Available to book
Michelle Lee
Diversity and Inclusion
Marketing
Creativity
Transform AI strategy with Michelle Lee, speaker and former Google/Amazon executive. Michelle helps organisations implement high-return AI solutions across industries, delivering expert insights on responsible AI implementation backed by MIT credentials and congressional testimony.
Female CEO
Women in Business
Business Leader
CEO
Inspirational Female
Digital Expert
Women in Tech
Advertising
Inclusion
Michelle Lee is an AI and technology keynote speaker, former Google and Amazon executive, and CEO of Obsidian Strategies. She has extensive experience in advising businesses on AI implementation, having served as VP of Amazon’s Machine Learning Solutions Lab, where she guided major clients on integrating AI into their operations. At Obsidian Strategies, she helps companies identify and leverage high-return AI opportunities across various industries.
Michelle's background includes significant roles at Google during its early development, providing her with insights into the tech landscape. She frequently speaks on topics such as AI, innovation, and digital transformation at prominent events, including The World Knowledge Forum and the Consumer Electronics Show.
Her career has focused on building and advising innovative AI and data-driven companies, equipping her with a deep understanding of AI's potential and challenges. At AWS, she led a global team of consultants and data scientists, helping clients implement effective AI solutions while addressing policy and ethical considerations. She was also instrumental in AWS’s responsible AI initiatives.
Michelle is a trained computer scientist from the MIT AI Lab and has held positions at the MIT AI and Hewlett-Packard Research Laboratories. Her expertise has been recognised in major publications, and she has testified before Congress multiple times on AI-related issues.
Before her tenure at Amazon, she was appointed Under Secretary of Commerce and Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, where she implemented an agency-wide AI strategy that improved patent processing efficiency. Her career in Silicon Valley spans over eight years at Google, where she contributed to the company's growth during its formative years.
Topics, sessions and talks
Michelle K. Lee, a seasoned advisor to leading data-driven companies like Amazon and Google, explores the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on businesses and daily life. In her engaging talk, she demystifies recent advancements in generative AI, computer vision, and robotics, urging organisations to develop effective AI strategies. Attendees will gain seven actionable lessons for implementing AI, aimed at boosting operational efficiency, enhancing customer experiences, and driving new revenue opportunities.
AI is revolutionising data analysis, predictions, content generation, and application development. However, challenges such as copyright, bias, and patents complicate its use for organisations. Michelle K. Lee, an AI expert with a background advising leading companies like Amazon and Google, will explore these issues in her insightful talk. Drawing on her experience as Under Secretary of Commerce and Director of the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, attendees will learn how Generative AI affects business, society, and law.
Book Michelle Lee to gain unparalleled insights into AI and technology from a seasoned expert. Her experience at Amazon and Google equips her to guide your team in harnessing AI for productivity and innovation. Elevate your understanding of digital transformation and stay ahead in today’s competitive landscape.
often considered together
Steve Brown
Leading with AI
Business Strategy
Generative AI
Miguel Luengo-Oroz
Artificial Intelligence
Future Trends
Global Issues
Carme Artigas
Big Data
Innovation
Artificial Intelligence
frequently asked questions
Something we've not covered here?
Email michelle.k.lee@getapeptalk.com or call PepTalk on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm Michelle's availability and fees. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and a bit about your audience.
Michelle K. Lee structures her talks around a framework of actionable lessons — most notably a set of seven concrete steps for AI implementation — drawn from her operational experience at Amazon and Google and her policy work as Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Michelle K. Lee's sessions cover AI implementation strategy, generative AI implications for business and law, and the intersection of AI with copyright, bias, and intellectual property. She served as Under Secretary of Commerce and Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and as VP of Amazon's Machine Learning Solutions Lab, where she led global teams of consultants and data scientists advising clients on AI integration.
No. PepTalk adds no booking fee, so you pay the speaker's fee and nothing beyond it. The service, from shortlist through to contracts and event-day logistics, is included. For repeat or multi-event bookings, PepTalk can agree preferential rates with your procurement team.
Share your event date, audience, format, objectives and budget, and PepTalk sends a hand-picked shortlist within 24 hours. Each suggestion comes with a profile, a fee and a recommendation on the strongest fit. Once you choose, PepTalk handles contracts, travel and logistics through to event day.
The typical fee range is the speaker's standard in-person fee in their home market, shown in their local currency. It moves with format, location, date and session length: virtual sessions and shorter slots usually cost less, while international travel and peak dates cost more. Send your brief to PepTalk and the team will confirm the exact fee in your currency.
Not all of them, and it makes no difference to your booking. PepTalk's network of 15,000+ speakers covers talent the team works with directly alongside speakers represented by agents and agencies worldwide. PepTalk approaches the speaker, negotiates the fee and handles contracting either way.
To get the sharpest shortlist, share your event date, audience, format, key objectives, and budget. A rough idea is enough to start. The more context PepTalk has, the more precisely the team can match a speaker to your brief. Send it via getapeptalk.com.
There is no additional cost to you beyond the speaker's fee. PepTalk's service, from shortlist to on-the-day logistics, is included. For repeat or multi-event bookings, the team can agree preferential rates with your procurement department. Email hello@getapeptalk.com to discuss.
Booking a speaker with PepTalk starts with a short brief: your event, audience, date, budget, and format. Send it through getapeptalk.com or hello@getapeptalk.com and you'll get a shortlist within 24 hours. Once you choose, PepTalk handles contracts, fees, travel, and logistics end to end.
Yes. PepTalk regularly handles last-minute requests and can secure or replace a speaker, host, or comedian quickly, often within days. Availability narrows as the date nears, so get in touch as early as you can. Email hello@getapeptalk.com with your requirements.
Speaker fees vary by profile, format, and location. In the UK and Europe, virtual keynotes typically start around GBP 2,000, with top in-person speakers reaching GBP 25,000+; in the US, fees run from about USD 5,000 to USD 100,000+. Share your budget at getapeptalk.com and we'll shortlist to fit.
Yes. If a speaker isn't listed, tell PepTalk their name and the team will approach them for you. The network extends well beyond the public roster, and PepTalk regularly books speakers who don't appear on the site. Email hello@getapeptalk.com with the name.
You'll receive a hand-picked shortlist within 24 hours of sharing your brief. Each suggestion comes with profiles, fees, and PepTalk's recommendation on the strongest fit. If you need options sooner for an urgent event, say so and the team will move faster. Start at getapeptalk.com.
Yes. Beyond booking a single speaker, PepTalk helps shape a full programme, matching voices to your agenda, audience, and goals across a day or a series. It is a consultative service, not just a booking. Tell us about your event at getapeptalk.com.
Speaker fees vary based on factors like event location, format, and availability. The 'typical fee range' figure gives you a baseline of someone's local, in-person rate sits, and we'll confirm the exact fee when you get in touch.
Before your speakers arrive, confirm AV is tested, a green room is ready, and printed schedules are on hand. Prepare warm introductions for each speaker and brief your team on timings. PepTalk speakers come fully briefed, making event-day logistics smoother and stress-free from the start.
A keynote speaker delivers an inspiring or informative talk. An MC hosts and guides the event, keeping things on track. Entertainment — like a band or comedian — creates atmosphere and fun. Each serves a different purpose, and PepTalk can help you book the right talent for all three.
Not necessarily. While the speakers listed on our website may not have worked with PepTalk in the past, they are recognized professionals in the industry and known to engage in similar events and engagements. Alongside direct talent, we work with a wide variety of speaker agents and talent agencies, to ensure we have the best selection of speakers, hosts, comedians and entertainers available.
When booking a comedian, share your event format, audience size and demographics, any sensitive topics to avoid, and the tone you're after. PepTalk makes this easy — their booking process guides you through a simple checklist so nothing gets missed and your comedian is perfectly matched to your crowd.
When booking a speaker, you'll need your event date, audience details, format, key objectives, and budget. Having these ready makes the process smooth and straightforward. PepTalk's team uses this information to match you with the perfect speaker quickly and efficiently.
Yes! At PepTalk, you can absolutely bundle entertainment and speakers into one seamless package. It's a great way to create a fuller event experience while enjoying simplified booking and better value. Our team handles everything together, making the process effortless for you.
Book a motivational speaker at least 3–6 months in advance, especially for popular speakers or large events. Top speakers get booked quickly, so earlier is always better. For major conferences or peak seasons, booking 12 months ahead ensures you secure your first choice.
Yes. Most PepTalk speakers deliver virtual and hybrid sessions with live Q&A, and virtual keynotes usually cost less than in-person because there is no travel. Tell us your platform and format and we'll match speakers experienced in online delivery. Start at getapeptalk.com.
Share your organisation's top 3 strategic priorities, current challenges, and the audience's role in delivering them. A simple one-page brief works perfectly. PepTalk speakers use this context to tailor insights that feel genuinely relevant — making your event far more impactful.
Yes! Most event entertainers are happy to tailor their act to your brand, industry, or theme. From weaving in company jokes to incorporating your branding into their performance, personalisation makes all the difference. PepTalk's entertainers specialise in bespoke experiences that feel made just for your audience.
Three to six months ahead is comfortable for most events, and 12 months is better for large conferences, peak-season dates or one specific in-demand speaker. Shorter timelines are workable, and PepTalk regularly fills last-minute and replacement bookings within days. Availability is the constraint, so get in touch as soon as you have a date.
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Tell us what you’re working on and we’ll match you with the talent your audience won’t stop talking about.
