As a former Google executive turned speaker and consultant, Steve Lerch helps organizations reimagine innovation, unlock the potential of artificial intelligence, and connect authentically with modern consumers. With a uniquely human-centered approach to topics often seen as overly technical, Lerch has become a go-to voice for companies looking to stay relevant, agile, and inspired.

Lerch spent a decade at Google helping some of the world’s largest brands solve problems through data, digital strategy, and user-first thinking. Since founding Story Arc Consulting and launching his speaking career, he’s brought that same mindset to stages across the country, delivering actionable insights with energy, humor, and a deep understanding of what drives people.

We recently sat down with Lerch to dive into the philosophies behind his most popular keynote topics: Innovation Leadership, Artificial Intelligence for All, and Influencing Modern Consumers. These keynote speeches form a roadmap for teams looking to break old habits, embrace new tools, and build stronger connections in today’s dynamic business environment.

You often say, “Innovation isn’t about AI; it’s about people.” Why is this so important for companies to understand?

For Lerch, the term innovation is often misunderstood. Too many organizations associate it with new technology, big budgets, or large-scale research and development. But Lerch is quick to point out that true innovation starts with mindset, culture, and behavior. In other words, how your employees think.

Having taught innovation strategies internally at Google, Lerch has seen firsthand that the most meaningful ideas often begin with simple, human shifts — how teams give feedback, how brainstorming is approached, and whether or not people feel safe to share unpolished ideas. His keynote, Innovation Leadership: Inspiring People to Think Differently, challenges companies to empower employees at all levels to make small changes that lead to big impact.

Lerch encourages organizations to reframe innovation as something accessible. It’s not about inventing the next iPhone; it’s about rethinking how you write emails, how you run meetings, or how you encourage and experiment with ideas. These small moments of connection can either foster a spirit of openness and innovation or crush creativity. He champions the power of iteration, collaboration, and speed. Not for the sake of being first, but to build cultures that aren’t afraid to try, fail, and try again.

By focusing on innovation as a behavior rather than a breakthrough, Lerch helps companies remove the fear and formality that often paralyze progress.

How can organizations embrace all that AI has to offer, without becoming overwhelmed?

Artificial intelligence is one of the most talked-about topics in the business world today, but it’s also one of the most misunderstood. In his keynote, AI for All: Embracing Artificial Intelligence, Lerch works to demystify the technology and show how it can enhance everyday work across departments, without threatening jobs.

His goal is to move the conversation beyond robots and jargon, and toward what AI can do right now to help real people solve real problems. He emphasizes that most professionals don’t need to know how AI works, they just need to be curious enough to try it. Whether it’s using AI to draft emails, summarize reports, or brainstorm new ideas, the opportunities are vast and accessible.

Lerch urges audiences to shift their mindset about their relationship to AI. It doesn’t replace people - it augments them. And in a world that’s changing fast, using AI isn’t just smart, it’s necessary. He shares, “We don’t need to understand how our phones work to use them every day. AI is the same. It’s here to help you be faster, sharper, and more creative.”

The keynote empowers teams to stop fearing AI and start experimenting with it, because the future belongs to those who adapt early and often.

How can companies leverage social media to meet the modern consumer?

In what is self-described as his most ‘fun’ keynote, Influencing Modern Consumers: Building Connections and Sales in the Age of Memes, Gifs, and Selfies, Lerch refreshingly gives tips on how companies can meet consumers where they are via viral internet trends. This talk blends digital culture, marketing psychology, and humor into a fast-paced exploration of how consumers actually think and behave today.

Drawing from his digital strategy background at Google, Lerch challenges brands to stop resisting the platforms, influencers, and trends that shape modern buying behavior. Whether it’s YouTube, TikTok, or meme culture, he makes a compelling case for why companies need to stop judging where their audience spends time, and start participating in it.

He also makes a distinction between authenticity and relatability, urging brands to show personality, embrace playfulness, and not be afraid to experiment. In a world where attention spans are short and culture moves quickly, Lerch argues that fun and relevance are the most powerful tools marketers have.

Practical and packed with takeaways, this keynote also introduces tools to help marketers understand what their audience is actually searching for and talking about. And at the core of the talk is a clear message: you don’t need a massive budget or team to market effectively in today’s world. You just need to listen, adapt, and experiment.

Focused on energy and authenticity: Bringing humor, heart, and practicality to every engagement

Beyond the content of his keynotes, what sets technology keynote speaker Steve Lerch apart is his genuine love for what he does. Whether he’s jumping on a prep call, customizing a talk for a niche audience, or answering a post-event email within minutes, Lerch approaches every engagement with gratitude, responsiveness, and a deep respect for the client’s goals.

He brings approachability to topics that often feel daunting, and ensures every audience walks away with not just new ideas, but a desire to act on them. As someone who sees speaking as a dream job, Lerch is as invested in the experience of working together as he is in the impact of the talk itself.

Innovation and AI: The Perfect Keynote Speaker to Bridge the Gap

For companies and event organizers looking for a speaker who’s as easy to work with as he is dynamic on stage, Steve Lerch delivers. If your organization is ready to break old habits, harness the power of innovation, better understand AI, or reach your consumers in more authentic ways, Lerch is the speaker who can help you do it.

Contact Executive Speakers Bureau today to bring Steve Lerch to your next conference, team offsite, client event, or seminar. His message is timely, his delivery unforgettable, and you will walk away with insights that are immediately actionable. Let Lerch help your team think differently and move confidently into what’s next.