Associate professor, Dr Catherine Ball is an academic, company director, bestselling author, futurist and visioner working across global projects where emerging technologies meet humanitarian, education and environmental needs.

Having been called a ‘social architect’, catherine also likes to create businesses and champion movements, search for unicorns, collaborate with peers, and advise current and future game-changers.

A champion of diversity and inclusion, catherine believes we need points of difference to truly innovate and curate the changes we want to see in the world. working to protect the natural environment and empowering all members of society through mutual education and respect are core aspects of her chosen projects. As well as supporting Australian start-ups and leaders from all generations; Catherine is particularly passionate about social mobility and equity.

Catherine is proud to be an advisor to a broad range of enterprises and philanthropic organisations; i.e. an international advisory board member for the Schmidt Ocean Institute, and an XPRIZE visioneer and member of their Global Brains Trust.

Catherine’s latest business ventures span angel investments and advisory across the broad emerging technology sector, from insect protein to personalised brain health through AI and neuroscience. Her internationally recognised work on drones and robotics community engagement via the World of Drones and Robotics Global Congress continues and is evolving. Catherine is also proud to be a member of Australia’s Robotics Advisory Council.

Catherine holds a BSc Honours (Environmental Protection), a PhD (Spatial Ecology, Descriptive and Predictive Statistics) both from the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne in the UK, and recently was awarded a DSc (Doctor of Science Honoris Causa) from Worcester Polytechnic in Massachusetts, USA.

Catherine lives in Sydney, Australia, with operations out of Los Angeles and London.

Speaking Topics include:

Disconnect to Reconnect: The Future of Humanity in a Tech-Saturated World

In a world where screens dominate our attention and every moment is linked to technology, Diverge explores the growing movement toward intentional disconnection and what it means to be human in a digital age. This talk delves into the themes of digital minimalism, analog rebirth, and the ways in which individuals and companies can reclaim focus, creativity, and mental well-being by stepping away from the constant distractions of technology. We’ll explore the practical steps to balance our digital lives, the ethics of human consent in robotics, and the rise of the slow-tech movement. By drawing parallels between modern tech overload and historical disconnection, this talk offers a roadmap for fostering creativity, innovation, and human connection.

Workplace 2040: AI Colleagues and the Rise of Hybrid Humans

In the not-so-distant future, your colleagues might not be entirely human. As we enter the era of AI-driven workplaces, machines will no longer just assist but work side by side with humans, performing complex tasks with increasing autonomy. In this eye-opening talk, Dr. Catherine Ball explores how human-machine symbiosis will reshape industries and what businesses must do to stay ahead of the curve. She covers the rise of ‘Hybrid Humans,’ AI-driven digital twins, and the future of AI-powered recruitment, talent management, and leadership. Attendees will leave with actionable insights into how companies can ethically integrate AI, optimize performance, and prepare their teams for a hybrid workforce. This talk is essential for any business looking to navigate the complex, rapidly evolving relationship between AI and human workforces.

Metaverse to Mars: The Next Generation of Remote Work

Remote work is evolving far beyond video calls and emails. In this talk, Dr. Catherine Ball delves into the future of workspaces, where the metaverse and space technologies converge to redefine how we collaborate.  From immersive virtual offices to the application of digital twins and real-time, interplanetary communication systems, this presentation explores how businesses will operate in a global and potentially interstellar landscape.  Dr. Ball highlights the technologies that will drive these changes and offers insights into how companies can adapt, innovate, and prepare for this radical transformation in workplace environments.  Whether it’s managing teams in immersive virtual spaces or communicating across vast distances, this talk will provide corporate audiences with a blueprint for navigating the future of remote work.

Synthetic Life Forms and Corporate Responsibility

The dawn of synthetic biology is here, and with it comes a host of ethical and corporate challenges. In this talk, Dr. Catherine Ball explores the future of creating synthetic life forms—from lab-grown organs to genetically engineered organisms—and the responsibilities that corporations face in this emerging field. How should businesses navigate the ethical minefield of bioengineering and genetic editing? What policies should they implement to ensure that the creation and commercialization of synthetic life forms are aligned with societal values and regulations? This talk offers an in-depth analysis of the scientific advancements driving these changes and provides guidance on how corporate leaders can foster innovation while maintaining ethical accountability.  It’s essential for businesses to adopt responsible policies around the patenting and commercialisation of life itself, ensuring that the benefits of these technologies are shared ethically and sustainable.

The Longevity Ecosystem: Thriving in an Age of Extended Lifespans

As advancements in biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and healthcare converge, the possibility of dramatically extending human lifespans is becoming a reality. In this talk, Dr. Catherine Ball explores the emerging Longevity Ecosystem—a world where aging is slowed, health spans are extended, and industries are redefined by these transformative changes. From biohacking to regenerative medicine and AI-driven health monitoring, this session highlights the innovations reshaping how businesses need to plan for a workforce that will live and work longer. With these developments come profound questions around ethics, workforce strategy, healthcare management, and financial planning. What do companies need to know to prepare for an age of extended human lifespans? This talk provides a roadmap for corporate leaders to thrive in the Longevity Economy, ensuring sustainable growth in a world where people work and live well beyond current expectations.

Converge: Harnessing Emerging Technologies for a Unified Future

In Converge, the future is not just something that happens to us—it’s something we shape. Dr. Catherine Ball’s book is a deep dive into the convergence of humanity’s most powerful tools: artificial intelligence, robotics, drones, biotechnology, and more. These once separate innovations are now merging, blurring the lines between industries, and creating unprecedented opportunities for businesses. How do organisations navigate this convergence of technologies, staying relevant while embracing radical change? This talk unpacks the themes of Converge, offering a roadmap for businesses to thrive in a world where boundaries between human and machine, physical and digital, are disappearing.

Emerge: Shaping Tomorrow’s Technologies for a Better World

In Emerge, Dr. Catherine Ball guides us through the next wave of technological evolution, where emerging innovations are poised to redefine industries, society, and human experience. This book is a future-focused exploration of cutting-edge technologies like AI, quantum computing, biotechnology, and space exploration, with a call to action for businesses to harness these advancements responsibly. How can organisations stay ahead of the curve in an era of constant disruption? This talk draws on the themes of Emerge to showcase the technologies that are reshaping the global landscape and how businesses can position themselves for success in this rapidly evolving ecosystems.

Beauty and the Beast: How Emerging Technology and Industry 5.0 Will Allow Us to Be More Human

As we march toward the era of Industry 5.0, where humans and AI work together in harmony, the question arises: is artificial intelligence a tool for bettering humanity, or a potential threat? The ‘Singularity’ promises AI that rivals human intelligence, but is it just smoke and mirrors? This talk explores the reality behind AI and Intelligence Augmentation (IA), examining how these technologies allow us to tackle more meaningful tasks and give us time for what makes us human—creativity, relationships, and purpose. By offloading repetitive work to machines, we can address global challenges such as climate change and social equity. But how do we ensure AI is created ethically, with diversity, and for the greater good? As we enter the 5th Industrial Revolution, businesses must leverage AI, ensuring they adopt technology with a human-centred approach.

Diversity and Success Are Two Sides of the Same Coin: Why We Need Points of Difference to Truly Innovate

Diversity in the corporate world isn’t just a social responsibility—it’s a business imperative. Companies with diverse leadership, backgrounds, and perspectives are statistically more successful, resilient, and innovative. Despite this, less than 2% of global venture capital goes to female-founded businesses, and many major corporations still have male-dominated boards. This talk dives into why diversity should be a key metric in decision-making, from investing to hiring, and why homogeneous teams are a risk for innovation and growth. Drawing comparisons with nature, where diverse ecosystems thrive, we see that corporate diversity directly correlates to corporate health. We’ll explore how embracing differences— gender, cultural, educational, and experiential—leads to greater stability, happier work environments, and ultimately, better business outcomes. It’s time for a culture shift, one that goes beyond numbers and truly values diverse perspectives as a core strength in business.

The Future of Job Security: Embracing Flexibility in a Rapidly Changing World

In the age of automation, AI, and gig work, job security is being radically redefined. The traditional lifetime career path is fading, replaced by a fluid workforce where individuals juggle multiple roles, side hustles, and freelance opportunities. As companies evolve to meet the needs of this new landscape, they must also redefine what security looks like—not just for employees, but for themselves. How can businesses attract top talent while offering the stability that flexible workers crave? And how do individuals future-proof their careers in a world where everything is constantly shifting? This talk explores how the future of work demands innovative strategies for both employers and employees to find security in the chaos.

Mental Health 4.0: Harnessing Current and Emerging Technologies for Corporate Wellbeing

In the fast-paced corporate environment, mental health has become a critical concern. Mental Health 4.0: Harnessing Current and Emerging Technologies for Corporate Wellbeing dives into how cutting-edge technology is reshaping mental health support in the workplace. From AI-driven diagnostic tools to wearable stress monitors and immersive VR therapies, companies now have access to advanced resources that can enhance employee wellbeing, productivity, and retention. This talk addresses how integrating technology with mental health strategies can empower organisations to create a healthier, more resilient workforce. We will also explore emerging innovations, including digital mental health platforms, teletherapy, and predictive analytics, as well as the ethical considerations surrounding the use of AI in diagnosing and treating mental health conditions. Attendees will leave with actionable insights on leveraging technology to support mental wellbeing, reduce burnout, and foster a culture of emotional intelligence and mental resilience in the corporate world.