Global AI Executive, TED & UN Speaker, CEO of AI First Maker & Advisor to Fortune 500 Boards
Danilo McGarry’s Biography:
Danilo McGarry is an international leader in artificial intelligence and digital transformation, recognised globally as a Top 20 AI expert, a TED and United Nations speaker, and the creator of more than USD 2 billion in enterprise value for major organisations. He is one of the few AI executives who can show real financial impact at scale, with his methodologies studied in over 100 universities. As a keynote speaker, Danilo offers clarity, grounded insight and practical direction to organisations rethinking their place in an AI first world.
Born in Latin America and raised across several countries, Danilo learned early how to adapt to new cultures and challenges. After completing his degree at the University of Bath, he earned a place on a competitive management programme at BNP Paribas, gaining hands on experience across front, middle and back office roles. He continued to build his expertise at JP Morgan, then moved to RBC Capital Markets where he became one of the bank’s youngest Associate Directors and a repeat recipient of RBC’s top performance award. These formative roles, combined with further executive study at Harvard, Yale and Princeton, shaped his ability to blend technical understanding with commercial strategy.
Danilo’s career accelerated as he took on senior transformation roles at some of the world’s largest companies. At Citigroup he launched and led the bank’s first major global AI programme, a high profile initiative praised for being years ahead of competitors. He later joined UnitedHealth Group, helping run what became the world’s largest automation workforce. His move to Alter Domus marked another milestone, contributing to the company’s growth from a valuation of 900 million euros to 4.9 billion euros in four years. Today he is CEO of AI First Maker, Board Member and Chief AI and Transformation Officer at ECTIVE Automation, a columnist for WIRED Magazine, founder and host of a globally successful AI podcast, and a regular speaker at the United Nations. He also acts as senior advisor to organisations including Kaplan, Aderant and the CIPD.
Why Hire Danilo McGarry?
Organisations book Danilo McGarry because he removes the guesswork from AI adoption and gives leaders the tools to turn strategy into measurable outcomes. His talks explore AI and generative AI, digital transformation, innovation, leadership, people management and the future of work. These themes matter because every organisation is now under pressure to adapt, scale and compete in markets reshaped by automation. Danilo leaves audiences with clear next steps, practical models they can apply immediately and the confidence to build AI enabled organisations that thrive.
Danilo McGarry’s Career Highlights:
Here are some of the key milestones that define Danilo McGarry’s inspirational career in artificial intelligence and big data:
- 2025 – Appointed Senior Strategic AI Advisor at Kaplan
- 2025 – Appointed Senior Advisor at Aderant
- 2025 – Became Speaker on AI & Future of Work at the United Nations
- 2024 – Delivered a TED Talk on the future of AI and human purpose
- 2024 – Led digital transformation at Alter Domus contributing to a valuation increase from €900M to €4.9B
- 2019 – Joined the European Commission AI Alliance
- 2018 – Directed one of the world’s largest automation programmes at UnitedHealth Group
- 2017 – Appointed Director of AI & Automation at Citigroup
- 2014 – Founded AI First Maker
- 2008 – Became one of RBC’s youngest Associate Directors
Videos
Danilo McGarry’s Official Keynote Speaking Videos & Showreel:
Testimonials
“Danilo just delivered the best speech on AI I have ever seen, truly eye-opening and life-changing.” – National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (US Government)
“Danilo served as an advisor to a leading bank in their digital transformation strategy planning and quickly became a respected and valuable member, gaining the respect of C-level participants. He helped shape the bank’s strategy and operating model which became paramount to their continued success.” – GXG
“Danilo’s track record of producing outsized results with cutting-edge technology at his current & prior roles might be unprecedented. In his 15-year career in this space, he has overseen hundreds of transformation projects that to date have delivered circa $250 million in savings and counting. That is true transformation.” – Intelligent Automation Radio
“Danilo served on our advisory board for technology. He was instrumental in the development of our AI transformation strategy. His knowledge and access in this space are truly world-class. It was a pleasure interacting and working with him.” – Huntington Bank
“Danilo McGarry is one of the world’s best generative AI speakers. He has been there and done it, running some of the world’s largest AI programs in companies that run global economies. He solves and organizes complex transformative programs into bitesize deliverables that scale quickly. He is a genius at building synergies between technologies, strategy, structure, governance and culture.” – Inspired Media
“Danilo has the rare ability to operationally turn around companies and significantly grow them internationally – he proved it across industries and geographies. He has the entire executive toolbox under his belt and implements super efficiently.” – 3M
“What stuns me about Danilo is his depth of thought. The way that he can connect ideas from disparate industries and present them in ways that everyone can understand sets him apart as a Thought Leader and world-class Keynote Speaker. He is a leading light in the industry and my go-to person for industry trends and developments.” – Richard, Executive Chair, MKAI.org
“Danilo’s abilities to explain complex technical solutions in a business-friendly manner that can engage and delight any audience. I admire his ever-expanding appetite for knowledge and his openness to share new ideas and help others with their goals. Above all, he is a great human being and my go-to guru for emerging technologies.” – Roboyo
“I have worked with many people in the Digital Transformation space but Danilo is in a class of his own, his programs at CitiGroup, and UnitedHealth Group and the speeches I have attended have brought know-how I have never seen before not even from the top consultancies I have hired. He is a true practitioner who has been there and done it several times.” – Tquila
“We were absolutely delighted to have Danilo McGarry as our keynote speaker at Sullivan & Stanley’s recent executive event, “Every Business is an AI Business…?”. With over 200 senior leaders in attendance, Danilo delivered a talk that was nothing short of exceptional. It was insightful, urgent and deeply thought-provoking.
His ability to distillcomplex AI trends into real-world implications had our entire audience gripped. From global shifts in investment to the very real threat of disruption from “single-person unicorns,” Danilo certainly inspired action. The feedback has been overwhelming: guests called his session “unmissable,” “mic-drop worthy,” and “the most enlightening keynote they’ve seen in years.”
Danilo brought authority, clarity and generosity to every interaction, and did so just days after spending time with Jensen Huang and the NVIDIA team in Paris. It was clear we were hearing insights that hadn’t yet reached the mainstream. We’re incredibly grateful for his contribution.” – Rick, Sullivan Stanley
Speaking Topics
Danilo McGarry’s Official Keynote Topics:
- AI and Generative AI
- Digital Transformation and Operating Model Redesign
- Innovation and The Future of Work
- Personal Transformation and Resilience
- Rethinking People Management and Leadership
- How to Scale Innovation Successfully
How Much Does Danilo McGarry Cost to Hire?
How Much Does it Cost to Hire Danilo McGarry?
The cost of hiring Danilo McGarry varies depending on your event format, audience size, location and level of engagement required. For an accurate and tailored quote, contact a London Keynote Speakers Agency booking agent for expert guidance.