Stephen Yarwood

Futurist and former Lord Mayor helping cities, governments and organisations navigate AI, urban innovation and the future citizen

Overview

Stephen Yarwood became the youngest Lord Mayor in Australian capital city history at age 39, leading a transformation of Adelaide recognised internationally by the New York Times, National Geographic and Lonely Planet. Since then, he's built city2050, a consultancy specialising in urban governance, strategic foresight and — increasingly — how artificial intelligence is reshaping cities, organisations and "the future citizen."

Stephen sits on Airbnb's global advisory board, chairs the Adelaide University Smart Cities Consortium, and has delivered keynotes to more than 150,000 people across Australia, New Zealand, Asia, the Middle East and North America in the past decade. His current signature keynote, Artificial Intelligence & Human Futures, demystifies AI for leaders navigating its ethical, strategic and human implications — grounded in three decades of real experience shaping how cities and institutions actually change.

Career Highlights

• Youngest Lord Mayor in Australian capital city history (elected age 39)

• Led Adelaide's transformation, recognised internationally by the New York Times, National Geographic and Lonely Planet

• Global advisory board member, Airbnb

• Chair, Adelaide University Smart Cities Consortium Advisory Board

• Fellow, Planning Institute of Australia; member, Academy of Urbanism

• Delivered keynotes to 150,000+ people across Australia, NZ, Asia, the Middle East and North America (past 10 years)

• MBA, Adelaide University; adjunct lecturer, Adelaide University Business School

• Founder, city2050 — urban governance and strategic foresight consultancy

Key Speaking Themes

• Artificial intelligence: ethical, strategic and human implications

• Smart cities and the future citizen

• Urban governance and strategic planning

• Technology's impact on communities and organisations

• Leading transformation in complex environments

Signature Talks

• Artificial Intelligence & Human Futures — demystifying AI and revealing how it can be harnessed ethically, strategically and humanely

• The Future Citizen — how technological disruption and shifting demographics are redefining what communities, workplaces and consumers demand

• AI Unleashed — the implications of AI for business, industries, communities and corporations

• Futures 101: Navigating Tomorrow — turning long-term vision into confident, actionable decisions

What Your Audience Will Gain

Audiences leave with practical clarity on how AI and technological change will reshape their organisation or city — delivered by someone who has actually led large-scale transformation, not just studied it from the outside. Stephen's style is engaging, entertaining and grounded in real governance experience, translating complex change into decisions leaders can act on.

Ideal For

• Government and public sector forums

• Smart cities and urban innovation summits

• AI and technology-focused conferences

• Corporate strategy and leadership events

• Local government and planning conferences