Yuval Noah Harari

Historian, Professor at Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Global Public Intellectual, Bestselling Author & Future-Focused Keynote Speaker

Yuval Noah Harari’s Biography:

Yuval Noah Harari is a globally influential historian, philosopher and keynote speaker, best known as the author of ‘Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind’. A Professor of History at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, he is recognised as one of the most important public intellectuals of his generation. As a keynote speaker, Yuval is analytical, thought-provoking and future-focused, helping audiences understand humanity’s long arc from ancient history to artificial intelligence. His most notable achievement is the global impact of his books, which have sold over 50 million copies in more than 65 languages, shaping how leaders, policymakers and organisations think about power, technology and responsibility.

Yuval’s journey began in Kiryat Ata, Israel, where his early aptitude for learning saw him enter university at just 17. He studied history and international relations at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, specialising in medieval and military history, before completing a DPhil at the University of Oxford under the supervision of Steven Gunn. These formative academic years sharpened his interest in macro-historical questions, particularly how biology, culture and storytelling shape human societies. Alongside his academic work, Yuval developed a disciplined meditation practice that he credits with improving his clarity of thought, an influence that continues to shape his writing and speaking style.

His career accelerated with the publication of ‘Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind’, originally based on his undergraduate lectures. The book became a cultural landmark, reaching the top of bestseller lists worldwide and remaining on the Sunday Times chart for 96 consecutive weeks. Yuval followed this success with ‘Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow’, ‘21 Lessons for the 21st Century’, and most recently ‘Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI’, which examined the deep history behind today’s AI revolution. Alongside his publishing success, Yuval is the Co-Founder of Sapienship, a social impact company focused on education, ethics and global cooperation, and a Distinguished Research Fellow at the University of Cambridge’s Centre for the Study of Existential Risk. He has delivered keynote speeches at the World Economic Forum in Davos, engaged in public conversations with heads of state, and pioneered new formats including the first TED Talk delivered by a digital avatar.

Why Hire Yuval Noah Harari?

Yuval Noah Harari is hired as a keynote speaker because he gives leaders language for uncertainty. His talks cover artificial intelligence, geopolitics, information systems, ethics, leadership and the future of humanity, subjects that directly influence business strategy, governance and culture. He challenges short-term thinking and encourages audiences to consider long-term consequences, trust and cooperation. Whether addressing boardrooms, global summits or academic audiences, Yuval offers rare perspective grounded in history, science and philosophy, making him an exceptional choice for organisations navigating rapid technological and societal change.

Yuval Noah Harari’s Career Highlights:

Here are some of the key milestones that define Yuval Noah Harari’s inspirational career from academia and theory:

• 2025 – Awarded CITIC Author of the ‘Year for Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI’
• 2024 – Nexus became a #1 New York Times bestselling audiobook
• 2021 – Received US Association of Foreign Press Correspondents Honorary Award
• 2020 – Awarded Honorary Doctorate from the Free University of Brussels (VUB)
• 2018 – Delivered the first TED Talk presented by a digital avatar
• 2014 – English publication of Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, later selling 25+ million copies