Meet the 'Godmother of the Future'

Cathy Hackl in 2004 received an MA in international studies from the Steven J. Green School of International & Public Affairs and an MS in mass communication from CARTA and has since built a career on seeing around technological corners. She has been hailed by USA Today as one of the best predictors of future tech and tech habits in the world.

A pioneer at the forefront of artificial intelligence, immersive tech innovation, gaming and, more recently, space commerce, she is one of the world’s most sought-after tech futurists and keynote speakers. Her influence spans five books, acclaimed Adweek podcast TechMagic and pieces published in Harvard Business Review, Wired, Forbes and more, where she expertly explains and delves into the transformative power of frontier technologies in today’s era of technological acceleration and convergence.

At the Consumer Electronics Show in early January, she was asked to cohost the event’s inaugural AI House during which she was given the “Godmother of the Future” moniker by Napster’s CEO – a title that reflects her visionary influence in the tech and business worlds. Hackl uniquely blends her expertise in international studies and economics with her leadership in transformative technologies such as spatial computing, artificial intelligence and virtual worlds.

“Technology is becoming increasingly geopolitical,” Hackl explains. “Whether we’re talking about where AI chips are being manufactured, AI regulations, AI infrastructure or the global implications of virtual worlds, understanding international relations and policymaking is crucial in today’s tech landscape.”

This blend of technology and geopolitics defines Hackl’s career. She’s the founder and CEO of Future Dynamics, her foresight and innovation lab, and she’s an advisor to Fortune 500 companies, governments and global organizations looking to navigate the disruptive potential of emerging technologies. She has collaborated with brands like Nike, Ralph Lauren, Walmart and Louis Vuitton and has developed groundbreaking virtual experiences on platforms like Roblox and Fortnite.

A global perspective rooted in Miami

Hackl’s path to becoming a business executive and tech futurist started with her upbringing as the daughter of an influential Costa Rican diplomat, moving between cities like New York, Geneva, Bogota and Hamburg. Miami became her anchor – a gateway to the United States and, eventually, FIU, where she earned dual master’s degrees in international studies and mass communications. She knew her path to her future had to go through Miami and was introduced to FIU by a friend, Glenda Umana, a former CNN Espanol anchor and alumna of the FIU College of Communication, Architecture + The Arts (CARTA) who became her mentor.

“Miami has always been a constant in my life,” Hackl reflects. While she didn’t follow her father’s diplomatic path, the skills she gained at the Green School proved invaluable. “What you learn about negotiation, communication and policymaking becomes crucial when you’re spearheading technology products or working with global stakeholders.”

Her early career in broadcast journalism with ABC News and Discovery Channel sharpened her storytelling skills, which set her apart in tech. She was nominated for an Emmy Award in 2007, just three years after graduating from FIU. But her bold pivot into deep tech – a field where only 2% of employees are Latina women – cemented her as a trailblazer and visionary. “I had to work hard and be authentic to succeed,” she says. “Many times I was the only woman at the table, always second-guessed because I didn’t have a Stanford degree or a tech background.”

She candidly says she’s working to make the future less like the dystopian scifi novel “Ready Player One” and more like Marvel movie’s J.A.R.V.I.S from “Iron Man.” Translation: She believes that humans can have a symbiotic relationship with technology and that a “protopian” approach toward the future is needed – one where technology and society evolve together to create a better world.

Shaping the future of technology

Hackl’s unique perspective as an expert communicator, a diplomat’s daughter and technologist has made her an invaluable leader in what's next. As an external advisor at Boston Consulting Group, she helps drive transformative innovation through their Frontier Tech initiative, tackling challenges from AI-driven advancements to the vast potential of spatial computing. “We’re exploring how emerging technologies will redefine industries and unlock new possibilities,” Hackl shares. “I’m thrilled to push the boundaries of innovation even further.”

Accolades such as being named one of Ad Age’s Leading Women of 2023 and one of Newsweek’s Top 25 AI Visionaries of 2024 and gracing the cover of Forbes Latam’s Most Powerful Women issue have solidified her position as a global tech leader and a luminary. Hackl ‘s numerous media appearances include CNBC’s Squawk Box, 60 Minutes, CNN, Good Morning America, GQ, Time, The Economist and Bloomberg. She is a guest editor for Vogue Singapore.

Hackl has also taught for the globally ranked IE Business School and SDA Bocconi School of Management. At the end of 2022, she sold her first company and currently has several innovative projects in stealth mode.

Her most recent book, Spatial Computing: An AI-Driven Business Revolution, explores how cutting-edge technologies are transforming industries as computing expands into the physical world, on-device AI matures and robotics using spatial intelligence allows AI to navigate the physical world alongside us. Looking ahead, her research focuses on space commerce, neural interfaces, brain-computer interaction, Gen Alpha/Gen Beta and the “post-smartphone future.”

Giving back to the next generation

Despite her global success, Hackl remains deeply connected to her roots. Speaking at the Green School’s SIPA II building dedication last November, she emphasized how the school’s focus on public policy and governance is increasingly relevant in a tech-driven world. For current students, her message is clear: “The diplomatic and policymaking skills learned at the Green School are becoming more valuable, not less, as technology reshapes global relations.”

“The future of technology is inherently international,” Hackl says. “Understanding how to navigate different cultural contexts and technological ecosystems are key to successfully communicate across boundaries and shape policy – these are exactly the skills that will help build a more inclusive digital future.”

From her upbringing as a third-culture kid to her current role as a global tech luminary, Cathy Hackl embodies the intersection of technology, diplomacy and innovation. This tech visionary says she’s ready to usher in a new future through her work and giving back to younger generations. You'd expect nothing less of a godmother.