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Deborah Nas speaker

Deborah Nas

Speaker, author, professor, futurist, and trendwatcher in the field of innovation and technology

About

Gender: Female
Nationality: Netherlands
Languages: English
Travels from: Netherlands

Websites

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Biography Highlights

  • Technology and Innovation Expert: Deborah has over 25 years of experience in digital transformation, working with organizations of all sizes to drive innovation.
  • Academic Leader: As a part-time professor at Delft University of Technology, she focuses on emerging technologies and their impact on industry and society.
  • Keynote Speaker & Author: Renowned for delivering captivating talks on future technologies, Deborah is also the author of Design Things That Make Sense, a guide on tech-driven innovation.

Biography

Prof. Deborah Nas

Prof. Deborah Nas is a technology trendwatcher, a professor of Strategic Design for Technology-based Innovation at the Delft University of Technology, and serves as the Innovation Lead at the Centre for Quantum & Society, where she is spearheading an exploration into the impact of quantum technology on industry and society. Additionally, she is a supervisory board member at Hardt Hyperloop, pioneering a groundbreaking new transportation system, and a member of the investment committee of Innovation Quarter Capital, a €143 million deep tech investment fund.

Deborah is a sought-after keynote speaker, particularly recognized for her inspiring presentation style, her insights into the effects of new technologies on our future, and for making technology easy to understand for every audience. She tailors her presentation to each event, creating a unique storyline that resonates with your audience.

Deborah is the acclaimed author of ‘Design Things That Make Sense’, a practical guide for navigating the world of innovation, the perfect give away if you want to equip your audience with practical tools and tips to navigate the world of innovation.

Academic and Practical Insight

As a professor at Delft University of Technology and a hands-on practitioner, Deborah seamlessly bridges academic theory with real-world application. Her ability to translate complex concepts into actionable insights captivates audiences, delivering fresh perspectives that inspire and drive meaningful change.

Simplifying Complex Technologies

Deborah works alongside top AI and quantum scientists, developing a rich expertise in cutting-edge technologies. Her talent for making these complex ideas easy to grasp for any audience—regardless of their technical background—makes her an exceptional speaker. By illustrating concepts through innovative and relatable applications, she inspires audiences and leaves a lasting impact.

Pioneering Quantum Technologies

As the founder of the Centre for Quantum & Society, part of QuantumDelta Netherlands, Deborah is at the forefront of assessing quantum technologies’ societal and industrial impact. This expertise allows her to provide audiences with a compelling sneak peek into the quantum future, exploring groundbreaking opportunities and pressing challenges in a way that is fresh and engaging.

Extensive Industry Experience

With 16 years as co-founder and manager of a strategic innovation agency, Deborah has helped global and local brands across finance, telecom, consumer electronics, retail, FMCG, mobility, and government sectors future-proof their businesses. Her deep understanding of industry challenges and terminology allows her to customize her presentations to resonate powerfully with specific industries and audiences.

Influential in the Start-Up Ecosystem

Deborah is a key player in the start-up world, serving on the supervisory board of Hardt Hyperloop—Europe’s premier hyperloop scale-up—and as a member of the investment committee for Innovation Quarter Capital, a €143 million deep tech fund. Her first-hand experience with the hurdles and triumphs of tech start-ups, combined with strategies for successful corporate-startup collaborations, offers invaluable insights for her audience.

Multidisciplinary Perspective

Deborah operates at the intersection of technology, business, and psychology, where she skillfully aligns technological advancements with unmet customer needs. By connecting multiple trends and unlocking new business models, she paints a comprehensive picture for audiences, helping them understand and leverage the broader landscape of innovation.

Global Cultural Perspective

Having led innovation projects in Europe, Africa, and Asia, Deborah brings a wealth of cultural knowledge to her talks. Her love for travel and curiosity about the world have fostered a deep cultural sensitivity, making her relatable and impactful in diverse settings across the globe.

Engaging Presentation Style

Deborah has delivered hundreds of highly acclaimed keynotes, celebrated for her engaging and personal delivery. Her use of relatable anecdotes and an approachable style creates a strong connection with the audience, sparking curiosity, driving engagement, and leaving listeners feeling inspired and ready to act.

Videos

Speaking videos

Media, podcast appearances and interviews

Popular Talks

Take your audience on a fascinating journey through the landscape of artificial intelligence and generative AI.
Topics

✓ What is AI and how does it work?
Deborah demystifies the technologies and business models that underpin applications, such as ChatGPT, for audiences of various levels.

✓ How will AI transform work and organizations?
Insights into what AI can already do today, what we can expect in the near and distant future, and what this means for employees and organizations.
✓ What can you do with (generative) AI?
Inspiring applications of (generative) AI, illustrated with examples tailored to your audience’s interests.
✓ What will our work and life look like in the future?
A preview of how generative AI and applications like ChatGPT will change our work and our lives.
✓ What social questions does AI raise?
Insights into the ethical, legal, and societal issues that come with AI.
✓ How can you benefit from AI?
Practical tips to learn more about AI and how to start using it.
Available: In person, Virtually
Meet the next disruptive technology: quantum.
Topics
✓ What is quantum technology?
Discover the unique properties of quantum particles, explained in a very simple way.
✓ Which quantum technologies can we expect?
Learn about the arrival of quantum computers, quantum networks, and quantum sensors.
✓ What can you do with quantum?
Explore how quantum can assist us in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and the threats it poses to our digital security.
✓ What are the opportunities and threats of quantum?
Insight into the ethical, legal, and societal impact of quantum technology.
✓ Who Are the Key Players in Quantum Technology?
Learn more about the role of big tech companies in the development of quantum and meet promising startups.
Available: In person, Virtually
Discover how technology is transforming our work.
Topics
✓ How is Technology Changing Work?
An overview of how technology has changed our work in the past and what we can expect in the future.
✓ What is the Impact of AI on Work and the Workforce?
Discover which job sectors AI will affect most and what the consequences are.
✓ What Defines How Quickly Someone Adopts New Technologies?
Insights into the psychology behind technology adoption, how this relates to age, and how organizations can deal with this.
✓ Work at a Modern Tech Company or a Traditional Corporate?
Learn about the (digital) tools and processes of tech startups and scaleups and how these differ from traditional organizations.
✓ What Are Promising Startups That Will Define the Future of Work?
An inspiring overview of products and services that will drastically change our way of working.
Available: In person, Virtually
Take your audience on a journey through the future mobility landscape.
Topics
✓ What Are the Short and Long-Term Mobility Trends?
An inspiring overview of technology trends and how they can help shape a sustainable, inclusive, affordable, and resilient mobility system.
✓ What Can Artificial Intelligence Mean for Mobility?
Insights into the opportunities and threats of AI for influencing behavior change, optimizing logistics processes, autonomous traffic, and much more.
✓ Which New Transportation Concepts Can We Expect?
The latest trends and developments in new modalities such as hyperloops, drones, and micro-mobility.
✓ How Do We Make Shared Mobility a Success?
The opportunities and challenges of using shared mobility for creating societal value and improving urban livability.
✓ What Are Promising Startups in Mobility?
An inspiring overview of mobility startups that are shaping the future.
Available: In person, Virtually
Discover how technology can make education smarter.
Topics
✓ What Role Will Technology Play in the Future of Education?
Insights into how technology can address major challenges in education: teacher shortage, unequal opportunities, and declining basic skills.
✓ What Can Artificial Intelligence Mean for Education?
Practical examples showing the impact of AI on education, and the questions it triggers among teachers, parents, and policymakers.
✓ How Should We Deal With ChatGPT in Education?
Insights into the advantages and disadvantages of generative AI tools like ChatGPT for teachers and students.
✓ Welke startups zorgen voor verandering in het onderwijs?
A comprehensive overview of inspiring startups that are shaping the future of education.
✓ How Can We Accelerate Technology Adoption in Education?
Understand the reasons behind the slow adoption of technology in education and how to speed things up.
Available: In person, Virtually
Discover how technology can make healthcare better.
Topics
✓ What are the technology trends in healthcare?
An inspiring overview of technology trends and how they can contribute to a high-quality, accessible, sustainable, and affordable healthcare system.
✓ What Opportunities and Threats Does AI Pose for Healthcare?
Insights into the pros and cons of artificial intelligence for developing medications, diagnosing, and treating conditions.
✓ What Role Can Technology Play in Prevention and Self-care?
The latest trends and developments in wearable tech, apps, and technological innovations in self-care.
✓ What Are Promising Healthcare Startups?
An inspiring overview of the innovators in healthcare, aiming to shape the future of healthcare.
✓ How Can We Accelerate the Adoption of New Technologies in Healthcare?
Insights into the reasons behind the slow adoption of technology in healthcare and how to address them.
Available: In person, Virtually
Discover the (digital) building blocks of the future.
Topics
✓ What are the Technology Trends in Construction and Real Estate?
A look ahead at how new technologies can make the construction sector more sustainable and efficient.
✓ What Can Artificial Intelligence Bring to Construction and Real Estate?
Insights into the opportunities and challenges AI presents for optimizing processes, sustainability, and improving the experience of (end) customers.
✓ What Are Promising Startups in Construction and Real Estate?
An inspiring overview of game-changing startups in the construction and real estate sector.
✓ How Can Traditional Companies Become More Innovative?
Discover three strategies to increase your innovation power through an inspiring case study.
Available: In person, Virtually
Discover how we can make organizations future-proof.
Topics
✓ Why Do Startups Innovate So Much Faster and Better Than Corporates?
Insights into the three main factors that slow down innovation within established companies.
✓ How Can a Traditional Company Become More Innovative?
Discover three strategies to boost your innovation power through an inspiring case study.
✓ How to Prepare for Disruptive Technologies?
The opportunities and threats of the most important disruptive technologies in your sector.
✓ What Should Be Managed Top-Down, and What Can Emerge Bottom-Up?
Understanding the role of leadership in innovation and the various ways to organize innovation.
✓ What Are Promising Startups in Your Sector?
An inspiring overview of the innovation drivers in your sector and the innovation strategies they apply.
Available: In person, Virtually
Deborah can participate as a panelist or moderator in panel discussions. Her involvement will ensure in-depth and lively discussions on technological innovation and digital transformation.
Deborah as the Panel Moderator
✓ Ensures an In-Depth Panel Discussion
Deborah’s knowledge and experience in innovation and digital transformation enable her to ask the right questions and make insightful connections between  panel members’ answers.
✓ Combines Thorough Preparations with Spontaneity
Deborah researches each panel member’s profile and prepares the panel discussion in meticulous detail. She coordinates with all panel members in advance, ensuring they join the discussion confidently and armed with concrete examples.
✓ ​The content is well-organized, but the discussion is not ‘scripted,’ preserving spontaneity and liveliness.
✓ Enables Audience Participation
Deborah encourages interaction with the audience. This leads to a lively panel discussion covering topics of interest to your audience.
Deborah as a Panelist
✓ Provides Fresh Insights Supported by Timely Examples
As a professor and technology trend watcher, Deborah is always up to date on the latest innovations and technological developments across industries.
✓ Invigorates the Panel Discussion
With her keen insight and refreshing input, Deborah guarantees an engaging discussion that will captivate your audience.
✓ Ensures Relevance for the Audience
Deborah tailors her examples to align with the event’s theme and audience. When combining a keynote and a panel discussion, she ensures a seamless fit.
Available: In person, Virtually

Deborah'S

TESTIMONIALS

Books

Deborah Nas book

Design Things that Make Sense: Tech. Innovator's Guide

‘Design Things That Make Sense’ is the first and complete guide to designing technology-based products and services. It answers questions like: Why do so many new tech products fail? What accelerates technology adoption? How do you design products that make sense? Deborah Nas transformed the knowledge she gained in her 25 years of experience as a designer, professor, and thought leader in technology-based innovation into practical design strategies. These design strategies will guide you in developing successful new products and improving existing products. They will help you design products and services whose technological benefits far outweigh their potential drawbacks. In other words, it will help you to “Design Things That Make Sense” for your future customers; products people will love to use and will continue using.

Read more..

Design Things that Make Sense: Tech. Innovator's Guide

'Design Things That Make Sense' is the first and complete guide to designing technology-based products and services. It answers questions like: Why do so many new tech products fail? What accelerates technology adoption? How do you design products that make sense? Deborah Nas transformed the knowledge she gained in her 25 years of experience as a designer, professor, and thought leader in technology-based innovation into practical design strategies. These design strategies will guide you in developing successful new products and improving existing products. They will help you design products and services whose technological benefits far outweigh their potential drawbacks. In other words, it will help you to “Design Things That Make Sense” for your future customers; products people will love to use and will continue using.

Speaker Bureaus and Talent Agencies

Deborah Nas is available to book via these agencies
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