"The game is rigged. But you don't play it alone."
— From "Breaking the System" at Boston University

RUSS
WILCOX

Book Russ
Russ Wilcox professional headshot
ABOUT RUSS

From Waiting in Hallways to Advising World Leaders



At seven years old, Russ Wilcox learned his first lesson about power: some people get let into the room, others wait in the hallway, and some never know there's a door.

Today, he's in those rooms—advising the Pentagon, briefing US Senators, speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, and building AI systems that shift power back to communities.

As Boston University's 2025 Distinguished Alumni (one of the youngest ever at 12 years post-graduation), Russ combines technical expertise with raw personal narrative. He's been featured three times in Forbes, delivered a TEDx Boston talk on sustainable AI, and serves as CEO of ArtifexAI, where he builds technology that democratizes data for local governments.

But he's never forgotten those hallways. His keynotes challenge audiences to ask uncomfortable questions: Who gets access? Who decides? And what are you going to do about it?

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

Where Russ Has Spoken

World Economic Forum
TEDx Boston
US State Department
MIT
Boston University
UCLA
Northeastern University
Autodesk University
American Society for AI
Cape Cod Technology Council
PROVEN CREDIBILITY

On Stage at the World's Most Prestigious Venues

Russ Wilcox speaking at World Economic Forum
WEF Annual Meeting
Davos, Switzerland 2024
Russ Wilcox at TEDx Boston
TEDx Boston
November 2022
Russ Wilcox advising on AI policy
AI Policy Advisory
American Society for AI
Russ Wilcox receiving BU Distinguished Alumni Award
BU Distinguished Alumni
2025
Russ Wilcox keynote at MIT
Keynote Address
MIT
SIGNATURE KEYNOTES

Watch Russ Transform Audiences

01

Breaking the System: From Hallways to High-Stakes Rooms

Boston University Distinguished Alumni Award
"Some people get in automatically, others wait in hallways, and some don't even know there's a door."

A raw journey from a seven-year-old waiting outside his mother's community college classroom to advising governments at the Pentagon and World Economic Forum. This talk exposes the invisible barriers facing first-generation students and challenges audiences to become the ones who "bring kids inside."

  • Personal narrative: Overcoming all odds to advise at highest levels
  • The "rigged game" of privilege and access in elite spaces
  • How kung fu philosophy shaped commitment to community service
  • Call to action: Leveraging privilege to dismantle systemic barriers
02

Democratizing Data Science: How Hyper-Local AI Drives Sustainability

TEDx Boston • World Economic Forum
"We recycle plastic bottles, but throw away the data that could save our cities."

What if we could recycle data the same way we recycle plastic? This talk reveals how local governments can leverage AI to transform wasted municipal data into sustainable urban development—creating the green, democratic future that recycling promised but hasn't yet delivered.

  • Real case study: Massachusetts sewer commissioner uses AI to parse 30,000+ pages
  • Contrasting democratic vs. authoritarian uses of AI (US vs. China/Saudi Arabia)
  • Building "digital twins" of cities to predict environmental impact
  • Actionable roadmap for implementing local AI solutions
BOOKING INFORMATION

Who Books Russ?

Event Types

  • Keynote addresses
  • Panel discussions
  • Fireside chats
  • Workshops & seminars
  • Commencement speeches
  • Corporate leadership events

Ideal Audiences

  • Universities & colleges
  • Technology conferences
  • Government agencies
  • Corporate D&I events
  • Sustainability summits
  • First-gen student programs

Speaking Fees

Standard corporate/conference rate: Contact for pricing
Academic/nonprofit rate: Reduced rates available
Travel & accommodations: Additional

Ready to Transform Your Next Event?

Limited dates available. Book Russ for keynotes, panels, and advisory engagements worldwide.

Check Availability Request Media Kit