LinkedIn Top Voices 2019: Technology

Today we’re unveiling our 5th annual Top Voices list, highlighting professionals in a variety of industries and regions who are building communities and starting thoughtful conversations on LinkedIn through their articles, posts, videos and comments. These are the people you should be following to get inspired and stay informed. 

To find standout voices, we used a combination of quantitative and qualitative signals, starting with a custom algorithm from our LinkedIn Data Science team and then curated by our LinkedIn Editors. You can learn more about how we compiled the list at the bottom of this article and can check out Top Voices around the world and across industries — from finance to education — here. 

We dug into the data to find standout voices in technology. The result is a diverse and dynamic group of individuals whose combined perspectives will give you solid insights and inspiration into what’s coming up next. Get ready to meet a group of engaging professionals talking about everything from STEM education to digital design, artificial intelligence to augmented reality, outer space to entrepreneurship — and everything in between. They are curating what you need to know. Read on to learn more.

Here are this year’s 10 #LinkedInTopVoices in technology.

What he talks about: Eyal focuses on the intersection between technology, design and human behavior — often looking for answers to questions he’s asking himself. This nexus has fed two bestselling books. On LinkedIn, Eyal’s weekly newsletter digs into the crossroads of psychology, technology and business, what he calls “behavioral design,” to help professionals build their own healthful habits. 

Trend he’s watching in 2020: “My sense is that tech companies are, at long last, waking up to some of the hazards of their products. And I think we’ll see in 2020 an acceleration of some of the trends we’ve seen in 2019, which is tech companies proactively building responsible products.”

Follow Nir

What she talks about: A quadruple threat of accomplished inventor, distinguished engineer, entrepreneur and noted educator, DeLuca’s presence on LinkedIn continues to inspire her network to discuss and explore innovation and new ideas. As an “IBM Master Inventor,” she writes about “innovation and the many faces of the inventors who are bringing those innovations together,” helping catalyze discussions on LinkedIn around everything from the #SheCanStem campaign to all things #IoT.

Trend she’s watching in 2020: “I'm a sucker for emerging technologies so I'll be keeping an eye on digital twin [development of a digital replica of a living or non-living entity], IoT, applying AI in unexpected ways and diversity in tech.”

Follow Lisa

What he talks about: Terry’s vantage point as “boy from the future” has earned him a spot on the LinkedIn Top Voices in Technology list several years running. From explaining the paradigm shift of the Metaverse to discussing the future of aging and voice assistants to LinkedIn Live videostreaming sessions featuring everything from AI-powered business plans to the future of transportation with BMW, Terry is driving the conversation on LinkedIn around technology and society forward. 

Trend he’s watching in 2020: Video games as the new social network.”Video games have evolved from being content experiences to social experiences...community-as-a-service [platforms],” he says. “Subscription communities are bubbling up around common individuals and niche topics.”

Follow QuHarrison

What she talks about: Miller has made it her “life's mission to educate the world on AI and increase diversity in AI,” she says. Along the way, this Forbes Innovator of the Year has built up a community of more than 120,000 LinkedIn followers all around the world. From musicians to students, Miller’s conversations on LinkedIn are focused on making the fields of AI and technology more inclusive and welcoming.

Trend she’s watching in 2020: The evolution of “Machine Learning for Everyone.” This includes “enabling more builders of the technology...Democratization will result in stronger innovation,” she says. “Everyone should be in the conversation. Diversity in AI is a critical component to the technology’s success, to fighting bias and building a better future for everyone — not just the people at the table today.”

Follow Allie

What she talks about: The founder of a technology platform focused on helping connect diverse startups, entrepreneurs and founders with the resources they need, Dr. Novellus has built out a unique and vibrant voice on LinkedIn. Whether she’s sharing speakers and perspectives with her TechStars class or hosting local events supporting female entrepreneurs, Dr. Novellus is dedicated to showcasing the next generation of tech leadership.

Trend she’s watching in 2020: Leadership from a variety of backgrounds and perspectives: “The rise of non-traditional CEOs. My point is I’m tired of stories of leaders that all look the same. I’m interested more in more individual unique stories.”

Follow Roshawnna

What he talks about: If you’re interested in all things interstellar, you’ll love following Ambrose’s LinkedIn updates. From discussing the future of the space industry to the nitty-gritty specifics of challenging new technologies to logistics for getting astronauts to the moon and Mars, Ambrose’s made it his mission to empower and excite others about what’s next at the forefront of technology and exploration. 

Trend he’s watching in 2020: “Data. Specifically data storage, analysis and security. We generate an incredible amount of data across Lockheed Martin, and we’re always finding ways to put it to work more efficiently. We’re also developing new ways to protect and encrypt valuable data in space. Many companies are talking about data, and each year we see more wins – and losses – when it comes to data."

Follow Rick

What she talks about: Get a glimpse into the future by following Hackl’s LinkedIn updates. Whether it’s covering the convergence of virtual reality and augmented reality, transforming the physical into the digital or the intersection of art and technology, from her unique vantage point she continues to spark dialogues around the next big technology trends and all things AR.

Trend she’s watching in 2020: AI, virtual humans and the future of self. “We are at the cusp of a new reality where who we are as humans will become a central question and the decisions we make today will impact our world for centuries to come. When the stakes are so high, what will identity mean in the future?” she says. “From Lil Miquela, to Alexa, human-centered AIs like Mica, to getting hologramed and creating a virtual Cathy, the concept of virtual beings will become an even bigger part of our reality as 5G, quantum computing, AR and AI collide.”

Follow Cathy

What he talks about: Bornet focuses on highlighting the latest in AI, automation and analytics for his followers on LinkedIn, oftentimes in unexpected ways. Can AI help prevent deaths by drowning or automotive collisions? How can you enable deep learning to help you focus and be more productive? Want to weigh in on the debate between Jack Ma and Elon Musk alongside hundreds of others? Pascal’s presence on LinkedIn powers those conversations and more. 

Trend he’s watching in 2020: There’s many, he says, but based on 2019, keep an eye out for the next generation of hologram technology: “The most impressive to me this year has been the progress made in volumetric display, enabling remote telepresence holograms. This use case will revolutionize several domains like communication, medicine, education, travel, remote connection.”

Follow Pascal

What he talks about: With the goal of being “for STEM what ESPN is for sports,” Shaifer shares his passion for science and STEM education. When he’s not busy with his PhD in science education at Columbia University, Justin can be found hosting his Escape Lab series, empowering others with the skills to engage with Generation Z, or working on his new project the Magic Cool Bus, which brings the excitement of science and technology to the next generation. 

Trend he’s watching in 2020: The continued adoption of augmented reality and artificial intelligence-based technologies. “Augmented reality will play a substantial role in our STEM education project, the Magic Cool Bus. Seeing wider and more broadly applicable use-cases for educational VR will be key for our project to reach underestimated communities,” he says.

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What she talks about: Claire focuses on the human side of technology, specifically entrepreneurship and leadership. Inspired by the women she interviews for her podcast Don’t Stop Us Now, Claire helps highlight and share the stories of digitally-transformed entrepreneurs, innovators, scientists and business leaders around the world, from Ethiopia to London.

Trend she’s watching in 2020: “The Future of Work and the Future of Education.”

Follow Claire

You’ve read about the Top Voices in technology this year. Now, check out the #LinkedInTopVoices in marketing & social media, software development, data science and more.

How we compiled the Top Voices list

First, our editors partnered with the LinkedIn Data Science team to measure the actions a member is able to generate when they engage on the platform. Specifically, we looked at the volume of responses a person’s contributions sparked and the secondary spread of those responses. These signals are proxies for conversation and community development. That said, engagement metrics aren’t enough. Our next filter was qualitative. Editors refined the list by looking at the member’s body of work: Are the contributions insightful, conversational and timely? Do they seek to give and get help vs being self-promotional? Finally, does this list reflect the world we work in today? 

All sharing activity measured took place over a 12-month period, from September 2018 to September 2019. As with all LinkedIn Lists, we exclude LinkedIn and Microsoft employees from consideration.