Catherine Ball

Data Science
Digital
Disruption
Drones
Future of Work
Futurists
Innovation
Science & Technology
Technology
View All Speakers
ENQUIRE NOW
Catherine Ball headshot

PROFILE

Associate Professor, Dr Catherine Ball is an Academic at ANU’s School of Cybernetics, bestselling author, futurist and visioneer.

Associate Professor, Dr Catherine Ball is a scientific futurist, speaker, advisor, author, founder, executive producer, executive director and company director working across global projects where emerging technologies meet humanitarian, education and environmental needs. Catherine also likes to create businesses and champion movements, collaborate with peers, and advise game-changers.

Having been called a ‘social architect’, Catherine likes to connect people from different backgrounds across common themes. 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 are core aspects of the projects Catherine chooses to spend her me and energy on. Catherine continues to support Australia as being the world leader in the advancement of ethically driven technological applications.

Catherine is the only Australian on the International Advisory Board of the Schmidt Ocean Institute, which follows her work as a judge on the Ocean Discovery XPrize.

Catherine’s business ventures include the internationally renowned World of Drones and Robo cs Congress, established in Brisbane in 2017 and the free community resources of World of Drones Education, established in 2018.

She is also the curator and Director of the Futures Conference.

Catherine holds a BSc Honours (Environmental Protec on) and a PhD (Spa al Ecology, Descriptive and Predictive Statistics) from the University of Newcastle- upon-Tyne in the United Kingdom. Catherine lives in Sydney with her husband and two sons.

ENQUIRE NOW

SPEAKING TOPICS

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 organizations 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.

“Catherine is a knowledgeable and articulate speaker. Her presentation demonstrated a thorough understanding of current ICT issues. She packed a lot of concepts into the opening keynote of our conference and started the delegates thinking.”

Contact Me
Event Planner's Toolkit Download

Download the Ultimate Event Planner's Toolkit!

The toolkit contains 9 checklists, guides, and worksheets for ensuring your next event is a success! Just provide your details below for instant access to the toolkit!