Marek Kowalkiewicz is Professor and Chair in Digital Economy at QUT Business School and a globally recognized authority on artificial intelligence, digital strategy, and business transformation. Ranked among Thinkers360’s Top 100 Global AI Thought Leaders, he combines deep academic rigor with Silicon Valley innovation experience. Marek is the author of The Economy of Algorithms: AI and the Rise of the Digital Minions, winner of the 2024 Australian Business Book Award (Technology). Previously, he served as Senior Director at SAP’s Palo Alto Innovation Lab, where he launched SAP’s first and largest machine learning lab, and played a key role in founding Queensland’s AI Hub and shaping the state’s Digital Economy Strategy. His career spans leadership and research roles at SAP, Microsoft Research Asia, and Citibank. A sought-after keynote speaker at global forums including SXSW and TEDx, Marek helps leaders harness AI to design resilient strategies, new business models, and competitive advantage.