Rahaf Harfoush

Strategist, Digital Anthropologist & NYT Bestselling Author, "Hustle & Float," "The Decoded Company" & "Yes We Did"; Authority on Workplace Culture, Digital Culture & Technology

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Paris, France
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Rahaf Harfoush Biography

Rahaf Harfoush is a Strategist, Digital Anthropologist, and New York Times Best-Selling Author who focuses on the intersections between emerging technology, innovation, and digital culture. She is the Executive Director of the Red Thread Institute of Digital Culture and a member of France’s National Digital Council. Harfoush was recently named to the United Nations High Level Advisory on Artificial Intelligence and served on President Macron’s commission on AI’s impact on democracy. In 2021, she joined The Oxford Internet Institute as a Visiting Policy Fellow. Formerly, Harfoush was the Associate Director of the Technology Pioneer Program at the World Economic Forum in Geneva, where she helped identify disruptive startups that were improving the state of the world.

Harfoush is the co-author of “The Decoded Company: Know Your Talent Better Than You Know Your Customers.” It was published in early 2014 and was listed on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists. It won a 2015 Gold Axiom Award for Best Business Technology Book. "The Decoded Company" explores how big data is providing an unprecedented opportunity for organizations to dramatically improve their decision-making, increase their performance, and, most importantly, intentionally create happy and vibrant work cultures.

Her first book, “Yes We Did: An Insider’s Look at How Social Media Built the Obama Brand,” chronicled her experiences as a member of Barack Obama’s digital media team during the 2008 Presidential elections and explored how social networking revolutionized political campaign strategy. Her third book, “Hustle & Float: Reclaim Your Creativity and Thrive in a World Obsessed with Work,” was released in 2019. For her work on workplace culture, she has been featured by Bloomberg, The CBC, CTV, and Forbes.

In 2019, the prestigious “Les Napoleons” named Harfoush one of France's most innovative women. She was listed as one of the top future thinkers to shape the world by the Hay Literary Festival in 2017. The World Economic Forum has also recognized her as a Young Global Shaper and by the Women’s Forum for the Economy and Society as a Rising Talent for her thought leadership in the fields of digital culture and technology. In 2014, Harfoush was also named a “Canadian Arab to Watch” by the Canadian Arab Institute. Harfoush is a member of the German Marshall Network of Transatlantic Leaders.

Harfoush’s writing has been featured in HBR, Wired, The Globe and Mail, Fast Company, Monocle, The Financial Times, Techonomy, The Next Web, and many more. She is a frequent commentator on France24 and the CBC and has been speaking about Digital Culture and Technology since 2006. In her spare time, Harfoush enjoys Instagramming too many pictures of her dog Pixel, learning how to play the ukulele, and working on her second novel.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 06/15/2024.

Rahaf Harfoush Speaking Topics

  • Innovating at AI Speed: The Role of Generative Tech in Shaping Tomorrow

    The advent of generative AI has ushered in a transformative era for innovation, fundamentally altering how we conceive, create, and collaborate.

    As these emerging technologies become increasingly sophisticated, businesses and creators are faced with both unprecedented opportunities and ethical dilemmas. The ability of AI to generate content, solve complex problems, and enhance human creativity has the potential to revolutionize industries. However, this also raises questions about originality, authenticity, and the future role of human creativity in the digital age.

    Rahaf navigates these complexities, shedding light on the delicate balance between leveraging AI for innovation and maintaining the integrity of human-centric creation. Pushing past the hype to delve into the business models, consumer behaviors, and strategic insights that are underpinning this technological revolution, she highlights successful case studies and emerging trends to provide actionable insights for organizations looking to harness the power of AI while navigating its potential pitfalls.

    Audiences will gain a comprehensive understanding of the transformative potential of generative AI, equipped with the knowledge to navigate its challenges and capitalize on its opportunities. By the end of the keynote, participants will be better positioned to lead their organizations into a future where AI and human creativity coalesce to redefine innovation.

  • Embracing the Storm: Anti-Fragility Leadership in Disruptive Times

    Today’s leaders face the challenge of not just surviving, but thriving amidst disruption, a difficult feat when digital culture and technology are constantly reshaping leadership best-practices.

    To be anti-fragile in this context means to possess the ability to not only absorb shocks but to also use these disruptions as fuel for growth and innovation. Leaders must cultivate a deep understanding of digital culture, trends in technology, and the impact of these forces on their organizations and industries. This requires a shift towards a leadership style that is dynamic, responsive, and adept at leveraging the insights and opportunities afforded by the digital age.

    In this keynote, Rahaf delves into the concept of anti-fragility from a digital culture and technology perspective, illustrating how leaders can navigate change, foster innovation, and build an organization that is capable of quickly acting on the opportunities presented by technological disruption.

    Attendees will emerge with a comprehensive understanding of anti-fragile leadership within the realm of digital culture and technology, equipped with actionable strategies to embrace an organizational culture that not only withstands the challenges of the digital age but also uses them as a springboard for innovation and sustained success.

  • Unleashing Potential: Talent Management in a Post-Resilient Future

    In the post-resilient landscape where adaptability and agility define organizational success, attracting and retaining top talent has become a nuanced challenge. This keynote focuses on the strategies for keeping employees motivated, engaged, and continuously learning in an era where the pace of technological change is relentless. Organizations must not only integrate new tools and technologies but also cultivate an environment that supports upskilling, lifelong learning, and the psychological well-being of their workforce.

    As digital workspaces become the norm, leaders are tasked with creating a culture that values innovation, adaptability, and the human element of technology. The focus shifts towards developing strategies that not only attract skilled professionals but also inspire them to grow, innovate, and remain engaged with the organization's mission.

    Rahaf outlines actionable steps for organizations to enhance their talent management practices in the digital age. Through practical examples and case studies, she illustrates how integrating technology with a deep understanding of digital culture can lead to a more satisfied, productive, and innovative workforce.

    Attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of the critical role technology and digital culture play in talent management. Rahaf's insights will equip leaders with strategies to keep their workforce motivated, engaged, and continuously evolving, ensuring their organizations can thrive in a post-resilient world.

  • Digital Zen: Mastering Well-Being in a Constantly Connected World

    Reclaiming Focus Has Become a Survival Imperative.

    There is a strange paradox of digital connectivity: while designed to enhance productivity and social engagement, it often leads to increased stress, information burnout, and a decline in mental well-being. Workers find themselves navigating a deluge of digital information, struggling to maintain focus amidst constant interruptions, and grappling with the implications of an overly connected lifestyle. The resultant digital fatigue and team misunderstandings highlight the need for a critical reevaluation of our digital habits and the cultivation of practices that support digital well-being.

    This keynote addresses the impact of digital labor intensification and the psychological effects of doom scrolling and dopamine-driven interactions on our ability to focus, engage in deep work, and maintain mental health. Rahaf explores strategies for individuals and organizations to mitigate these challenges, promoting a healthier, more balanced approach to digital engagement.

    Rahaf offers actionable insights for organizations to support their employees' digital well-being, including the implementation of policies that reduce digital overload, encourage digital detoxes, and foster environments conducive to focused work.

    Participants will leave with practical solutions for managing digital distractions, promoting mental health, and fostering a more mindful and productive digital culture within their organizations and personal lives.

  • Virtual Vibes: Crafting Cohesive Remote Culture

    As hybrid and remote work models become the new normal, the challenge of cultivating a robust organizational digital culture is more critical than ever. Today’s leaders are tasked with the challenge of making geographically dispersed teams feel connected and engaged while establishing digital norms that promote transparency, empathy and inclusivity. These challenges require a deliberate approach to digital culture, emphasizing the importance of policies and practices where employees feel seen and heart, despite the physical distance that separate them.

    Rahaf provides strategies for embedding positive digital culture within organizations, highlighting the role of communication, technology, and leadership in shaping an effective hybrid and remote work environment. She discusses creating digital spaces that encourage collaboration, modeling digital-first behaviors by leaders, and establishing frameworks to ensure online interactions are psychologically safe and respectful.

    Participants will gain insights into fostering an inclusive, engaged, and psychologically safe digital work culture, ensuring remote and hybrid teams remain productive and connected.

  • From Data to Decisions: How AI, Algorithms, and Automations are Transforming Industries

    Who teaches a machine what’s right? Should we tax robots? What if my child’s best friend is a chat bot? What does an algorithm ethicist do? Do smart machines need therapy?

    We are on the verge of one of the biggest technological disruptions our species has ever faced. As automation, algorithms, and artificial intelligence continue to advance at an exponential rate, technology is rewriting the rules of our society that have served us for decades.

    In this talk, Rahaf explores what it means to be human in world where the features that differentiated us are now being replicated by machines. Google created an AI that started creating original works of art mere hours after it was programmed. A Japanese AI was a finalize in a prestigious literary competition. Financial companies are investing in algorithms that can do the work of teams of analyst in mere seconds.

    Work is only the beginning. New technologies are redefining traditional friendships, and relationships. Research suggests that by 2050 robot sex will be more popular than it’s human counterpart. What do all of these changes mean for our notions of intimacy, monogamy, parenting, dating, and social interaction?

    In this keynote, Rahaf dives into some of the ethical, cultural, and social questions that surround these technological advancements showing both the promise and peril of living in a constantly connected society.

Rahaf Harfoush Videos

  • How burnout makes us less creative | The Way We Work, a TED series
    Our obsession with productivity -- to-do lists, life hacks, morning routines -- is making us less productive, says digital anthropologist Rahaf...
  • Rahaf Harfoush Speaker Reel
  • Rahaf Harfoush Explains Why Productivity Kills Creativity - YouTube
    Alexa Morales, Director of Developer Content for Oracle, interviews digital anthropologist Rahaf Harfoush at Oracle OpenWorld Europe in ...

Rahaf Harfoush Books

  • Hustle and Float: Reclaim Your Creativity and Thrive in a World Obsessed with Work
    Hustle and Float: Reclaim Your Creativity and Thrive in a World Obsessed with Work
  • The Decoded Company: Know Your Talent Better Than You Know Your Customers
    The Decoded Company: Know Your Talent Better Than You Know Your Customers
  • Yes We Did: An Inside Look at How Social Media Built the Obama Brand
    Yes We Did: An Inside Look at How Social Media Built the Obama Brand

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Rahaf Harfoush is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Innovating at AI Speed: The Role of Generative Tech in Shaping Tomorrow, Embracing the Storm: Anti-Fragility Leadership in Disruptive Times , Unleashing Potential: Talent Management in a Post-Resilient Future , Digital Zen: Mastering Well-Being in a Constantly Connected World, Virtual Vibes: Crafting Cohesive Remote Culture and From Data to Decisions: How AI, Algorithms, and Automations are Transforming Industries. The estimated speaking fee range to book Rahaf Harfoush for your event is $50,000 - $100,000. Rahaf Harfoush generally travels from ParisFrance and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Joanna Peña-Bickley, Cassandra Worthy, Erica Dhawan, Amy Jo Martin and Libby Gill. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Rahaf Harfoush for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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