Sebastian Thrun is an innovator, serial entrepreneur, academic, educator and computer scientist who has been at the forefront of some of the world’s most transformative technologies for more than three decades. A pioneer in computer science, robotics, automation, education and artificial intelligence, he is widely regarded as the Godfather of... Read more
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Sebastian Thrun is an innovator, serial entrepreneur, academic, educator and computer scientist who has been at the forefront of some of the world’s most transformative technologies for more than three decades. A pioneer in computer science, robotics, automation, education and artificial intelligence, he is widely regarded as the Godfather of the Self-Driving Car Industry and the Godfather of the MOOC (Massive Open Online Course). His work has been pivotal in advancing robotics, AI, autonomous driving and education, making him one of the most influential figures in modern technology.
Today, Thrun is an Adjunct Professor at Stanford University and former Director of the Stanford Artificial Intelligence Lab (SAIL), one of the world’s leading centres of excellence in AI research, teaching and practice. He is also the CEO of Stealth Startup, continuing to work at the cutting edge of artificial intelligence and next-generation technologies. Previously, he served as a Google Vice President and Fellow, and was a Professor of Computer Science at Stanford University, Georgia Tech and Carnegie Mellon University.
A serial entrepreneur and innovator, Thrun is the founder of Google X (now X Development LLC), Google’s Moonshot Technologies incubator. During his time at Google, he founded and led landmark projects including Google’s self-driving car team, Street View, Ground Truth, Waymo, Google Glass, Google Brain, Google Wing and GCam. Today, Waymo is the global leader in autonomous driving, built on the foundations of Thrun’s pioneering work.
Thrun is also the founder and former CEO of Udacity, the online education platform that has educated tens of millions of people worldwide in AI, machine learning and software development. Together with Peter Norvig, he co-created the first global MOOC, enrolling more than 160,000 students and redefining access to education at scale. At Udacity, he pioneered the concept of nanodegrees, enabling people from all backgrounds and ages to access careers in technology. Udacity reached a valuation of over $1 billion before being acquired by Accenture in 2024.
Earlier in his career, Thrun led the development of Stanley, the robotic vehicle that won the 2005 DARPA Grand Challenge and is now exhibited at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History. He has published over 370 scientific papers and 11 books, and Google Scholar ranks his publication h-index among the top researchers worldwide in all of computer science. He was elected to the National Academy of Engineering and the German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina at the age of 39.
Sebastian Thrun is in demand globally as a speaker on artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, innovation, education and the future of technology.
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You can book Sebastian Thrun through London Speaker Bureau by submitting the enquiry form on this page or calling our team. One of our consultants will respond promptly with Sebastian's current availability, speaking fees and any specific requirements for your event.
Sebastian Thrun's speaking fees depend on the event format (in-person or virtual), the location, the length of the engagement and the level of customisation required. Please contact London Speaker Bureau for an up-to-date fee quote for Sebastian tailored to your event.
Sebastian Thrun speaks on Artificial Intelligence, Business & Management, Digital, Digital Trends, Entrepreneurs. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with Sebastian to align the content with your delegates and goals.
London Speaker Bureau can book Sebastian Thrun for events worldwide, subject to Sebastian's schedule. Please send us your event date, location and format and we will confirm availability and handle travel and logistics on your behalf.
Virtual and hybrid keynotes are now a standard part of the speaking industry. Please contact London Speaker Bureau to confirm whether Sebastian Thrun is available to deliver a virtual session for your event and on which platform (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, a bespoke studio or your own).
Most keynote speeches run between 45 and 60 minutes, often followed by a 15-30 minute Q&A. Other formats - shorter conference slots, panel appearances or longer workshop sessions - may also be possible. Share your agenda with London Speaker Bureau and we will confirm what Sebastian can accommodate.
London Speaker Bureau will brief Sebastian Thrun on your audience profile, sector and objectives so the keynote can be shaped around your event. The level of customisation possible depends on the speaker and the lead time - contact us with your brief and we will confirm what Sebastian can offer.
Sebastian Thrun delivers keynotes in English. This profile may not list every language available; ask London Speaker Bureau to confirm. If you require simultaneous interpretation or a multilingual format, please mention this in your enquiry and London Speaker Bureau will arrange it for you.
Sebastian Thrun's areas of expertise include Artificial Intelligence, Business & Management, Digital, Digital Trends, Entrepreneurs. To get a clear sense of Sebastian's style, credentials and how they engage an audience, please review the biography, popular talks and any videos or testimonials shown on this page, or request a detailed speaker brief from London Speaker Bureau.
Sebastian Thrun can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in Artificial Intelligence, Business & Management, Digital, Digital Trends, Entrepreneurs is relevant. Details of Sebastian's background and previous engagements are included in the biography above; contact us if you would like a more detailed list of past clients or case studies.
Beyond keynote speeches, many of the speakers on our roster also take part in workshops, executive masterclasses, panel discussions and fireside chats. Contact London Speaker Bureau with your preferred format and we will confirm what Sebastian Thrun is able to offer alongside or instead of a keynote.
We generally recommend enquiring at least three to twelve months in advance to secure your preferred date with Sebastian Thrun, particularly during peak conference seasons. Where possible we also accommodate shorter lead times - please contact London Speaker Bureau to check Sebastian's current availability for your dates.