Biography

David Hanson develops robots that are widely regarded as the world’s most human-like in appearance, in a lifelong quest to create true living, caring machines. To accomplish these goals, Hanson integrates figurative arts with cognitive science and robotics engineering, inventions novel skin materials, facial expression mechanisms, and collaborative developments in AI, within humanoid artworks like Sophia the robot, which can engage people in naturalistic face-to-face conversations and currently serve in AI research, education, therapy, and other uses.

Hanson worked as a Walt Disney Imagineer, both a sculptor and a technical consultant in robotics, and later founded Hanson Robotics. As a researcher, Hanson published dozens of papers in materials science, artificial intelligence, cognitive science, and robotics journals — including SPIE, IEEE, the International Journal of Cognitive Science, IROS, AAAI, AI magazine and more. He wrote two books including Humanizing Robots and received several patents. Hanson was featured in the New York Times, Popular Science, Scientific American, WIRED, BBC and CNN. He also received earned awards from NASA, NSF, Tech Titans’ Innovator of the Year, RISD, Cooper Hewitt Design Triennial, and the co-received the 2005 AAAI first place prize for open interaction of an AI system. Hanson holds a Ph.D. in Interactive Arts and Technology from the University of Texas at Dallas, and a BFA in film Animation video from the Rhode Island School of Design. 

Read More

Videos

David Hanson, Leading Roboticist, CEO of Hanson Robotics and Creator of Sophia the Robot

Request Availability

Speech TopicsExpand each topic to learn more

The Future of Human-like Robotics

Delve into the evolving landscape of human-robot interaction and its societal implications. Discover David's innovative work that has placed him at the forefront of the creation of the world’s most human-like robots, such as the iconic Sophia the robot.

Creating Empathetic Robots

Explore the development of empathetic robots and their potential impact on human well-being, aimed at creating a positive impact in society.

Artificial Intelligence and Creativity

Examine the intersection of AI and creativity that seeks to uncover new possibilities for innovation. Explore the creative process behind how David creates human-like robots with intelligence, feelings, and expressions to depict human behavior.

Ethical Considerations in Robotics

Address ethical dilemmas in robotics and advocate for responsible AI development.

The Psychology of Robot Design & Human-Robot Collaboration:

Explore the psychological aspects of robot design and their influence on human perception. Understand the potential for collaboration between humans and robots in various fields to work together in the future.

Booksby David Hanson Ph.D.

Humanizing Robots

Blog Posts

Best Artificial Intelligence Speakers for Healthcare Conferences (2026)

Discover the best Artificial Intelligence Speakers for Healthcare bringing innovation, ethics, and technology to modern medicine.

Read More

Purpose-Driven Leadership Lessons That Keep Elite Teams Aligned Under Pressure

Purpose-driven leadership expert Marc Koehler shares battle-tested strategies from nuclear submarines to transform how your team makes daily decisions.

Read More

Best Leadership Speakers for Real Estate & PropTech Conferences (2026)

Find the Best Leadership Speakers for Real Estate & PropTech Conferences. Book proven voices in AI, sustainability, and growth leadership today.

Read More

Why Your Event Network Matters More Than Your Runbook (The Hidden Success Factor)

Network strength decides event success more than any runbook—discover why trust between people creates unforgettable audience experiences.

Read More

Best Leadership Speakers for Construction & Infrastructure Conferences (2025)

Discover the Best Leadership Speakers for Construction & Infrastructure Conferences in 2025—experts in safety, culture, resilience, and operational excellence.

Read More

Why Top Event Planners Choose Authenticity Over Polish, with Anthony Scaramucci

Authenticity drives audience trust and engagement. Learn how keynote speakers use real talk to transform events with insights from our guest Anthony Scaramucci.

Read More

Related STEM Speakers

Contact Us Today

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
  • Fill out the form so we can best understand your needs.
    A representative from The Keynote Curators will reach out to you.

  • MM slash DD slash YYYY
  • This field is hidden when viewing the form
  • This field is hidden when viewing the form
  • This field is hidden when viewing the form
  • This field is hidden when viewing the form
  • This field is hidden when viewing the form
  • This field is hidden when viewing the form