Listen to the Prof G and Pivot podcasts and you’ll know what to expect from a keynote by Scott Galloway. The brass, outspoken, liberal professor and podcaster, who describes himself as a narcissist, presents at dozens of engagements annually – ranging from intimate fireside chats to global audiences of 10,000 marketers and business leaders.  

During the eagerly anticipated opening keynote to kick off the 2025 PCMA Convening Leaders in January, marketing professor and serial entrepreneur Scott Galloway captivated the audience with his insights into the future of technology, finance, and society. As an NYU Stern School of Business professor, Galloway's reputation precedes him, and he brought his trademark wit and foresight to the stage. 

 As he took the main stage at PCMA, Galloway set expectations immediately, stating “I am profane and vulgar. It is authentic. It's not an act. If it offends you, if it triggers you, if it really upsets you ... two things. One, I apologize. That was not my intent. And two, I need you to call your parents and tell them to come get you because you're not ready for college.” 

Context: Galloway has served on the boards of directors of The New York Times Co., Urban Outfitters, Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, Panera Bread, and Ledger. Across his Prof G and Pivot podcasts, No Mercy/No Malice newsletter, and his YouTube channel, Galloway reaches millions. 

Backstory: Days before taking the main stage to kick off PCMA Convening Leaders 2025, Galloway’s Pivot podcast with Kara Swisher opened with a discussion about CES, one of the largest and most important tech business events in the world with 141,000 attendees, more than 4,500 exhibitors, including 1,400 startups, and more than 6,000 media in 2025, according to a CES press release. Galloway said he’s only been to CES once. “I found CES remarkably uninspiring,” he said during the episode published on Jan. 10. “It just didn’t do anything for me.”  

Highlighting Galloway's Predictions 

As one of topics on his speaking menu, Galloway’s provides annual predictions for the year ahead, available beginning in October, according to the Prof G Media website. In this session, Galloway took a look back at what he got right or wrong for the previous year, and he introduced a series of predictions, trends, and dynamics for the upcoming one to three years. 

During his PCMA keynote, Galloway made bold predictions for what 2025 might hold, challenging conventional wisdom and encouraging the audience to think differently about the future. 

Here are five key themes and predictions from his presentation: 

1. The Tech Duopoly: OpenVIDIA 

Galloway forecasts an emerging duopoly in the tech landscape, akin to the Windows and Intel dominance of the 90s. He refers to this as "OpenVIDIA," highlighting the dominance of ChatGPT and NVIDIA in the AI space. "Effectively, there are eight companies that have more capital ready to be deployed than the defense budget of China," he said. 

2. Nuclear as the Next Big Energy Source 

Emphasizing the increasing energy demands of AI, Galloway predicts a resurgence in nuclear energy. "All roads lead to nuclear," he said, citing its potential to power future data centers essential for AI infrastructure. 

3. Media Giants and Platforms 

Asserting the dominance of digital media, Galloway claims that YouTube will be the primary platform of 2025. He compares YouTube's reach and influence to traditional platforms, noting, "If you were to say, what is the biggest streamer, most people would naturally say Netflix. It's not. It's YouTube." 

4. The Rise of Non-U.S. Markets 

Predicting a pivotal shift in market dynamics, Galloway sees a flow of capital from U.S. markets to international ones. His insight is based on historical cycles and current economic indicators, suggesting that non-U.S. markets will gain prominence as viable investment opportunities. 

5. Social Changes and Challenges 

Beyond technology and markets, Galloway addressed critical social challenges, particularly concerning the younger male generation. He warned of the dangers of remote work and social isolation, calling for mentorship and support for young men. He poignantly stated, "If we as men want better men, we have to be better men." 

Closing Thoughts 

Galloway's keynote was rich with insights that spanned technology, economics, and societal structures. His ability to predict and influence trends is underpinned by his vast experience and incisive commentary. As his parting message, Galloway left PCMA attendees with a call to action—urging them to rejuvenate human connections and be proactive in shaping the world of tomorrow. 

Galloway's compelling—and at times controversial––talk set an engaging and thoughtful tone for the future, sparking conversations that are bound to continue beyond the confines of the conference. His predictions for 2025, mingled with his charismatic delivery, provided attendees with much to ponder and discuss. 

Find out more about booking Galloway for an event here. 

Main image: Photo by Whatever Media Group