PSYCHOLOGIST · KEYNOTE SPEAKER · CONFERENCE HOST
Dr Justin
Cohen
Keynote speaker on the human advantage in the age of AI
Dr Justin Cohen is a psychologist who helps leaders and teams build the human capabilities AI can't replace. A Hall of Fame speaker, bestselling author and former CNBC Africa prime-time host, he has spoken in more than 40 countries to audiences of up to 4,000, for organisations including Microsoft, Google, HSBC and EY.
Topics Human Transformation · Thriving in an AI World · Leading Change · Leadership and Culture · Sales and Pitching
Based in Cape Town, South Africa & London, UK
Speaks in More than 40 countries, including South Africa, the rest of Africa, the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Asia
Recognition Southern African Speaker Hall of Fame · Doctorate in Human Transformation · Former host of CNBC Africa's Gurus
Formats Conference keynote · Interactive leadership session (up to 2 hours) · Half-day or full-day workshop · Leadership retreat facilitation · Conference host and MC
When Justin is the right call
1. Your people are anxious about AI, or leaning on it so hard they've stopped thinking for themselves..
2. Your organisation has done well, and you're worried it's getting comfortable.
3. Your leaders agree on the culture you want, and day-to-day behaviour hasn't changed..
4. Your sales or bid teams are losing pitches they should be winning.
Justin is a psychologist, not a technologist. Expect less about the tools and more about what people need to do differently, with a live interview with AI on stage to make the point.
Justin's keynotes
What The Future!? 7 mental software updates to thrive in an AI world
The question it answers
How do we get our people using AI to perform better, instead of fearing it?
For: Leadership conferences, industry summits and company kick-offs where AI is on everyone's mind.
The most powerful force in your organisation isn't AI. It's human intention, amplified by AI. Justin sets out seven mental updates people need as work automates, and interviews AI live on stage.
Your audience leaves able to:
How to turn AI into a competitive advantage
How to build a culture that learns as fast as the technology changes
Why trust, empathy and influence matter more as machines get more capable
How to use AI to sharpen their thinking, without handing it over
Keynote · Interactive session · Workshop
Leadership Inside Out: how everyday leadership behaviour shapes culture
The question it answers
How do we turn the culture we’ve written down into how our leaders behave every day?
For: Leadership summits and management conferences, especially after a strong year.
Culture is shaped in hundreds of small moments: how leaders respond to mistakes, give feedback and handle difficult conversations. Justin gets leaders practising the behaviours in the room.
Your audience leaves able to:
How everyday leadership behaviour shapes team culture
How to build psychological safety while having more candid conversations
How to use appreciation and feedforward to lift performance
One specific behaviour each leader commits to changing
Keynote · Interactive session · Leadership retreat
Pitch to Win
The question it answers
How do we win more of the pitches and tenders our growth depends on?
For: Sales, business development and bid teams, and founders raising money.
The best product doesn't always win. The best pitch does. Teams learn Justin's six-step TTOPPS method, then take away an AI coach and playbook for real pitches after the session.
Your audience leaves able to:
The main reason buyers choose one pitch over another
How to win without sounding pushy, and manage nerves in a big pitch
AI tools for targeting, objection handling, rehearsal and follow-up
"I'm not sure our auditors have ever got applause after delivering a pitch, but that's what happened after applying Justin's method." Ajen Sita, CEO, EY
Keynote · Training programme · Pitch coaching
Every keynote is researched and tailored after a briefing with you. Justin also designs openers around a summit's theme.
Justin as your conference host
On a multi-speaker programme, Justin can do more than MC. He works with your team before the event to design how the main stage flows, then runs it on the day.
He connects ideas between speakers, brings the audience in with short, well-timed exchanges, lifts the energy when the room needs it, and closes by asking each delegate to commit to one thing they'll do differently. His keynote can run as one session or in short segments through the programme.
"You were one of the best event hosts I've ever seen. You did a marvellous job of summarising the key points from each speaker and tying it together for the audience."
Fred Swaniker, Founder, African Leadership Academy
"You were so much more than our MC and keynote speaker. You truly became the glue that held the day together."
Elmarie Vos, Head of L&D, Toyota
Watch Justin speak
Read the transcript
Today, we're fortunate enough to have global speaker and bestselling author Dr Justin Cohen. Dr Justin Cohen has spoken in over 40 countries. One of the world's leading experts in human transformation, Dr J is a Speaker Hall of Fame inductee. Please welcome to the stage Dr Justin Cohen.
We are undergoing the greatest acceleration of change in the history of humankind. Nothing short of a revolution in the way that we live and in the way that we work. And you don't need to be a futurist to see it. You can be a presentist and see it right here, now.
Dr Justin Cohen is a world-renowned authority on human transformation. He's a bestselling author and global speaker who has hosted multiple personal development TV shows.
When you step into your power and realise that you are enough, you build yourself up to the greatness of who you can be.
Dr J holds a doctorate in human transformation. He's spoken to tens of thousands of people in over 40 countries, providing them with powerful tools and insights to achieve lasting breakthroughs in their lives and businesses.
Dr J hosted a CNBC Africa television talk show where he interviewed some of the world's leading experts on success.
What is information worth? Information that enables you to increase sales, double your profits or achieve a great big, hairy, audacious goal? But we call the custodians of that information gurus.
Isn't that a great analogy for entrepreneurship? That you cannot stand still. You can't keep doing things the way you've always been doing them. The game changes.
Dr J is creator and host of the groundbreaking podcast I Speak to Dead People, where he interviews some of history's greatest minds using AI.
In WTF – What the Future, based on his latest book, he doesn't just talk about AI. He makes it part of the event.
Here we go. I am here with 4,000 human capital practitioners from all over Southeast Asia. We are super excited to talk to you about the incredible opportunities of AI for human capital management.
I'm thrilled to be here with all 4,000 of you.
Are you going to take all our jobs? And don't make us cry.
No need for tissues, Dr J. AI isn't here to take over jobs, but to take on tasks. It handles the repetitive stuff, freeing you up for the human-centric, creative and strategic parts of work. Think of it as a trusty sidekick.
So how do we ensure that AI doesn't replace us? Because right now, globally, that is the biggest fear.
Yes, jobs will go out of fashion. Service never will.
Whether it's leadership, motivation, sales or service, Dr J tailors his transformational content to align with your event's objectives. He's also an exceptional facilitator and MC, drawing out key themes and keeping the audience engaged and inspired.
Dr Justin Cohen has written multiple bestsellers. His internationally acclaimed signature teachings have been used and loved by hundreds of global organisations.
He's shared the stage with many luminaries, including Deepak Chopra, Jack Canfield and Richard Branson.
Don't try and be a person of success. Be a person of value and success will follow.
Thank you.
Organisations Justin has worked with
"You truly became the glue that held the day together."
Dr J was so much more than our MC and keynote speaker. His energy and ability to connect every element of our 2026 Values-Driven Leadership event made the day seamless, engaging and memorable. His five principles for leading from the inside out gave our leaders practical yet powerful reminders that leadership begins with ourselves.
Elmarie Vos, Head of L&D, Toyota
"This was not a talk. It was a call to upgrade the way we think."
Justin’s What the Future keynote was inspiring and transformative. His seven mental software updates were practical and gave us strategies we could use immediately. I will never forget him interviewing “Satya Nadella” live through ChatGPT voice. In that moment, the future had arrived! His mix of humour, research and personal stories made it unforgettable.
Anthony Farr, Global Director, YPO
"Your passion was infectious."
Dr J’s delivery was compelling and deeply resonant, and many of us were inspired by both the substance and the spirit of his message. One attendee said it was the first speaker session they had ever felt compelled to leave feedback on. Another called it a breath of fresh air among all things AI.
Jamie Brazell, Head of Learning & Development, S&P Global
"The key reason this year’s annual convention was rated the best in our history."
I have seen a lot of speakers and sat through a lot of breakout sessions. Justin Cohen is the most informative, entertaining and inspiring that I’ve seen.
Dave Goranson, President, American Society for Training and Development
"That’s why we keep having him back.”
Deeply customized. Always going above and beyond.
Pamela Spence, Global Leader, EY
"We are experiencing a clear increase in sales numbers."
Justin will have a long-lasting effect on our people.
Raymond O’Neil, Managing Director, HSBC Middle East
About Justin
Dr Justin Cohen has spent more than 20 years turning the science of human performance into tools people can use at work. He holds a doctorate in Human Transformation, and his work sits where psychology, leadership and AI meet.
He is the author of several books, including What the Future?!, Winning With Relationships and Pitch to Win, and was host and transformational coach on Gurus, a prime-time show on CNBC Africa.
Born and raised in South Africa, Justin is an inductee of the Southern African Speaker Hall of Fame. He has spoken in more than 40 countries, to audiences of up to 4,000, for clients including Microsoft, Google, HSBC, Investec, EY, IBM, Coca-Cola and Mercedes-Benz.
"A magnificent guidebook to the future. A must-read for anyone who wants to be empowered by AI."
– Nadia Bilchik, CNN
Booking Justin Cohen
What does Justin Cohen speak about?
The human side of AI: the mindset, culture and capabilities people need as work changes. He also speaks on leadership culture and on winning sales pitches. His best-known keynote is What The Future!? 7 Mental Software Updates to Thrive in an AI World.
Is Justin Cohen an AI expert?
Justin is a psychologist, not a technologist. Expect less about the tools and more about what people need to do differently, with a live interview with AI on stage to make the point.
Does Justin Cohen speak outside South Africa?
Yes. He has spoken in more than 40 countries, including South Africa, the rest of Africa, the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
Can Justin Cohen host our conference?
Yes. On a multi-speaker programme, Justin can do more than MC. He works with your team before the event to design how the main stage flows, then runs it on the day.
Will Justin tailor the session to our organisation?
Yes. Every keynote is researched and tailored after a briefing with you. Justin also designs openers around a summit's theme.
How do we book Justin Cohen?
Send us the date, the city and what's going on for your people. We'll confirm whether he's free and come back with a fee. You're welcome to WhatsApp our team right here, or send your brief to us via email.
Thinking about Justin for your event?
Send us the date, the city and what's going on for your people. We'll confirm whether he's available and connect to find how best he can serve your event.
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