Edgar Perez is a dynamic global thought leader and visionary at the intersection of business and technology, renowned for delivering electrifying keynote presentations and enlightening executive workshops that ignite innovation and empower organisations to harness cutting-edge advancements. From Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Computing to 6G and Financial Technology, Edgar equips audiences with actionable insights to navigate the rapidly evolving digital landscape, driving transformative growth and competitive advantage.

A prolific author and former McKinsey strategy consultant, Edgar serves as a trusted global strategist for prestigious organisations including the Ponemon Institute, Gerson Lehrman Group, and Guidepoint Global Advisors. His influential books include Knightmare on Wall Street: The Rise and Fall of Knight Capital and the Biggest Risk for Financial Markets and The Speed Traders: An Insider’s Look at the New High-Frequency Trading Phenomenon That is Transforming the Investing World, published in English by McGraw-Hill, with translations in Mandarin (Jiaoyi Kuaishou, China Financial Publishing House) and Bahasa Indonesia (Investasi Super Kilat, Kompas Gramedia). His expertise has been sought by leading media outlets, with contributions to The New York Times, Inc. Turkiye, Arab News, W Radio, Sina Finance, Al Bayan, Al Watan, and CGTN.

Edgar has captivated thousands of top executives across continents through in-person and virtual keynotes, corporate trainings, and public programs in iconic cities such as Abu Dhabi, Beijing, Berlin, Boston, Chicago, Dubai, Hong Kong, Istanbul, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Kyiv, Lake Louise, Lima, London, Miami, Naples Beach, New York, Santiago, Sao Paulo, Scott Air Force Base, Seoul, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Singapore, Stockholm, Taipei, Toronto, Warsaw, Washington DC, Weifang, Zhongshan, and Zibo. He has been featured on major media including CNN, CGTN, CNBC, FOX Business, Bloomberg TV, BNN, Channel NewsAsia, CNN en Español, Sina Finance, CCTV China, CRI, Fortune, Habertürk TV, RPP, TheStreet.com, TV Perú, The Korea Herald, Valor Econômico, The Star, Caixin, People’s Daily, China Daily, South China Morning Post, SPUTNIK Mundo, and The Wall Street Journal.

His high-impact presentations have graced esteemed institutions and forums, including the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Council on Foreign Relations, APEC SME Service Alliance, Beijing Municipal People’s Government, China Securities Regulatory Commission, China’s State Administration of Foreign Exchange, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, China’s Ministry of Science and Technology, European American Chamber of Commerce, Quant Investment Summit APAC, CFA Shenzhen, CFA Singapore, Hong Kong Securities Institute, Columbia University, New York University, Hult Business School, Vadym Hetman Kyiv National Economic University, Fudan University, Peking University, University of International Business and Economics, and Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos.

Edgar has also headlined premier global conferences such as the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (Shanghai), GITEX GLOBAL (Dubai), Turkiye Innovation Week (Istanbul), Institutional Investor’s CEO Roundtable (Berlin), Global Growth Markets Forum (London), Cyber Security World Conference (New York), Inside Market Data (Chicago), Emerging Markets Investments Summit (Warsaw), Harvard Business School’s Venture Capital & Private Equity Conference (Boston), MIT Sloan Investment Management Conference (Cambridge), Fixed Income & FX Leaders Summit APAC and TradeTech Asia (Singapore), FIXGlobal Face2Face (Seoul), and events hosted by industry giants like Broadcom, CME Group, Dell, Franklin Templeton, Huawei, Microsoft, Pure Storage, Rackspace, Symantec, and Tencent.

With a distinguished career trajectory, including roles as Vice President at Citigroup, Senior Consultant at IBM, and Strategy Consultant at McKinsey, Edgar brings unparalleled real-world expertise to every engagement. He holds an undergraduate degree in Systems Engineering from Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería (Lima, Peru), a Master of Administration from Universidad ESAN (Lima, Peru), and an MBA from Columbia Business School (New York), with majors in Finance and Management. Beyond the boardroom, Edgar is an accomplished salsa and hustle dancer, infusing his presentations with the same passion and energy that make him a standout choice for event organisers seeking a speaker who not only informs but truly inspires global audiences.

Keynote Topics include:

Adaptability is the Ultimate Power Skill in 2026

In an era of rapid disruption, the real competitive moat isn’t just AI, quantum computing, or cybersecurity. It’s how fast humans can adapt. By 2026, markets will shift faster than playbooks can be written, and technology breakthroughs will level the playing field for everyone. Edgar will highlight why adaptability, the ability to learn, unlearn, and pivot at exponential speed, has become the ultimate power skill for leaders. Those who embed agility into their DNA will turn relentless change into opportunity, while others risk being left behind in the AI-driven economy. The message is clear and urgent: in a world of constant upheaval, adapt or fall behind.

Tech Diplomacy: Alliances in an AI-Driven World

As AI reshapes global power structures, diplomacy is no longer just about trade and treaties, it’s about technology. In this forward-looking talk, Edgar explores Tech Diplomacy in 2026, where forging the right tech partnerships can make or break national and corporate futures. Governments are striking deals with each other and with tech giants to secure AI talent, data access, and digital infrastructure. Likewise, businesses are collaborating across borders to set standards and share innovations. Public-private alliances are emerging as a force multiplier that accelerates innovation while tackling shared challenges like regulation and cybersecurity. We’ll highlight how countries seeking AI sovereignty are also seeking new friends, reshaping geopolitical alliances in the process. The tone is urgent yet hopeful: to navigate an AI-driven landscape fraught with ethical and security questions, leaders must become tech diplomats, building bridges, setting global norms, and ensuring that AI’s rise drives progress for everyone.

The AI Arms Race and the New Geopolitics of 2026

By 2026, the race for AI supremacy has become a defining feature of global politics and business. Nations and corporations alike are pouring resources into AI development as if it were a modern arms race, fundamentally altering alliances and power dynamics. In this talk, Edgar examines how AI capabilities are the new currency of power, driving economic advantage, military strategy, and diplomatic influence. Expect new alliances to form as countries partner up to share data and infrastructure, while others double down on AI sovereignty to reduce reliance on foreign tech. Corporate executives will learn how this geopolitical tech competition impacts supply chains and regulations, and why businesses must align with the fast pace of national AI agendas. Urgent and eye-opening, the talk underscores that in the coming AI-charged geopolitical landscape, leadership (whether of a country or a company) will be defined by who can innovate and deploy AI at scale the fastest.

AI as the New Strategic Compass for Leaders

In 2026, successful organizations treat AI as a strategic compass guiding every major decision, rather than just a shiny tech experiment. In this talk, Edgar explores how forward-looking executives and policymakers harness AI’s insights to navigate complexity, from boardroom strategy to public policy, while staying grounded in human judgment and ethics. By integrating AI at the top, leaders can anticipate market shifts, personalize services, and respond to crises with unprecedented precision. The future belongs to those who use AI not as a mere mirror reflecting old biases, but as a compass that points toward new solutions. Attendees will learn how to align machine intelligence with their core principles, turning data into direction and ensuring their organizations stay on course amid uncertainty.

Beyond Innovation: Building an Adaptive Culture

True resilience in 2026 won’t come from any single invention; it will come from culture. This talk argues that even the most advanced cybersecurity or AI strategy will falter if an organization’s culture resists change. We dive into cautionary tales of companies that clung to old ways and failed, versus those that transformed their culture to embrace continuous learning and adaptability. Key elements of an adaptive culture are unpacked with vivid examples. Corporate and government leaders will get a blueprint for embedding adaptability deep into their organizations’ DNA. The tone is inspiring and practical: when teams are empowered to innovate and learn from every failure, they become shock-proof, turning uncertainty into fuel for ongoing growth. In the age of AI, culture is strategy, and Edgar shows how to build one that keeps you one step ahead of change.

The Exponential Tech Tsunami: Riding the Wave of Change

Multiple exponential technologies, from AI and robotics to biotech and quantum computing, are converging to create a tsunami of change by 2026. In this keynote, Edgar paints a global picture of how these accelerating breakthroughs are reshaping industries and economies at a dizzying pace. Rather than being swept away, leaders are urged to ride the wave: to anticipate megashifts and boldly leverage them for growth. Edgar will discuss how embracing new tech paradigms (instead of fearing them) can unlock innovative business models and public services. Just as importantly, this talk offers a roadmap for organizational resilience, showing that while the future isn’t fully predictable, it is manageable, and full of opportunity for those prepared to surf on technology’s leading edge.

Navigating Economic Uncertainty with AI-Driven Agility

In a world of inflation jitters, supply chain shocks, and unpredictable markets, 2026 will reward leaders who pair AI’s foresight with organizational agility. In this keynote, Edgar focuses on using AI’s predictive power to make sense of economic volatility, from forecasting demand shifts to stress-testing financial strategies, and then acting quickly on those insights. He will explore how adaptive companies pivot faster than competitors, using real-time data and automation to seize emerging opportunities or mitigate risks. Crucially, the talk shows that amid global economic unrest and geopolitical uncertainty, tackling focused, incremental challenges can rebuild confidence and momentum. Instead of freezing up in the face of uncertainty, successful organizations double down on resilience: they invest in flexible processes, empowered teams, and AI-enhanced decision-making. The takeaway is both urgent and empowering, with the right tech tools and an agile mindset, leaders can turn economic turmoil into a springboard for innovation and efficiency.

The Exponential Enterprise: Accelerating Transformation

Standing still is not an option in today’s world. In this keynote, Edgar challenges organizations to become Exponential Enterprises by 2026, entities that don’t just adopt new technologies, but scale them and accelerate change internally. Edgar will discuss how legacy business models can be reinvented when leaders apply exponential thinking, aiming for 10x improvements rather than 10% tweaks, to strategy, operations, and cybersecurity. Drawing on Edgar’s signature urgency, the talk illustrates how speed and adaptability become turbo-engines for growth. Through stories of companies that transformed faster than their rivals, attendees will see how fear of disruption can be flipped into a drive for peak performance. From AI-driven process automation to the rapid prototyping of secure services, the message is clear: accelerate or risk irrelevance. Inspiring and actionable, this topic equips executives with frameworks to lead in a world where the only constant is exponential change.

The Augmented Workforce: Humans + AI in 2026

The future of work has arrived, and it’s a human–AI symbiosis. In this keynote, Edgar envisions the workplace of 2026, where employees don’t fear AI taking their jobs; instead, they embrace AI as a teammate amplifying their talents. We explore a world of “connected intelligence” where people, data, and digital co-workers collaborate seamlessly. Routine tasks are increasingly automated, while humans focus on creativity, complex problem-solving, and the uniquely human skills that machines can’t replicate (like ethical judgment and emotional intelligence). Importantly, the talk underscores that adaptability is the new job security in the AI era. Workers and leaders alike must be ready to continuously reskill and pivot roles as technology evolves. From factory floors to government offices, those who cultivate an agile, learning mindset will thrive alongside AI, leading to empowered teams and higher productivity. Inspiring and practical, this topic shows that by 2026, the organizations with the best human-AI collaboration will win, and it prepares the audience to join their ranks.

Leading at the Speed of Change: Thriving in Exponential Times

The leadership playbook for 2026 is being rewritten in real-time. In this keynote, Edgar brings a call-to-arms for executives and public leaders to fundamentally rethink how they lead in an age of unrelenting, exponential change. Old hierarchies and cautious planning are giving way to agile decision-making under pressure. Using the metaphor of water, flexible yet powerful, we illustrate why rigidity is a risk and flexibility is a superpower for leaders. Attendees will hear how the best leaders pause old instincts, swiftly update their mental models, and act decisively without fighting change, but harnessing it as fuel. The talk offers inspiring examples of bold leadership in crisis and practical tools for cultivating clarity and resilience in chaos. Urgent and uplifting, it reminds us that the faster the world moves, the more a true leader must be grounded in vision and purpose. Those who can flow with change, and even redirect its course, will not only survive but shape the future. In 2026 and beyond, the speed of thought and action will define great leadership.