Didem Un Ates

Founder & CEO of LOTUSAI, Advisor for Goldman Sachs Asset Management & AI/Gen AI Council

  • Senior Operating Advisor at Goldman Sachs
  • Former Head of Applied Strategy at Microsoft
  • Pioneer of Microsoft’s “Girls in AI” Hackathon & Bootcamp
  • Metaverse for Education Co-Innovation Programme Lead
  • Former Head of Applied Strategy for Data & AI

When Didem Un Ates is booked for events, they are known to discuss the following speaking topics:

The Future of Responsible AI
Cyber Security in the Age of Generative AI
Building Inclusive Innovation Ecosystems
Human-Centric AI: Balancing Ethics and Impact

Didem Un Ates is a globally respected authority in cyber security, artificial intelligence and generative AI strategy, known for her transformative approach to innovation and inclusion. With over 25 years of experience across technology, strategy and operational leadership, Didem has consistently broken new ground, both in executive roles and on the global stage. As a former Vice President of AI Strategy and Innovation at Schneider Electric and now a Senior Operating Advisor at Goldman Sachs, she brings a rare combination of technical expertise, business acumen, and ethical foresight to the evolving field of cyber security and responsible AI.

Her professional journey has taken her through some of the most influential names in tech, including CapGemini, Motorola, and notably Microsoft, where she served in several senior positions. As Head of Applied Strategy for Data & AI, Didem led the Metaverse for Education Co-Innovation Programme and was instrumental in scaling responsible AI initiatives across 120,000 employees. Her leadership contributed to Microsoft’s £3.5 billion revenue uplift and set new benchmarks in AI operationalisation. Today, as Founder and CEO of LOTUSAI and a key advisor to Goldman Sachs’ 300+ portfolio companies, Didem continues to shape the future of ethical and human-centric AI.

A passionate advocate for diversity in tech, Didem founded Microsoft’s pioneering ‘Girls in AI’ Hackathon and Bootcamp, which has empowered countless young women to explore careers in STEM. Her commitment to inclusivity has earned her numerous accolades, including the Dublin Tech Summit ‘Diversity Role Model’ title, the Microsoft Rise Award, and recognition as a finalist in the WomenTech Network Global AI Inclusion Awards. She is also a TechWomen100 Champion and a Trailblazer50 honouree, further solidifying her status as a role model in tech leadership.

As a member of the WEF AI Governance Alliance and the Forbes Technology Council, and with appointments such as Board Member of the tinyML Foundation, Didem is a key voice in shaping international conversations around AI governance and cyber resilience. Her ability to blend cutting-edge technology with social impact makes her a compelling and credible speaker on topics ranging from cyber security to inclusive innovation. Hire Didem Un Ates via The Cyber Security Speakers Agency to bring unrivalled insight and inspiration to your next event.

Official Testimonials

Didem Un Ates is regularly booked to engage audiences at events, read their latest feedback below:

“The event went very well thanks. Didem was a tremendously engaging speaker, incredibly knowledgeable and credible in her areas of expertise and has a great way to simplify and give context to very complex topics. She shared some great examples of her work which resonated well with the audience, and took time to answer questions at the end. It was an excellent experience for our guests. She was everything we hoped for as a first-class speaker.”

OVH Cloud

To enquire about Didem Un Ates for your event or corporate function, simply contact us via agent@cyber-security-speakers.com or call a booking agent on 0203 0070 318.