To schedule a speaking engagement outside the United States, please contact Chartwell Speakers, otherwise, please inquire here

Skagen Fund Keynote

The Impossible Dream of Electric Vehicles

TrendMacro, August 3, 2023

The Machinery of Money, Global Interdependence Center

Technology & The Future

Cyberphysical realities. Forbes CIO Conference

The Grand Nexus: Energy, Materials, Information

Robophobia - Work in the age of robots, Northwestern University 2018

TPH Energy Tech Disruptions

"New Energy Economy" Delusion

Featured Speech Topics

Robophobia And The Future of Jobs: This Time It’s Not Different

Mechanical machines started displacing laborers two centuries ago. Thinking machines started displacing knowledge workers 70 years ago. In 1961, President Kennedy announced the creation of a new agency on employment precisely to address the problem of “automation … replacing men.” But despite the fact that jobs, productivity and wealth have all expanded over the long run, this time, we’re told, it’s different. Mills shows with examples and forecasts that the problem with job creation today is not robots but bureaucrats; if the latter will get out of the way, the former will continue to propel history’s long and positive trend.

The Future of Energy Is Not What You Think: Megatrends & The Pursuit of Magic

The world’s smartphones are on track to use more electricity than the country of Japan. Energy is not a discretionary purchase, but vital for everything from powering Cloud networks to cars, from growing food to growing silicon. Mills, co-author of the iconic energy book, “The Bottomless Well”, illuminates the intersections of technology trends and the surprising changes coming. The future is no longer about enough energy—supplies from all sources are practically unlimited—but about meeting the demand for reliability and security in the face of escalating physical and cyber threats. As Bill Gates once said about energy, the only thing that’s really different today is “software.”

Why The Technology Revolution Has Just Begun & The Next Big ‘Thing’ Is Everything

Economists say America is facing long-term stagnation with no prospect for repeating the kind of transformative economic growth that followed the industrial revolution. Meanwhile, entrepreneurs and innovators are actually in the midst of engineering the next revolution. We see the evidence in robots, drones, self-driving cars, artificial intelligence, 3D printers, precision medicine, virtual reality and the Cloud. Mills reveals why the structure of the underlying technology changes are far-reaching, bullish for America and far more exciting than the anemic idea of a new “industrial revolution.”

The Future of Transportation: An Antidote To Tesla Derangement Syndrome

Forecasters claim the world is facing “peak driving” because of services like Uber and, soon, self-driving cars. Combine this with the rush to promote electric cars and, supposedly, “peak oil use” is in sight too. Mills maps out how technology does promise a future of hyper-personalized ‘mass’ transit with less congestion and pollution – but that future will use more barrels of oil, right along with more batteries. Mills also unbundles the technologies that now make real the prospect for fuel-hungry Jetson-type personal aircraft.

Oil: The Once And Future Fuel & The Emergence Of America As An Energy Superpower

Despite billions of dollars spent to find alternatives, global transportation and trade today are more dependent on petroleum than at any time in history. If oil didn’t exist, we’d have to invent it. And now, despite serial predictions over the past century that petroleum supplies would soon be exhausted, technology has produced an era of serial gluts. Mills’ analysis reveals how America is at the center of that technological revolution, and has emerged as an energy superpower with far-reaching economic and geopolitical ramifications, causing ripples from Riyadh to Moscow.

Public Speaking Testimonials

“Mark Mills is a fantastic speaker! Mark has a quick wit and is a brilliant communicator, with a gift for taking complex topics and making them easily understandable and clearly relevant for all audiences.”

Kim GithlerCEO & Chair, MoneyShow

“Mark Mills is a gem!  Get him, if you can. He delivers original, substantive information in a way that charms and captivates audiences from beginning to end. He is also excellent at q&a. We have had Mark at several of our investor events and his ratings were the through the roof.”

Steve ForbesChairman & Editor-in-Chief, Forbes

“Mark Mills had our audience enthralled. They didn’t want to let him leave.”

Russ CapperCEO, The BusinessMakers Show

“If you want a speaker who will inspire reflection and action among your audience – go with Mark Mills. He is clear and thought provoking, and speaks on technical issues in a common sense and relatable manner.”

 

Thomas FanningChairman & CEO, Southern Company

“He is so smart, it makes your head hurt. … Entertaining AND informative?  What a great combination.”

Bob SchoenbergerChairman and CEO, Unitil Corp

“Mark is an exceptional and passionate speaker…  his ability to effectively communicate technical concepts is without peer.”

Bruce H. StoverBoard Member, Price College of Business, University of Oklahoma

“At the crossroads of technology, energy, and the economy — the big three! — Mark Mills is the brightest and most compelling speaker I’ve seen.”

Rich KarlgaardPublisher, Forbes

“Mark’s clarity and conviviality make every event at which he speaks a genuine pleasure — and more important, uniquely edifying.”

Brooke RollinsPresident, Texas Public Policy Foundation

“You were terrific!  ….Your talk was just the right mix of history, technology, and optimism about the future.  The feedback we received was terrific!”

David TitusPresident, San Diego Venture Group

“He blew them away and we have invited him back countless times to present to our attendees. He is a surefire hit.”

Lana SpivakDirector of Operations, Bisnow

“I host dozens of business events each year. Mark is in a league of his own. Mark will exceed everyone’s expectations. He is engaging, humble, witty, and has an incredible talent to explain complex issues and topics in laymen’s terms.”

 

Craig IrvingPresident, The Irving Group

How I Work with Clients

I’ve given hundreds of speeches to audiences ranging in size from corporate Boards to ballroom audiences for major conferences. I’m as comfortable providing boutique audiences with extensive ‘deep dive’ briefings, as giving inspirational keynote addresses.

Leading up to a speech, I talk to the event planners about logistics, audience size and make-up, and especially about goals, preferences and what everyone is trying to accomplish. My clients have included small and large companies, banks, investment firms, trade associations, engineering organizations, and economic development groups in North America and Europe. My life has been spent at the intersection of technology, policy and business, so when I speak to organizations, I endeavor not only to focus on an event’s specific goals, but also to impart my sense of (reality-grounded) optimism about our future in these confusing and complex times.

I bring a different perspective, I’d like to think somewhat unique, to the challenge of explaining technology and relating to varied audiences.   Many pundits have had a career exclusively in punditry, but I’ve walked-the-walk as a practicing research scientist, development engineer, entrepreneur (where I’ve succeeded and failed), investor, advisor and board members, policy practitioner (including frequently testifying before the U.S. Congress) and writer. My array of experiences has given me insights helpful to other entrepreneurs, executives and businesses.