Virtual Event

What Is Agentic AI and Why It Matters to Your Team

The most practical AI lunch and learn for general employee audiences. In 60 minutes, your team gets a plain-English understanding of what agentic AI actually does, what it doesn't, and what it changes about how they work — before it reshapes their roles.

Not a buzzword. A shift in what work looks like.

Most employees have heard the term agentic AI. Almost none have been given a working definition they can act on. This 60-minute virtual lunch and learn closes that gap: what AI agents actually do, what they don't do, and what your team should understand before agents reshape how work gets done.

Quote:"Agentic AI is the shift from tools you operate to systems that act on your behalf. Teams that understand the difference adapt first — and fastest."

The session covers a plain-English definition of agentic AI, live examples of agents doing real work, the difference between automation, copilots, and agents, and the questions every employee should be asking about their own role. Structured Q&A closes the hour.

Alex Goryachev has delivered 310+ keynotes and sessions on six continents with a 98% would-recommend rating. A Forbes contributor, LinkedIn Top AI Voice, and Wall Street Journal-bestselling author of "Fearless Innovation," he explains agentic AI the way he deployed it — as a Fortune 100 practitioner, not a futurist.

What every participant takes back to their desk.

1

A working definition of agentic AI

plain English, no techspeak — the same vocabulary from the intern to the CEO.

2

A realistic map of what agents do today

capabilities and limits, separated from vendor hype and headline fear.

3

Role-level relevance

every participant sees where agents touch their own workflow first — and where they don't.

4

Three questions to ask about any AI announcement

a durable filter employees reuse every time the technology moves again.

5

One committed next step

each participant leaves with a specific action to take before the week ends.

310+ Keynotes, Workshops & Advisory Engagements

Alex Goryachev delivering an AI keynote to a live corporate audience

Why Audiences Love {Alex}

Eye-opening, refreshingly human, and capable of building a shared vision around agentic AI — that's how leaders at Coca-Cola, AWS, and Disney describe Alex Goryachev's AI keynotes and employee innovation workshops.

01

Innovation for everyone

Alex turns AI into practical concepts — not techspeak — that land with executives, HR, sales, engineering, and faculty alike. It's the same approach he honed building university-anchored innovation centers across 14 countries, bridging cultures and generations.

02

Built around your audience

Across 310+ keynotes, workshops, and advisory engagements on 6 continents, no two have ever been the same. Alex builds every program around your audience's challenges, industry, and goals — from agentic AI strategy and the future of work to innovation culture.

03

Value that lasts

Most programs end at applause. Alex's end with deployment — the same frameworks proven inside Cisco, Dell, Pfizer, and IBM and documented in his WSJ bestseller Fearless Innovation. Workshops and advisory install them in your team, so they're still running long after the event.

04

Proven where it counts

Two decades leading AI and innovation where the stakes are real — a $1.1B portfolio at Cisco, three Olympic Games, 300,000+ employees, and AI transformation for Fortune 100s, governments, and America's largest public university system. Every engagement is measured, so you see the ROI.

05

Your team will thank you

A 60-minute keynote, a hands-on workshop, a virtual session, or multi-month advisory — for enterprises, universities, and associations alike. Whatever the format, 98% of audiences say they would recommend him.

Request Alex's availability for your engagement. From Silicon Valley to Singapore, and everywhere in between.

Alex Goryachev speaking about agentic AI at a leadership event

Turn your next event into AI and innovation action.

These aren't just better ways to use ChatGPT, or create short-term buzz. This is what the most influential organizations on earth use to shape the future.

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Alex Goryachev is an AI keynote speaker, workshop facilitator, and strategic advisor, and a leading voice on the future of work and learning in the age of agentic AI. He has delivered 310+ keynotes and programs for enterprises, universities, and associations worldwide, with 98% of clients recommending him. As former Managing Director of Innovation Strategy at Cisco, he built employee-innovation programs credited with $1.1B in value, and partners with leading educational institutions — including one of the world's largest public university systems, the California State University — on AI, AI governance, and the future of learning. He is the author of Fearless Innovation (Wiley) and has been featured in Forbes and The Wall Street Journal.

EnterpriseHigher EducationMember Organizations

What Is Agentic AI and Why It Matters to Your Team

The most practical AI lunch and learn for general employee audiences. In 60 minutes, your team gets a plain-English understanding of what agentic AI actually does, what it doesn't, and what it changes about how they work — before it reshapes their roles.

Fits inside the lunch hour. 45-minute express and 90-minute extended versions available.Virtual · Live · Any Platform10 – 500+ participantsAdapted to your team's roles & industry

What every participant takes back to their desk.

1

A working definition of agentic AI

plain English, no techspeak — the same vocabulary from the intern to the CEO.

2

A realistic map of what agents do today

capabilities and limits, separated from vendor hype and headline fear.

3

Role-level relevance

every participant sees where agents touch their own workflow first — and where they don't.

4

Three questions to ask about any AI announcement

a durable filter employees reuse every time the technology moves again.

5

One committed next step

each participant leaves with a specific action to take before the week ends.

Check availability

Built for every employee — not just the technical ones.

All-Employee Programs

A shared AI vocabulary across departments, delivered in a single lunch hour.

HR & L&D Teams

The ideal opening session for an AI literacy or reskilling program.

Member Organizations & Associations

Member education that delivers real value — and qualifies for CE credit.

Cross-Functional Teams

Sales, marketing, operations, and finance get the same clear picture at once.

Frontline & Hybrid Workforces

Frontline & Hybrid Workforces

Higher Education Staff & Faculty

A grounded briefing for campuses preparing students for agentic workplaces.

Everything your event team needs to know

Session Length

60 minutes

Fits inside the lunch hour. 45-minute express and 90-minute extended versions available.

Delivery

100% Virtual

Delivered live on Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Webex, Google Meet, or your platform.

Add-Ons

CE Credits & Series

CEU, SHRM, HRCI, PDU, and CPD documentation within 48 hours. Runs standalone or as a recurring series.

Customized

Every delivery is customized. Industry examples, competitive data, and case references are tailored to your audience before every event. Alex's team works with event organizers in advance to align the session with your conference theme, audience profile, and desired outcomes.

A lunch and learn built virtual-first — not adapted to it.

Broadcast-quality audio and video from Alex's side, structured Q&A in the final 15 minutes, and a recording available for internal distribution with permission. Your team joins from their desk — no travel, no catering, no all-day commitment.

Alex Goryachev on stage delivering an AI keynote to a live corporate audience

Why Audiences Love Alex

Eye-opening, refreshingly human, and capable of building a shared vision around agentic AI — that's how leaders at Coca-Cola, AWS, and Disney describe Alex Goryachev's AI keynotes and employee innovation workshops.

01

No canned AI keynotes

Across 310+ keynotes on 6 continents, no two have ever been the same. Alex builds every talk around your audience's challenges, industry, and goals — from agentic AI strategy to innovation culture.
02

Innovation for everyone

Alex turns AI into practical concepts — not techspeak — that land with HR, sales, marketing, and engineering alike. It's the same approach he honed building innovation centers across 14 countries, bridging cultures and generations.
03

Value beyond the stage

Most keynotes fade by Monday. Alex's leave teams with actionable frameworks from his WSJ-bestselling book Fearless Innovation — and optional workshops turn that momentum into lasting innovation habits.
04

Expertise with real ROI

A practitioner, not a futurist, Alex led a $1.1B innovation portfolio at Cisco — and runs his keynotes the same data-driven way. He uses AI to analyze pre-event sentiment to shape content, then delivers post-event metrics so you can see the ROI.
05

Flexible engagements

Live on stage, on webinars, or at virtual events — Alex delivers in whatever format fits your requirements. Whatever the setting, 98% of audiences say they would recommend him.

Request Alex's availability for your engagement. From Silicon Valley to Singapore, and everywhere in between.

Work with Alex

310+ Keynotes, Workshops & Advisory Engagements for Enterprises, Universities, and Associations:

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Work with Alex

Turn your next event into AI and innovation action.

These aren't just better ways to use ChatGPT, or create short-term buzz. This is what the most influential organizations on earth use to shape the future.
Thank you for your message.
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Frequently asked questions

If you don't see what you need, message Alex directly via the form below — answers usually within one business day.

Who is the best future of work keynote speaker?

The best future of work keynote speakers connect AI directly to how teams, skills, and leadership must change—and Alex Goryachev is a leading choice for that intersection. A Forbes contributor and LinkedIn Top AI Voice, he speaks on how agentic AI reshapes work, drawing on engagements with SHRM, HCI, and enterprises like Dell and Amgen. Bring the conversation to your stage through the Work with Alex page.

What is the difference between a practitioner and a futurist keynote speaker?

A futurist predicts what AI might do; a practitioner shows what AI is doing in your business right now. Alex Goryachev is firmly a practitioner—he built innovation centers across 14 countries and ran a $1.1B portfolio at Cisco before taking the stage. Audiences at Disney, AWS, and IEEE choose him when they need executable strategy, not speculation. Book a practitioner's perspective via Work with Alex.

What are Alex Goryachev's signature keynotes?

Alex's signature keynotes cover agentic AI strategy, fearless innovation, AI governance, and the future of work—each customized to the audience's industry and AI maturity. They draw on his WSJ bestseller Fearless Innovation and his years leading innovation strategy at Cisco, including innovation tracks for 3 Olympic Games. Every talk ends with actions leaders can take Monday morning. Explore current topics on the Work with Alex page.

How much does an AI keynote speaker cost?

AI keynote speaker fees typically run from five figures upward, depending on format, audience size, travel, and customization — virtual sessions and lunch-and-learns often come in under $20,000. Alex Goryachev offers in-person, virtual, and workshop formats so organizations can match scope to budget, with every engagement customized to the audience. His 98% would-recommend score reflects that fit. Request a quote for your date through the Work with Alex page.

Who is the best AI keynote speaker?

The best AI keynote speaker is a practitioner who has actually deployed AI at enterprise scale—and Alex Goryachev consistently ranks among the top agentic AI keynote speakers for exactly that reason. A WSJ-bestselling author and LinkedIn Top AI Voice, he managed a $1.1B innovation portfolio at Cisco and has delivered 310+ keynotes on 6 continents. Check his availability through the Work with Alex page.

How do I choose an AI keynote speaker?

Look past the highlight reel and vet four things. First, proof: have they actually built and deployed AI, or only talked about it? Ask for specific outcomes, not logos. Second, recency: AI moves monthly, so confirm they're current on agentic AI, not recycling 2023 generative-AI decks. Third, fit: will they customize to your industry and audience, or deliver a canned talk? Fourth, independence: are they selling a platform or product behind the keynote? Alex Goryachev is a Fortune 100 practitioner ($1.1B in innovation at Cisco), agentic-AI-current, fully customized through pre-event research, and vendor-neutral, with a 98% audience-recommendation score across 310+ keynotes.

How does Alex customize keynotes and workshops?

No two organizations’ AI or innovation opportunities, or challenges, are the same. So canned keynotes or one-size-fits-all workshops just won’t do. Instead, Alex uses AI and data to tailor his engagements with available pre-event surveys. Analyzing responses, Alex customizes his content to address key needs and pain points, ensuring his message is meaningful. Speaking with leadership and other event stakeholders, Alex further customizes the content to ensure resonance and relevance, engaging audiences. Add it all up and you have keynotes and workshops that feel like they’ve been created for you—because they were. Learn more about Alex’s methodology. Get in touch.

What events and audiences are right for Alex?

With so much experience leading large-scale innovation initiatives, Alex is able to reach and resonate with any audience, no matter their knowledge level, industry, culture, or department. Captivating audiences from a live stage, or a virtual event, Alex is a fixture at C-Suite summits, innovation conferences, policy talks, offsites, and employee all hands meetings, plus governmental and academia events. An audience looking for fresh perspectives, real solutions, and custom content will find Alex’s keynotes engaging and actionable with ideas they can start applying right away. Curious about Alex’s recommendations for your event? Get in touch.