Keynote Speaker Jeremy Rifkin on ‘Rescuing the Future’, AI, and the Age of Resilience

Public intellectual, economic strategist, and keynote speaker Jeremy Rifkin has spent decades shaping global policy. As President of the Foundation on Economic Trends, he has advised the European Union and heads of state worldwide. In his book, ‘Rescuing the Future: Reimagining Artificial Intelligence in a World on the Edge’, Rifkin addresses a critical turning point. He argues that corporate artificial intelligence is reaching its limits, making way for a decentralised alternative.

The AI Ontological Surprise: Corporate Giants versus The People’s AI

While big-tech companies currently dominate cloud-based AI, a quiet shift is happening in communities worldwide. Rifkin calls this movement “The People’s AI”. Small businesses, regional cooperatives, and open-source networks drive this new approach. They use local fog computing and Internet of Things (IoT) platforms to connect globally while staying rooted in local bioregions.

This shift represents a choice between two fundamental worldviews:

• Substance Ontology: The traditional big-tech model. It views existence as atemporal, inert, and extractive, treating nature and technology as resources to exploit.
• Process Ontology: The emerging alternative model. It views existence as dynamic, temporal, and interconnected, treating the planet as an animated web of living processes.

Rifkin warns that relying on substance ontology risks severe environmental collapse. Conversely, embracing process ontology helps humanity build an adaptive, resilient future.

Gen Z and the Shift to the Age of Resilience

This technological evolution is driven heavily by the Gen-Z workforce entering global business. Young professionals view humanity and nature as deeply interconnected. As a result, they are redefining commerce, governance, and workplace culture.

Gen Z favours stewardship over ownership. They champion collective intelligence, biophilia, and open-source collaboration. To stay competitive, businesses must adapt from a dying Age of Progress to an emerging Age of Resilience.

Why Book Jeremy Rifkin for Your Organisation?

Artificial intelligence and environmental shifts are altering global commerce. Corporate boardrooms require long-term strategic vision to navigate these changes safely. As an internationally acclaimed keynote speaker, Jeremy Rifkin offers unmatched authority, translating complex economic shifts into practical roadmaps for senior executives.

Key Benefits for Corporate Audiences:

• Unrivalled Global Authority: Trusted advisor to European Commission presidents and Fortune 500 executive teams.
• Strategic Future-Proofing: Helps organisations transition from centralised tech reliance to resilient, regional models.
• Workforce Alignment: Delivers deep insights into Gen-Z values, helping leaders attract top talent and modernise workplace culture.
• Actionable Sustainability: Provides clear guidance on aligning commercial operations with ecological resilience.

Bring Jeremy Rifkin to Your Next Event

Help your executive team look beyond corporate AI hype and prepare for the Age of Resilience.

Renowned keynote speaker Jeremy Rifkin delivers compelling presentations that challenge conventional economic thinking. Whether you are planning an international conference or an executive retreat, he redefines how organisations approach technology, economics, and sustainability.

Get in Touch To check availability, discuss speaking fees, or book Jeremy Rifkin for your event:

• Call our team: +44 (0)1628 601 400
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• Enquire online: Reach out directly through the website to secure a consultation for your next corporate event.