The Power of Human Connection in the AI Age.

↓ SPEAKING CLIENTS ↓

Smiley is one of the top keynote speakers on Human Connection in the AI Age. Smiley helps leaders and teams build a culture of human connection, belonging, trust, and collaboration in the Age of AI.

Artistic Watercolor Paint Splatter

The Future of Work is Human Connection.

In the Age of Artificial Intelligence, marked by rapid transformation, uncertainty, market volatility, geopolitical risk, and a weakened labor market; only 20 percent of employees globally are engaged at work, costing the world economy $438 billion in lost productivity. 40 percent don’t feel connected to their teams and 40 percent don’t trust their coworkers. 50 percent of Americans are lonely. Half of workers are burned out. Employees spend less time with their teams, less time with their friends, and more time alone, than ever before.

In a lonely, nonstop, disconnected, overwhelmed workplace; with wall-to-wall Zoom meetings, 24/7 Teams messages, AI agents, and the rapid adoption of AI tools; the value of meaningful human connection increases exponentially and the heart of business is about building a culture of human connection for your leaders, your teams, and your clients and customers. High-levels of connection create a 56% increase in job performance, a 50% drop in turnover risk, and save a company $52 million a year.

In an AI-driven workplace, human connection is our moat, relationships are our true competitive advantage.

Whether your organization is leading culture change amidst market volatility, geopolitical risk, scale, acquisitions, AI adoption and layoffs, hybrid/return-to-office policy shifts, or generational succession planning, Smiley’s work will prepare your leaders and teams for future success and growth.

Smiley’s practical keynotes provide an actionable toolkit for leaders to attract + retain top talent across generations, lead culture transformation, increase employee engagement + retention, build high-performing super-connected teams, build a culture of trust, psychological safety, and belonging, and drive growth in the new era of work.

In under an hour, Smiley’s keynotes will give your team an easy-to-use, practical toolkit to create a positive culture of connection, collaboration, teamwork, and belonging at work.

Smiley’s Keynote Outcomes:

Learn 5 ways to increase human connection at work

Foster higher levels of psychological safety on your team

Deepen trust + build high-value relationships

Navigate uncertainty, drive massive business growth in the age of AI

Lead through change + build culture transformation

Keynote Topics.

How Leaders Can Increase Engagement + Retention, Motivate High-Performing Teams, Build High-Value Relationships, and Create Human Connection in the Age of AI

Driving Team Engagement and Performance, Connection and Culture Transformation in the Age of AI, Uncertainty, and Overwhelm

How to Be a Future-Ready Organization and Attract, Retain, and Engage Top Talent and Communicate Across Generations

Building a High-Performing Teams to Supercharge Collaboration, Embrace Culture Change, and Drive a New Era of Growth in the Face of Uncertainty

Building a Care Mindset to Develop Human-Centered Leaders, Build Trusting Relationships, Empower Well-Being, and Thrive in the Future of Work

“Extraordinary. Full stop.”

Video Clips

Human Connection in the Age of AI

The Power of Making the Ask

From Hustle to Human Connection

Create a Sense of Belonging

2025 Keynote Preview

2025 Speaker Reel

A Practical Toolkit for Leaders & Teams to Build Human Connection in the Age of AI

“One of the Top Human Resources Keynote Speakers.”

Recooty Logo

“One of the Top 12 Speakers who will inspire you.”

Thrive Global Logo

Client Value Stack

Pre-Keynote

  • Exploratory call to align on client vision and event goals

  • Deep dive pre-event call

  • Smiley customizes his presentation to meet your audience’s unique needs and priorities; interviews 3-4 leaders, team members, clients or partners to customize for your event

Customize through connection


  • Smiley delivers a high-energy, inspiring, interactive and practical keynote

  • Smiley models connection+ belonging in how he shows up, whenever possible, he’ll stay for client dinners, attend post-event cocktail receptions, moderate Q&As or breakout discussions, sign books, do video interviews or podcasts, and make cross-promotional social media posts.


Post-Keynote

  • All attendees receive Smiley’s hand-designed practical resources and guides:

    • Custom Slides

    • 1-pager with key takeaways

    • Belonging Toolkit (70 pages)

    • Connect at Work Guide (30 pages)

    • Optional book bulk buy discount

  • Thank you video from Smiley

  • Access to 6 short videos to keep doing the work and implement Smiley’s culture of connection tips

  • 30-days later 20-minute After Care Debrief Call with Smiley to discuss post-event progress and explore future collaboration options (including ongoing masterclass and Virtual Q&A/ Focus Group Series)

Keynote

Deliver exceptional keynote experience that models connection

After care resources to implement tools and take action post-event