The question isn't simply what AI and robots will be able to do. It's what humans will need to get better at when they can.
Dr Michelle Dickinson MNZM, known widely as "Nanogirl," is a PhD engineer, technology executive and global keynote speaker who has spent her career at the frontier of emerging technology, from nanotechnology and advanced materials to artificial intelligence and robotics.
With a PhD in Biomedical and Materials Engineering and more than two decades across science, engineering and technology, Michelle understands how technology actually works, how it moves from research into the real world, and what happens to people and organisations when it does.
She has recently led teams inside a Silicon Valley robotics company, helping deploy AI-powered robotic systems into real manufacturing environments, and continues to advise organisations in robotics and physical AI. That experience has put her inside one of the defining transitions of our time: machines moving beyond analysing information to seeing, learning, making decisions and performing physical work. Her expertise has also guided some of the world's largest technology companies through nanotechnology, AI, quantum computing and sustainable technology.
That experience has also changed the questions Michelle asks. Rather than trying to predict which jobs will disappear, she asks what happens when individual tasks begin to disappear. Rather than asking how humans compete with increasingly capable machines, she explores the capabilities that become more valuable because of them: curiosity, judgement, creativity, empathy, communication and the ability to learn.
Michelle has delivered more than 450 keynotes worldwide, speaking to audiences from global technology companies and senior executives to governments, educators and industry leaders. Her clients include Gartner, Microsoft, SAP, Deloitte, ServiceNow, Accenture, Hewlett Packard, Fujitsu, Lenovo, Mastercard, Tata Consultancy Services and VMware.
Known for highly visual storytelling, live demonstrations and audience participation, Michelle turns complex ideas into experiences people can understand, remember and act on. Her keynotes combine the perspective of an engineer who has worked inside the technologies reshaping work with a deeply human question: as machines become more capable, what will make us more valuable? A bestselling author, award-winning science communicator and host of top-charting science podcasts, she is co-founder of the STEM education company Nanogirl and founder of Matter Workshop, her AI and technology consultin company. She is also an honorary academic in engineering at the University of Auckland and an Honorary Wing Commander in the Royal New Zealand Air Force.
Her honours include appointment as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to science communication, the Sir Peter Blake Leadership Award, the Prime Minister's Science Communication Prize, and the Women of Influence Award for Science and Innovation.
Her keynotes leave audiences not afraid of the future, but equipped to help shape it.
Talking Points
What happens when the machines can do the work?
AI learned to think. Now machines are learning to act.What happens when the machines can do the work?
For decades, automation was predictable. Robots repeated programmed movements behind safety fences while humans handled everything requiring judgement, dexterity and adaptability.
That boundary is disappearing.
A new generation of AI-powered machines can see their surroundings, interpret unfamiliar objects, learn new tasks and operate in environments built for people.
Michelle Dickinson has worked inside this transition, and continues to advise on it today. Drawing on her experience building and deploying robotics and physical AI into real workplaces, she takes audiences beyond the headlines and inside what is actually happening as artificial intelligence moves from the screen into the physical world.
But this isn’t a keynote about robots.
It’s about us.
If machines can increasingly perform both cognitive and physical tasks, where does human value move next? What happens to careers, organisations and society when experience can be encoded into machines? And how should leaders prepare their people for a world in which the division of labour between humans and technology is being rewritten?
What the audience leaves with:
Why physical AI represents a profound new phase of automation
What today's robots can, and cannot, actually do
How automation changes tasks long before it eliminates entire jobs
Where human judgement, dexterity, trust and experience still matter
how organisations can approach automation without losing sight of the humans affected by it
What changes on Monday:
Audit which tasks in your own workflow are already automatable, rather than which jobs
Brief your team on what today's robots genuinely cannot do
Review where human judgement and trust are load-bearing in your operation
Curiosity as a Catalyst for Innovation
Children are natural innovators, asking hundreds of questions each day. Yet, as we grow older, our curiosity and ability to ask questions diminishes. Why does this happen, and how can we reignite it? This hands-on keynote explores how curiosity drives innovation, creativity, and breakthroughs in technology, offering a roadmap to help individuals and organisations think differently.Curiosity as a Catalyst for Innovation
Key Takeaways:
Understand why curiosity diminishes over time and how to reignite it in yourself and your team.
Learn how to foster a culture of curiosity and questioning within your organisation.
Explore the connection between curiosity, creativity, and innovation in solving complex problems.
Gain tools and techniques to encourage innovative thinking and unconventional solutions.
Discover inspiring real-world examples of how curiosity has led to breakthroughs in technology and business.
Key Takeaways:
Spot the emerging trends that matter most to your business.
Understand the role of customer-centricity in technology investments.
Foster workplace innovation through curiosity and hands-on experimentation.
Perfect for: Forward-thinking organisations ready to embrace change.
Future-ready, not future-proof
The future isn't something you can protect yourself from. It's something you need to become ready for.Future-ready, not future-proof
Every organisation wants to become “future-proof.” Michelle Dickinson argues that this is the wrong ambition.
AI is improving at extraordinary speed. Robots are moving from tightly controlled factories into workplaces designed for humans. Skills that once created competitive advantage are becoming automated, augmented or obsolete.
Trying to predict exactly what comes next is almost impossible.
So what do we prepare for?
Drawing on her experience across AI, engineering and robotics, both building inside a Silicon Valley robotics company and continuing to advise organisations in that space today, Michelle takes audiences inside the technologies already reshaping work and explores what their accelerating capabilities mean for organisations and the people inside them.
She reveals why the greatest advantage in a rapidly changing world isn’t knowing what comes next. It’s developing people capable of adapting when it does.
What the audience leaves with:
How AI and robotics are changing work at the level of tasks, not simply jobs
Which human capabilities increase in value as machines become more capable
Why adaptability, curiosity and judgement are becoming strategic business capabilities
How leaders can build organisations that learn faster than the world changes
What changes on Monday:
Stop trying to predict the next technology and start building the capacity to absorb it
Name the human capabilities your organisation should be hiring and developing for
Treat how fast your team learns as a number worth watching
Finding Your Voice: Communicating for Impact
In a world overflowing with information and rapid technological change, the ability to communicate effectively is more vital than ever. This keynote explores how curiosity and storytelling can cut through the noise, transforming complex ideas into messages that resonate and inspire action.Finding Your Voice: Communicating for Impact
Dr. Michelle Dickinson shares her personal journey from introverted engineer to global keynote speaker, offering practical strategies to build confidence, find your authentic voice, and communicate with impact, whether you’re speaking to a live audience or engaging in virtual meetings.
Michelle also delves into how emerging tools like AI can enhance communication without replacing the important human connection, and how leaders, educators, and decision-makers can bridge the gap between research, technology, and real-world applications.
Key Takeaways:
Gain confidence in public speaking and learn how to craft authentic, impactful messages.
Explore storytelling techniques to make complex ideas accessible and inspiring for diverse audiences.
Discover how curiosity and empathy can enhance your communication approach.
Learn how to effectively use AI tools to augment communication while maintaining a human connection.
Understand how to translate research and emerging technologies into actionable insights for real-world impact.
Perfect for: Professionals, educators, and teams looking to build confidence in communication, connect across diverse audiences, and harness curiosity to inspire innovation.
Technology Trends: Navigating the Future of Business
The rapid pace of innovation can feel overwhelming, but technology doesn’t have to be intimidating. In this talk, Michelle demystifies emerging technologies, from AI to quantum computing, offering practical advice on how to harness these tools to solve real-world challenges.Technology Trends: Navigating the Future of Business
This talk provides actionable insights into identifying and leveraging the technologies that will shape the future.
Key Takeaways:
Spot the emerging trends that matter most to your business.
Understand the role of customer centricity in technology investments.
Foster workplace innovation through curiosity and hands-on experimentation.
Perfect for: Forward-thinking organisations ready to embrace change.
AI, Ethics, and the Human Touch
AI is revolutionising industries, but how do we ensure it works for us, not against us?AI, Ethics, and the Human Touch
In this thought-provoking talk, Michelle delves into the ethical considerations of AI, the importance of human-centered design, and the need for responsible innovation. She explores real-world case studies to highlight how AI can enhance, not replace human creativity and problem-solving.
Key Takeaways:
Understand the key ethical challenges of AI and their implications for businesses, education, and society.
Explore the principles of human-centered design and how they can guide responsible AI development.
Learn how to strike a balance between leveraging AI’s capabilities and maintaining human touch.
Discover actionable strategies to incorporate ethical considerations into AI adoption and innovation.
Gain insights from real-world examples of AI being used responsibly to solve complex problems.
Perfect for: Business leaders, educators, and policymakers looking to navigate the ethical challenges of AI,
MC
Dr. Michelle Dickinson is an experienced and engaging MC who brings energy, clarity, and a natural ability to connect with audiences. With a background in science, technology, and education, she is skilled at guiding discussions, keeping events on track, and ensuring speakers and panels are well-supported. Michelle has hosted a wide range of events, from corporate conferences and government forums to industry summits and innovation panels. Her warm and approachable style, combined with her ability to simplify complex topics, makes her a trusted choice for events that require both expertise and audience engagement.
MC
Video
Nanogirl, My Quest to Become a Superhero | Dr Michelle Dickinson
How to become a superhero is the story of how Dr Michelle Dickinson became a nanotechnologist and an engineer through striving to follow her dreams and reach her goals.Dr Michelle Dickinson & Astronaut Chris Hadfield
Dr Michelle Dickinson sat down with Astronaut Cmdr. Chris Hadfield in Auckland at the IBM Think New Zealand event to ask him some questions from young New Zealanders about space and science. She then gave him him his first feijoa experience and the results were delightful!Dr Michelle Dickinson on Curiosity | Saxton Speakers
Join Dr Michelle Dickinson in this captivating and playful exploration of curiosity and innovation, as she demonstrates the power of asking the right questions and breaking free from conventional thinking. Michelle engages her audience in interactive games that reveal how we are conditioned by our education system to prioritise knowing the right answers over embracing the freedom of curiosity. Through storytelling and real-life examples, she explains why innovation thrives when we let go of the need to have all the answers and instead, embrace a mindset of exploration.Breaking it down - changing climate with Professor Tim Naish | Dr Michelle Dickinson
In this snippet from Breaking It Down with Dr Michelle Dickinson, Michelle interviews Professor Tim Naish Director of the Antarctic Research Centre at Victoria University of Wellington about our changing climate and what we can do.COVID-19 and the Vaccine
Evolving With AI | Dr Michelle Dickinson | Saxton Speakers
Explore how AI can bring creativity and humour into our daily lives with Dr Michelle Dickinson. In this talk, she shares her unique perspective on engaging with AI technology, from playful applications like a “virtual AI husband” to practical uses such as creating meals from leftovers. Through her stories, Michelle explains AI's potential to streamline tasks while showing where human judgement remains crucial, offering a balanced view of how AI complements our lives.Audio
Dr Michelle Dickinson received overwhelmingly positive feedback for her energetic and engaging presentation style. Attendees appreciated her "out of the box" approach, particularly regarding ... keep reading Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA)
Michelle was brilliant! She adapted her content to suit our audience and was a very dynamic and engaging speaker. She was the absolute highlight of our conference.
Michelle has such a warm and engaging style, our audience was captivated for the full hour and would have happily continued for another hour!
Michelle is an inspiration and has a way of taking complex concepts and communicating them in memorable and approachable ways. Michelle is an incredible person who will reframe your understand of the world and change the way that you think about what's possible.
We have tried for a few years to get Dr Michelle Dickinson, the wait was worth it. She was exceptional and the team really enjoyed the presentation alongside her husband Joe Davis. Great team work, highly rated.
The best keynote speaker I personally have seen in 10 years. Michelle was engaging, funny, easy to listen to and an all round lovely person. The delegates have not stopped talking about how excellent her presentation was.
Michelle is a pleasure to work with. This is the second time she has been involved in an Auckland Conversations that I was working on and it was such a smooth process. She knew just exactly what we needed to tie the discussion back to local government elections and I think she was the perfect person to MC this event.
Michelle was fantastic. A true professional. Her content was engaging, she had the audience in the palm of her hand. She adapted her presentation to our audience and was enthusiastic and authentic, particularly so in the Q&A section.
Michelle was a pleasure to work with from start to finish. Her keynote was thoughtfully created and highly relevant to our audience. We would welcome the opportunity to work with her again in the future.
