
Monika Bielskyte is a futurist, speculative designer, founder of @protopiafutures & partner at @africanlifecentricdesign. Her work is firmly anchored in contextual, complex realities on the ground, rather than one-size-fits-all techno-solutionism, prone to short-term hype cycles and rapid obsolescence. With expertise in information technologies and immersive media (generative AI, spatial computation, VR/XR, UI, UX), Monika examines both the promises and perils of innovation as the blurring boundaries between the digital and physical worlds become increasingly weaponized through strategies of hybrid warfare. Monika is passionate about the value of embodiment inquiry within innovation processes & “invisible” disability & neurodivergence inclusion in all future considerations: from tech, to policy, to built environment, in order to design a more compassionate world for most of humanity. As a speculative designer, Monika prototypes culturally expansive, socially and environmentally engaged future world designs that take lessons from visually and narratively captivating Science Fiction entertainment and apply them to make real-world future literacy more compelling. Her career in Hollywood includes futurist consultancy for Disney / Marvel’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Monika has done speaking and advisory work for BBC, Disney, DreamWorks, Google, Huawei, L’Oreal, McKinsey, Mexico City, Microsoft, MTN Group, Nike, SKY, TATA ,Technicolor, UAE, Unesco, Universal, Warner Media, World Economic Forum, among others.
intel.com
rsafilms.com
designwithmm.com
8i.com
londonspeakerbureau.com
allfutureeverything.com
arjowiggins.com
City of Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Founder + Futurist
PROTOPIA FUTURES
• www.linkedin.com/company/protopiafutures
Jan 2020 - Present
Vilnius, Vilniaus, Lithuania
Futurist
Inclusive AI Lab
• www.linkedin.com/company/inclusive-ai-lab
Jan 2025 - Present
Utrecht, Netherlands
Partner + Co-Author
African Life-Centric Design
• www.linkedin.com/company/africanlifecentricdesign
Mar 2024 - Present
City of Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Public Speaker
Prophets of AI
• www.linkedin.com/company/prophets-of-ai
May 2024 - Present
Los Angeles, California, United States
Public Speaker
London Speaker Bureau
• www.linkedin.com/company/the-london-speaker-bureau
Sep 2017 - Present
Public Speaker
THE CLOSER
• www.linkedin.com/company/the-closer-speakers-consultancy-ltd
Jul 2021 - Present
London, England, United Kingdom
visual consultant
CAVIAR CONTENT
Dec 2014 - Dec 2014
Greater Los Angeles Area
visual consultant
RESET CONTENT
Oct 2014 - Nov 2014
Greater Los Angeles Area
creative consultant
RICK OWENS
Sep 2013 - Dec 2014
Paris Area, France
production creative director
RICK OWENS
Jan 2012 - Sep 2013
Paris Area, France
creative director
SOME/THINGS AGENCY
Jan 2009 - Aug 2013
Paris Area, France
editor in chief
SOME/THINGS MAGAZINE
Jan 2008 - Aug 2013
Paris Area, France
twobitcircus.com
astonmartin.com