Shawn Kanungo

Speaking topics

Presentations listed below include in-person and virtual keynotes, as well as workshops, fireside chats, and other presentation formats.

• Strategy is Energy

  Disruption is no longer a choice — it’s our new reality. In an era where generative AI is outpacing our ability to adapt, where customer expectations have leaped a decade forward, and where traditional business models crumble without warning, one quality separates the survivors from the extinct: fearlessness.

  Organizations can no longer afford to iterate at the edges — they must fundamentally reimagine how they approach work. But the real questions that haunt every leader are deceptively simple: How do we become the disruptor instead of the disrupted? How do we transform faster than our competitors? How do we ignite our teams to deliver experiences that don’t just satisfy, but redefine what’s possible?

  Drawing from the frontlines of innovation, Shawn Kanungo reveals the counterintuitive approaches that turn market turbulence into transformative opportunity. His practical yet provocative roadmap shows leaders how to embrace uncertainty, experiment at scale, and build organizations that thrive on change.

• Innovation in a World of AI

  We’re not on the cusp of an AI revolution — we’re in the midst of a complete reinvention of what’s possible. As autonomous AI agents begin handling everything from customer service to complex business operations, we’re witnessing the birth of a new economic reality. Yet as AI becomes the new electricity, Shawn Kanungo reveals a powerful truth: the future belongs not to those with the best algorithms, but to the bold who dare to challenge the status quo.

  The convergence of generative AI, autonomous agents, and cloud technology has created unprecedented leverage. A single individual with the right AI stack can now match the output of entire departments. Teams can deploy armies of AI agents to handle routine tasks while humans focus on breakthrough thinking. This isn’t just about automation — it’s about building exponential organizations that can scale impact without scaling headcount.

  In this provocative keynote, Shawn Kanungo reveals why conventional approaches to AI adoption are a recipe for mediocrity. Through real-world examples and counterintuitive insights, he demonstrates how the most successful leaders are those who combine AI capabilities with distinctly human creativity and courage. Learn why the future belongs not to those who simply implement AI, but to the bold ones who dare to reimagine its possibilities.

• The Bold Ones: How to Innovate and Disrupt Ourselves

  In a world where change is accelerating exponentially, one truth remains constant: the greatest disruptions come from bold individuals. Drawing from historical legends and modern mavericks, global innovation strategist Shawn Kanungo reveals the essential DNA of those who dare to challenge the status quo.

  Through captivating case studies, Kanungo demonstrates how true innovators capitalize on moments of uncertainty to reshape entire industries. You’ll discover why your “obvious” limitations might be your greatest advantages, how to engineer your own breakthrough moments, and why disruption always starts as a joke before it becomes a revolution. Kanungo shows you how to tap into your bold DNA and become truly indispensable in an age of constant change.

• Friction by Design: Building Trust in the Age of AI

  We’re entering an extraordinary era where generative AI will automate unprecedented parts of our organizations — making operations faster, smarter, and more efficient than ever before. Yet in our rush to make everything instant and effortless, we’ve fallen into “the frictionless trap.” While businesses and governments race to eliminate every point of resistance — deploying AI agents, one-click purchases, and seamless automation — they’re inadvertently sacrificing something far more valuable: trust.

  Shawn Kanungo explores a counterintuitive truth: the most successful organizations of the future will strategically choose between two paths. They’ll either commit to being completely frictionless or intentionally embrace friction to create deeper value. Drawing from compelling examples across industries, Kanungo demonstrates why trying to be in the middle leads to what he calls “the black hole of mediocrity.” He challenges leaders to make bold choices about where to optimize for AI and efficiency, and where to deliberately slow things down to build trust, deepen relationships, and create memorable experiences that technology alone cannot replicate.

  The most powerful insight? In an AI-powered world where everything is becoming instant and automated, strategic friction isn’t just a differentiator — it’s a competitive advantage. In this awe-inspiring talk, Kanungo provides an optimistic roadmap for the future of AI and human connection.

• Creating the Future, Together

  Today, we are undergoing a paradigm shift. The world is becoming more dynamic, intertwined, and unpredictable. Organizations must develop a collaborative approach to innovation, leveraging talent both inside and outside of the company, to navigate the future.

  In this thought-provoking presentation, Shawn Kanungo provides a bold, unique, and contrarian view of the near-term future. He outlines some of the disruptive forces (generative AI, digital business models, etc.) that are impacting every industry. He then explores how organizations can become more adaptable, experimental, and collaborative.

  Weaving together storytelling, humour, inspiration, and actionable takeaways, audiences will walk away with a roadmap on how organizations can create a brighter future, together.

• Fearless Government

  The era of incremental improvement in government is over. Today’s citizens don’t just want services — they demand experiences that match the best of the private sector. In a world of AI, digital ecosystems, and unprecedented connectivity, government must evolve from a service provider to a fearless catalyst for societal transformation.

  But what does it mean to build a truly innovative public sector? Shawn Kanungo shatters traditional assumptions about government modernization, revealing how emerging technologies and collaborative models aren’t just tools — they’re rocket fuel for radical reinvention. Drawing from his hands-on experience driving transformation in government agencies worldwide, Kanungo illuminates the intersection where bold vision meets practical execution.

  Sharing insights from leading organizations and his own experiences on the ground floor of driving transformation in government, Kanungo reveals the technologies, citizen expectations, and service delivery models that will drive the revolution.