Richard van Hooijdonk is a Trendwatcher, Futurist and international keynote speaker. He takes you to an inspiring future that will dramatically change the way we live, work and do business.
Richard van Hooijdonk has several chip implants in his body through which he operates his car, as well as his home.
As a futurist, keynote speaker, and trendwatcher, Richard van Hooijdonk is an authority on new technology. He has several chip implants, because he wants to physically experience the future. His inspiration sessions have been attended by over 550,000 people. He has given more than 2,000 lectures across 35 countries.
“You can’t really talk about the future without also being part of it”, says Richard van Hooijdonk. So he put his money where his mouth is. To date, he’s had several RFID chips injected into his body that perform various tasks for him. Van Hooijdonk is planning to have a number of additional chips implanted.
Richard van Hooijdonk Speaking Topics
TRENDS 2030 – Are you ready?
Tomorrow’s world is just around the corner, with robots performing repetitive and predictable tasks, and sensors and cameras representing the digital feelers of our world. Self-learning algorithms will intervene on time and offer the best solutions at astonishing speeds. We will soon have cheap, autonomous transportation options at our disposal, while 3D printing technology will enable us to print everything we need. Virtual reality will enable us to experience anything we can possibly desire. But will we be safe? Will we not be outsmarted by cybercriminals? The acceleration of smartification has begun. Are you prepared?
FUTURE LEADERSHIP
The organisation of the future requires a new type of leader. The manager of the future questions the status quo and is willing to leave the old 20th-century management style behind. The leader of the future inspires talent, provides space and opportunity, and offers an environment where the old and new organisation can achieve optimal performance.
ORGANISATION OF THE FUTURE
The company of the future is hyper connected. It closely monitors new developments and collaborates with start-ups, scientists, and universities. It uses smart algorithms to analyse the world and employs a flexible workforce capable of rapidly developing new products and services. The company of the future requires accessible, inspiring leaders who are not afraid to veer off the beaten track.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
To convert all of the data generated by our self-driving cars, smart pacemakers, nanobots, production robots, sensors, RFID chips, and GPS systems into actionable insights, we need artificial intelligence. Self-learning algorithms use smart roadmaps to make the best decisions at the highest speed. Will the human brain eventually become obsolete, or will things be a little more nuanced?
CYBERCRIME
All too often, technology becomes a popular target for criminals and their cybercrime business models. For instance, citizens and businesses alike are increasingly confronted with ransomware, DDoS attacks, botnets, and intellectual property theft. Terrorists also use technology to create chaos or defeat ‘the enemy’. In the wrong hands, technology becomes an invisible weapon that can cause untold destruction.
AUTONOMOUS TRANSPORT SYSTEMS
In the world of tomorrow, we’ll transport products and people using autonomous driving, flying, and sailing systems. Smart transportation will offer solutions to challenges like traffic congestion, overloaded public transportation, and environmental issues. Soon, smart transport systems will be available to anyone, at any time, and at low cost, whether as part of the supply chain or for consumer use.
ROBOTICS
Robots are very capable of performing repetitive and predictable tasks. In fact, they are much better and faster at this than humans. They come in all shapes and sizes – from production robots to robots that care for the elderly, from security bots to nanobots that monitor our bodies from within. But what roles will humans have left to fulfil?
THE FUTURE OF MARKETING
Customers want brands to view their experience through their eyes, and make it even more integrated, seamless and consistent. There are several ways to do this. For instance, by building personalised and highly immersive customer journeys across each channel, leveraging advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, virtual & augmented reality, predictive analytics, and image and voice recognition tech. Soon, these channels will include smart fridges, Tesla dashboards and RFID chip implants.
BRANDS IN THE DIGITAL AGE
Brands can’t always control how they are perceived by their customers, but they can influence perception by offering engaging and immersive experiences, investing in creativity, using advanced tech, and by becoming ‘people-brands’. What today’s customers care about is being able to personally relate to a brand and things that directly impact their lives – like social issues and current events.
OMNICHANNEL MARKETING
Consumers are connected via multiple devices, engaging with brands across physical and online channels and technologies – think shoppable posts on social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube – but also chatbots, apps, VR & AR, and influencer marketing. Omnichannel marketing uses all these channels to reach one goal – to get the consumer to buy a product or service.
THE FUTURE WORKPLACE
Emerging technologies are completely transforming the workplace and old hierarchies are finally given the boot. Flexible, open office spaces are increasingly replacing fixed offices of the past. And as the benefits of remote work become evident, virtual offices will grow in popularity as well. We’ll have VR remote teams, use online brainstorming boards, and more people will become digital nomads.
THE FUTURE OF RECRUITMENT
Companies are increasingly shifting towards connected, intelligent recruitment based on AI assessments. This can greatly reduce the time it takes to fill job vacancies and lead to more socio-economic diversity. This sector is also increasingly making use of video interviews that may be enhanced with facial recognition and micro-expression analysis tech to make predictions on how the candidate will perform.
FUTURE LEADERSHIP
The future of work requires a new type of manager, who challenges the status quo and is willing to abandon entrenched ‘best practices’. There will be a move to flatter hierarchies as millennials are great team players and see traditional hierarchies as outdated. The managers of the future will offer employees opportunities to develop new skills and explore new positions.
With his international research team, he researches many trends in the field of robotics, drones, self-driving systems, 3D & 4D printing, sensors, blockchain, quantum computing, neurotech, biotech, platforms and augmented & virtual reality. Combined with artificial intelligence, these technologies offer groundbreaking opportunities, but also lead to challenges and threats for people, organisations and governments.
Who does he work for?
Since 2014, Richard has been a speaker at many prestigious institutions and organisations, such as Google, Microsoft, IBM, Samsung, Gartner, Interpol, the European Commission, PWC, Deloitte, Booking.com, Heineken, Unilever, Huawei, NIKE, and many more. Furthermore, he is the CEO of future-focused intelligence agency Trendforce.one, which recently introduced its COVID-19 ‘Road to Recovery’ programme.
What drives him?
Richard is driven by a desire to inject innovation and imagination into the mindsets of the people and organisations who are going to shape the world of tomorrow. With the right forward-looking mindset, he believes that we can better effect change for the improvement of our health, happiness, and prosperity.
What are his publications?
Through his online blog, he shares his findings regarding the trends and developments of our times on a weekly basis. To date, he has published 1,500 articles and 60 whitepapers, books, and e-books. One of these, ‘The World of Tomorrow’, became a bestseller.
Does Richard have a private life?
Richard has a girlfriend and two sons, aged 9 and 19. Though firmly rooted in the present, the two boys share their father’s love of the future. Richard enjoys sports, music, healthy food, and mindfulness.