatronic characters enjoyed by millions of visitors worldwide. Later, he co-founded SingularityNET, a decentralised AI marketplace created to democratise artificial intelligence and encourage global collaboration across industries. These roles showcase his commitment to expanding the possibilities of human–machine interaction and building innovative ecosystems in emerging technologies.

As an inventor, David has secured more than a dozen patents in robotics and AI-related technologies, affirming his reputation as both an innovator and thought leader. His pioneering work has been recognised by NASA, the National Science Foundation, and the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence. He has also received Tech Titans’ Innovator of the Year award and was honoured at the Cooper Hewitt Design Triennial for design excellence. Beyond these achievements, David engages with universities, research institutions, and policymakers around the world to influence the ethical development of artificial intelligence. His impact extends beyond invention, shaping the dialogue on how intelligent machines can be designed to enrich society.

Publications and Media

David is the author of two books, ‘Humanising Robots: How Making Humanoids Can Make Us More Human’ and ‘The Coming Robot Revolution: Expectations and Fears About Emerging Intelligent, Humanlike Machines’, co-authored with Yoseph Bar-Cohen. He has also published numerous articles and research papers in robotics, AI, cognitive science, and materials science journals. His work has been featured in major media outlets, including The New York Times, Scientific American, Popular Science, BBC, Wired, and CNN.

Why Hire David Hanson?

David is a visionary and compelling speaker who masterfully blends science, design, and storytelling to illuminate the future of artificial intelligence and robotics. His major talks include the TED Talk ‘Robots That Show Emotion’, where he demonstrates how robots can perceive and express human-like emotions; the TEDxHongKongED presentation ‘Teaching Robots’, which explores the use of human-like robots in education; and the TEDxTaipei 2012 talk ‘The Future of Robotics’, offering insights into the trajectory of intelligent machines.

These talks exemplify David’s ability to translate complex technological ideas into narratives that are deeply human, inspiring, and accessible. Audiences from business leaders and researchers to policymakers and the general public appreciate his talent for demystifying topics such as digital disruption, machine learning, and the ethical implications of empathetic robots. Recognised as both an inventor and futurist, David consistently leaves listeners enlightened, motivated, and eager to reconsider the role of intelligent, expressive machines in shaping our collective future.

To book David to speak at your event, call SpeakOut on +44 (0) 20 8914 8966. Alternatively, complete our contact form to begin your enquiry.