The setting for Techonomy 2017 is as stunning as some of our speakers—the Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay south of San Francisco.

This is part one in the series highlighting Techonomy 2017 speakers. You can view part two here.
Techonomy is known for getting the big names. This November 5-7 at Half Moon Bay is no exception. We have, as usual, CEOs from companies like Aetna, Campbell’s Soup Company, Oscar, and Verizon, as well as luminaries including John Chambers of Cisco and Beth Comstock of GE.
But one thing that makes Techonomy unique is how we help our attendees meet the thought leaders they may not have heard of, but who they should know. These thinkers can help you understand how tech changes everything, how to harness it for good, and how to keep it from overwhelming you.
Here are some speakers you will be glad to know:

Kathleen Breitman – This 27-year-old is CEO of Dynamic Ledger Solutions. In July, she oversaw the largest so-called “initial coin offering” ever—it raised $230 million for Tezos, a blockchain-based cryptocurrency that aims to break new ground in how such systems are governed.
 
Andrew Anagnost – In June, he became CEO of Autodesk, the design and engineering software powerhouse. The 20-year company veteran has a Ph.D. in aeronautical engineering and computer science from Stanford University, and a brilliant view of how software is changing business. This will be the first time he has spoken publicly since getting the job.

danah boyd – She co-wrote an academic paper in 2007 that articulated what has become the standard definition for a “social network.” Now this internet sociologist works for Microsoft and runs a nonprofit called Data & Society that advocates for information to be used on our behalf, rather than against us.
 

Tessa Lau – In addition to her title of CTO at Savioke, a company building autonomous robots, she’s also officially known as Chief Robot Whisperer. Dr. Lau was one of Fast Company’s 2015 Most Creative People in Business.  She works on using AI to enhance human productivity and creativity.
 

Justin Sanchez – He directs DARPA’s office for biological technologies, working on things like decoding brain activity, neuroprosthetic devices to aid impaired memory, and prosthetic arms to restore movement and sensation after injury.
 
 
We’ve just published our full agenda, so you can see all we’ve got planned. The conference is highly interactive. We don’t believe in a broadcast format. We want discussion.

In the so-called “audience” at Techonomy, a titan of industry may sit next to a Stanford student who launched a company while still an undergrad. The dean of a university engineering department gets up to grab a coffee and brings one to a former foreign minister. At dinner, you won’t be bored. If you don’t go home better, and more deeply informed, we will have failed.
If you haven’t registered yet, request your invitation here. If you have questions, email [email protected] and our executive relations team will get to you immediately.