Kate O'Neill

Kate O’Neill is a Tech Humanist, Global Shaper, innovator, keynote speaker, author, and advisor to Fortune 500 companies. She is the founder and CEO of KO Insights, a strategic advisory firm that supports organisations through digital transformation with a focus on human experience. KO Insights provides executive advisory services, keynotes, and workshops to clients across sectors, including Fortune 100 companies, technology firms, and global institutions.

Kate began her career in digital systems and content strategy. She was among the first 100 employees at Netflix, where she helped establish the company’s first content management function. Before that, she developed Toshiba America’s first intranet and later founded [meta]marketer, a digital strategy agency that focused on customer experience. Her career has been centred on understanding how technology shapes people’s lives and guiding organisations on responsible and effective use of digital tools.

For more than 17 years, Kate has been a global keynote speaker for companies such as Google, IBM, Adobe, Microsoft, and Cisco. She has also led digital transformation workshops for organisations including Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, and Charles Schwab. She has spoken at events like Google Series and Etsy Engineering Day and has taught or guest lectured at academic institutions including Harvard, Cambridge, and Yale. Her work in communication and strategic insight has been recognised by comparisons to leading management thinkers and acknowledged for its practical value in the digital age.

Kate is the creator, host, and executive producer of The Tech Humanist Show, a programme that examines how data and technology influence human experience. The show features conversations with experts and thinkers such as Dr Rumman Chowdhury, David Ryan Polgar, Dr Safiya Noble, and Yanis Varoufakis. Through these discussions, Kate explores the social, ethical, and operational issues connected to technology adoption.

Kate’s work has been recognised through various awards. She was included in the Thinkers50 Ranking in 2024 and shortlisted for the Thinkers50 Distinguished Achievement Award for Digital Thinking in 2023. She was inducted into the CX Hall of Fame in 2023 and nominated for the CPAE Speaker Hall of Fame the same year. She appeared on the Thinkers50 Radar list in 2020 and was named among Forbes Outstanding Women in Data Analytics in 2017. Her earlier recognitions include Women to Watch in Retail Disruption in 2016 and multiple technology and entrepreneurship awards in 2012.

As an author, Kate has written several books, including Pixels and Place (2016), Tech Humanist (2018), which was featured at CES 2019, and What Matters Next (2025). Her writing focuses on the relationship between technology, society, and human futures. Her work has also appeared in publications such as WIRED and USA Today, contributing to broader discussions on digital transformation and human-centred strategy.

Kate O'Neill, known as the "Tech Humanist," was born in the United States. She has over 25 years of experience in technology, strategy, and innovation, with a focus on human-centric digital transformation. Her career is built on bridging the gap between emerging technologies and human values, advocating for responsible AI development and the integration of technology with human experiences.

Kate O'Neill attended the University of Illinois Chicago, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in German (1991-1996). During her studies, she also pursued a double minor in Russian and Linguistics, with a concentration in International Studies. At university, Kate became actively involved in student life, organising various enrichment programs and engaging with diverse academic subjects.

She later attended San Jose State University (1997-1998) to pursue a Master's degree in Linguistics, focusing on adult second-language acquisition and development.

After completing her education, Kate started her professional career with Toshiba, where she worked as a Technical Writer and Intranet Web Developer (1996-1997). In this role, she helped build Toshiba's first intranet and wrote documentation for hardware chipsets used in laptops and gaming consoles.

She then moved on to Cinebase Software (1999), where she worked as a Manager of Documentation, managing the documentation of a software platform for the film industry. Her next role was at Thru-Put Technologies (1997-1999) as Technical Publications Manager and Web Manager, where she managed a team of technical writers and handled the company website and intranet.

Kate's career took a significant leap when she joined Netflix (2000-2001) as Content Manager, where she co-led the redesign of Netflix's platform to introduce dynamic personalisation elements, setting the standard for e-commerce and customer experience. She also played a key role in building Toshiba America's first intranet.

Kate's work continued to evolve in the tech space, transitioning into strategy and marketing roles. She founded [meta]marketer (2009-2014), where she provided digital strategy and analytics services to clients, focusing on improving customer experience and conversion rates for high-transaction websites.

Kate's entrepreneurial journey led her to establish KO Insights in 2014, a strategic advisory firm that helps organisations navigate the intersection of technology and humanity. Through KO Insights, she has provided executive advisory services, keynotes, and workshops to major clients like Google, IBM, and McDonald's, among others.

In 2020, Kate launched The Tech Humanist Show, a podcast and video series where she explores how technology shapes human experiences. The show has featured in-depth conversations with thought leaders in AI, privacy, and emerging technology, such as Dr. Rumman Chowdhury (former Twitter Director of ML Ethics) and David Ryan Polgar (Founder of All Tech Is Human).

Kate O'Neill is a well-known author, having written several influential books, including:

• "Tech Humanist" (2018), which outlines how businesses can develop technology that is both innovative and human-centric.
   
• "Pixels and Place" (2016), exploring the merging of physical and digital experiences.
   
• "A Future So Bright" (2021), advocating for strategic optimism in the face of technological challenges.
   
• "What Matters Next: A Leader’s Guide to Making Human-Friendly Tech Decisions in a World That’s Moving Too Fast" (2025), which provides leaders with a framework for making human-centric technology decisions.

Her writing has been featured in well-known publications such as WIRED, USA Today, and Fast Company. Kate has also contributed chapters to several books, including "Connectedness: How the Best Leaders Create Authentic Human Connection in a Disconnected World" (2024), where she discusses AI and the future of human connection.

As a professional global keynote speaker, Kate has delivered transformative talks at major conferences, including the United Nations, World Government Summit, and events hosted by Google, Microsoft, and Cisco. She speaks on topics such as AI Ethics, Responsible Innovation, Digital Transformation, and Creating Human Experiences at Scale.

Kate’s speaking engagements have had a lasting impact across various sectors, influencing leaders in tech, business, and government. Her unique approach blends Strategic Optimism with deep technical expertise, helping leaders navigate the complexities of digital transformation while keeping human values at the core of innovation.

Kate is also involved in shaping global technology policy, particularly in the field of AI ethics. She is an invited attendee of the United Nations AI Advisory Body, where she contributes to global discussions on AI governance.

Her contributions to the tech industry have been widely recognised. She has been shortlisted twice for the Thinkers50 Digital Thinking Award (2023) and named to the CX (Customer Experience) Hall of Fame in 2023. She was also honoured as Technology Entrepreneur of the Year (2012) and Power Leader in Technology (2012).

Kate’s work has earned her numerous accolades, including being named Outstanding Woman in Data Analytics by Forbes (2017) and a Women to Watch in Retail Disruption (2016) by Remodista.

Kate O'Neill continues to be at the forefront of AI Ethics, digital transformation, and human-centric innovation. She remains a trusted advisor to top organisations and governments, helping them navigate the evolving technological landscape while prioritising human needs.

Through KO Insights, Kate continues to provide strategic insights and foresights to clients, helping them innovate responsibly and create meaningful experiences at scale. Her upcoming book, "What Matters Next" (2025), offers executives and business leaders practical strategies for aligning technology with human values.

Kate’s career is marked by her dedication to ensuring that technology serves humanity. She is a leading voice in the global conversation on the future of technology, ethics, and human experience, and continues to drive change in both the business and tech industries.

Kate O'Neill’s vision is to create a future where technology serves humanity, not the other way around. She believes in a world where businesses and organisations use technology responsibly, balancing innovation with human values. By focusing on ethical AI, digital transformation, and human-centric experiences, her goal is to help leaders make decisions that benefit both people and progress. Through her work, she aims to shape a future where technology enhances the quality of life for all, guiding businesses and governments to navigate the complexities of the digital age while prioritising human connection and meaningful impact.

Kate O'Neill has received several notable recognitions over the years for their contributions to digital thinking, technology, and customer experience. In August 2023, she was shortlisted for the Thinkers50 Distinguished Achievement Award for Digital Thinking for A Future So Bright. 

The same year, in July, she was inducted into the CX (Customer Experience) Hall of Fame, recognised for her contributions to the field, leadership, innovation, and active participation in industry initiatives. Earlier in January 2023, she was nominated for the CPAE Speaker Hall of Fame, an honour established by the National Speakers Association to recognise excellence in professional speaking. 

In January 2020, she was named to the Thinkers50 Radar list, which identifies and highlights leading management thinkers shaping contemporary ideas. Her earlier achievements include being named one of Forbes’ Outstanding Women in Data Analytics in November 2017 and being recognised as one of the Women to Watch in Retail Disruption by Remodista in January 2016, in association with KO Insights. 

In 2012, while associated with [meta]marketer, she received multiple honours from the Nashville business community, including Power Leader in Technology from the Nashville Business Journal, Social Media Strategist of the Year from the Nashville Technology Council, and Technology Entrepreneur of the Year at the NEXT Awards.