
Tristan Harris
Technology Ethics Innovator | Center for Humane Technology Co-Founder
Tristan Harris is an AI Ethics & Governance speaker who has appeared at 8 events including DLD and SXSW 2024, most recently in 2025.

About
Tristan Harris has emerged as a leading voice examining how technology companies influence human behavior and decision-making on a global scale. His work focuses on the mechanisms through which a small number of tech companies shape the thoughts and actions of billions of users daily, exploring both the challenges and opportunities this presents for society.
Harris addresses critical questions about our relationship with technology, particularly how better technological design could help protect users from distraction and manipulation. His recent focus has expanded to artificial intelligence, where he frames AI as both humanity's greatest test and most significant opportunity.
Through his presentations at major conferences including TED and DLD, he advocates for more ethical approaches to technology development that prioritize human wellbeing over engagement metrics and profit maximization.
What Tristan Talks About
How tech companies manipulate user behavior and attention at scale
Designing technology that protects rather than exploits human psychology
The ethical implications and societal risks of artificial intelligence development
Creating humane technology standards for the digital age
AI as humanity's defining challenge and transformative opportunity
Talks10
How a handful of tech companies control billions of minds every day
A handful of people working at a handful of tech companies steer the thoughts of billions of people every day, says design thinker Tristan Harris. From Facebook notifications to Snapstreaks to YouTube autoplays, they're all competing for one thing: your attention. Harris shares how these companies prey on our psychology for their own profit and calls for a design renaissance in which our tech instead encourages us to live out the timeline we want.

How better tech could protect us from distraction

Why AI Is Our Ultimate Test and Greatest Invitation
More Talks
Tristan Harris on the AI Dilemma
A Guide to Self-Love for Skeptics
Featured Session
Featured Session
Tristan Harris at Aspen Ideas Festival 2023
Featured Session
Featured Session
| Event | Year | Location | Talks |
|---|---|---|---|
| DLD | 2025 | 🇩🇪Munich, Germany | 1 |
| SXSW 2024 | 2024 | 🇺🇸Austin, United States | 4 |
| SXSW 2023 | 2023 | 🇺🇸Austin, United States | 10 |
| Aspen Ideas Festival | 2018 | 1 | |
| TED 2017 | 2017 | 🇨🇦Vancouver, Canada | 1 |
| TEDxBrussels 2014 | 2014 | 🇧🇪Brussels, Belgium | 1 |
| DLD Conference 2024 | 1 | ||
| Aspen Ideas Festival | 1 | ||
| TED | 2 |
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Ray Dalio
Founder, Bridgewater Associates | Author of 'Principles' & Global Macro Strategist
Both at TED 2017, Aspen Ideas Festival 2018
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