Pieter Geldenhuys: Technology Futurist

Futurist and strategist who helps organisations spot future risks and opportunities, design adaptive strategies, and align teams for faster execution.

Pieter Geldenhuys - Futurist Speaker

Quick Facts:

Highlights:
  • Founder and director of the Institute for Technology Strategy and Innovation (ITSI)
  • Vice-Chair of the Innovation Focus Group at the International
  • Telecommunication Union (ITU), Geneva
  • Technology strategy advisor to Vodacom’s CEO
  • Extraordinary lecturer in Technology Strategy at North-West University
  • Frequent guest lecturer at the London Business School
  • Author of Headlines from the Future
  • Delivered over 3,000 keynote speeches worldwide

Formats: Keynote, Strategy Workshop, Panel, Virtual Briefing

Audience: Leadership teams (20–150); Conferences (150–1,500)

Outcomes:
  1. Identify high impact signals for your sector.
  2. Build a short experiment roadmap to test options.
  3. Improve leadership alignment on future priorities.
Reviews: (0 reviews)
  • Travels from: Cape Town

Talent Services

Keynote Topics:

Join Pieter Geldenhuys on a fascinating journey where we explore the technological changes that will change our civilisation beyond recognition. Welcome to a future dominated by near abundant energy, CRISPR -CAS9 gene changes and Intelligent machines.

Welcome to a VUCA world. A world where transport, agriculture, security, medicine, habitat, communication and materials will be redefined, and through it the foundations of our civilisation.

In times where the only constant is change, organisations need to reframe their thinking, strategy and processes to stay competitive and relevant. We are operating in a complex world where a “best practice fits all” solution to challenges does not give optimum results any more.

In Pieter Geldenhuys presentation the notion of reframing a business to ensure relevancy is discussed and debriefed. Extraordinary possibilities of success and failure lie in a gap between what is possible and what is organisational reality.

Complexity management is also discussed in detail, giving various options of organising value creation in world that is finally realizing that human systems are complex systems, and not linear predictable ones.

Harnessing the promise of the Future 

The Business Unusual presentation (or strategy workshop) provides an invaluable view into the changing world of business in a Hyper-connected world. It not only allows companies to prepare for the challenges of the future, it empowers them to be agents in creating the future.

Whenever new technology emerges, it often takes years for the business world to adapt their operational models to take full advantage of the opportunities that the new technology offers.

We are once again in the midst of a technological and social revolution as the ubiquitous Internet allows instant communication to anything and anyone at any time. Hyper-connectivity, Large data sets of human behavior patterns and Machine Learning Algorithms have unprecedented  impact  on linear value chains and existing business models.

The Innovation space is exploding. Everything from retail to manufacturing to services is being redefined, as innovation in the interconnected space becomes the key differentiator.

The Business Unusual presentation strives to make sense of the new opportunities available within this new hyper-connected world as it starts unpacking dozens of innovative business models and business trends from around the world. Pieter Geldenhuys presentation will take the participant on a journey into an exhilarating world where established business models are turned on its head, and where the mental maps in the minds of the entrepreneurs defines the business landscape of tomorrow.

25 words to change your view of the world

How do you navigate your organisation’s journey in an increasing volatile and unpredictable world? This Pieter Geldenhuys presentation focuses on the lessons we can learn from Nature in managing innovation, market research and organisational change. To be more effective in the world of innovation, we need to learn from the patterns evident in nature.

The 25 words are the bedrock of a competing management science, founded in Complex Adaptive Systems rather than in Linear Physics. The world of Complex Adaptive Systems has been at the centre of research in fields as diverse as Mathematics, Physics, Anthropology, Biology and Sociology for the better part of the last five decades.

As the world is becoming increasingly complex, Management theory is starting to encompass these philosophical foundations. Each of these words are explained in graphical detail and is then matched to astonishing real world examples that exemplify excellence in Innovation Management.

The world continues to reel from one cyber attack to the other – and the threat is growing larger by the day. Phishing, worms, attack bots and malware attack computer systems worldwide on a continual basis. This is a reality that makes science fiction look boring.

The 12 Lessons from the CyberWar Frontier presentation takes you on an enlightening journey, highlighting the ingenuity and audacity of both the Cyber Hackers, and the Cyber Sentinels that protect the status quo. The presentation unearths recent events that are truly stranger than fiction.

Have your username and password been sold to the highest bidder?

Pieter Geldenhuys presentation also highlights the threats that are to come, as the Internet of Things (IOT) reality looms larger.

Want to see if your security cameras have been breached?

Finally, the presentation provides the participant with 12 critical lessons that will reduce their corporate and personal Cyber threat significantly. The presentation balances valuable life lessons with a fascinating narrative of the forces of good and evil that battle it out in the Cybersphere a daily basis. It is a presentation that you cannot afford to miss.

The coming Machine Learning tsunami

Words such as unsupervised and reinforced learning, Open Graphs and Knowledge Graphs, R and Flexible computation sound as if they belong in the Software Engineering department at a university, yet it will become common language in most Corporate Boardrooms in the not too distant future.

Machine Learning, Deep Learning, AI and Robo-advisors are at the cusp of a tsunami that will irrevocably change the business world forever after.

The Intelligence 2.0 presentation will provide the audience with an invaluable insight into the business opportunities that can be unlocked by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML).

The presentation will provide an overview of the AI landscape, discuss the AI value chain, discuss the AI toolsets and provide useful information as to how an organisation can deepen their knowledge of the field.

Pieter Geldenhuys presentation will also highlight a number of case studies and provide practical advice on how an organisation can leverage the tools that are commonly available. The presentation will finally showcase the Digital Transformation journey that would allow a company to leverage the AI revolution to its fullest extent.

Talent Short Bio

Pieter Geldenhuys is a globally recognized futurist and innovation strategist who helps organizations turn emerging technologies into competitive advantage. Founder and director of the Institute for Technology Strategy and Innovation, Pieter has led hundreds of projects and trained thousands in future-focused skills.

He blends academic rigor with abundant practical experience, using case studies, toolkits and frameworks to make topics like AI, automation and the Internet of Things operational for leaders. Pieter’s presentations are designed to equip executive teams with a clear view of the AI value chain, the technology toolsets available and a step-by-step route to embed new capabilities.

He brings deep domain experience advising major enterprises on digital transformation and has held influential roles that bridge research and industry. Pieter is sought for his ability to demystify complexity, translate tech into measurable business outcomes and teach organizations how to adopt a repeatable innovation process. Audiences leave with a prioritized set of actions they can take in the next 90 days.

Pieter Geldenhuys is a globally renowned futurist, innovation strategist, and technology expert who has captivated audiences in over 25 countries with his visionary insights into the future of business, society, and technology. With a remarkable ability to decode complex technological trends and translate them into actionable strategies, Pieter is a sought-after keynote speaker for corporate events, leadership summits, and industry conferences worldwide.

As the founder and director of the Institute for Technology Strategy and Innovation (ITSI), Pieter has led over 150 innovation projects and guided more than 4,000 students in mastering the future of technology. His profound expertise in artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and emerging trends makes him an invaluable resource for organizations looking to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Pieter Geldenhuys is not just a futurist, he is a technological visionary who bridges the gap between theoretical advancements and real-world business applications. With a strong foundation in electronic engineering and an MBA specializing in technology strategy, Pieter has built a career advising leading organizations, including Vodacom, on their innovation and digital transformation strategies. He has served as the Vice-Chair of the Innovation Focus Group at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, demonstrating his influence on a global scale.

His expertise spans a wide range of cutting-edge topics, including artificial intelligence, the impact of automation on the workforce, the Internet of Things, and the future of finance in a hyper-connected world. As an extraordinary lecturer at North-West University and a frequent guest lecturer at top institutions such as the London Business School, Pieter brings an academic rigor to his thought leadership, ensuring that his insights are both intellectually grounded and practically relevant.

Pieter’s impact extends beyond academia and corporate consulting. He has delivered over 3,000 keynote speeches and appeared on more than 2,000 radio programs, sharing his vision of the future with diverse audiences. He is also the author of Headlines from the Future, a thought-provoking book that explores potential future news headlines and their implications for businesses and society. His ability to weave compelling narratives around complex technological concepts makes his presentations engaging, inspiring, and memorable.

Hashtags:

#PieterGeldenhuys #FuturistSpeaker #Innovation #TechnologyTrends #DigitalTransformation #AI #FutureOfWork #Leadership #KeynoteSpeaker #EmergingTech

Contact us at Speakers Inc and follow us on Facebook

Talent Videos

Pieter Geldenhuys – The Future of Agriculture, Technology Waves & Human Potential

Futurist and technology entrepreneur Pieter Geldenhuys explores how emerging technologies, from sensors and IoT to blockchain and DNA analysis, are reshaping agriculture, business, and society.

Pieter Geldenhuys opens by framing his talk around technology waves and the idea that each cycle brings both creative destruction and new opportunities. He notes that while jobs are disrupted, new possibilities always emerge.

Key themes:

  • Technology waves: From the first industrial wave to the sixth wave now emerging, marked by AI, IoT, and biotechnology.
  • Agriculture & IoT: Farmers can now use low-cost sensors to track soil, moisture, nutrient levels, and crop health, creating predictive models that improve yields and reduce waste.
  • Connectivity: Discusses low-frequency 4G, LoRa networks, and upcoming LEO satellites (e.g., SpaceX) to link rural farms to the digital economy.
  • Blockchain in farming: Used to build trust and transparency across the value chain, ensuring accurate data on temperature, soil quality, and product authenticity.
  • Smart devices: Highlights how AI assistants like Alexa integrate IoT into daily life, moving us toward invisible, always-present computing.
  • DNA analysis: Emerging biotechnology allows personalized diets and farming aligned with human genetic profiles — creating new markets and reshaping demand.
  • Healthcare & monitoring: Predicts wearables and biometric data will change healthcare models from once-off payments to subscription-based wellness (pay monthly to stay alive).

Geldenhuys concludes that the future is interconnected, driven by the convergence of agriculture, healthcare, AI, blockchain, and biotech, with data as the central currency.

Key Moments

00:00–03:00 — Introduction: technology waves & creative destruction.
03:30–10:00 — Agriculture: sensors, IoT, and data analytics.
10:00–15:00 — Connectivity: 4G spectrum, LoRa networks, and LEO satellites.
15:30–20:00 — Blockchain for transparency in food supply chains.
20:30–25:00 — Smart assistants (Alexa) and invisible computing.
25:00–32:00 — DNA analysis, personalized diets, and biotech in farming.
32:00–37:00 — Healthcare: wearables, predictive monitoring, subscription models.
37:00–End — Conclusion: interconnected world where data = power.

A futurist perspective on how unseen dynamics and weak signals beneath today’s headlines shape the future in unexpected ways.

The video emphasizes that news headlines only reflect the surface of change. Beneath them lie hidden dynamics, deep economic, social, technological, and cultural forces that shape the direction of the future.

Key points:

  • Headlines = visible effects of much larger, unseen patterns.
  • Interpreting signals: Futurists and strategists must look past what is obvious and search for weak signals, small but telling indicators of long-term transformation.
  • Subtle signs of change often appear before mainstream awareness, providing opportunities for those who can recognize them.
  • These forces redirect society in ways not immediately obvious from daily news.
  • Critical to future thinking: understanding that the real story is hidden beneath the surface, and future strategy depends on detecting these weak signals early.

Core message
“The headlines from the future are already here, but they appear first as hidden signals beneath today’s news.”

Key Moments

00:00 – 00:30 — Introduction: News headlines are described as the visible effects of deeper, unseen forces.
00:30 – 01:10 — The role of futurists: tasked with interpreting signals and detecting subtle shifts before they become mainstream.
01:10 – 02:00 — Exploration of hidden dynamics — economic, cultural, and technological currents that move beneath the surface of daily news.
02:00 – 03:00 — Example of weak signals: small, almost invisible changes that can forecast larger trends.
03:00 – 04:00 — Why most people miss them: focus on immediate headlines blinds us to the long-term story.
04:00 – 05:00 — The impact of unseen forces on shaping unexpected future directions.
05:00 – 05:40 — Conclusion: The headlines from the future are already here — understanding and acting on them requires looking beneath the surface today.

Interest to Book? Send us your enquiry

Speakers Contact

Speaker Enquiry Form

Client Reviews

Talent FAQ's

A: Yes — content is customised with relevant case studies and scenarios.

A: Interactive with scenario planning and action templates.

A: Scenario map and a one-page action plan.

Talent Resources

For Meeting Planners

This PowerPoint slide above is designed for meeting planners.

Register for FREE and simply click the URL link for automatic download of the PPTX slide.

We have created a simple “ABOUT” single slide which you can instantly insert into your pitch deck when submitting speaker proposals.

Features:

  • video links,
  • short concise bio
  • Book images and
  • topic list.

Talent Gallery

Download Talent Files

View further speakers

Kaluba Chikonde is driven by an insatiable desire to empower and uplift others, particularly in the realms of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). With a heart brimming with compassion and a mind teeming with innovative ideas, she tirelessly works to cultivate the next generation of leaders in these critical fields. Kaluba’s commitment to excellence […]

  • Johannesburg
  • Inspired Leadership
Nobukhosi Dlamini Cover-1

Nobukhosi Dlamini is an influential figure in the technology sector, specializing in innovation, data protection, enterprise information management, cybersecurity, corporate IT, and agile transformation. Her expertise spans over two decades, during which she has become a recognized leader in driving digital transformation and cybersecurity across global organizations. As a sought-after speaker and advocate for inclusive […]

  • Cape Town, WC
  • Cybersecurity Speaker
Nicky Verd 5

Nicky Verd is a dynamic Digital Futurist, Kickass Author, International Keynote Speaker, and Consultant renowned for her pioneering insights into the AI-driven economy. A voice for those yearning to disrupt the status quo and reinvent themselves, Nicky’s electrifying presentations empower audiences to embrace the future with confidence and creativity. With a background that combines personal […]

  • Johannesburg
  • Digital Technology
Rianette Liebowitz

Rianette Leibowitz focuses on Cyber Wellness and is on a mission to save lives by taking a more holistic view of our digital habits. Rianette founded SaveTNet Cyber Safety, is a Brand SOUTH AFRICA Play Your Part Ambassador, Author, TV & Podcast Presenter and Digital Parenting Expert. As head of Communications and Business Development for Cyanre the […]

  • Johannesburg
  • Cyber Security
  • 5 (4)
Stafford Masie Digital Innovation

Stafford Masie talks around Digital Innovation and Disruption, and are applicable to any audience because technology is a transversal matter, irrespective of industry or theme. Stafford Masie, a name synonymous with innovation and digital expertise, is a South African tech luminary who has left an indelible mark on the technology landscape. With a career spanning […]

  • Johannesburg
  • Digital Innovation
Disclaimer
The profiles and images embedded on these pages are from various conference entertainers and other talent.

These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Speakers Inc.

Fee ranges where listed on this website are intended to serve as a guideline only.

All talent fees exclude VAT, travel and accommodation where required.

Our Mission

We are your partner creating memorable and engaging experiences that go beyond the event itself.

Newsletter Signup

* indicates required

Intuit Mailchimp

Subscribe to our Newsletter and get connected:

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Speakers Inc Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated.

We use Brevo as our marketing platform. By submitting this form you agree that the personal data you provided will be transferred to Brevo for processing in accordance with Brevo's Privacy Policy.

We promise to not spam you!

Our Mission:

We are your partner creating memorable and engaging experiences that go beyond the event itself.

© All rights reserved 2025.  Designed using Voxel

speakers inc
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.