Baratunde is a seasoned public speaker and host who can make challenging topics, such as race, technology, and democracy, accessible to almost any audience. He has written and advocated for justice in our streets and in the technology code that increasingly defines our lives. He is as honest about our challenges as he is committed to making progress. He has addressed rallies, executive meetings, conferences, and middle school students and brings insight, humor, and humanity to every stage. Whether in person or in Zoom, he connects with the audience and makes sure they feel seen. Your audience leaves lighter, sharper, and ready to act.
Life With Machines: AI, Power, and the Future We Actually Want
AI isn't just new technology. It's power and increasingly, it's relationships. And "AI" isn't doing anything. People are. Baratunde moves the conversation off "what can these tools do" and onto the question underneath it: who decides what they do, who profits, and who never got asked. Ultimately, what world do we really want to live in? This talk is funny, honest, and practical about what your audience actually gets to decide. Spoiler alert: we get to decide it all.
There are too many crises: climate, technology, democracy. But underneath all of them is a story problem. We've been told we're separate: from the land, from each other, even from the machines we built. Baratunde tells an older, truer story he's seen across his decades of work. What we tell ourselves about ourselves shapes how we show up. It's time for a story big enough to hold us all.
KeynoteInterdependence
Delivered at Bioneers 2025. Watch the full keynote (25:04).
Democracy and citizenship
How To Citizen at 250
Citizen is a verb, and democracy is something we do, not just something we have. As the United States turns 250 years old we are questioning how united we really are and what our next 250 years should be. Baratunde offers a third option beyond fireworks and despair: a story with good news at its center, acknowledging the Indigenous roots of this democracy, celebrating everyday democracy beyond just the ballot box, and inviting us all into a deeper practice today and tomorrow.
A former Boy Scout who loves playing outside as much as he loves playing with tech, Baratunde was privileged to tell over 100 stories with PBS for the series America Outdoors and the Emmy-nominated Hope In The Water. The consistent lesson is that we are a part of nature, not apart from her and that our relationship with nature can serve as literal common ground in times where we are convinced of our division. This talk is uplifting and literally grounding, and will make you want to immediately touch grass.
Baratunde was unbelievable. His keynote was possibly the best we've ever had. Funny, inspiring, personal, practical, hopeful, and also rigorous in its critical examination of our country's history and politics. He held a room of over 400 teachers, students, principals, and policymakers in rapt attention for his entire talk, including the Q and A.
The Rowland Foundation
Baratunde was an absolute pleasure, truly one of the highlights of the program. He brought a fresh and needed lens to the conversation around AI, and that mix of insight, humor, and humanity really resonated with the room.
Abridge
We knew you would be absolute magic with Senator Warnock, but it was more special than we could've imagined. This session is the one mentioned in nearly every response as a highlight. They said it lit a fire.
A Day of Unreasonable Conversation, on the session with Senator Warnock
He was amazing. Kind, relatable, and gracious with everyone he met, and did a fantastic job on stage. The kind of speaker I would genuinely want to be friends with, because of the type of human he is and what he cares about.
Clemson University
The feedback from the Disney folks in the room was overwhelmingly positive. We loved hearing your story, your approach to the potential and perils of AI, and where this is all headed. You are such a smart and engaging speaker.
Walt Disney Studio
Nothing but rave reviews. He really was exactly what we were looking for. He took the event to the next level.
New York Stock Exchange
Multiple people came up to me to say how much they enjoyed your talk and want to see you back on the TED stage.
TED (Philadelphia)
You were such a fantastic host. Thank you for adding such great commentary and humor to the evening.
National Portrait Gallery
We have received tons of feedback about how inspiring your program was, that it motivated our audience to find community and creatively take action on climate.
Hollywood Climate Summit
Your role was critical to the success of the event, and everyone here is incredibly grateful.
