Beau Lotto

Beau Lotto is a world-renowned neuroscientist, entrepreneur, and three-time mainstage TED speaker with over nine million views. He speaks on innovation, adaptability, leadership, and the science of perception, showing audiences why trading certainty for doubt increases our capacity to lead, create, and thrive. His visually stunning, interactive presentations help organizations challenge assumptions and see the world differently.

Science & Research
A professor with deep academic credentials, Beau’s research explores how the brain adapts to uncertainty at the cellular, computational, and perceptual levels. As he puts it, “the brain never sees the world as it actually is, only the world that is useful to see.” He is the author of three books including the acclaimed Deviate: The Science of Seeing Differently. Born in Seattle, Beau earned his bachelor’s degree from UC Berkeley and his PhD in Neuroscience from the University of Edinburgh. He is a visiting scholar at New York University.

Entrepreneurship
Beau is founder and CEO of Lab of Misfits, the world’s first neuro-design studio, and Ripple, an augmented reality company holding multiple patents. He was the first Creator in Residence at Viacom and received the Josef Albers Prize for Disruptive Innovation at the Tribeca Film Festival.

Global Impact
In addition to TED, Beau has spoken at the G8, Google Zeitgeist, the World Economic Forum, Cannes Lions Creativity Festival, and the Oslo Freedom Forum. His corporate clients include Microsoft, Apple, Google, Warner Music, J&J, Viacom, and Sainsburys. He has contributed to BBC, National Geographic, HBO, and PBS programming.

The Power of Doubt: Perceive – Adapt – Thrive

How can we adapt and thrive in times when the ground beneath us is shifting? We begin by questioning the beliefs and assumptions that drive every single one of our actions, decisions, and behaviors. The idea is to find solutions to questions that haven’t been asked yet. Learning to maintain a healthy dose of doubt about what we perceive – keeping our assumptions in check – is crucial. In this completely original, game-changing presentation, neuroscientist BEAU LOTTO, known worldwide for his groundbreaking work on the subject, uses hard science to open minds and help audiences see the world and themselves differently. His engaging use of images and videos will have people shaking their heads in disbelief – unable to reconcile what they’re seeing with what they thought to be true. Beau’s stunning, interactive, fun presentation will equip people to challenge their own assumptions and beliefs and come away better able to innovate, collaborate, lead, and adapt to new realities. This presentation is an ideal conference kick-off – providing powerful, positive, creative context that sets a tone for the content and collaboration that follow.

Perception & Leadership – A Masterclass

In a more intimate format designed for leadership teams, departments, and smaller groups, Beau shows leaders how to create a framework to lead others into uncertainty. Anything interesting begins with doubt – with not knowing. Learn to celebrate that uncertainty, ask questions, search and discover – the foundation of all progress and breakthroughs. Science can teach participants how to lead better and create an environment that fosters creativity and innovation by understanding the role of perception in every aspect of their lives. Beau provides the group dozens of new ways to think differently about their challenges and successfully innovate, adapt, and build effective teams.

How Brands Connect With Customers

A brand that delights its audience while creating insight into an essential human value is more creative, has more loyal customers, and generates lasting, authentic impact in the world. Beau’s presentation is based on work that his neuro-design studio Lab of Misfits has been doing for years, which is helping brands deepen their authenticity by enabling and measuring the impact of their purpose in the world. Beau will explain how to unpack the keys to creating customized, immersive brand experiences that will evolve your brand to build genuine and long-lasting relationships with your key audiences.