In 2009, Stanford researcher BJ Fogg introduced a simple model for behavior change: motivation, ability, and a trigger. His goal? Help people build better habits.

But tech companies saw something else—a system they could use to capture attention and keep us coming back. The result: a global shift in how we think, feel, and focus. Dopamine-fueled feedback loops—likes, pings, unread notifications—exploit our brain’s reward system, creating compulsive behaviors that mirror addiction.

In this keynote, I draw on neuroscience, behavioral psychology, and real-world stories to reveal how persuasive tech hijacks our cognitive wiring—reshaping our habits, reducing our ability to focus, and altering our sense of agency.

But we’re not helpless.

This session provides practical, science-backed strategies to break these patterns and regain control. You’ll learn how to identify digital triggers, apply low-tech rituals, and redesign your environment to support clarity, focus, and well-being—for yourself and your teams.

In this eye-opening keynote, discover how persuasive design hijacks your brain—and walk away with science-backed strategies to reclaim your focus, well-being, and control over your digital habits.

Learning Objectives
By the end of this keynote, participants will be able to:
• Explain how persuasive design leverages dopamine feedback loops to shape behavior;
• Identify how digital tools apply the Fogg Behavior Model to create compulsive use;
• Apply neuroscience-based techniques to reclaim attention and mental clarity;
• Design simple, low-tech rituals that promote presence and productivity;
• Establish healthy digital boundaries that support team focus and well-being.

Guiding Questions
• How does digital design hijack our brain’s reward system?
• Why do email and social media feel so compulsive?
• What strategies interrupt the cycle of digital distraction?
• How can I help my team build a healthier relationship with technology?

This keynote is for anyone who’s ever said, “I can’t stop checking my phone”—and meant it.
Let’s stop being users—and start becoming designers of our own attention.