Speaking Topics

Most commonly requested topic

Keynote Title: Unlocking Competitive Advantage with Generative AI

With two ongoing wars, collapse of big companies, and inflation, the economy today is going through a turbulent time. How do you survive? How can you have a turnaround as a business? Companies no longer have the luxury to spend money on low return projects. In this keynote, Sharon will teach businesses how to do more with less. We'll dive deep into the transformative effects of AI on business and explore the tremendous opportunities and challenges it presents. You'll discover how businesses of all sizes can leverage AI to gain a competitive edge, streamline processes, automate tasks, and make data-driven decisions that drive growth and profitability. Those who listen to this keynote will come out ahead.

Session takeaways:

Understand the difference between hype and reality when it comes to AI and its potential for business.
Learn about practical and impactful use cases of AI in various industries and business functions.
Gain insights into how AI is being used to streamline processes, optimize operations, and drive revenue growth.
Discover the key challenges of AI adoption in business and how to overcome them, such as data quality, privacy concerns, and organizational change management
Learn about the skills and competencies needed to succeed in the age of AI, and how to cultivate them in yourself and your team.

Why Sharon

Deep Expertise

Unlike some speakers who simply report on the latest trends, Sharon has worked in the trenches in one of the largest ecommerce and AI companies in the world. She has built marketplaces, presented to Heads of State, and advised CEO's on digital strategies. She is regarded as an expert in her field, highly sought after by intelligence agencies, investment institutions, brands and retailers.

She has a talent for breaking down complex concepts in digital ecosystems into simple to understand and relatable language, enabling her audience to instantly connect with her material.

Industry-specific AI Keynotes

How AI will disrupt ecommerce and retail

The rapid growth of e-commerce, fueled by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), is transforming the retail landscape, impacting various aspects of the industry. AI is revolutionizing personalization and customer experience through tailored product recommendations and improved customer service. It streamlines inventory management and optimizes supply chain processes while enhancing cybersecurity and fraud prevention. Additionally, AI plays a crucial role in payment processing, pricing strategies, visual search, social media marketing, sentiment analysis, content generation, and the integration of virtual and augmented reality technologies. By understanding these AI-driven developments, senior executives in large retail and e-commerce businesses can prepare their organizations to thrive and remain competitive in an increasingly AI-driven retail landscape.

Session Takeaways:

Trends in AI that will improving customer experience and foster loyalty
AI-driven tools, leading to cost savings and increased efficiency
Frameworks to think about other technologies that disrupt the retail industry
Clarity and direction on immersive and interactive shopping experiences, setting businesses apart from competitors

AI in State and Local Government: Pioneering Efficiency, Compassion, and Progress

The fusion of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into state and local governance is not just about automation or efficiency—it's about transforming the very fabric of governance, making it more responsive, fair, and innovative. In this session, Sharon will delve deep into the transformative potential of AI, from personalized public services to data-driven decision-making. She will introduce the major AI innovations that are being used today and take attendees on a tour of how different governments around the world are implementing these solutions to better the lives of their citizens. Starting from the bustling streets of Hangzhou, where computer vision has become a pivotal tool to combat crime, to the high-tech healthcare facilities of Tokyo, which use AI to offer impeccable care to its silver-aged citizens, and finally to the classrooms of New York, rejuvenated by Khan Academy’s Khanmigo bot, the journey showcases the myriad ways AI is redefining education. Through this session, governance leaders will be equipped with actionable insights, aiding them in harnessing the full potential of AI for the betterment of their communities.

Session Takeaways:

How companies like OpenAI, Microsoft, and Nvidia can shape our lives in the next decade
Understand the difference between hype and reality when it comes to AI and its potential for business
How image recognition, NLP and chatbots are being used by governmental bodies to better public safety, healthcare and education
Gain insights into how collaborative efforts between tech companies, governments, and the public can co-create an AI-driven future that resonates with community values.
A new mindset to adopt to navigate new technologies that impact our economy

China’s rise in AI: From the world’s factory to the world’s AI lab

After nearly four decades as the “factory of the world,” China today is stepping into a new role in the global economy: as a hub for innovative applications of artificial intelligence. $15.7 trillion in global wealth AI is expected to generate by 2030, a full $7 trillion will occur in China alone. From the rise of Tik Tok, Shein, to now Temu, China has pivoted from exporting physical products to software and it is doing it well. With the initial launch of the Ernie bot from Baidu, a rival product to ChatGPT, China has set its sight in becoming the AI lab of the world.

Why was the country able to develop so quickly? What principles can we borrow from innovations in the east to apply to the west? And more importantly, how should a company prepare for and navigate this new world? As someone who is able to understand both eastern and western perspectives, Sharon Gai, has worked at the top companies of US and China. Her keynote shows culture fluid perspectives and case studies in innovation from both regions and strategies for organizations to adopt to navigate this new AI world.

Session Takeaways:

The key macro-trends that are disrupting our world today
Five key strategies today’s most successful players are adopting to prepare for tomorrow
Examine key factors driving China's growth, such as domestic consumption, infrastructure development, and technological advancements
Explore China's role in the global trade landscape and its impact on international supply chains
Discover emerging sectors and industries in China that offer lucrative business opportunities for international companies
Gain insights into strategies for managing risks and establishing successful long-term partnerships in the Chinese market

Check availability to book

Mindset on AI

The Red Pill or Blue Pill: Navigating the Dichotomy in AI

AI is no longer a futuristic concept reserved for science fiction movies. It's already here, and it's rapidly changing the way businesses operate, compete, and grow. From machine learning to natural language processing, AI is revolutionizing the way we work, transforming the very fabric of industries across the globe. In this keynote, we'll dive deep into the transformative effects of AI on business and explore the tremendous opportunities and challenges it presents. We will discover how businesses of all sizes can leverage AI to gain a competitive edge, streamline processes, automate tasks, and make data-driven decisions that drive growth and profitability. We will also unravel the intricate web of anxiety, social isolation, and job displacement that may arise from these technological advancements. You will leave this keynote with a new mindset, with insights and perspectives that will enable you to navigate the complex landscape of AI, make informed decisions, and position your organization for success in the future. Now the question is, will you take the red pill or blue pill?

Session takeaways:

How companies like OpenAI, Microsoft, and Nvidia can shape our lives in the next decade
Understand the difference between hype and reality when it comes to AI and its potential for business.
AI’s impact on local communities and how to use it to develop local economies
Learn about the skills and competencies needed to succeed in the age of AI, and how to cultivate them in yourself and your team
Examine the potential negative consequences of AI on mental health, including increased anxiety, social isolation, and job displacement
A new mindset to adopt to navigate new technologies that impact our economy

Ecommerce and Retail

Keynote title: What brands can learn from ecommerce in China, the world’s largest consumer market

One in two retail transactions in China is done online making the Chinese ecommerce market the most advanced in the world. Livetreaming, social commerce, virtual influencers, NFT drops, metaverse experiments are occurring on a daily basis in China. Naturally, local platforms such as Tmall, JD and now Tik Tok are changing the way consumers interact with brands online. Evolving from a sales channel, to a marketing channel and now to an entertainment channel, these ecommerce platforms have evolved how brands are discovering their consumers online. This keynote will go over some of the most recent trends to emerge from ecommerce in China.

Session takeaways:

A deep understanding of the innovations coming out of Chinese technology companies and the impact they are having on the global market
Frameworks to think about innovation
Be able to analyze and evaluate the strategies and business models of these companies and to apply them to different situations and projects around the world.

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Check her availability

Sharon is available for virtual and in person presentations