Ben Parr

Ben Parr is an award-winning entrepreneur, journalist, author, artificial intelligence expert, and investor who has spent his career exploring how technology — especially A.I. — is impacting society and our future.

He is President and Co-Founder of Octane AI, the generative AI and zero-party data platform for ecommerce brands. Octane AI powers AI-enabled quizzes and surveys for thousands of merchants and brands, helps them personalize marketing channels like email, SMS and ads, and build deeper relationships with their customers using AI. Octane AI, founded in 2016, is backed by General Catalyst, Javelin Partners and an array of Silicon Valley’s top investors. Shopify elected Octane AI as its Best Storefront App in 2021.

Parr regularly talks about artificial intelligence and technology on his popular newsletter The Social Analyst and his TikTok, where he educates the public on AI and its future.

Parr currently sits on the board of directors of the Leila Janah Foundation and previously sat on the board of its sister company Sama, a leader in AI data training and development. LJF's mission is to give work and accelerate social enterprise in Africa and beyond. He's been an investor and advisor to a dozen private and public companies, including Lufthansa, Aug X Labs, LeadIQ, Elanza Wellness, and Ustream (acquired by IBM).

Parr is the author of the award-winning book "Captivology: The Science of Capturing People's Attention", named a must-have marketing book by Strategy+Business Magazine, Forbes, The New York Post, and more. His book dives into the science and psychology of attention and features interviews and insights from over 50 of the world’s top scientists, psychologist, and business leaders, including Sheryl Sandberg, Steven Soderbergh, David Copperfield, and Super Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto.

Previously, Parr was the Co-Editor and Editor-at-Large of Mashable (acquired by Ziff Davis), where he wrote over 2,400 articles on technology, media and startups; and was a technology columnist for CNET (acquired by Red Ventures). Parr was named one of the top 10 tech journalists in the world by Say Media and a “Technology Industry Trendsetter, Luminary & Chronicler” by the Public Relations Society of America. Ben was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 in 2012 and is an alum of Northwestern University.