Australian Speakers

Amanda Johnstone

AI technologist, entrepreneur and future-focused leader shaping the intersection of technology and human impact

Overview

Amanda Johnstone is one of Australia’s most globally recognised AI technologists, entrepreneurs and technology communicators. Known for translating emerging technologies into practical human-centred insights, Amanda helps organisations understand the opportunities and challenges created by artificial intelligence, innovation and modern leadership. Her work at the intersection of technology, mental health and social impact has earned international recognition and positioned her as a leading voice on the future of AI and humanity.

Who is Amanda Johnstone? Amanda is an award-winning entrepreneur with more than 20 years of experience building businesses, leading innovation and creating technology-driven solutions for social impact. At just 17 years old, she co-founded the retail chain Sebachi in Tasmania, which became one of Australia’s first e-commerce stores under the mentorship of Cotton On founder Nigel Austin. Alongside her entrepreneurial journey, Amanda has remained deeply committed to mental health advocacy and youth development, shaped by personal experiences with suicide and years working in suicide prevention initiatives. These experiences inspired the development of her mental health app Be A Looper and EmotionAI technologies. Today, Amanda is recognised globally for her expertise in AI, emerging technology and leadership, advising major organisations while building a large international audience through digital media and technology education.

Career Highlights • Recognised by TIME as a Next Generation Leader • Named Start-up Executive of the Year by CEO Magazine • Awarded LinkedIn Top Voice in Artificial Intelligence in 2023 • Founder of mental health and EmotionAI technologies • Co-founder of early Australian e-commerce retailer Sebachi • Trusted advisor to organisations including Google Cloud, Optus, Allianz and Commonwealth Bank • Built a digital audience reaching millions globally • Leading voice on AI, leadership and technology innovation

Key Speaking Themes • Artificial intelligence and emerging technologies • The future of work and modern leadership • Human-centred innovation and digital transformation • AI ethics, communication and social impact • Mental health, resilience and technology for good • Entrepreneurship, disruption and future thinking

What Your Audience Will Gain

Amanda helps audiences better understand how artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are reshaping industries, leadership and everyday life. Audiences leave with practical insights into innovation, digital transformation and responsible AI adoption, while also gaining a deeper appreciation for the human side of technology. Her engaging storytelling and real-world experience make complex future-focused topics accessible, relevant and inspiring.

Ideal For • Technology and AI conferences • Leadership and innovation forums • Women in tech and entrepreneurship events • Digital transformation and future-of-work summits • Mental health and social impact programmes • Corporate strategy and executive leadership events

Frequently Asked Questions...

What does Amanda Johnstone speak about? Amanda speaks about artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, digital transformation, leadership, entrepreneurship, mental health and technology for social impact.

Why is Amanda Johnstone recognised internationally? Amanda has been recognised by TIME as a Next Generation Leader and named a LinkedIn Top Voice in Artificial Intelligence for her contributions to technology and innovation.

What companies has Amanda Johnstone worked with? Amanda has worked with organisations including Commonwealth Bank, Google Cloud, Optus, Allianz, Zoom and Stanford.

What is Amanda Johnstone’s background in entrepreneurship? Amanda co-founded one of Australia’s early e-commerce retail businesses at age 17 and has spent more than two decades building businesses and technology ventures.

What is EmotionAI and Be A Looper? EmotionAI and Be A Looper are Amanda’s technology initiatives focused on mental health support, emotional wellbeing and socially impactful innovation.

Is Amanda Johnstone available for keynote presentations and technology events? Yes. Amanda Johnstone is available for keynote speaking events, leadership forums and AI-focused conferences internationally.

AUSTRALIAN SPEAKERS

Amanda Johnstone

AI technologist, entrepreneur and future-focused leader shaping the intersection of technology and human impact

Overview

Amanda Johnstone is one of Australia’s most globally recognised AI technologists, entrepreneurs and technology communicators. Known for translating emerging technologies into practical human-centred insights, Amanda helps organisations understand the opportunities and challenges created by artificial intelligence, innovation and modern leadership. Her work at the intersection of technology, mental health and social impact has earned international recognition and positioned her as a leading voice on the future of AI and humanity.

Who is Amanda Johnstone? Amanda is an award-winning entrepreneur with more than 20 years of experience building businesses, leading innovation and creating technology-driven solutions for social impact. At just 17 years old, she co-founded the retail chain Sebachi in Tasmania, which became one of Australia’s first e-commerce stores under the mentorship of Cotton On founder Nigel Austin. Alongside her entrepreneurial journey, Amanda has remained deeply committed to mental health advocacy and youth development, shaped by personal experiences with suicide and years working in suicide prevention initiatives. These experiences inspired the development of her mental health app Be A Looper and EmotionAI technologies. Today, Amanda is recognised globally for her expertise in AI, emerging technology and leadership, advising major organisations while building a large international audience through digital media and technology education.

Career Highlights • Recognised by TIME as a Next Generation Leader • Named Start-up Executive of the Year by CEO Magazine • Awarded LinkedIn Top Voice in Artificial Intelligence in 2023 • Founder of mental health and EmotionAI technologies • Co-founder of early Australian e-commerce retailer Sebachi • Trusted advisor to organisations including Google Cloud, Optus, Allianz and Commonwealth Bank • Built a digital audience reaching millions globally • Leading voice on AI, leadership and technology innovation

Key Speaking Themes • Artificial intelligence and emerging technologies • The future of work and modern leadership • Human-centred innovation and digital transformation • AI ethics, communication and social impact • Mental health, resilience and technology for good • Entrepreneurship, disruption and future thinking

What Your Audience Will Gain

Amanda helps audiences better understand how artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are reshaping industries, leadership and everyday life. Audiences leave with practical insights into innovation, digital transformation and responsible AI adoption, while also gaining a deeper appreciation for the human side of technology. Her engaging storytelling and real-world experience make complex future-focused topics accessible, relevant and inspiring.

Ideal For • Technology and AI conferences • Leadership and innovation forums • Women in tech and entrepreneurship events • Digital transformation and future-of-work summits • Mental health and social impact programmes • Corporate strategy and executive leadership events

Frequently Asked Questions...

What does Amanda Johnstone speak about? Amanda speaks about artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, digital transformation, leadership, entrepreneurship, mental health and technology for social impact.

Why is Amanda Johnstone recognised internationally? Amanda has been recognised by TIME as a Next Generation Leader and named a LinkedIn Top Voice in Artificial Intelligence for her contributions to technology and innovation.

What companies has Amanda Johnstone worked with? Amanda has worked with organisations including Commonwealth Bank, Google Cloud, Optus, Allianz, Zoom and Stanford.

What is Amanda Johnstone’s background in entrepreneurship? Amanda co-founded one of Australia’s early e-commerce retail businesses at age 17 and has spent more than two decades building businesses and technology ventures.

What is EmotionAI and Be A Looper? EmotionAI and Be A Looper are Amanda’s technology initiatives focused on mental health support, emotional wellbeing and socially impactful innovation.

Is Amanda Johnstone available for keynote presentations and technology events? Yes. Amanda Johnstone is available for keynote speaking events, leadership forums and AI-focused conferences internationally.