Jon Dorenbos
World Class Magician | 2x Pro Bowl NFL Player
Hire David Kwong, Creativity Speaker
About This Speaker
When organizations want to bridge the gap between perception and reality, they book David Kwong. As a world-class illusionist and Harvard Alumnus, David is a master of mentalism and cerebral gymnastics. Moreover, he has earned global fame as a New York Times crossword puzzle constructor and a viral TED Talk presenter. His one-man show, The Enigmatist, became a sensation, selling out theaters in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago.
David Kwong brings a unique scientific lens to the art of magic. He argues that illusion is not about supernatural powers; instead, it is the science of fooling the human brain. Similarly, he details this cerebral approach in his book, Spellbound: Seven Principles of Illusion to Captivate Audiences and Unlock the Secrets of Success. Through his work, David reveals how the world’s most successful leaders use the principles of influence and control to achieve their goals.
Furthermore, in Hollywood, David Kwong acts as the premier consultant for magic and puzzles. He served as the head magic consultant for the hit film Now You See Me and contributed to The Imitation Game and Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation. His influence extends to modern technology as well. His recent TED Talk, Magic and Wonder in the Age of AI, gained over 100,000 views within its first day. Additionally, David shows audiences how to maintain a sense of wonder and foster creativity even in an era of artificial intelligence.
David Kwong designs bespoke, interactive experiences for leading global brands like Google, Disney, and J.P. Morgan. In addition, whether he hosts a virtual puzzle hunt or delivers a keynote on digital disorder, he ensures every session remains highly personalized. His hybrid style perfectly combines entertainment with high-level educational content. Overall, David inspires audiences to organize data, solve problems creatively, and embrace a future of infinite possibility.
Contact an agent to get David's availability and ratesSpeaking Topics: David Kwong
Mentalist vs. The Machine 
We live in a world where, with one click of a button, generative AI can create an elaborate image, a persuasive term paper, or a complex melody.
In his latest talk and performance hybrid, David Kwong poses the following question: Despite our modern technological advancements, is there still room for wonder? Can we still experience awe and mind-blowing moments in the modern age of AI? … His answer is a resounding yes! In fact, David believes we can experience more wonder because of our current technology. And he has a brand-new show, Mentalist vs. The Machine, to illustrate this.
- Foster a culture of creative thinking
- Identify a sense of wonder
- Embrace a future of innovation and possibility with artificial intelligence
David is leading his field with the integration of AI into magic. Recently in Davos, Switzerland, David spoke about the relationship of technology to wonder. His talk culminated with a ChatGPT illusion with the CEO of OpenAI, Sam Altman. In Mentalist vs. The Machine, David demonstrates wondrous digital miracles through tricks involving ChatGPT, Alexa, Wikipedia, and iPhones. The show culminates with David pitting his brain against The Machine’s, ultimately illustrating the power of human intellect and creativity.
In his latest talk and performance hybrid, David Kwong poses the following question: Despite our modern technological advancements, is there still room for wonder? Can we still experience awe and mind-blowing moments in the modern age of AI? … His answer is a resounding yes! In fact, David believes we can experience more wonder because of our current technology. And he has a brand-new show, Mentalist vs. The Machine, to illustrate this.
- Foster a culture of creative thinking
- Identify a sense of wonder
- Embrace a future of innovation and possibility with artificial intelligence
David is leading his field with the integration of AI into magic. Recently in Davos, Switzerland, David spoke about the relationship of technology to wonder. His talk culminated with a ChatGPT illusion with the CEO of OpenAI, Sam Altman. In Mentalist vs. The Machine, David demonstrates wondrous digital miracles through tricks involving ChatGPT, Alexa, Wikipedia, and iPhones. The show culminates with David pitting his brain against The Machine’s, ultimately illustrating the power of human intellect and creativity.
Spellbound: The Principles of Illusion
Despite astounding CEOs, TED Talk audiences, and thousands of other hyper-rational people and making them see, believe, and even remember what David wants them to, David doesn’t pretend to have superpowers in any way. As he outlines in his book Spellbound: Seven Principles of Illusion, he believes that all magic is science. It’s the science of fooling your brain. Illusion is an ancient art that centers on control, and understanding the fundamental principles of illusion will lead to more command and control in both life and work. Successful leaders—from Steve Jobs, Warren Buffet, and Ted Turner to President Obama, Megyn Kelly, and Jeff Bezos—are masters of control and command who understand how to sway opinions and achieve goals.
- Bridge the gap between perception and reality to help increase your own powers of persuasion and influence.
- Learn the seven fundamental principles of illusion— rules anyone can learn to master.
- Discover a different way to sell your idea, product, or skills, and make your best shot better than everyone else’s.
This talk pairs well with David Kwong’s Spellbound and is a popular choice for small groups of executives or conference workshops.
- Bridge the gap between perception and reality to help increase your own powers of persuasion and influence.
- Learn the seven fundamental principles of illusion— rules anyone can learn to master.
- Discover a different way to sell your idea, product, or skills, and make your best shot better than everyone else’s.
This talk pairs well with David Kwong’s Spellbound and is a popular choice for small groups of executives or conference workshops.
Beginning Order Out of Chaos: Taking Control of Digital Disorder
In today’s modern world, we are bombarded with incessant new information and data. We’re constantly scrolling and updating news feeds; we’re sifting through a never-ending barrage of posts and emails. In this presentation, David demonstrates, through feats of magic and practical insight, how to:
- Organize vast amounts of data in your brain
- See the world through the eyes of a magician, puzzle designer, and producer
- Synthesize disparate bits of information into a holistic lifestyle
David illustrates how to take control of digital disorder in the way that only a New York Times crossword constructor and cerebral magician can.
- Organize vast amounts of data in your brain
- See the world through the eyes of a magician, puzzle designer, and producer
- Synthesize disparate bits of information into a holistic lifestyle
David illustrates how to take control of digital disorder in the way that only a New York Times crossword constructor and cerebral magician can.
The Enigmatist
This is David Kwong’s critically acclaimed performance—selling out in The Kennedy Center in DC, LA, NYC, and Chicago—tailored for corporate or private audiences.
The Enigmatist features mind-boggling mentalism and cerebral gymnastics, all while taking audiences on an exploration through the history of America’s first codebreakers. This performance involves audience participation and can be customized to align the narrative with your organization’s messaging.
The Enigmatist features mind-boggling mentalism and cerebral gymnastics, all while taking audiences on an exploration through the history of America’s first codebreakers. This performance involves audience participation and can be customized to align the narrative with your organization’s messaging.
Solving Together: A Puzzle Hunt
The ultimate team-building event, as experienced by Google, Amazon, Morgan Stanley, and countless other companies. David Kwong’s Puzzle Hunt is an exciting, creative and collaborative experience designed to strengthen the bonds between teams across departments. Small, diverse groups solve a collection of puzzles using outside-the-box thinking. Smartphones and consulting the internet are allowed. This workshop is designed to entertain and enlighten, not test your knowledge.
Inside the Box
David Kwong hosts a fast-paced, interactive live game show experience, complete with exciting music and visual effects, tailored for virtual and remote teams of all sizes. Praised by the New York Times as a “Critic’s Pick,” Inside the Box is the perfect virtual team-building event.
Tailored Experiences
Work with our agency and David Kwong to tailor his appearance to your company culture and occasion. At his appearances, David Kwong can perform any or all of the following:
- Master of Ceremonies services for your Awards Conference or Benefit
- 1:1 On-site Magic Performances for Executives or Small Teams
- A Company-wide Performance with Audience Participation
- Master of Ceremonies services for your Awards Conference or Benefit
- 1:1 On-site Magic Performances for Executives or Small Teams
- A Company-wide Performance with Audience Participation
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