Book Marc Porat for your event
Marc Porat has spent more than three decades at the forefront of technological innovation, helping organizations understand how emerging technologies transform industries, economies and the way people live and work. As a technology executive, entrepreneur, economist and advisor, he combines deep academic expertise with first-hand experience building companies that have influenced the evolution of modern computing.
His keynote presentations focus on artificial intelligence, innovation and long-term technology strategy, providing audiences with practical insights into how AI is reshaping business, society and everyday life. Whether speaking to executive leadership teams, technology professionals or large conference audiences, Marc is known for presenting complex ideas with clarity, inspiration and actionable direction.
Having delivered hundreds of presentations in settings ranging from intimate boardrooms to theatres with more than 1,000 attendees, Marc brings both credibility and engaging storytelling to every stage.
The visionary behind General Magic
Marc is widely recognized as the co-founder of General Magic, the legendary Apple spin-off that pioneered many of the technologies and concepts that later became the foundation for smartphones and intelligent digital assistants.
General Magic developed groundbreaking ideas long before the market was ready for them, introducing concepts that anticipated the iPhone, Android devices and intelligent-agent-based cloud computing. Today, the company is widely regarded as one of the most influential innovation startups in the history of technology.
The remarkable story of General Magic was captured in the award-winning documentary General Magic: The Movie, highlighting the company's lasting impact on the technology industry and its role in shaping today's connected world.
Drawing on these experiences, Marc shares valuable lessons about innovation, visionary leadership, timing, resilience and how breakthrough ideas evolve into transformative technologies.
AI strategy for the future
Artificial intelligence is at the center of Marc's keynote presentations. Rather than focusing only on technological developments, he helps audiences understand what AI means from a strategic business perspective and how leaders can prepare for rapid change.
His AI vision is presented across three distinct dimensions:
- Personal AI and its impact on everyday life
- Business AI and organizational transformation
- Deep AI and the long-term evolution of intelligent systems
Marc explains these developments in accessible language, translating complex technological trends into practical frameworks that business leaders can apply within their own organizations. His presentations encourage audiences to think beyond current applications and understand where AI is heading over the coming years.
Organizations leave his sessions with a stronger understanding of both the opportunities and strategic decisions that artificial intelligence demands.
Executive leadership and strategic advisory
Throughout his career, Marc has served in leadership positions across a broad range of industries as chairman, co-founder, CEO and board member.
His experience spans communications, enterprise SaaS, sustainable building materials and low-carbon cement, giving him a unique perspective on innovation across multiple sectors. His leadership roles have included General Magic, Perfect Commerce, Serious Energy and CalStar Products.
Today, through his consulting company, Millennial Advisors, Marc advises several AI-focused organizations. His advisory work includes Sherlund Partners, a banking boutique specializing in software and artificial intelligence mergers and acquisitions, SandboxAQ, which develops software leveraging the combined power of AI and quantum technology, and he also serves as chairman of a stealth AI company.
Earlier in his career, Marc worked as a senior economist at the U.S. Department of Commerce and co-founded Private Satellite Network, adding further depth to his understanding of economics, communications and technology-driven growth.
His broad leadership experience allows him to connect technological innovation with business strategy, organizational transformation and long-term value creation.
The Information Economy
Marc's influence extends beyond entrepreneurship into academic thought. He earned a Ph.D. in Economics and Communication from Stanford University, where he authored his groundbreaking dissertation, The Information Economy.
His research demonstrated that the emerging information sector—powered by knowledge workers and information technology—would become the dominant force behind the U.S. economy and workforce. This work became a seminal contribution to the fields of macroeconomics and technology and established ideas that remain highly relevant in today's AI-driven economy.
This combination of academic insight and entrepreneurial achievement enables Marc to connect historical technological shifts with today's AI revolution, giving audiences valuable context for understanding future opportunities.
For organizations navigating digital transformation, innovation and artificial intelligence, Marc offers a rare perspective shaped by decades of leadership, pioneering technology development and economic insight. His keynote presentations equip audiences with practical strategies, forward-looking thinking and the confidence to embrace the next era of technological change.