Mstyslav Chernov
Academy Award Winner, Best Documentary (2024) | BAFTA Winner | Pulitzer Prize Winner | Director, 20 Days in Mariupol & 2000 Meters to Andriivka | 2x Sundance | AP
Michelle K. Lee
AI Expert & Strategist | Former VP, Amazon Web Services | Google Executive | Former U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce | Founder & CEO, Obsidian Strategies
Few leaders understand both the promise and complexity of artificial intelligence like Michelle K. Lee. As former Vice President of Amazon Web Services' Machine Learning Solutions Lab, she advised Fortune 500 companies on implementing AI at scale. A Google executive during its formative years and former Under Secretary of Commerce, she brings rare expertise spanning technology, policy, and business. As founder of Obsidian Strategies, she translates AI's transformative potential into actionable strategy for leaders navigating an AI-centric world.
Want to book Michelle K. Lee as a speaker for your event? Please provide the info below and we’ll get in touch within 24h:
Michelle K. Lee biography
Keynote speaker Michelle K. Lee is a leading authority on artificial intelligence strategy whose career spans the highest levels of technology, government, and business. As former Vice President of Amazon Web Services’ Machine Learning Solutions Lab, she led global teams advising Fortune 500 companies on implementing AI and machine learning solutions that deliver measurable business impact. Before Amazon, she served as a senior executive at Google during its formative years and as Under Secretary of Commerce and Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office under presidential appointment—where she led over 10,000 employees to implement an agency-wide AI strategy that improved patent quality, speed, and consistency.
AI speaker Michelle K. Lee is best known for translating the technical complexity of artificial intelligence into strategic frameworks that executives can operationalize. As founder and CEO of Obsidian Strategies, she advises Fortune 500 companies on identifying and executing their highest-ROI AI opportunities across industries. Her approach balances the transformative potential of AI with the regulatory, ethical, and operational risks that accompany deployment at scale—a perspective informed by her dual experience as both a technologist and policymaker.
Trained at the MIT Artificial Intelligence Laboratory as a computer scientist, Michelle has worked at the MIT AI Lab and Hewlett-Packard Research Laboratories. She has testified before Congress approximately ten times on AI policy and intellectual property, and her expertise has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, NPR, and MIT Sloan Management Review. She is a member of the MIT Corporation, serves on multiple corporate boards, and is a frequent speaker at major forums including the World Knowledge Forum, South by Southwest, Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Conference, CES, and the National Association of Corporate Directors.
From MIT AI Lab to Amazon and Google
Michelle’s career trajectory reflects her commitment to bridging advanced research with real-world application. At Amazon, she was the founding business executive lead for AWS’s responsible AI efforts, working with clients across industries to implement AI and generative AI while managing policy, regulatory, and ethical considerations. At Google, she contributed to the company’s growth during its most critical expansion phase. As head of the 200-year-old U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, she modernized one of the world’s largest intellectual property agencies through data analytics and AI implementation.
As an AI speaker, Michelle K. Lee delivers keynotes that cut through hype to provide actionable guidance on AI adoption, digital transformation, responsible AI governance, and competitive strategy. Her presentations draw on firsthand experience advising Amazon Web Services clients, leading federal agencies, and building technology companies in Silicon Valley. Audiences leave with concrete frameworks to implement AI strategies, navigate regulatory complexity, and balance innovation with risk management in an AI-centric world.
Michelle K. Lee Speaking Videos
Michelle K. Lee, USPTO - Enterprising Women of Commerce Speaker Series
Discussion | USPTO Deputy Director Michelle K. Lee on "Speaking Truth to Patents"
Michelle K. Lee Keynote Topics
Artificial intelligence is reshaping every industry, yet many organizations struggle to move from experimentation to execution. In this essential keynote, Michelle K. Lee cuts through the hype to provide executives with a practical roadmap for AI implementation grounded in real-world experience. Drawing on her tenure as Vice President of Amazon Web Services' Machine Learning Solutions Lab—where she advised Fortune 500 clients across industries—Michelle shares the seven critical lessons that separate successful AI adoption from costly failures. She demonstrates how organizations can leverage AI to increase operational efficiency, enhance customer experience, and generate new revenue streams, using concrete examples from her work with Amazon's largest clients and her time at Google. Michelle addresses common implementation challenges including data readiness, talent gaps, integration complexity, and ROI measurement. Audiences leave with actionable frameworks to assess their AI maturity, prioritize opportunities, and build organizational capabilities that turn AI investments into competitive advantage.
Generative AI is transforming how organizations analyze data, create content, predict outcomes, and engage customers—but deployment at scale introduces significant challenges around accuracy, bias, intellectual property, regulation, and trust. In this thought-provoking keynote, Michelle K. Lee provides executives with the framework to balance AI's transformative potential against its operational and reputational risks. Drawing on her unique multi-disciplinary experience as an MIT-trained AI researcher, Amazon and Google executive, former Under Secretary of Commerce, and founder of Obsidian Strategies, Michelle shares powerful examples of generative AI applications delivering measurable business impact alongside cautionary cases where organizations failed to manage associated risks. She addresses how to evaluate AI use cases through a lens of responsible deployment, navigate evolving regulatory frameworks, and build governance structures that enable innovation while protecting against legal, ethical, and technical failures. This keynote equips leaders to make informed decisions about where to lean into AI, where to proceed with caution, and how to build reliable, trustworthy AI systems that create sustainable value.
Digital transformation is no longer optional—but successful transformation requires more than adopting new technologies. It demands organizational alignment, cultural change, and strategic clarity about where technology creates value. In this keynote, Michelle K. Lee shares insights from leading AI implementation at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, advising Fortune 500 companies at Amazon Web Services, and building technology capabilities at Google. She reveals how leaders can drive transformation at scale, overcome resistance to change, and build the data infrastructure, talent, and governance frameworks necessary for sustainable innovation. Michelle addresses the leadership challenges inherent in digital transformation: aligning executive teams around strategy, building technical fluency in non-technical leaders, managing legacy systems, and ensuring that transformation efforts deliver measurable business outcomes. Audiences leave with practical tools to assess transformation readiness, prioritize investments, and lead organizations through the complexity of technology-driven change.
As artificial intelligence becomes central to corporate strategy, boards face growing responsibility to provide informed oversight of AI investments, risks, and governance. In this essential session for corporate directors and senior executives, Michelle K. Lee provides a framework for board-level AI governance grounded in her experience serving on multiple corporate boards, advising Fortune 500 companies, and leading federal agencies. She addresses the key questions boards must ask: How do we evaluate AI strategy and ROI? What are the legal, ethical, and reputational risks? How do we ensure responsible AI deployment? What governance structures are necessary? Michelle translates technical complexity into strategic clarity, enabling directors to fulfill their fiduciary duties in an AI-driven economy. She shares best practices for board composition, oversight mechanisms, and risk management frameworks that balance innovation with accountability. This keynote is ideal for corporate boards, audit and risk committees, and executive leadership teams seeking to strengthen AI governance and oversight capabilities.
Speaker topics
FAQs on Booking Michelle K. Lee
Why Michelle K. Lee?
Booking Michelle K. Lee delivers immediate strategic value for organizations navigating AI adoption, digital transformation, or regulatory uncertainty. As former Vice President of Amazon Web Services' Machine Learning Solutions Lab, Michelle advised Fortune 500 clients on implementing AI and generative AI solutions that drive revenue, enhance customer experience, and increase operational efficiency. Her unique multi-disciplinary background—spanning technology leadership at Amazon and Google, government service as Under Secretary of Commerce, and AI research at MIT—positions her to address both the technical and policy dimensions of AI deployment. She founded Obsidian Strategies to help companies identify their highest-ROI AI opportunities while managing ethical, regulatory, and operational risks. Michelle's keynotes provide actionable frameworks grounded in real-world implementation experience, not theoretical speculation. She has testified before Congress approximately ten times and serves on corporate boards, bringing governance and compliance expertise critical for responsible AI adoption. For organizations seeking clarity on where to invest in AI, how to balance opportunity with risk, and how to operationalize AI strategy at scale, Michelle offers rare credibility and practical guidance. Contact Aurum Speakers Bureau to bring Michelle K. Lee to your next event.
What is Michelle K. Lee's background in AI?
Michelle K. Lee is an MIT Artificial Intelligence Laboratory-trained computer scientist who has worked at the MIT AI Lab and Hewlett-Packard Research Laboratories. At Amazon Web Services, she served as Vice President of the Machine Learning Solutions Lab, leading global teams of business consultants and data scientists who advised clients across industries on implementing AI and machine learning applications. She was also the founding business executive lead for AWS's responsible AI initiatives, addressing policy, regulatory, and ethical considerations. Before Amazon, she was a senior executive at Google during its formative growth period. Her technical training, combined with hands-on experience deploying AI at scale for Fortune 500 companies and federal agencies, gives her a comprehensive understanding of both the possibilities and practical constraints of AI implementation.
Did Michelle K. Lee serve in the U.S. government?
Yes. Michelle K. Lee served as the presidentially-appointed Under Secretary of Commerce and Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, one of the largest intellectual property offices in the world. In this role, she led over 10,000 employees and implemented an agency-wide AI strategy that used artificial intelligence and data analytics to improve the quality, speed, and consistency of patent examination processes. She has testified before Congress approximately ten times on topics including AI policy, intellectual property, and innovation. Her government experience provides her with unique insight into how regulatory bodies, legislative frameworks, and policy considerations intersect with AI deployment—knowledge that is increasingly critical as governments worldwide develop AI governance frameworks.
What topics does AI speaker Michelle K. Lee cover?
AI speaker Michelle K. Lee specializes in artificial intelligence strategy, generative AI applications, digital transformation, responsible AI governance, innovation, and board-level technology oversight. Her keynotes address how to implement AI for competitive advantage, identify high-ROI AI opportunities, balance innovation with regulatory and ethical risks, and navigate the policy landscape shaping AI adoption. She provides practical frameworks for executives, board members, and leadership teams seeking to operationalize AI at scale across industries. Michelle's content draws on her experience advising Fortune 500 companies at Amazon Web Services, leading federal agencies, and building technology companies in Silicon Valley. Her presentations are ideal for organizations focused on AI adoption, digital strategy, corporate governance, and risk management. Contact Aurum Speakers Bureau to book Michelle K. Lee for your event.
How to book Michelle K. Lee as a keynote speaker?
Aurum Speakers Bureau can help you book Michelle K. Lee as a speaker for your next event, conference, or board meeting. Simply fill out our contact form to inquire about Michelle K. Lee's availability for a speaking engagement. One of our booking agents will respond to your request immediately and contact the speaker to let them know you want to hire them. We will assist you with obtaining speaking fees, booking information, and confirming availability for Michelle K. Lee or any other top keynote speaker or celebrity of your choice.
How much is Michelle K. Lee speaking fee?
Michelle K. Lee speaking fees are determined by several factors, including the event's date, whether it's a virtual or in-person event, the duration, format, preparation required for their speech, and more. The same applies to the cost to hire any other top expert speakers and celebrities. The Speaker Fee Range listed on our website is simply a guideline and is subject to change without notice. If you would like to hire Michelle K. Lee to deliver a keynote speech for your event, please fill out the contact form or email us at info@aurumbureau.com with as much detail as possible. One of our experienced agents will get in touch with you and let you know exactly how much it will cost to book Michelle K. Lee.
How can I contact Michelle K. Lee?
We only work with Michelle K. Lee on paid speaking engagements. Aurum Speakers Bureau can assist you in booking Michelle K. Lee and will handle all negotiations, contracts, and logistics associated with having Michelle K. Lee speak at your event. We will be your sole point of contact throughout the process. Get in touch with Aurum Speakers Bureau today, and we will reach out to any motivational speaker or celebrity you want to enquire about speaking at your event. If you wish to contact Michelle K. Lee for any other reason, we will be unable to assist you as we are not authorized to provide personal contact information.
Can I book Michelle K. Lee for a virtual keynote?
Yes, Michelle K. Lee is available for virtual keynotes and webinars. To book Michelle K. Lee for a virtual event, please complete the contact form or send us an email to inquire about the special fees for virtual engagements.
