Chris Surdak of CA
Welcome to the digital hub of Chris Surdak of CA, a globally recognized expert in digital transformation, AI, data science, and technology governance. With over 30 years of experience across aerospace, finance, and public policy, Christopher Surdak delivers innovative, data-driven solutions that empower organizations to navigate complex technological landscapes. Renowned for his expertise in AI, automation, cybersecurity, and compliance, he combines technical precision with legal and strategic insight. Through clear communication and forward-thinking leadership, Christopher Surdak of CA continues to shape the future of digital innovation and governance.
Chris Surdak of CA
Christopher Surdak is an internationally renowned thought leader, engineer, legal scholar, and technology strategist whose multifaceted career spans more than three decades at the cutting edge of innovation. With expertise in areas as diverse as artificial intelligence, digital transformation, analytics, cybersecurity, privacy, cloud computing, and regulatory compliance, Christopher Surdak stands as one of the most influential voices in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.
His career began in the literal stratosphere. As a spacecraft systems engineer and rocket scientist for Lockheed Martin Astrospace, Surdak helped design and deploy complex satellite and spacecraft systems, blending his foundation in mechanical engineering with the rigor and precision required for aerospace innovation. This formative experience not only grounded his technical knowledge in real-world application but also sparked a lifelong passion for solving complex problems at scale through technology.
Chris Surdak’s academic credentials are as impressive as his professional resume. He holds a Juris Doctor from Taft University, giving him a unique and critical perspective on the intersection of technology and law, especially in the realms of data privacy and compliance. He also earned an Executive Master’s in Technology Management from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, where he was honored with a Moore Fellowship. His educational background further includes a Master’s Certificate in Information Security from Villanova University and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Pennsylvania State University. This rare combination of technical, legal, and business education has empowered Surdak to guide governments, enterprises, and institutions through the legal, ethical, and operational complexities of emerging technology.
Over the years, Surdak has held numerous influential advisory roles. Most recently, he worked with the Transformation Office of the White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy, where he contributed his deep knowledge of AI, automation, and governance to help shape national policy. His advisory work extends globally, including his role as a special advisor to the Republics of Kazakhstan through the World Bank, and as an honored consultant to the FutureTrek Community of Tsinghua University in Beijing, China.
As a prolific author and in-demand speaker, Christopher Surdak is a vital voice in the global conversation on digital disruption and innovation. He is the co-author of the forthcoming book The AI Governance Playbook, to be published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2025. The book is expected to become a seminal guide for organizations and policymakers navigating the murky waters of AI implementation, ethics, and oversight.
Chris Surdak’s previously published works have already garnered critical acclaim. His book The Care and Feeding of BOTS delves into the real-world applications of AI, machine learning, and robotics in business environments. It serves as both a practical manual and a philosophical examination of how intelligent automation is reshaping labor and society. In Jerk: The Digital Transformation Cookbook, Surdak offers a behind-the-scenes look at the so-called “Disruptor’s Formula” used by market-defining companies such as Uber, Airbnb, Netflix, and Simple Bank. With accessible language and sharp insights, he breaks down the mechanisms of digital disruption for entrepreneurs and executives seeking to thrive in an era of constant change.
Perhaps his most celebrated work is Data Crush: How the Information Tidal Wave is Driving New Business Opportunities, published by AMACOM. The book was awarded GetAbstract’s International Business Book of the Year in 2014 and has become required reading for business leaders navigating the deluge of data in the digital age. It articulates how organizations can harness the exponential growth of data to create new business models, deliver customer value, and drive competitive advantage.
Chris Surdak’s influence within the industry has been recognized by numerous prestigious institutions. In 2023, he was named one of Engatica’s Top 50 Influencers in Intelligent Automation. In 2019, he was listed among TechBeacon’s 14 Data Scientists You Should Follow on Twitter. He also made Cognilytica’s list of Top 50 Data Science Influencers in 2018 and Springboard.com’s Top 20 Big Data Influencers in both 2016 and 2019. His evangelism for responsible innovation earned him the Information Governance Initiative’s Evangelist of the Year award in 2015, and he was honored with the WhartonDC Club’s Benjamin Franklin Innovator of the Year award that same year.
In addition to his advisory and authorship roles, Chris Surdak of CA is a respected voice in professional publishing. He serves as a contributing editor and columnist for several influential journals and magazines, including European Business Review, Chief Data Officer, and GetAbstract Journal. Through these platforms, he continues to analyze and interpret the latest trends in emerging technologies, making complex subjects accessible to a global audience of business leaders, technologists, and policymakers.
Chris Surdak’s ability to connect dots across disciplines—engineering, data science, law, and policy—has made him a sought-after consultant for governments, Fortune 500 companies, and academic institutions. His work continues to drive conversations around how humanity can ethically and sustainably evolve in tandem with technology.
Based in California, Christopher Surdak continues to travel globally as a speaker, strategist, and advisor, bringing his unique blend of intellectual rigor, practical experience, and visionary thinking to the most critical challenges and opportunities of our time. Whether shaping AI governance frameworks, architecting enterprise data strategies, or inspiring the next generation of innovators, Surdak remains a driving force in the 21st-century digital transformation movement.