Who Is Toby Shapshak
Toby Shapshak is one of Africa’s most respected technology journalists, commentators, and keynote speakers, renowned for his insightful perspectives on artificial intelligence, innovation, cybersecurity, and digital transformation. Based in Johannesburg, he has spent more than 25 years analysing how technology is reshaping business, society, and the future of work, making him a highly relevant speaker for today’s CIO and technology leadership audiences.
As Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of Stuff South Africa, and a Senior Contributor to Forbes on innovation and enterprise technology, Toby is recognised for translating complex technological developments into practical business insights. His commentary regularly appears across leading media platforms, including Financial Mail, Business Day, CNN, The Guardian, Quartz, and The New York Times.
A compelling keynote speaker, Toby is particularly known for his thought leadership on the impact of AI, emerging technologies, and Africa’s rapidly evolving digital economy. His acclaimed TED Global talk, “You Don’t Need an App for That,” has attracted more than 1.5 million views and highlights how African innovators are creating world-class solutions through necessity-driven innovation. He frequently challenges conventional thinking by demonstrating how Africa’s unique technology landscape can provide valuable lessons for global business and innovation strategies.
Toby has addressed audiences at some of the world’s leading conferences, including TED Global, South by Southwest (SXSW), Intel’s IDF Conference, Mobile 360, AfricaCom, and numerous international technology and business forums. His presentations combine deep industry knowledge, engaging storytelling, and forward-looking insights into the trends shaping the future of technology.
Recognised by GQ South Africa as “the most high-profile technology journalist in the country,” Toby brings a unique blend of journalistic credibility, business acumen, and technological expertise. For conferences focused on AI, digital transformation, innovation, resilience, and the future of business, he offers a highly relevant and thought-provoking perspective that resonates strongly with executive and technology leadership audiences.
Keynote Topics:
How AI is Changing How We Work and Why Change is Unavoidable
How AI impacting the way we work. Stressing the importance of how we think and how we have to be adaptable with this new technology.
Artificial Intelligence: From Hype to Business Value
Exploring how organisations can move beyond AI experimentation to practical implementation, unlocking productivity, innovation, and competitive advantage while managing risk and governance challenges.
The Future of Work in the Age of AI
How artificial intelligence, automation, and emerging technologies are transforming the workplace, reshaping skills requirements, and redefining leadership in the digital era.
Innovation Out of Necessity: What the World Can Learn from Africa
Drawing on his internationally acclaimed TED talk, Toby demonstrates how African innovators have pioneered solutions to real-world challenges, creating globally relevant models for innovation, entrepreneurship, and resilience.
Cybersecurity in an Increasingly Connected World
An examination of the evolving cyber threat landscape and what business leaders need to know to build secure, resilient organisations in an age of digital disruption.
Digital Transformation That Delivers Results
A practical look at how organisations can successfully modernise operations, adopt emerging technologies, and create sustainable value from digital transformation initiatives.
The Technology Trends Shaping the Next Decade
An engaging overview of the technologies that will define the future, including artificial intelligence, robotics, quantum computing, connectivity, data, and the evolving digital economy.
Africa's Digital Revolution
A powerful perspective on how mobile technology, fintech, digital infrastructure, and innovation ecosystems are transforming business and society across the continent.
Leading Through Technological Disruption
Helping executives understand how to navigate uncertainty, embrace innovation, and lead organisations through periods of rapid technological change.
Resilient. Intelligent. Inclusive: Building South Africa's Digital Future
Tailored specifically to CIO and executive audiences, this keynote explores how South African organisations can leverage AI, strengthen cyber resilience, modernise legacy systems, and ensure digital transformation delivers value for businesses, employees, and society alike.
Media Room
Achievements
Recognised as one of Africa’s leading technology journalists and commentators, with more than 25 years of experience covering innovation, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies.
Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of Stuff South Africa, one of the country's leading consumer technology publications.
Senior Contributor to Forbes, where he writes on innovation, technology trends, entrepreneurship, and the future of business.
Delivered the acclaimed TED Global talk, “You Don’t Need an App for That,” which has attracted more than 1.5 million views worldwide and helped redefine global perceptions of African innovation.
Featured in leading international publications including The New York Times, CNN, The Guardian, Quartz, Business Day, and Financial Mail.
Named by GQ South Africa as “the most high-profile technology journalist in the country.”
Included in GQ South Africa’s list of the Top 30 Men in Media.
Recognised in the Mail & Guardian 300 Young South Africans list for his influence and contribution to media and technology.
Recipient of the ICT Journalist of the Year award, recognising excellence in technology and telecommunications reporting.
Invited speaker at globally recognised conferences and events, including TED Global, South by Southwest (SXSW), Intel Developer Forum (IDF), Mobile 360, AfricaCom, TEDxGateway, and numerous international innovation and technology summits.
Widely regarded as a thought leader on artificial intelligence, digital disruption, mobile technology, and innovation in emerging markets.
Through his journalism, speaking engagements, television appearances, podcasts, and commentary, he has played a significant role in shaping conversations around Africa’s digital economy and the future of technology on the continent.
-651x837_edited.jpg){kind=logo}
