Sol Rashidi – A Pioneer in Enterprise AI Leadership
Sol Rashidi is widely recognized as one of the most prominent voices in enterprise AI. Appointed as the world’s first Chief AI Officer in 2016, she helped set the blueprint for how global organizations operationalize artificial intelligence. Her career spans four C-suite roles within Fortune 100 companies, along with senior technology leadership at Amazon. This rare combination of executive authority and hands-on technical expertise allows Sol to speak with clarity, credibility and depth on what it truly takes to scale AI inside complex organizations.
With more than 200 AI deployments across industries, Sol played a pivotal role in the development and launch of IBM Watson in 2011, one of the most influential AI platforms in enterprise history. Her work consistently bridges innovation with measurable business outcomes, making her a trusted advisor to leaders navigating large-scale transformation.
Inventor, Author and Thought Leader in AI
Sol is the holder of 10 patents and the inventor of the Human Amplification Index™, a framework designed to measure the real return on investment of AI and automation. Rather than focusing solely on cost savings, this model evaluates how well organizations strengthen their workforce, decision-making and long-term resilience through AI.
She is also the creator of the Intellectual Atrophy™ education framework, which addresses a growing risk in the age of automation: outsourcing critical thinking instead of routine tasks. Through this lens, Sol challenges leaders to rethink how humans and machines collaborate, ensuring that innovation enhances human intelligence rather than diminishing it.
As a best-selling author, Sol wrote Your AI Survival Guide, ranked among the top AI books globally. Her writing reflects her practical approach to AI, grounded in executive experience rather than theory. She is also a Forbes writer and has been named “AI Maverick & Visionary of the 21st Century” and one of the “Top 5 Leaders Taking AI to Everyone.”
A Globally Recognized Speaker and Educator
Sol Rashidi is a sought-after keynote speaker known for her clear, engaging and direct style. As a three-time TEDx speaker with more than one million views, she connects with audiences ranging from executive teams to global conferences. Her talks demystify AI while addressing its strategic, ethical and workforce implications.
Her accolades include being named among the “50 Most Powerful Women in Tech,” “Top 100 AI Thought Leaders,” and “Top 100 Data & Analytics Leaders.” She is also a Harvard Fellow, reinforcing her role as both a practitioner and a public educator. Sol’s ability to translate advanced AI concepts into real-world leadership decisions makes her a trusted voice on stages worldwide.
Business Transformation and the Future Workforce
At the core of Sol Rashidi’s mission is a commitment to ensuring AI and automation strengthen, rather than displace, the workforce. She challenges organizations to move beyond fear-driven narratives and focus on intentional design, governance and upskilling. Her insights help leaders prepare teams for the future while maintaining trust, productivity and innovation.
Sol addresses topics such as AI strategy, responsible automation, executive decision-making, and the evolving role of leadership in an AI-driven world. Her perspective is grounded in experience, shaped by years of navigating transformation at the highest levels of enterprise.
Book Sol Rashidi for Your Event
Booking Sol Rashidi means bringing a rare combination of executive authority, technical mastery and compelling storytelling to your audience. She delivers clarity in a rapidly changing landscape and equips leaders with frameworks they can apply immediately. Whether speaking to boards, senior executives or global conferences, Sol Rashidi offers a powerful, experience-driven perspective on how AI can drive sustainable business impact while empowering people.