Experience the “Loop” at TED2026 — in photos

At TED2026, the ideas didn’t stop when the lights came up. Between sessions, attendees raced zucchini cars down obstacle courses, watched themselves speak other languages fluently in their own voices, threw clay on pottery wheels and added to a living sculpture built from real conversations with strangers. The “Loop” — the conference’s off-stage heart — was built around this year’s “All of Us” theme, and it delivered. Sprawling and joyful, it was a reminder that the best ideas happen in the spaces between. Explore the Loop below — and don’t miss the new TED Talks from TED2026.

TED2026 Photo Team: Ella De Gea Truelove, Jimmy Jeong, Ryan Lash, Jason Redmond, Callie Shields, Jasmina Tomic, Elizabeth Zeeuw

Watch TED2026 on TED Live, check out more photos from the event and learn more about attending a future TED conference.

TED2026: All of Us — in photos

From the seawall to the main stage, TED2026 in Vancouver was something else. We captured it all — the big ideas, the quiet moments backstage, the Discovery Sessions that stopped attendees in their tracks and the off-site experiences that ignited connection. Here’s a look back at the conference through the lens.

TED2026 Photo Team: Ella De Gea Truelove, Jimmy Jeong, Ryan Lash, Jason Redmond, Callie Shields, Jasmina Tomic, Elizabeth Zeeuw

Watch TED2026 on TED Live, check out more photos from the event and learn more about attending a future TED conference.

Au revoir: Day 5 of TED2026

After 11 extraordinary years in Vancouver, TED’s time in our beloved British Columbia conference home is up.

To celebrate the final day of TED2026, thinkers, doers and legends — mainstays of the TED community and newcomers alike — came together to create a rollicking session of talks and performances to remember. It was a fitting sendoff to a week where attendees from 61 countries gathered to experience ideas, creativity and wonder from 99 speakers and performers, capping a remarkable chapter of TED’s history before we embark on the next one.

Watch TED2026 on TED Live, check out more photos from the event and learn more about attending a future TED conference.

The future of robotics is in the moves. Humanoid robotics researcher David Dobáš and Ultimate Fighting Bots are reimagining what robots can do. Using “direct body control” technology, robots can now mirror human movement in real time. But the real breakthrough? A universal training model that makes creating robot behavior as simple as showing it what to do. In a live demo orchestrated by Dobáš and technologist Bilawal Sidhu, two robots step onstage, copy the sparring moves they see from humans — and break into a dance they learned in just one afternoon.

The most powerful educational tool: a teacher. Education enthusiast Matt Wu is putting that belief into practice with Schoolhouse.world, a nonprofit pairing students across the globe for peer tutoring. What happens in these tutoring sessions goes far beyond equations, as young people learn to listen, to disagree with curiosity, to collaborate across borders and, most importantly, to believe in themselves. Ask any student what changed their life, and a chatbot will likely never be the answer. It was always a person they made a connection with.

Am I enough? For TOMS founder Blake Mycoskie, that question shadowed every moment of his life. And just under two years ago, it almost took his life. What followed was a painful but clarifying discovery: everything he had built was a strategy to earn worth, not a reflection of it. After years of struggling in silence, he finally opened up to his family, his friends and now the world. Silence doesn’t protect us, he says. It isolates us. Now, he’s building a community, declaring “We Are Enough,” so no one has to face that silence alone.

Can the secret math behind your eyes fix AI? Systems architect Vikash Mansinghka shows us something surprising: our brains don’t work like today’s AI. Instead of trying to predict everything perfectly, he explains that our minds explore possibilities and make adjustments as we go — kind of like connecting dots to tell a story. What if we could engineer machines to work the same way? His vision: AI built with coherence and human values baked in from the start, not learned from seas of data — machines we can trust, powered by less energy and guided by principles we control.

A hopeful message from Her Deepness. In 2009, ocean legend Sylvia Earle made a TED Prize wish: to create a global network of marine protected areas known as Hope Spots. Now 91, she reports back with stunning proof that protection works — from Chile’s Juan Fernández fur seals rebounding from one to over 100,000, and New York’s Shinnecock Bay restored by clams, not cash. Her message is stubbornly optimistic and crystal clear: we know how to save the ocean’s blue heart, we just need to choose to do it — because hope isn’t naive, it’s contagious.

 

Mind the AI gap. Humanity is facing a dangerous math problem: technology is rising on an exponential curve while human adaptation stays on a linear path. TV host, author and changemaker Van Jones says the gap between those two lines will give rise to mass social unrest as AI continues to disrupt the economy and put people out of work. The solution? Close the gap with a mindset shift on both sides of the tech divide. He gives examples of projects that are pairing AI insiders with people on the ground closest to the problems — because the next trillion-dollar solution is probably hiding somewhere that power has long overlooked.

Watch TED2026 on TED Live, check out more photos from the event and learn more about attending a future TED conference.

TED, Khan Academy and ETS announce new institute to reimagine higher education for the AI age

Today at TED2026 in Vancouver, the nonprofit organizations TED, Khan Academy and ETS announced a joint plan to launch the Khan TED Institute, a new higher education collaboration designed for an AI‑driven era. The Khan TED Institute aims to prepare learners for the next generation of jobs while cultivating the uniquely human skills required to thrive in work, life and society amid rapid technological change. 

Together, the three nonprofits bring complementary strengths — Khan Academy’s world-class learning platform, TED’s curated community of leading thinkers and transformative ideas and ETS’s trusted expertise in measuring skills — to pioneer a bold vision for the future of higher education. 

The Khan TED Institute plans to offer learning built for a fast‑changing world, combining deep academic foundations, applied artificial intelligence, and development of the durable soft skills employers value most — skills that carry beyond the workplace into life. The intent of the program is to be as accessible as possible. Applications are expected to open in 12 to 18 months. 

“We’re at a moment when education and the world are evolving quickly, and people need new ways to learn, build and demonstrate their capabilities,” said Sal Khan, founder and CEO of Khan Academy and TED Vision Steward. “Khan Academy’s mission has always been to make world-class education accessible to all. The Khan TED Institute is an extension of that vision to higher education, creating new paths that help more people find meaningful ways to contribute to the world around them.”

Once enrolled, students will advance based on measures of real competency rather than seat time, enabling personalized pacing while ensuring every learner leaves with verified competencies. The inaugural program will be organized around three pillars:

• Core knowledge in mathematics, statistics, economics, computer science, science, history, and writing.
• Applied AI skills, including AI‑assisted app development, financial modeling, building AI agents, and team‑based deployment projects.
• Communication and leadership, developed through structured collaboration, peer tutoring, dialogue sessions, and public speaking.

“What’s inspiring is learning that leads to real-world opportunity,” said Amit Sevak, CEO of ETS. “This collaboration helps open new pathways into the AI economy where skill‑based measurement becomes the critical link between learning and livelihood.”  

To ensure deep relevance with the rapidly changing nature of work, corporate partnerships are vital to the Khan TED Institute’s design. Corporate thought partners including Google, Microsoft, Accenture, Bain & Company, McKinsey and Replit will help shape the program and competency signals — ensuring the program stays aligned with the skills employers value most. 

The Khan TED Institute also aims to bring together a global community of peers — including the millions of students and educators who already engage with TED’s education initiative TED-Ed — with the broader TED network of thinkers and leaders. Through live talks, Q&A sessions, and community‑based learning, students will connect ideas to real‑world challenges and opportunities.

“For nearly 40 years, TED has been connecting people with powerful ideas — and in the process, quietly educating millions,” said Logan McClure Davda, CEO of TED. “At a time when learning is changing quickly, we now need new ways to help people engage with ideas, develop judgment, and apply what they learn. The Khan TED Institute is an effort to expand what education can look like in the age of AI.”

To learn more about the Khan TED Institute and express interest as a student, corporate partner, educator or philanthropist, please visit Khan TED Institute and join us in building something transformative.

The ripple effect of an idea

At TED, we say that ideas change everything. And it’s the people behind these ideas who make TED the powerful community it is.

Each talk sparks something: a new question, a shift in perspective, a feeling that lingers longer than expected. Those who hear the talk then forward along that nugget of insight, in a conversation with a colleague, a different choice at work, a risk they might not have taken previously. Over time, those small moments add up. What starts as a single spark becomes a series of decisions, collaborations and actions that reach far beyond the original concept, shaping not just one life, but many.

The videos below offer a window into TED’s compounding ripple effect, the life of an idea beyond the stage.

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Jill Bolte Taylor

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William Kamkwambe

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Ken Lacovara 

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Monica Lewinsky

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Pamela Meyer

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Judge Victoria Pratt

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Kate Robinson, the daughter of the late Sir Ken Robinson

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Tom Shannon

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Guy Winch

Watch TED2026: All of Us — live online this week

Can’t make it to Vancouver for TED2026 this week? No problem! You can stream the entire conference online with TED Live.

TED Live brings the TED conference experience to your home – or anywhere you want to watch. Get exclusive access to every talk. Share the minute-by-minute excitement of the conference with people around the world. Get exclusive access to every talk, including ones that may not go online, and revisit your favorite talks on-demand anytime year-round.

This week, hear from:

• Malala Yousafzai, Nobel laureate, education activist
• Mark Rober, Science education champion
• Jacob Collier, Kaleidoscopic music maker
• Keke Palmer, Multihyphenate entertainer
• Reed Hastings, Entrepreneur, philanthropist
• Steve Huffman, Cofounder and CEO of Reddit
• Jonathan Haidt, Social psychologist
• Van Jones, TV host, author, changemaker
• Sylvia A. Earle, Ocean scientist
• Maya Higa, Content creator for wildlife conservation
• Yinka Ilori, Designer of joy
• Azusa Murakami, Artist
• … and many more speakers illuminating the path forward in tech, culture, climate and what’s next

Watch TED2026 beginning Monday, April 13 »

Join us at TED2026 in Vancouver, April 13–17

The future has never felt more volatile. Politically, technologically and culturally, the rules are being rewritten. At TED2026 we’re upping our level of ambition and conducting a global search to identify the most powerful speakers from every corner of planet Earth. They’ll share ideas that change everything in a program brimming with the world’s greatest innovators, dreamers, creators and doers — focused on building no less than a better future for all.

Join us in Vancouver, BC, Canada, April 13–17, for TED2026 and hear from:

• Keith Coleman, VP of product at X
• Sylvia A. Earle, Ocean scientist
• Jonathan Haidt, Social psychologist
• Maya Higa, Content creator for wildlife conservation
• Steve Huffman, Cofounder and CEO of Reddit
• Yinka Ilori, Designer of joy
• Van Jones, TV host, author, changemaker
• Azusa Murakami, Artist
• Keke Palmer, Multihyphenate entertainer
• Malala Yousafzai, Nobel laureate, education activist
• … and more than 70 other speakers illuminating the path forward in tech, culture, climate and what’s next

TED2026 is more than a conference; it’s the grand finale of an unforgettable chapter in Vancouver. This year, we’re pulling out all the stops. Get ready for a week of immersive experiences, powerful storytelling and a joyful send-off to the city that’s been our home for more than a decade. Over the course of a transformative week of ideas and connections, experience thought-provoking TED Talks each day and customize your schedule with hands-on workshops, Discovery Sessions and interactive spaces that ignite meaningful human connection. From the electric moments in our iconic theater to the magic of spontaneous connections that become lifelong friendships, every detail has been designed to inspire, uplift and celebrate.

Learn more and apply to attend »

TED Idea Search: Meet the thinkers competing for a spot on the biggest stage for ideas

Over the past year, TED has been traveling the world (literally!) in search of powerful ideas — and the people bold enough to share them.

The result? A 9-part series that pulls back the curtain on what it’s actually like to deliver a TED Talk.

In each episode, you’ll step into a new city and meet the speakers bringing their ideas to the red circle and competing for a spot on the main stage at TED2026 in Vancouver. You’ll go backstage with them into rehearsal rooms and witness the nerves, the breakthroughs and the moments when an idea finally comes into focus. From a rock balancer and a disability specialist to a whale scientist and a bad-breath researcher, see the people shaping the future in their own communities — and learn what it takes to bring those ideas to the TED stage.

Sydney: Inside a theatre tucked in a library, a whale scientist and an Olympian took center stage — a reminder that compelling ideas can come from anywhere (and anyone).

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Mumbai: In this episode, speakers explore everything from rock balancing to healthcare innovation, reflecting the range of ideas that make it to the TED stage.

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Athens: Athens has celebrated big ideas for millennia — and it’s still not done. From the science of bad breath to the factories of the future, this episode moves from the deeply personal to the forward-looking.

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Lagos: With one of the most electric audiences of the series, Lagos delivered talks ranging from renewable energy to the art of tailoring that celebrates a small town’s craft.

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London: From a civil engineer revealing the invisible infrastructure shaping our cities to a classical singer uncovering the erased history of women in music, the speakers in London prove that the most powerful ideas are both deeply personal and impossible to ignore.

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Singapore: In Singapore, a diver-turned-ocean-restorer, a scientist growing building materials out of fungus, and a government insider reimagining public institutions make the case that the most transformative ideas are already taking root

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Chicago: A chemist saving endangered species with precision medicine, a journalist building tools for hard conversations, a runner mapping every street of a divided city: these are the kinds of ideas 10 Chicagoans bring to the red circle.

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Buenos Aires: In a warehouse full of opera sets, 10 speakers deliver ideas as bold Buenos Aires itself, from a reframing of “brain rot” as diplomacy to the future of robotic medicine.

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Amman: Inside a 2,000-year-old Roman amphitheater, a mountaineer who turned grief into motivation, a therapist rewriting the Arab world’s language around mental health and other incredible speakers make the case that the best ideas can come from anywhere.

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Watch the full series of TED Idea Search on YouTube and TED.com.

The most popular TED Talks of 2025 — and what’s next for 2026

As 2025 winds down, take a moment to revisit the ideas that defined the year — through TED Talks that sparked curiosity, challenged assumptions and left us dreaming. TED’s end-of-year playlists gather the moments that stirred the biggest conversations and offered fresh inspiration as we head into 2026.

Here are the talks everyone obsessed over in 2025 — from deepfakes and AI to breakthroughs shaping our future:

Dive into the conversations that lit up 2025, sparking global debate on AI, geopolitics, parenting and more:

Check out this year’s TED-Ed hits — fascinating lessons on science, myths, health and the mysteries of everyday life:

Tune into the podcast episodes that defined the year, bringing fresh insight to creativity, climate, culture and well-being:

Explore 10 standout talks that left a mark on 2025 — brilliant ideas on art, space and civic engagement:

Start the year strong with talks on movement, immunity and the small habits that help you thrive:

Uncove talks that unlock clarity, creativity and calm — so you can think sharper and feel more grounded in 2026:

Here’s your comprehensive guide to the AI shifts transforming work, creativity and daily life:

Meet the thinkers turning bold ideas into real change across climate, health, public safety and economic justice:

TED finds its next stage in San Diego

In 1984, TED emerged in California with a radical proposition: that technology, entertainment and design were converging in ways that could change how we see the world. That idea became a global movement, and four decades later, we’re returning to our roots to begin a new chapter. Beginning in 2027, the annual flagship TED conference will make its home in San Diego, California.

This decision follows a rigorous, two-year process centered on infrastructure, community and the ability to scale TED’s mission in meaningful ways. San Diego positions us at the literal and cultural crossroads of innovation: a city where biotech breakthroughs happen alongside innovations in entertainment and media, where the Pacific Rim meets Latin America, and where some of the world’s most urgent challenges are already being tackled. For TED, the choice is as symbolic as it is strategic.

A bigger stage for bolder ideas

Anchored in San Diego’s waterfront district, the conference will center around the San Diego Convention Center, alongside other iconic venues across the city. This expanded footprint creates new opportunities for community engagement, allowing TED to grow its programming while preserving the intimacy and curation that define the TED experience.

San Diego’s venue capacity opens space for fresh programming formats and new participation models that serve TED’s global community. We’re finalizing these details now, with specifics on 2027 programming, pass structures and pricing to be announced following the 2026 conference — our final year in Vancouver.

“TED has always been about bringing unlikely voices together,” says Monique Ruff-Bell, TED’s chief program and strategy officer. “San Diego represents where we’re heading next — a community built on collaboration, a city tackling the challenges that matter most, and a place where the future is already being imagined. This is where global meets local, where innovation meets impact.”

At the heart of this region is a powerful idea — that borders don’t define innovation; people do. The Tijuana–San Diego corridor embodies a binational identity where ideas, talent and cultures move freely. For TED, an organization built on the belief that ideas transcend boundaries, the choice is as symbolic as it is strategic.

TED’s presence also represents a meaningful investment in San Diego’s innovation ecosystem. Our experience in Vancouver demonstrated how hosting the flagship TED conference strengthens a city’s cultural and economic fabric — supporting local suppliers, creating job opportunities and amplifying the region’s voice on the global stage. Over the last two years, TED’s Vancouver operations produced a total regional economic impact of over $16 million annually. In San Diego, we’re committed to deepening connections and contributing to a community already shaping tomorrow’s breakthroughs. 

Our unwavering commitment to global community

The return to California marks our homecoming, but TED’s mission remains borderless. With more than 13,000 TEDx events held to date across 150 countries spanning Europe and Africa to Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, TED intentionally curates spaces around the globe where ideas are examined deeply, shared openly and met with genuine curiosity.

After 12 remarkable years in Vancouver, we are profoundly grateful for the partnership and warmth that made TED thrive in Canada. That city will always hold a special place in TED’s story, and we look forward to celebrating that legacy this spring at TED2026. 

Stay tuned for more updates and register for TED2026: All of Us in Vancouver — where we’ll celebrate a city that helped define a generation of TED moments and look forward to our next chapter, together.

An electric day 3 of TEDNext 2025

For day 3 of TEDNext 2025, two magical sessions of talks put forward ideas on how to grow thoughtfully, think radically and redesign a better world. With stories from our AI-powered present (and future) as well as a healthy dose of ingenious human problem-solving, the talks of day 3 surprised, delighted and shed new light on what it means to be human right now.

What exactly is TEDNext? A vibrant, three-day exploration of what’s next, propelling the “future you” to think expansively at every level, from personal to global. The second-ever TEDNext conference, held in Atlanta, continues an expansion of the annual slate of conferences from TED, with a conference designed to spark imagination, embrace possibility and foster dreams about what the next version of “you” can be.

Watch TEDNext 2025 on TED Live, check out more photos from the event and learn more about attending a future TED conference.

Some key takeaways from day 3:

The line between awe and indoctrination — and how to actually seek happiness. Writer and podcaster Amanda Montell thinks we’re living through the “cult-iest” era on record, as the hard-wired cognitive biases that helped early humans survive brush up against Information Age tools and communication tactics. She shares how to recognize the strategies and language tricks cults use to coerce — from thought-terminating clichés designed to shut down independent reflection to loaded buzzwords that feel like enlightenment — as well as some crucial tips to help you preserve the ability to think for yourself. Approaching our need for fulfillment from a different angle, happiness scientist Sonja Lyubomirsky distills the essential lessons from scientific research into humanity’s most sought-after emotion: happiness. Her number one hack? To approach conversations with others as experiences designed to take walls down, not changes to share your highlight reel. By sharing deeply and listening to learn, Lyubomirsky thinks we can all unlock the potential for happiness inside of us.

Some pro-human takes on AI and algorithms. How do we stay “real” when algorithms and chatbots are constantly influencing our behavior to the benefit of platforms like ChatGPT, Spotify, X and others? Etymologist and content creator Adam Aleksic sounds the alarm on how AI tools are changing how we communicate — down to our very word choices — and, possibly, rewiring the underlying patterns of our thoughts, encouraging us to remember that these emerging tools aren’t neutral. Self-described “dumb questions” advocate Nayeema Raza picks up the thread of AI tools hijacking our lives — not with an anti-tech tech, but with a pro-human one. She makes a case for the return of three old habits — to pause and notice our urge to reach for our devices, to live in wonder and to ask questions out loud instead of in private — to reconnect with what actually matters in our lives.

Tech meets the natural world. After watching a series of wildfires rage around his home in Northern California in 2019, civic tech pioneer John Mills had a simple question: Where is the information? With firefighters relying on communications technology from the 1930s, often the answer was: too little, too late and too sporadic. Enter Watch Duty, a non-profit alert system Mills created with the help of a few radio operators and volunteer engineers from Silicon Valley. Developed in an 80-day sprint, Watch Duty beat government alert systems by nearly an hour just a handful of days after it launched, and it has continued to provide residents and first responders with the life-saving heads-up they need to escape danger, proving that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can indeed change the world. Telling another story from the positive side of tech, ocean explorer Eric Stackpole takes us into the murky depths to explore the mysterious worlds of sperm whales. Sequestered aboard a ship filming a show for National Geographic during the early days of the COVID pandemic, Stackpole and his colleagues concocted a “very maker-y” camera rig that ended up revealing a previously unreachable world — capturing footage of sperm whales communicating and coordinating for the first time on camera. “The question isn’t: ‘What can we explore?'” Stackpole says. “The real question is: ‘What will we wonder about next?'”

New thinking on pain, the mind and body. We’ve let our screens quietly train our days into locked-down stillness, says journalist and host of NPR’s TED Radio Hour, Manoush Zomorodi, and it’s led to many of us feeling exhausted most of the time. She makes the case that tiny, regular bursts of activity baked into our days — known as “movement breaks” — can flip the body’s switches, brightening mood, sharpening focus and even regulating blood sugar. That same spirit of rethinking the obvious extends to how we think itself: in a personal talk exploring the mind’s eye, puzzle wizard and editorial director of TED-Ed Animations Alex Rosenthal shows how our inner worlds can vary wildly, and that when we build teams across those differences, creativity and problem‑solving multiply. Taking that openness into the clinic, Dr. Sanjay Gupta explores new thoughts on pain — how it isn’t just a signal in tissue but a story shaped by environment, history, sleep and support. He reveals how light, movement and connection might be as therapeutic as medicine.

The signs are everywhere — we need to stop and appreciate the wonder of the world. For a dash of whimsy, photographer and wildlife enthusiast Tom Sullam embarks on a romp through a series of ever-more-amusing wildlife photos, explaining how a sense of humor could help us get more connected to nature. In another hilarious photographic journey, designer and professor Kate Canales shares her obsession with hand-made signs — the subtle, helpful and oftentimes hysterical extra instructions we add to point-of-sale machines, doors and conspicuously in bathrooms. “No matter how you might feel about the advancement of technology in our everyday lives, these signs are evidence that humans still need each other in real life to do some of the simplest things,” she says.

Watch TEDNext 2025 on TED Live, check out more photos from the event and learn more about attending a future TED conference.

3 vital AI conversations we’ll explore together at TEDAI Vienna

Artificial intelligence has become one of the great topics of our age. We read about it daily, we marvel at its abilities, and we worry about its dangers. Beneath the excitement and anxiety, there are some deeper conversations we are still failing to have: questions about how we — as thinkers, leaders and builders — can shape the world we will all have to live in with AI. And the window to answer these questions is closing fast.

That’s why, for three remarkable days, we will gather in the heart of Europe, in Vienna, Austria, to dedicate our time and attention to the most crucial conversations on AI — and especially the ones we are not yet having. These are questions that shape how our daily lives unfold, how our markets operate and how our political systems function. At TEDAI Vienna, we will create space for nuance and contradiction, foster genuine debate and dive into three conversations — uncomfortable and yet necessary — that we must have at this moment in history before it’s too late. 

1. AI and the erosion – or evolution –  of critical thinking

In the age of AI, there’s a growing risk that we’ll grow accustomed to answers that come too easily. We might one day realize that what we’ve lost isn’t our intelligence but, perhaps even worse, our patience for thinking. The beauty and burden of critical thinking isn’t about knowing the answer: it’s about learning how to doubt, to compare, to weigh and to hold a question in the mind long enough to see its complexities. At TEDAI Vienna, researcher Advait Sarkar will premiere new work tools which, if used well, can become a partner in this process: tools that ask us better questions, challenge our assumptions and sharpen our reasoning. But we can’t allow the conversation to stop there. As technological progress accelerates at astonishing speed, we must ask ourselves: What could thinking and consciousness look like for a superintelligent mind? Philosopher Joscha Bach will lead us through this profound question and share his latest research insights from the frontier of machine consciousness.

2. AI is beyond Silicon Valley

We often speak of AI as if it were born in just one small corner of the world. But in truth, AI is now everywhere. At TEDAI Vienna, we’ll hear from Oriol Vinyals, technical lead of Gemini at Google DeepMind, on how AI is being advanced in research labs in the UK; from policymakers such as Henna Virkkunen, executive vice president of the EU Commission, shaping its governance; from Hiroaki Kitano, president of Sony CSL in Japan, applying it to robotics; from Mercedes Bidart, empowering micro-entrepreneurs in Colombia to harness its potential; and from Bolor-Erdene Battsengel, bringing it into classrooms across Mongolia.

We can no longer afford to view AI through the lens of a single location or discipline. Our world, our economies, our lives, are too interconnected. The rules we set in one place will reverberate everywhere, while the benefits and harms will know no borders. To guide AI wisely, we need the insights, values and priorities of a truly global conversation — and it will require the participation of each and every one of us.

3. AI is not a race to be won, but a home to be built

We often describe AI in the language of competition: a race. The problem with a race is that it ends at a finish line. There are clear winners and losers, and once it’s over, there is little thought for what comes next. 

A more helpful metaphor might be that of building a home. A home is created slowly, with care and cooperation. It involves many skills and perspectives: architects and builders, but also designers, leaders, educators, economists and the people who will live there, shaping it with their needs and hopes. A home must be safe, open to visitors and strong enough to last through storms.

If we thought of building AI as building a home, we might place more value on the long-term work of trust, fairness and accessibility. We might remember that everyone — whether they helped design it or not — will have to live within its walls. And we might focus less on being the fastest to build it and more on ensuring it is worth inhabiting.

Few people in the world can speak to this better than Verity Harding, who will take the stage at TEDAI Vienna to share her incisive view on why the arms-race metaphor is leading us astray, and how we might instead imagine a better and bolder path forward.

These three conversations — about our thinking habits, the global nature of AI and the metaphors we use — are not peripheral. They are the foundation for a future in which AI is not something that happens to us but something we shape together. From TED Talks to small-circle debates, from deep-dive thematic dinners to relaxed get-togethers, at TEDAI Vienna we’re building an environment to hold space for these conversations. Whether you’re a technology builder, a business leader, a creative or a researcher, now is the time to show up and help lay the foundations of the AI future we will all inhabit.

TED Countdown Summit 2025 kicks off in Nairobi, Kenya

TED Countdown Summit 2025 officially kicked off today in Nairobi, Kenya, bringing together a visionary group of global innovators, business executives, scientists, policymakers, next-generation leaders, artists and activists. This year’s gathering, taking place June 16-18, comes at a pivotal moment, as the world’s institutions falter and uncertainty mounts about the future. Yet, the Summit is grounded in optimism, highlighting real progress — from booming clean energy industries in China to the end of coal in the UK and Kenya’s own leadership in renewable energy and youth-driven innovation.

By convening in Nairobi — a city at the forefront of Africa’s energy transition and home to one of the world’s greenest electricity grids — the Summit aims to harness the collective wisdom and creativity of its diverse participants. Over the coming days, attendees will collaborate to fast-track solutions, bridge divides and inspire new commitments to climate action. With support from local partners and a global network of changemakers including Countdown’s Strategic Partners, Vision Council and TED Future Forum, the Summit aims to bring the best ideas from around the world to the TED stage, united in a commitment to building a brighter future.

Check out the full speaker program — featuring Nobel laureate Al Gore, environmental peacemaker Nada Majdalani, clean energy visionary Lei Zhang and many more — and watch out for talks from the Summit to be published on TED.com soon.

Explore the “Loop” at TED2025 — in photos

Sure, a TED conference is about the talks — but there’s a whole other side to the TED experience that makes our flagship annual event magical. The playful exhibits, communal art, groundbreaking tech, coffee shops and delicious treats that comprised the “Loop” at TED2025 were designed to provide attendees with moments of connection, rest and excitement. Below, explore some highlights that made this year’s Loop a labyrinth of endless discovery. (Plus, check out our live coverage of the conference and keep an eye out for new TED Talks from TED2025.)

TED2025 Photo Team: Felicia Chang, Ella De Gea Truelove, Jason Redmond, Callie Shields, Gilberto Tadday, Jasmina Tomic and Elizabeth Zeeuw

Unlimited imagination: The epic interstitials of TED2025

The interstitials of TED2025: Humanity Reimagined helped answer the question: “What are humans for in the age of AI?” Showcasing the work of creatives from around the world, these shorts offered an uplifting and, at times, humorous response to anxieties around AI and the state of the world, highlighting how humans always find new ways to innovate, create and thrive.

The following shorts were curated for TED2025 by TED producer CC Hutten in collaboration with Flux Festival creative director Jonathan Wells.

OK Go — “Love”

Directed by Damian Kulash, Aaron Duffy, Miguel Espada

The TED audience got an exclusive first look at OK Go’s brilliant new video the day before its public release. The intricately choreographed “Love” was filmed in a single continuous take (number 39) inside a historic train station in Budapest, using 29 robotic arms and 60 mirrors.

“Submerged”

Created by Jason Zada based on TED2025 audience prompts

Jason Zada is an American filmmaker, creative technologist and creator of the viral “Elf Yourself” holiday season advertising campaign. In an inspired collaboration at TED2025, he took prompts from the audience to create this generative AI video. Featuring a sock with googly eyes, a beaver with a monocle and a steampunk futuristic world, this experiment shows that human creativity matched with AI can have wondrous results.

“Ready/Not Ready” — An AI experiment for TED2025 

Directed by Ari Kuschnir, founder of m ss ng p eces

Ari and m ss ng peces have been connected to TED since 2007, when they were first invited to film and share TED with the world. This year, Ari was commissioned  to create one of his AI short experiments, and he chose to explore the question: “What would happen if an alien came to Earth now (and gave a TED Talk along the way)?”

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Jungle — “Let’s Go Back”

Directed by Charlie Di Placido

The official video for Jungle’s “Let’s Go Back” features some very real and very talented human dancers performing electric choreography. 

“Tiny Pocket”

Performed by Elle Cordova and Toni Lindgren

Elle Cordova is an American singer-songwriter, lead of the folk rock band Reina del Cid and a former TED speaker. In this short, she sings about the mystery of the tiny pocket on blue jeans, a question many of us might have pondered before.

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“The Drill”

Created by the Dor Brothers

Berlin-based AI video production company the Dor Brothers created a playful AI-generated music video starring some familiar faces. In all their work, the Dor Brothers aim to push the boundaries of AI art using recognizable public figures. 

“Shackle” (excerpt)

Written and directed by Ainslie Henderson

A mesmerizing and intricate stop motion animation starring three adorable woodland sprites, this short film explores the very human reasons of why we create and who we create for.

WWF — “In Hot Water” (excerpt)

Directed by Yannis Konstantinidis, Agency/Production Co.: NOMINT

Music: “No Surprises” by Radiohead

NOMINT, an award-winning animation production company, delivers a stop motion film shot entirely on a thermal camera. Using Radiohead’s moving “No Surprises”, the short film highlights the urgency of our climate crisis.

Coldplay — “We Pray”

Various directors

Taken from A Film For The Future, the 44-minute visual companion to Coldplay’s tenth studio album Moon Music. In the creation of their visual film, Coldplay also showcased collaboration with AI by partnering with Microsoft to launch an AI-powered remix experience, allowing fans to interact with the film.

“Macro Pollock”

Animated and directed by Phil Evans

A short video showing artist Phil Evans’s unique works of art painted directly onto Super 8 film. Colorful, unique and a reminder of how many ways there are to create.

@superprocess

Macro Pollock #2danimation #handmade #super8film #handdrawn #motiondesign #fyp #foryou

♬ original sound – superanimations

Lawrence — “Whatcha Want (acoustic-ish)”

Directed by Gracie Lawrence and Clyde Lawrence

As the title suggests, this is an “acoustic-ish” live performance by the band Lawrence. With incredible vocals and wildly mood-lifting beats, this performance is a testament to the power of song.

“Ideas Are Like Fish” — David Lynch animated tribute

Created by Yuval Haker

Animation: Arthur Guttilla & Zoë Kahana

Sound design: Joe Basile

Featuring an interview sound bite from American Film Institute

A sweet animated ode to David Lynch and his incredible impact, featuring his own words on creativity and the true genesis of an idea. 

Telefónica — “Neuron”

Directed by Nicolás Méndez

Production Company: CANADA

Agency: &Rosas

Beginning with the smallest example — a neuron reaching for connection — this beautiful short film tells a story of humanity, reminding us of the importance of maintaining and creating connections between people. 

“Cats Working In The Forbidden City” (excerpt)

Created by Ring Hyacinth and Simon Lee

Have you ever wondered about a cat’s commute to work? This short film creates a whimsical alternate reality for the felines that inhabit the Forbidden City complex in Beijing, China.

Ffern — “A Dance on Wild Ice”

Directed by Sam Finney

This scenic and breathtaking short was shot on 16mm at Whitegoat Lakes, to the north of Banff National Park. Featuring professional figure skaters Carlotta Edwards and Elladj Baldé, it’s a testament to human athleticism and artistry. 

“We flow together like water”

Created by James Gerde

This animation created with the help of AI depicts characters made out of water enjoying a teeter totter, reminding us of our shared humanity. 

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“You can abuse a robot”

Created by Dan Yang

A humorous but timely question: How nice do we have to be to robots? Will we regret not being nice to robots while we still can? This short proves that laughter can be very thought-provoking. 

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Jeshi — “3210”

Directed by Will Dohrn

An ode to patience and craftsmanship, this short film is actually comprised of 4,000 photos. Featuring music by Jeshi, the video takes viewers on a strikingly smooth journey through captured movement. 

ArtistsCAN — “Lean On Me”

Conceptualized by musicians Tyler Shaw and Fefe Dobson

Video produced by The Young Astronauts

To celebrate the late singer-songwriter Bill Withers, an assembly of some of  Canada’s most influential artists came together to sing his song “Lean on Me.” Filmed during 2020, this short also raised donations to support the Canadian Red Cross and their COVID-19  initiatives. 

What’s next for AI? A conversation with OpenAI’s Sam Altman — live at TED2025

The AI revolution is here to stay, says Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI. In a probing, live conversation with head of TED Chris Anderson, Altman discusses the astonishing growth of AI and shows how models like ChatGPT could soon become extensions of ourselves. He also addresses questions of safety, power and moral authority, reflecting on the world he envisions — where AI will almost certainly outpace human intelligence. Watch the full interview.

An epic day 5 of TED2025

As the curtain falls on TED2025: Humanity Reimagined, a week spent at the intersection of innovation and introspection comes into focus. This year’s conference wove together themes reflecting our complex, rapidly evolving world — from the awe-inspiring potential and sobering risks of artificial intelligence to nature-inspired solutions for the world’s most challenging problems. More than eighty speakers and performers challenged us to reimagine established systems, harness the power of community and navigate the delicate balance between technological progress and ethical responsibility. One final session on day 5 revealed how our collective wisdom and action have never been more crucial in shaping the future we want to see. Below, a few highlights:

The AI revolution is here to stay, says Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI. In a probing conversation with head of TED Chris Anderson — now available to watch in full on TED’s YouTube channel — Altman discusses the astonishing growth of AI and shows how models like ChatGPT could eventually, over the course of our lifetimes, become extensions of ourselves. He also touches on the prospect of AGI — which won’t arrive in a singular moment, he says, but rather through a gradual evolution — and explores the rise of agentic AI, stressing the importance of designing guardrails to mitigate potential risk. He also addresses questions of safety, power and moral authority, reflecting on the world he envisions, where AI will almost certainly outpace human intelligence.

The unconscious ways we influence each other. Documentary podcaster Dan Taberski investigates a case from 2011, when a group of high school girls in LeRoy, New York, suddenly developed tics like those present with Tourette syndrome. As panic spread, so did the symptoms, leading experts to diagnose it as a case of mass psychogenic illness. Taberski explores what this disorder reveals about the power of stress and trauma, showing that mass hysteria isn’t just a historical phenomenon — it still happens today.

Hope isn’t just a feeling — it’s a tool for action. Climate activist Xiye Bastida shares how learning from nature’s resilience, trusting Indigenous knowledge and using imagination to build a better future can ignite meaningful change. By keeping the fire in our hearts strong and embracing the leadership of those who’ve protected the planet for generations, Bastida shows how to turn fear and despair into momentum.

Our universal medicine: silence. In a moving, personal talk to close the conference, author Pico Iyer reflects on the death of his father and how, in the midst of overwhelming grief and responsibility, he found clarity and strength in a few hours of deep silence by the ocean. In a noisy world, Iyer says, silence is a powerful, living presence that any of us can tap into to reconnect with ourselves and those around us.

Will democracy survive technology? An urgent TED Talk from Carole Cadwalladr at TED2025

“We are watching the collapse of the international order in real time, and this is just the start,” says investigative journalist Carole Cadwalladr. In a searing talk — the first published from TED2025: Humanity Reimagined — she details a fast-moving technological coup and the rise of the “broligarchy”: an unprecedentedly powerful class of tech executives (like Elon Musk) who are complicit in dismantling democracy and enabling authoritarian control across the world. She shares a guide on how to digitally disobey in this age of runaway corporate power, data harvesting and mass surveillance — and reminds you that you have more power than you think. Watch the full talk on TED.com.

The TED Theater at TED2025, in photos

For one remarkable week each year, a wing of the Vancouver Convention Centre in Vancouver, BC, Canada transforms into the TED Theater: a custom-built, 1,200-seat space that hosts bold ideas designed to spark conversation, deepen our collective understanding and ignite meaningful change. In a world where so many familiar roles are ripe for re-invention, TED2025 poses the urgent question: “What are humans for?” — and challenges us to harness our full creativity, imagination and curiosity to envision a future we can genuinely look forward to. Below, find a sampling of the stunning photography from TED2025. And check out our live coverage of the conference and keep an eye out for new TED Talks from TED2025.

TED2025 Photo Team: Felicia Chang, Ella De Gea Truelove, Jason Redmond, Callie Shields, Gilberto Tadday, Jasmina Tomic and Elizabeth Zeeuw

What we learned at day 2 of TED2025

Celebrating the joy of learning unexpected things, day 2 of TED2025 kicks off with a bang — or, more specifically, a howl, as we learn about the communication of wolves. From there, speakers explore a wide range of ideas, from the surprising parallels between evolution and language to jaw-dropping live demos of humanoid robots, AI-powered 3D games and more. Learn about bold visions for cleaning up the ocean, ending child hunger and aligning AI with humanity’s best interests. Are you ready to dive into what you didn’t know you needed to know?

Day 2 included talks curated by linguist John McWhorter, creative technologist Bilawal Sidhu and educator and podcaster Liv Boeree. Here are some key takeaways:

From wolves to humans, communication shapes survival and success. With the help of AI, we’re closer to understanding animal conversations. Linguist and software engineer Jeffrey T. Reed’s research on wolf vocalizations reveals how these creatures use sound not just for survival but also to negotiate, signal and stay in sync. This mirrors human communication, as cognitive scientist Steven Pinker suggests, where “common knowledge” allows us to do everything from navigating cities to sparking revolutions through coordinated action. None of this would be possible without the ever-evolving relationship between genes and language, explored in a fascinating conversation between evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins and linguist John McWhorter (who also guest curated and hosted Session 2 of TED2025). Whether it’s a peacock’s colorful display, a wolf’s howl to reunite with its pack or a poet’s words to inspire — communication is the thread that ties us all together.

Bold takes on parenting and the role of culture in today’s biggest challenges. Journalist Lenore Skenazy makes the case that giving kids more independence, instead of micromanaging their every move, helps build resilience and — counterintuitively — eases both parents’ and children’s anxiety. Economist and entrepreneur Roland Fryer brings real-world perspective to how systemic inequalities shape our world. While hip-hop often gets blamed for its controversial lyrics, he flips the script, showing how the genre can reflect deeper societal issues, offering a voice to the unheard and shedding light on the complexities of race, class and opportunity in a way few other mediums can.

Technology continues to infiltrate our lives. In a series of live demos, speakers show how technology is poised to integrate even more deeply into our daily lives. Roboticist Bernt Børnich brings the robot NEO onstage, showing that humanoid home helpers are no longer science fiction — they’re just around the corner. Meanwhile, Shahram Izadi takes us inside the development of Google’s new Android XR platform, which aims to give users the power of AI (on their faces) via headsets and smart glasses. Lastly, technologist Kiran Bhat previews the future of AI-powered 3D gaming, building an immersive, wintry Japanese village with only a series of text prompts.

Inside the high-tech arms race. AI in warfare is no longer a hypothetical — it’s an inevitability, says Palmer Luckey, an inventor and founder of defense technology company Anduril Industries. He asserts that the US military must embrace mass-producible, AI-powered autonomous weapons in order to overwhelm adversaries with technological superiority. The stakes are no less than the ability to protect our way of life for a generation, he says: We need to summon every possible advantage to win.

Africa has a blueprint for feeding children sustainably and at scale. Food trailblazer Wawira Njiru urges a reimagining of Africa not as a crisis zone but as the source of innovative solutions to child hunger. By focusing on school meals that use locally grown foods, engaging local communities and governments and innovating with simple but powerful technology, her nonprofit Food4Education has served more than 100 million meals — and they’re showing no signs of slowing down. With support from the Audacious Project, TED’s innovative funding initiative, Food4Education will feed one million kids daily in Kenya by 2030 and two million more across Africa, offering a blueprint for the rest of the world to follow in ensuring that every child has access to nutritious food.

Protecting the planet from every angle. On a scuba trip in Greece as a teenager, marine custodian Boyan Slat found more plastic bags than fish in the water. This shocking experience sparked The Ocean Cleanup, an ambitious effort to use technology to capture ocean trash at its source. After an initial (and very public) setback, Slat has now deployed trash “Interceptors” in eight countries, capable of capturing millions of kilograms of plastic in just hours of deployment, with plans to expand to 30 more countries. Back on land, farm animal welfare champion Lewis Bollard pulls back the curtain on the everyday horrors of factory farming — from crowded cages for hens to crates that confine pregnant pigs — and reveals how consumer demand has already driven major corporate and legislative reforms. By blending big data, inventive tech and grassroots pressure, Slat and Bollard illustrate that massive environmental problems can be tackled — if we decide to act.

We urgently need to find the “narrow path” to building safe AI — before it’s too late. The current path of AI development is dangerous, unsustainable and “insane,” says technologist Tristan Harris, as profit- and influence-seeking companies create frontier models that are proving themselves to be untrustworthy and downright deceitful. But creating an AI dystopia is not inevitable — rather, it’s a choice we’re making. By gaining clarity on the risks and taking cues from how humanity has faced other existential challenges, like nuclear proliferation and ozone depletion, we can find what Harris calls the “narrow path,” where AI is rolled out into society with wisdom and foresight — and where powers match responsibility.

5 things we learned at day 1 of TED2025

Buckle up: It’s time for TED! In a classically eclectic opening session of TED2025, seven speakers and a performer explore the big issues of the day — from the rise of techno-authoritarianism and the existential threat of superhuman AI to the rebirth of Notre-Dame de Paris and signs of progress from around the world. Also, the humanoid helper NEO opens the show … because what would TED be without a surprise cameo from a robot?

Here are some key takeaways from day 1:

Politics is technology now. In the searing opening talk of TED2025, investigative journalist Carole Cadwalladr explores how a fast-moving technological coup is threatening democracy around the world. The alignment of corporate power, massive data collection and emerging autocratic regimes has created what she calls “the broligarchy” — an unprecedentedly powerful class of tech bro oligarchs who are complicit in enabling authoritarian control on a scale never seen before. She says it’s time for people to digitally disobey: don’t accept cookies, don’t use your real name, use encrypted messaging services like Signal and support those defending data rights and freedom of expression. “Privacy is power, and we have more of it than we think,” Cadwalladr says.

With AI, we are playing with fire. Computer scientist Yoshua Bengio is at the forefront of deep learning research and AI development — and he’s also a leading voice in the effort to curb the risks of superhuman AI. He explains why, as AI develops tendencies to deceive, cheat and self-preserve, the world should treat the risk of extinction from AI as a global priority alongside pandemics and nuclear war. He also presents a technical solution to the problem: “scientist AI,” an intrinsically safe and trustworthy version of the technology developed as a global public good and used for human flourishing.

An artist-powered revolution is coming. Streaming platforms, corporate gatekeepers and now AI have systematically eroded the power of artists, as musicians, writers, designers and other creative people struggle to earn a living. The solution? Writer and entrepreneur Yancey Stickler suggests that a radical new legal structure — the “Artist Corporation” — could give creators real economic and organizational power by pooling resources, sharing ownership and attracting investment on their own terms. Artists don’t need pity or prestige prices, Strickler says. They need a seat at the table.

One of history’s most iconic cathedrals, reborn from the ashes. Led by chief architect Philippe Villeneuve, the revival of Notre-Dame de Paris following a massive fire in 2019 is more than a rebuild — it’s a blueprint for future restoration efforts. Drawing on time-honored techniques, Villeneuve shares how a team of craftspeople and experts came together to bring new life to this Gothic masterpiece — a bold act fueled by passion, precision and purpose.

Hope still exists, if you know where to look. From a groundbreaking malaria vaccine saving children to a sharp drop in Amazon deforestation, journalist Angus Hervey puts a spotlight on overlooked breakthroughs in a world teetering between collapse and progress. He reveals how humanity is persistently making strides toward a better future — even if these stories are regularly missing from the headlines.

Grow: Notes from Session 6 of TEDNext 2024

The right idea at the right time can bring people together to change the world — but only if minds are open and ready to keep learning. For the final session of TEDNext 2024, an extraordinary group of speakers and performers showed us how to get ready to reach new heights.

The event: Talks from Session 6 of TEDNext 2024, hosted by TED’s Monique Ruff-Bell and Helen Walters

When and where: Thursday, October 24, 2024, at Pullman Yards in Atlanta, Georgia

Speakers and performers: Dave Raggio, Leopoldo Lopez, Marc Bamuthi Joseph, Wendy Whelan, Natasha Rothwell, Kasley Killam, Masego

Watch TEDNext 2024 on TED Live, check out more photos from the event and learn more about attending a future TED conference

The talks in brief:

“Intrapreneur” Dave Raggio shares the lessons he’s learned in becoming vice president of Intuit SMB MediaLabs, an ad-targeting solution for small businesses. To successfully innovate within the confines of a large corporation, he says, you need to get early buy-in from colleagues, listen to critical feedback and recognize the company’s risk tolerance. “Work with the system,” says Raggio — you might move slower, but your product will be better for it.

A world dominated by autocracy is a world with far less possibilities for any of the things that matter to you, says Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez. In a rousing call to defend democracy worldwide, he tracks the rise of autocracy over the last decade, shares his own story of imprisonment and exile and discusses the vision behind the World Liberty Congress, an alliance of leaders from 56 autocratic countries aimed at organizing a united front against authoritarianism.

Can art pave the way for a politically divided nation to move forward? Kennedy Center VP and TED Fellow Marc Bamuthi Joseph reflects on the roles of art, memory and healing through the lens of forgiveness. Joined by Wendy Whelan, associate artistic director for the New York City Ballet, they perform “Carnival of the Animals,” highlighting how creativity can foster empathy.

Writer, actor, producer and director Natasha Rothwell takes the stage for “On the Spot,” TED’s new interactive Q&A format. Answering a stream of unexpected questions, she dishes on everything from creativity and representation in TV to love, the best job advice she’s ever received and the first “pinch me” moment of her career.

Loneliness is a growing crisis with many ramifications, and it’s partly the result of people neglecting their “social health,” says connection connoisseur Kasley Killam. To help with your search for deeper connection, she presents her “5-3-1” guideline, which encourages interacting with five different people weekly, strengthening at least three close relationships and spending at least one hour per day connecting.

What does it mean to be a creative? Multi-instrumentalist Masego breaks down his definition, as well as one from AI, and expounds on how great art fuses the wonder of childhood with the wisdom of adulthood, before performing a totally impromptu, off-the-top song just for TEDNext.

Watch TEDNext 2024 on TED Live, check out more photos from the event and learn more about attending a future TED conference

Work: Notes from Session 3 of TEDNext 2024

Session 3 of TEDNext 2024 is all about work, featuring innovators who challenge us to think about work in new and compelling ways. They provide practical tools to navigate an ever-evolving career landscape as well as insights into avoiding burnout, working through crisis and re-evaluating the role that work plays in our lives.

The event: Talks from Session 3 of TEDNext 2024, hosted by TED’s Rachell Morris

When and where: Wednesday, October 23, 2024, at Pullman Yards in Atlanta, Georgia

Speakers: Kat Cole, Tarveen Forrester, Avani Prabhakar, Molly Graham, Dundee Gouin, Meredith Wilson Parfet, Simone Stolzoff

Watch TEDNext 2024 on TED Live, check out more photos from the event and learn more about attending a future TED conference

The talks in brief:

In a career that’s seen her go from waitress to CEO of global health company AG1, Kat Cole has discovered a key strategy for effective, forward-thinking leadership — a technique that helps her take decisive action, ignoring historical baggage and sunk costs. She calls it the “Hot Shot Rule.” It goes like this: imagine a corporate hotshot steps into your role tomorrow. What improvements would they make on day one? And which one of those can you take on right now?

Setting boundaries is easier said than done, but Tarveen Forrester, VP of people at Kickstarter, explains why doing so is essential to avoiding burnout. By communicating clearly and setting non-negotiables — whether it’s a self-care routine, 10 minutes of piano in the evening or a child’s baseball game — we can more sustainably pursue our goals.

Employees are more productive if we let them choose when and where to work, says Avani Prabhakar, chief people officer at Atlassian. She shares how, by shifting to a distributed work model (with 12,000 employees across 14 countries), her company has helped to unlock potential.

Careers today are made not by climbing stairs but by jumping off cliffs, says Molly Graham, head of The Glue Club, a community of startup leaders scaling companies. The changing nature of work rewards risk-takers, so if you’re not risking failure, Graham says, you’re doing something wrong.

There’s a famous saying: “The best time to plant a tree was 30 years ago; the second-best time is now.” Dundee Gouin of Northwestern Mutual shares five foundational tips for how to manage your wealth effectively and prepare for the unexpected.

Grief is inevitable. But as harrowing as loss can be, crisis presents unique opportunities for personal growth, helping leaders to hone their empathy and self-awareness, says Meredith Wilson Parfet of crisis management consultancy Ravenyard Group. For this growth to occur, however, we must first acknowledge that grief is grief — whether at home or in the workplace.

Work-life balance is not just about setting boundaries or knowing when to put down the phone — it’s about identifying as more than just a job. To truly achieve balance in our lives, writer and work-life expert Simone Stolzoff says we must seek out richer and more capacious ways of defining ourselves.

Watch TEDNext 2024 on TED Live, check out more photos from the event and learn more about attending a future TED conference

The Audacious Project reveals its 2024 cohort

The Audacious Project supports big ideas to foster change around the world’s most urgent challenges. Today, this innovative funding initiative, housed at TED, is announcing its new cohort of projects for 2024, which are as bold as ever — from an idea to repurpose generic drugs en masse to reach the 300 million people globally who lack viable treatments to a new initiative that will evaluate AI systems for dangerous capabilities before release.

The Audacious Project encourages the world’s greatest changemakers to dream bigger than they can imagine — then helps shape their ideas into viable multi-year plans and launch them alongside some of the biggest names in philanthropy. Cumulatively, more than $725M has been raised to support these projects, which now have the resources to begin the work. 

The 2024 cohort includes:

• Equipo Argentino de Antropología Forense (EAAF), which will build lasting forensic systems to help identify victims of human rights violations, including missing migrants and victims of wars and authoritarian regimes.
• Every Cure, which will use the power of AI to unlock new uses for generic and off-patent drugs, democratizing access to safe and effective treatments for the 300 million people that currently lack them.
• Food4Education, which will help African schoolchildren learn, grow and thrive by providing cost-effective, locally sourced and nutritious meals to one million students daily in Kenya and an additional two million in two other African countries through technical advisory support — while creating jobs for the local communities.
• Global Methane Hub, which will coordinate stakeholders worldwide to lower emissions of this dangerous greenhouse gas by 35% by targeting the three sectors responsible for 95% of human-caused emissions globally: energy, agriculture and waste.   
• The Great Barrier Reef Foundation, which will begin large-scale coral restoration across vital reefs in Australia and the Pacific, using new seeding techniques to deploy heat-tolerant corals in oceans more efficiently and with inclusion of Traditional Owners. 
• Inkomoko, which will unlock the talent and potential of more than 300,000 forcibly displaced persons by offering them financing, training and connections to the markets they are typically isolated from — demonstrating that entrepreneurship can be a pathway out of poverty for millions of displaced people.
• MapBiomas, which will map and monitor 70% of the world’s tropical forests across 20 countries, helping to stop activities like slash-and-burn farming and illegal logging, which damage forests and release the carbon they store.
• Project Canary, a collaboration between METR and RAND, which will develop and deploy rigorous safety evaluations for frontier AI systems to address potential dangers before release.
• Scaling Safety, a joint venture by the Community Based Public Safety Collective (CBPSC) and the Alliance for Safety and Justice (ASJ), which will provide much-needed support to resident-powered prevention programs that break cycles of violence, demonstrating that these programs are an essential part of public safety.
• Transcend, which will transform schools across the US by supporting school communities to identify, develop and implement new approaches to school — ultimately, leading to extraordinary and equitable outcomes for their students.

“This new cohort will present their ideas and visions onstage at upcoming TED conferences — including TED Next, TED2025 and TED Countdown — with their TED Talks released online thereafter,” said Anna Verghese, Executive Director of The Audacious Project. “They join The Audacious Project’s existing portfolio of 49 projects, where since 2018, more than $5.9 billion dollars has been catalyzed to support these projects’ visions.”

“It’s so exciting to see these inspiring visions achieve funding at this scale,” said Audacious cofounder and head of TED Chris Anderson. “The brilliance and determination of these organizations combined with the generosity, vision and collaboration of our donors is the reason Audacious was created. I can’t wait to see these projects come to life.”

TED Fellows program supporting the next generation of innovators with $3M investment from Ballmer Group

At TED, we’re after big ideas and systemic change. To create the generational impact that we want to support in our communities, we cannot go at it alone. For the past 15 years, the TED Fellows program has been committed to finding and supporting the next generation of emerging talent pushing the boundaries in their fields and working to solve the greatest challenges in their communities. 

From criminal justice reformers to education entrepreneurs, conservationists to maternal health innovators, TED provides these emerging leaders with transformational support in the form of communication training, network-building, professional coaching and amplification of their ideas and influence. To date TED Talks by Fellows have been viewed more than 450 million times. TED then nurtures this community of 500+ Fellows from more than 100 countries, connecting and supporting these changemakers over the course of their careers with the goal of having this collective braintrust create systemic change and lasting impact. Fellows directly serve more than 200 million people worldwide annually with their work.

Through their Community Impact vertical, Ballmer Group is committed to building leadership pipelines that help communities address complex issues and achieve measurable and lasting change. Announcing a $3 million commitment to fund the TED Fellows program, Eshauna Smith, Ballmer Group’s Director of Community Impact, said, “Our investment in this effort reflects our belief that advancing economic mobility at scale requires investment in the core supports and platforms needed to grow the innovations being put forth by the diverse set of talented leaders that the TED Fellows program supports.” She added, “We are excited by this partnership and look forward to learning from and with past and future Fellows.”

Lily James Olds, Director of the TED Fellows program, said, “This meaningful investment from Ballmer Group will help TED Fellows evolve and grow over the next three years in new and exciting ways. As we face the most pressing issues of our times – climate change, wealth inequality, social justice and misinformation among them – TED is more committed than ever to supporting these talented innovators pushing boundaries in their fields to create a more informed, creative and just future.”

Ballmer Group’s $3 million investment will strengthen the TED Fellows program by:

1. Elevating investment in community- and network-building among Fellows, with the goal of greater collaboration and impact
2. Providing enhanced support to Fellows who wish to broaden their audience and expand their networks
3. Evolving Fellows content through new formats, distribution models and partnerships — not only to win greater visibility for these innovators’ work but also to inspire the next generation of up-and-coming changemakers globally
4. Committing to field-building through innovative partnerships and convenings, to tackle pressing problems collectively

The Ballmer Group funding will support the TED Fellows program to continue to identify and support 10 new Fellows and 500+ alumni Fellows per year. These Fellows include innovators such as:

• Shivani Siroya, financial inclusion entrepreneur and founder of Tala, a tool that allows anyone with a cell phone to build a financial track record
• Jeffrey Gibson, multidisciplinary artist creating paintings, sculptures, installations and performances that celebrate queer and Indigenous communities
• Larry Irvin, education innovator and the CEO of Brothers Empowered to Teach, providing pathways to careers in education for Black men
• Brittany Young, socioeconomic engineer, disrupting the prison pipeline by creating opportunities in STEM and motorsports

For more information about the TED Fellows, program visit fellows.ted.com and follow on Instagram or LinkedIn.

Accelerating solutions to the climate crisis: The talks of TEDCountdown @BloombergGreenFestival

We’re midway into the decisive decade for climate change — the decisions and actions taken today will determine the way we live tomorrow. In a special evening of TED Talks, performances and conversations, TED’s global climate initiative, TED Countdown, partnered with Bloomberg Green at the Bloomberg Green Festival in Seattle to dive into the current state of climate, big-picture thinking about the economy, the interplay of climate and democracy and more.

The event: TEDCountdown@BloombergGreenFestival, a session of TED Talks presented by TED Countdown, TED’s global climate initiative, and Bloomberg Green. Hosted by Logan McClure Davda, TED’s Head of Impact, and Manoush Zomorodi, host of NPR’s TED Radio Hour.

When and where: McCaw Hall, Seattle, WA, on July 11, 2024

Speakers: Johan Rockström, Akshat Rathi, Gaya Herrington, Nathaniel Stinnett, Deb Chachra, Aline Sousa and Hrund Gunnsteinsdóttir

Music: Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter and musician Courtney Marie Andrews performs “May Your Kindness Remain” and “If I Told,” music based on a personal journey of self-discovery and introspection.

The talks in brief:

We’re halfway through the 2020s, dubbed the most decisive decade for action on climate change. Where exactly do things stand? Climate scientist Johan Rockström offers a frank status report on the state of our planet — the more we learn, the more risk we uncover — and explains what must be done to maintain a safe operating space for humanity on Earth.

Historically, capitalist economies have pursued profits by extracting from the environment. Can we flip that script? Author and climate reporter Akshat Rathi shows how the climate crisis is forcing governments and businesses to change how capitalism works, harnessing its forces to create solutions instead of making problems worse.

It’s time to change the goal of our economic system from the relentless pursuit of growth to human and ecological well-being, says sustainability researcher and economist Gaya Herrington. She calls for a “well-being economy” that shifts the global mindset from “never enough” to “enough for each” and prioritizes solving poverty, caring for nature and fostering shared prosperity for all.

The biggest barrier to addressing the climate crisis is a lack of political will, says environmental voting advocate Nathaniel Stinnett. He explains why increasing voter participation among citizens is crucial to enacting climate solutions — and breaks down how his nonprofit organization is using behavioral science to transform climate concern into environmental action.

Infrastructure needs to be localized, flexible and reversible if we’re to empower the world with long-term, sustainable green energy, says engineering professor Deb Chachra. She explores how being plugged into the grid provides individual agency — a luxury not shared by everyone — and explains why these shared networks need to change with the environment if we’re to move the needle on climate change.

What do the people doing the daily work of implementing solutions to climate change on the ground really think? TED Countdown visited Aline Sousa, president of CENTCOOP, a network of over 1,000 waste pickers in Brasília, to hear about the importance of these often-overlooked individuals putting climate solutions into practice. She calls for better recognition — and payment — for these key players working to reduce and neutralize emissions.

Filmmaker and sustainability leader Hrund Gunnsteinsdóttir shares her journey diving into the Icelandic principle InnSæi, or intuition. She suggests tuning into your unconscious mind offers new paths to success, outlining three ways InnSæi can help humanity address our biggest existential threats.

Protein problems: Notes on Session 2 of TED Countdown 2024 Dilemma Series

Proteins are the building blocks of life — but producing them comes at a cost to our planet and all the species that call it home. Session 2 of the TED Countdown 2024 Dilemma Series took a holistic look at our food system, from the soil that nourishes crops to the animals that graze the land.

Six pioneering speakers explored clean and healthy protein sources ranging from regenerative agriculture and fish farms to cultivating animal-free meat and brewing ethical collagen. Here’s a glimpse into the future of food that’s as innovative as it is essential.

The event: TED Countdown 2024 Dilemma Series: The future of food, hosted by TED’s David Biello and Lindsay Levin

When and where: June 6, 2024, at the TED World Theater in New York City

Speakers: Lamin Jassey, Gabe Brown, Dorcas Naishorua, Andy Jarvis, Fei Luo, Uma Valeti

The talks in brief:

Conservationist and community leader Lamin Jassey explains how a fish processing facility in The Gambia brought water pollution and food scarcity to his town, not the promised jobs and profits. He shares how the community has opposed the economic and environmental degradation — for instance, by dismantling a pipe dumping waste into their waters — and calls for more collective action against such harmful factories.

After losing most of their crops to hail and drought, farmer Gabe Brown and his wife turned to regenerative agricultural practices like integrating livestock and planting more diversely. The result? Their farm was revitalized. He shares his story — a testament to the transformative potential of restorative farming — and six healthy soil principles to bring life back to the land.

The Maasai people have lived sustainably off the savannah for centuries, but the climate crisis is causing resource scarcity so severe that families trade their girls for grass, desperate to feed their cattle through the worst droughts. Miss Climate Kenya Dorcas Naishorua advocates for a better way forward, presenting her people’s resilience and sharing how they’ve been forced to adapt to a changing environment.

How do we produce food without destroying nature? It won’t be by telling people what to eat, says Andy Jarvis, the director for the future of food at the Bezos Earth Fund. He presents a menu of sustainable options (like alternative proteins and cultivated meat) that could drastically lower food’s carbon footprint while providing people with the nourishment they need.

From cosmetics to nutrition, collagen is used in many ways — but how it’s sourced from animals is ethically questionable and unsustainable, says Fei Luo, chemical engineer and CEO of Liven Proteins, a precision fermentation protein company. She delves into the groundbreaking technology of brewing animal-free collagen, which could pave the way for a functional, tasty and harm-free collagen future.

The way we make meat is destructive to humans, animals and the environment, says Uma Valeti, the CEO and founder of UPSIDE Foods. He presents a delicious, sustainable solution — cultivated meat, grown directly from animal cells — that could save billions of animal lives and drastically reduce conventional animal agriculture’s harm to the environment and human health.

Connectors: Notes on Session 11 of TED2024

The final session of TED2024 took an emotional dive into how we can connect better — on an individual and global scale. From how to fight healthier with loved ones to how to find greater meaning in life, speakers shared powerful, personal truths from which everyone can learn.

The event: Talks from Session 11 of TED2024: The Brave and the Brilliant, hosted by Chris Anderson, Monique Ruff-Bell and Helen Walters

When and where: Friday, April 19, 2024, at the Vancouver Convention Centre in Vancouver, BC, Canada

Speakers: Isaac Saul, Julie Gottman, John Gottman, Rory Stewart, Kesha, Brian S. Lowery

Community talks: TED community member Farhad Mohit explored the apparent dichotomy of his Iranian-American identity, suggesting we can have space for both individualism and interdependence, continuous innovation and presence in the now. Later, Afghan activist Nila Ibrahimi shared her experience using song to protest — and ultimately reverse — oppressive laws in Afghanistan just before the Taliban took control. She sent a powerful message to the Taliban about the infinite strength of girls’ voices, whether in Afghanistan or abroad.

Wrap-up: Tony Award-winning Broadway and film star Anthony Veneziale performed a funny, musical recap of TED2024, beginning with an imitation of imma, the AI influencer, and ending with a song about “Why we TED” (although he suggested the conference be renamed TAID, replacing the E for entertainment with AI, which was mentioned over 330 times during the week).

The talks in brief:

Whether it’s “undocumented” vs. “illegal” immigrant or “pro-life” vs. “anti-abortion,” people commonly use language to signal affiliation with a political tribe. Isaac Saul of Tangle News, an independent, reader-funded platform, explains how we can communicate better across the political spectrum by avoiding alienating language and gaining a better understanding of one another’s definitions.

Julie and John Gottman, cofounders of the Gottman Institute and The Love Lab, have made the study of relationships their life’s work. They share how healthy couples fight, starting with one radical idea: don’t fight to win — fight to understand.

Former UK Member of Parliament Rory Stewart shares what’s wrong with most governments’ global development efforts, advocating for a simpler alternative: give unconditional cash deposits to those in need. This proven method allows people to invest in the future they choose — and comes without the patronizing belief that the philanthropists know best.

Songwriting is a direct line of communication with the truth, says pop star, songwriter and activist Kesha. Before performing a new song, “Cathedral,” she explores the roots of hits like “TiK ToK” and “Praying,” explaining why the best songs get at deep, emotional truths.

What makes for a meaningful life? Social psychologist Brian S. Lowery explores three ideas that most modern researchers agree are tied to the experience of meaningfulness — coherence, purpose and significance — and shows why playing even a small role in others’ lives can be a powerful source of meaning.

Session 11 began with a town hall where TED attendees shared takeaways and opinions on what they heard this week, covering subjects such as quantum computing, DEI, conflict resolution, the power of AI and more.

TED2024, held April 15-19, 2024, in Vancouver, BC, Canada, is a week of talks, discovery sessions, excursions, dinners, performances and more celebrating “The Brave and the Brilliant.” Special thanks to our strategic partners PwC, Adobe, Schneider Electric and Northwestern Mutual.

Enchanters: Notes on Session 10 of TED2024

Session 10 of TED2024 plumbs the depths of human emotions, celebrating the beauty of community art, the everyday bravery of family life, the power of sound and more.

The event: Talks from Session 10 of TED2024: The Brave and the Brilliant, hosted by TED’s Helen Walters

When and where: Thursday, April 18, 2024, at the Vancouver Convention Centre in Vancouver, BC, Canada

Speakers: Jaime Rojo, Lily Yeh, Mark Grimmer, Kelly Corrigan, Felipe Sánchez Luna, Kylan Gibbs, Lear deBessonet

Performance: Joined onstage by a marching band, broadway legend Brian Stokes Mitchell belts “The Impossible Dream (The Quest)” accompanied by pianist Todd Almond — and participation from TED-attendees-turned-singers throughout the TED Theater.

The talks in brief: 

Photographer Jaime Rojo shares his experience photographing the migration of monarch butterflies across North America each year, diving into the latest research behind how these mesmerizing insects make their multi-thousand-mile journey.

From Rwanda to North Philadelphia to the Chinese countryside, barefoot artist Lily Yeh uses the world’s streets and walls as her canvas, collaborating with local communities to weave beauty and healing through the vibrant tapestry of their collective stories and talents.

We are living in the age of immersive experiences, says Mark Grimmer, cofounder of 59 Productions. Redefining narrative possibilities, he shares several multidisciplinary projects, including a multi-sensory exhibit of David Bowie that re-animated his kaleidoscopic career through a whirlwind of objects, costumes and videos — and showed what happens when diverse ideas collide.

Kelly Corrigan ponders the “Olympic achievements” of everyday bravery: the mundane triumphs each of us racks up simply navigating life’s tribulations, big and small. While bravery may consist of simply hanging around and listening (regardless of whether times are tough or boring), its reward is a “maximum dosage” of total human emotion.

In an astounding sonic experience, Felipe Sánchez Luna takes the audience on a journey of music and code, mixing notes and rhythms with ones and zeroes. His composition combines real recordings with data, AI-driven music and human creativity to tap into the transformative power of sound to evoke a deeper, emotional understanding of our world.

Video games are increasingly immersive, but they can still make you feel like you’re in a “closed” system, taken from one scripted point to another based on the buttons you press. Inworld cofounder Kylan Gibbs is helping expand this world with “AI agents” — characters powered by AI that have depth, realism and “brains.” He explains how these agents generate new game outcomes unique to each player’s decisions, augmenting our ability to tell stories.

Church pageants, football games and Mardi Gras aren’t just spectacles — they’re universal human experiences. Theater director Lear deBessonet‘s productions ignite the communal, healing thrill of collective expression by drawing their huge casts (often involving scores of performers) from a cross-section of their host communities.

TED2024, held April 15-19, 2024, in Vancouver, BC, Canada, is a week of talks, discovery sessions, excursions, dinners, performances and more celebrating “The Brave and the Brilliant.” Special thanks to our strategic partners PwC, Adobe, Schneider Electric and Northwestern Mutual.

Shapeshifters: Notes on Session 9 of TED2024

In Session 9 of TED2024, great minds working on world-shifting innovations shared their work, from a biologist who raised mice with two dads to a computer scientist with a more democratic crowdfunding model. Whether at home or on the global stage, these big ideas have the potential to shape what’s possible.

The event: Talks from Session 9 of TED2024: The Brave and the Brilliant, hosted by head of TED Chris Anderson

When and where: Thursday, April 18, 2024, at the Vancouver Convention Centre in Vancouver, BC, Canada

Speakers: Katsuhiko Hayashi, Carole K. Hooven, Chris Duffy, Anima Anandkumar, Kevin Owocki, Gibran Huzaifah

Performance: Writer, musician and comedian Elle Cordova personified the most beloved fonts, including Futura, Times New Roman, Garamond and more. The funny and smart typographical adventure included a nod to TED’s preferred Helvetica, as well as an audition from Comic Sans to represent the org with a new motto: “thinky thoughts are good.”

The talks in brief:

Biologist Katsuhiko Hayashi dives into the science behind how his team used breakthrough assisted reproductive technology to raise healthy young from the skin cells of two male mice. The accomplishment has implications for endangered species — and the shape of all future families.

Evolutionary biologist Dr. Carole K. Hooven delves into how hormones and culture interact to explain sex differences in human behavior — starting with why boys tend to prefer rougher play than girls.

Before he was a comedian and host of the TED podcast How to Be a Better Human, Chris Duffy taught elementary school. He shares what he learned from his fifth graders about nurturing your grown-up sense of humor, proposing that there are perks in seeing the world as a kid does: full of hilarious, amazing and extremely weird things.

Perhaps generative AI can write a competent song lyric, but by itself, it lacks the physical knowledge to build a better airplane. To model physical processes, says AI professor Anima Anandkumar, these systems must grasp the finest details of the real world, from molecular bonds to ocean currents. She shares recent AI projects that demonstrate this ability — forecasting weather, designing medical devices and more.

Gitcoin founder Kevin Owocki introduces quadratic funding, a new kind of crowdfunding model. Unlike Kickstarter or Patreon, quadratic funding uses a mathematical formula to match contributions based on the number of contributors rather than the amount given. The more people who care about a project, the more funding it will get.

When Gibran Huzaifah started an aquaculture farm in Indonesia, he was quickly confronted by the lack of technology in the industry. Farmers had insufficient data insights into murky ponds and spent huge sums on manual feeding. So he launched a start-up to automate feeding, eliminate resource waste and solve supply disadvantages for small farmers.

TED2024, held April 15-19, 2024, in Vancouver, BC, Canada, is a week of talks, discovery sessions, excursions, dinners, performances and more celebrating “The Brave and the Brilliant.” Special thanks to our strategic partners PwC, Adobe, Schneider Electric and Northwestern Mutual.

Explorers: Notes on Session 8 of TED2024

From redefining the boundaries of artificial intelligence to unraveling the mysteries of the human genome, Session 8 of TED2024 inspired us to reimagine our relationship with technology and its impact on society.

This session’s explorers offered profound insights into the intersection of technology and human experience — and envisioned a future where innovation fosters greater understanding and connection.

The event: Talks from Session 8 of TED2024: The Brave and the Brilliant, hosted by TED’s Helen Walters

When and where: Thursday, April 18, 2024, at the Vancouver Convention Centre in Vancouver, BC, Canada

Speakers: Ray Kurzweil, Keolu Fox, Cliff Kapono, Catie Cuan, Pau Garcia, Peace Itimi, Anjan Sundaram, Amy Kurzweil

The talks in brief: 

We’ve always used technology to enhance our capacities, but the rapid progress of AI is poised to transform our world in radical and beautiful ways. From nanocomputers to “longevity escape velocity,” AI visionary Ray Kurzweil shares why he believes the advent of artificial general intelligence will revamp human life for the better.

Tapping into Indigenous wisdom and cutting-edge technology, Keolu Fox, cofounder of the Native BioData Consortium, and professional surfer and scientist Cliff Kapono propose an eco-friendly approach to data storage — one that relies on the genomes of living organisms like sugar cane. This approach not only mitigates environmental impact but also honors Indigenous heritage by fostering resilience within ecosystems.

Robot choreographer Catie Cuan gives insight into the curiously beautiful world of robotic movement, proposing that robots who can dance — i.e. move with intention and grace — will be better caregivers, teachers and companions who can more seamlessly function among us.

What’s your favorite memory? This is a question that Pau Garcia often explores as part of his project Synthetic Memories, which uses generative AI to create visualizations of people’s memories. He explores the poignant power of this work — from reconnecting people with long-gone moments to potentially helping Alzheimer’s patients tap into lost memories — and shows how we might use technology to understand the past.

Peace Itimi takes us inside Africa’s thriving tech ecosystem starting with MainOne, a Nigerian company that laid West Africa’s first privately owned undersea cable and brought faster connectivity to the region. She introduces us to a range of start-up success stories — from the East African fintech company Kopo Kopo to South Africa’s open-banking platform Stitch.

Small Indigenous communities make up only five percent of the world’s population, but they defend 80 percent of the biodiversity that remains on Earth, says war reporter Anjan Sundaram. He takes us to our planet’s bloody ecological frontlines, where invisible heroes are battling corporations and cartels to save our planet’s last natural ecosystems.

What if AI could breathe new life into the words of a deceased loved one? Cartoonist Amy Kurzweil’s grandfather, Fred, fled Vienna before World War II. When she set about building a chatbot with his archives, she thought the project might feel like a resurrection. Instead, conversations with Fred became a journey into the past, one that changed her ideas about art.

TED2024, held April 15-19, 2024, in Vancouver, BC, Canada, is a week of talks, discovery sessions, excursions, dinners, performances and more celebrating “The Brave and the Brilliant.” Special thanks to our strategic partners PwC, Adobe, Schneider Electric and Northwestern Mutual.

Trailblazers: Notes on Session 7 of TED2024

We’re about halfway through TED2024, and Session 7 was a whopper — covering everything from preventative medicine for one of the world’s rare diseases to quantum computing, the future of audio computing and a sprinkle of musical improvisational comedy.

The event: Talks from Session 7 of TED2024: The Brave and the Brilliant, hosted by TED’s Chris Anderson and host of TED Radio Hour Manoush Zomorodi

When and where: Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at the Vancouver Convention Centre in Vancouver, BC, Canada

Speakers: Sonia Vallabh, Diabaté Abdoulaye, Reggie Watts, Hartmut Neven, Tammy Ma, Jason Rugolo

The talks in brief:

Biomedical researcher Sonia Vallabh’s life was turned upside down when she learned she had the genetic mutation for a rare and fatal illness, prion disease, which could strike at any time. Fifteen years later, Vallabh’s search for a cure has led her to new insights about the importance of preventative medicine.

Malaria is a disease as old as humankind, says scientist Diabaté Abdoulaye. He shows the path to a malaria-free world by harnessing the potential of “gene drive” technology — which augments the genetics of mosquitos to reduce disease transmission — combined with community support and funding.

“No one loves perception more than people who are conscious,” jokes musician and comedian Reggie Watts. In an absurdist ode to improvisation, he beatboxes, raps, loops his own rhythms and philosophizes on how we’re all making it up as we go along.

By replacing the binary logic of ones and zeroes with the laws of quantum physics, quantum computing allows us to perform computations with way fewer steps. Hartmut Neven, the founder and lead of Google Quantum AI, sees exciting commercial applications on the horizon; imagine, for instance, a phone that could warn you if you enter a room with dangerous viruses or detect allergens in your food.

In 2022, physicist Tammy Ma and her team used a giant laser to achieve a scientific breakthrough: fusion ignition, or the combining of two hydrogen atoms for energy generation. She explains the science behind this groundbreaking success and explores what’s needed to make a fusion-powered world a reality.

Deeptech inventor and designer Jason Rugolo introduces a new hands-free, screen-free computer you can wear on your ears and talk to like a friend. In contrast to digital assistants like Siri — which require you to issue specific commands — Rugolo shows how audio computers will use LLMs and machine learning to understand your intentions and engage with you like a person.

TED2024, held April 15-19, 2024, in Vancouver, BC, Canada, is a week of talks, discovery sessions, excursions, dinners, performances and more celebrating “The Brave and the Brilliant.” Special thanks to our strategic partners PwC, Adobe, Schneider Electric and Northwestern Mutual.

Provocateurs: Notes on Session 5 of TED2024

Bold ideas often meet resistance — but what if they were met with curiosity? Session 5 of TED2024 didn’t shy away from audacious ideas. Instead, it invited us all to embrace the discomfort of considering the impossible and unfamiliar, to find the courage to step into someone else’s shoes and assume goodness in those around us — because that’s what catalyzes imagination and possibility.

From the search for extraterrestrial life to the future of democracy, speakers delved into topics that challenge conventions and will spark conversation long after they stepped off the red circle.

The event: Talks from Session 5 of TED2024: The Brave and the Brilliant, hosted by TED’s Chris Anderson

When and where: Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at the Vancouver Convention Centre in Vancouver, BC, Canada

Speakers: Avi Loeb, Bill Ackman, Alison Taylor, Andrew Yang, Bari Weiss, Scott Galloway

Performance: Xochimilco artist Xiuhtezcatl (or X) performed the songs “Careful” and “Veils,” seamlessly blending influences from his Indigenous and Mexican heritage with a fervent dedication to environmental activism.

The talks in brief:

Diving into theories around interstellar phenomena such as the Oumuamua asteroid, astrophysicist Avi Loeb suggests we haven’t found scientific proof of alien life simply because we haven’t dedicated the proper funding. He explores the research needed to find the higher intelligence potentially residing galaxies away, imagining a future where otherworldly knowledge helps improve life on Earth.

In a wide-ranging conversation, Bill Ackman, the founder and CEO of Pershing Square Capital Management, sits down with business professor Alison Taylor to discuss the activist investor playbook and how it applies to the social and political realms. They dig into free speech, Ackman’s notoriously long posts on X, the conversation around Harvard and DEI as well as the intersection of power, voice and wealth.

American politics has an incentives problem, says political reformer Andrew Yang. The current system caters to primary voters, which has created a disconnect between overall Congressional approval and reelection rates. How do we realign incentives to make government work for more people? Yang shows why nonpartisan primaries and ranked-choice voting could be the answer.

In an unflinching look at issues that widen the political divide in the US, journalist and editor Bari Weiss highlights why courage is the most important virtue — and shares examples of people who have wielded it. She urges us all to say what we believe in the face of conformity and silence.

NYU marketing professor Scott Galloway dissects the data showing that, in the US, younger people are worse off financially than their parents were at the same age. He shows the knock-on effects of this theft of generational wealth, asking: If we allow this to keep happening, do we really love our kids?

TED2024, held April 15-19, 2024, in Vancouver, BC, Canada, is a week of talks, discovery sessions, excursions, dinners, performances and more celebrating “The Brave and the Brilliant.” Special thanks to our strategic partners PwC, Adobe, Schneider Electric and Northwestern Mutual.

Illuminators: Notes on Session 4 of TED2024

For Session 4 of TED2024, illuminators from diverse disciplines explored the bright future of their fields. From AI as a digital species to explosive art that climbs into the sky, speakers looked at how light (literally and figuratively) can shape our climate, social interactions, scientific discoveries and more.

The event: Talks from Session 4 of TED2024: The Brave and the Brilliant, cohosted by head of TED Chris Anderson and executive director of the Audacious Project Anna Verghese

When and where: Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at the Vancouver Convention Centre in Vancouver, BC, Canada

Speakers: Mustafa Suleyman, Nour E. Rawafi, Millie Chu Baird, Sarah J. Doherty, Sara Giusto, Cai Guo-Qiang

An audacious update: Videos throughout the session provided updates on the Audacious Project’s 2018 cohort, including Girl Trek, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), Sightsavers, The Bail Project and Living Goods + Last Mile Health. Learn more about their work.

Performance: Jordan Johnson and Aidan Carberry’s JA Collective perform a hypnotic exploration of movement, alternating between the abrupt and fluid, moving one another across the stage accompanied by stunny visual art.

The talks in brief:

Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman offers a vision of a future infused with AGI, proposing that AI’s ubiquity and skillset make it more than just a tool — it should instead be considered a digital species. While the metaphor may not be perfect, he suggests this framework can allow us to better consider how we want AI to grow and where we need to be more cautious.

From sustaining life on Earth to its potential for catastrophic solar storms, astrophysicist Nour E. Rawafi sheds light on why understanding the sun is crucial to our future. He illuminates its enduring mysteries and humanity’s next technological steps to unraveling them — like sending probes on a galactic journey into the atmosphere of our fiery neighbor.

Even though its atmospheric volume is dwarfed by that of CO2, methane is 80 times more effective at trapping heat. Thus, cutting methane emissions is key to tackling climate change, says environmental advocate Millie Chu Baird. With the help of a new satellite called MethaneSAT, supported by the Audacious Project, she hopes to improve ourunderstanding of where all that methane comes from as well as our ability to address its impacts.

Aerosol emissions are responsible for the deaths of between four and 10 million people, but they also cool the planet (by about half a degree, scientists estimate) by making clouds more reflective, bouncing sunlight back into space. Atmospheric scientist Sarah J. Doherty explains how we might both reduce pollution and lower temperatures by replacing toxic aerosols with their natural counterparts.

Sara Giusto is a talent manager — but not in the way you might imagine. Her biggest client is imma: a pink-bobbed, CGI-created “virtual human” influencer. Giusto shares how imma’s influence extends to real-world issues and emotions, raising an important question: In an increasingly virtual world, what’s really real?

Speaking in Mandarin translated live with an AI-generated imitation of his voice powered by technology from Metaphysic, multidisciplinary artist Cai Guo-Qiang shares how he creates captivating spectacles from gunpowder and fireworks, enchanting audiences worldwide with scenes of alien footprints, mushroom clouds and more.

TED2024, held April 15-19, 2024, in Vancouver, BC, Canada, is a week of talks, discovery sessions, excursions, dinners, performances and more celebrating “The Brave and the Brilliant.” Special thanks to our strategic partners PwC, Adobe, Schneider Electric and Northwestern Mutual.

System Changers: Notes on Session 3 of TED2024

Many of the world’s systems, big and small, could use an upgrade. In a dynamic Session 3 at TED2024, six speakers explore how to do just that — taking on everything from global development and capitalism to robots and vertical farming.

The event: Talks from Session 3 of TED2024: The Brave and the Brilliant, hosted by TED’s Helen Walters

When and where: Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at the Vancouver Convention Centre in Vancouver, BC, Canada

Speakers: Karthik Muralidharan, Daniela Rus, Rumman Chowdhury, Hiroki Koga, Zeynep Ton, Pete Stavros

Special appearance: Lily James Olds, the director of the TED Fellows program, announces the 2024 cohort of TED Fellows, whose work spans five continents and represents 11 countries — including, for the first time, Georgia. Read more about them here.

The talks in brief:

Spoiler: There is such a thing as a free lunch in global development, says economics professor Karthik Muralidharan. Although key indicators like school enrollment rates reached historic highs, most children are surviving, not thriving. He explains that with smarter resource allocation and evidence-based interventions, we can achieve more — without spending more.

Despite breathtaking advances, the worlds of AI and robotics remain siloed. Roboticist and computer scientist Daniela Rus describes how “liquid networks” — a more flexible, efficient and sustainable AI paradigm — promise to shatter the barrier between AI and robotics, creating a future where bespoke machines shape our everyday lives.

Will AI systems dominate our lives, or will they enhance human agency? Rumman Chowdhury, CEO and cofounder of Humane Intelligence, says that for AI to achieve its full potential, we must invite non-experts into the development process and empower people to shape and train new technologies.

Inside a vertical farming facility, you can control every environmental factor (temperature, humidity, light, pollination, etc.). You can also experiment regularly, improving practices to generate the sweetest strawberries year-round, says Hiroki Koga, CEO of Oishii. He shares how innovations in big data are making vertical farming an affordable, eco-friendly alternative to traditional farming.

Essential work doesn’t pay well, but MIT management professor Zeynep Ton believes it should. She points to companies like Costco or the Spanish supermarket chain Mercadona, which have reduced costs and worker turnover — and increased profits and productivity — by paying their workers decent, livable wages.

What if all employees had stock ownership in the companies they worked for? Investor Pete Stavros turned over stock ownership of a manufacturing company to its 800 workers, drastically improving the company’s productivity, profitability and the lives of its workers — a testament to the power of employee ownership.

TED2024, held April 15-19, 2024, in Vancouver, BC, Canada, is a week of talks, discovery sessions, excursions, dinners, performances and more celebrating “The Brave and the Brilliant.” Special thanks to our strategic partners PwC, Adobe, Schneider Electric and Northwestern Mutual.

Mind Expanders: Notes on Session 2 of TED2024

AI is reshaping how we interact with the world around us and within us, expanding creative possibilities and bringing us closer together by dissolving barriers of all kinds. But anyone who’s paying attention can spot its obvious flaws and potential pitfalls.

From trailblazing platforms making software accessible to micro-robotics revolutionizing health care (including a mind-blowing demo you won’t want to miss), Session 2 of TED2024 explored the frontiers of tech with visionary entrepreneurs, scientists and creators. They offered glimpses of what good AI could do for the world when governed with empathy and curiosity.

The event: Talks from Session 2 of TED2024: The Brave and the Brilliant, hosted by head of TED Chris Anderson and creative technologist and host of The TED AI Show Bilawal Sidhu

When and where: Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at the Vancouver Convention Centre in Vancouver, BC, Canada

Speakers: Vinod Khosla, Fei-Fei Li, Thomas Dohmke, Niceaunties, Alex Luebke, Vivek Kumbhari, Helen Toner

A special challenge: President and CEO of the Bezos Earth Fund Andrew Steer announces the AI for Climate and Nature Grand Challenge, a groundbreaking initiative set to distribute up to $100 million in grants to harness AI in the fight against climate change and nature loss.

The talks in brief:

Vinod Khosla is a self-proclaimed techno-optimist who believes in the power of “foolish ideas.” He shares his predictions for how technology will continue improving human lives, discussing expanded medical care through AI doctors, a massive robotic workforce, planes that can travel 4,000 miles per hour and more.

AI pioneer Fei-Fei Li proposes that the progress of AI’s understanding of spatial intelligence – the ability to derive predictions and insight from objects’ relationships to one another – is catalyzing robotic learning, bringing us closer to a world where AI not only sees and creates but also interacts with the world around us.

Software development has long been the purview of specialized workers. By removing the barrier between programming languages and human ones, GitHub CEO Thomas Dohmke shows how AI is poised to change that forever. He demos never-before-seen software his team has been developing that promises to empower people to create code using just their spoken words — in any language.

From sushi-bedecked cars with legs to elderly women wearing cat-shaped masks made of cereal, artist Niceaunties’ surreal “Auntieverse” — a mind-bending homage to “auntie culture” prevalent in Asian communities — charmingly showcases the creative potential of human-AI partnerships.

Meet PillBot: a wireless micro-robot that can go inside the human body and take a look around. In a (literally) stomach-turning demo, engineer and entrepreneur Alex Luebke swallows a PillBot and physician-scientist Vivek Kumbhari navigates it around his stomach with a game controller, showing how the device allows direct visualization of internal organs and could move us past the age of invasive, expensive endoscopies.

No one understands AI — not even experts, says policy expert Helen Toner. But that doesn’t mean we can’t govern it. She makes the case that people and policymakers need to push for more research into AI interpretability (measuring what these systems can do) as well as regulations that require AI companies to share what they’re building and why.

TED2024, held April 15-19, 2024, in Vancouver, BC, Canada, is a week of talks, discovery sessions, excursions, dinners, performances and more celebrating “The Brave and the Brilliant.” Special thanks to our strategic partners PwC, Adobe, Schneider Electric and Northwestern Mutual.

Dreamers: Notes on Session 1 of TED2024

It’s time for TED! And this year’s conference marks a big year: the 40th anniversary of TED, honoring the inaugural conference in 1984.

With that in mind, TED2024 kicked off with a classically eclectic opening session, ranging from a powerful conversation on how Israel and Palestine can find peace to the future of AI to visual storytelling as you’ve never before seen it.

The event: Talks from Session 1 of TED2024: The Brave and the Brilliant, hosted by Chris Anderson, Monique Ruff-Bell and Helen Walters

When and where: Monday, April 15, 2024, at the Vancouver Convention Centre in Vancouver, BC, Canada

Speakers: Aziz Abu Sarah, Maoz Inon, Demis Hassabis, Kristine McDivitt Tompkins, RuPaul Charles, Willie Williams, Angus Hervey

A special partner shoutout: TED thanks to our TED2024 strategic partners PwC, Adobe, Schneider Electric and Northwestern Mutual

Performance: Writer, musician and comedian Elle Cordova shares a poem she wrote about the Big Bang and, joined by guitarist Toni Lindgren, plays “Carl Sagan” — an original song about the endless scroll of social media and our desire to reach out to others across the void.

The talks in brief:

Peacemakers Aziz Abu Sarah and Maoz Inon discuss the immeasurable tragedies they’ve experienced growing up in Palestine and Israel, respectively — and how they choose reconciliation over revenge, again and again. With a fierce belief in a better future, they work to foster opportunities for connection and understanding across divides, collectively building hope for peace.

DeepMind cofounder Demis Hassabis shows how AI might solve humanity’s “big questions” by identifying patterns in impossibly huge (and humanly incomprehensible) datasets. In conversation with head of TED Chris Anderson, Hassabis explores AI from its game-playing, algorithmic roots to the current high-powered arms race.

Since the 1990s, Kristine McDivitt Tompkins, the president of Tompkins Conservation and the former CEO of Patagonia, has worked with her husband to rewild more than two million acres of crucial habitat in the southernmost regions of Argentina and Chile. She explains how actively restoring natural territories and bringing back missing species can heal the planet amidst our ongoing climate and extinction crises.

In an engaging dish session, drag superstar RuPaul Charles takes the stage to debut “On the Spot,” TED’s new interactive Q&A format. Giving rapid-fire responses to a stream of unexpected questions, Ru enlightens us on everything from the power of drag to expand our definitions of self to the value of not taking anything too seriously.

Redefining the boundaries of live entertainment, multimedia show director Willie Williams showcases his work designing and directing transcendent shows for artists like U2, David Bowie and many more. He shares his thinking on how to weave cutting-edge tech with imaginative visuals to create unforgettable experiences and connections.

Whether or not you believe that the world is on track for imminent doom might depend on where you get your news, says Angus Hervey, founder of Fix The News. He delivers good news for humanity that the media cycle missed last year, from advances in clean energy technologies to declining rates of extreme poverty, crime and disease.

TED2024, held April 15-19, 2024, in Vancouver, BC, Canada, is a week of talks, discovery sessions, excursions, dinners, performances and more celebrating “The Brave and the Brilliant.” Special thanks to our strategic partners PwC, Adobe, Schneider Electric and Northwestern Mutual.

The most popular TED Talks of 2023 — and inspiration for 2024

As 2023 draws to a close, join us in reflecting on a year brimming with inspiring ideas and transformative insights from the TED stage. Our end-of-year playlists feature talks that capture the essence of the year’s challenges and triumphs — and offer glimpses of hope for 2024.

From AI and the future of learning to a mysterious, millennia-old pattern and a radical way to repair your relationships, these TED Talks took off the quickest in 2023:

Dive into one of the most buzzed-about topics of the year with these must-watch TED Talks on AI, showcasing groundbreaking advancements and thought-provoking perspectives on the future of this world-changing innovation:

From the science behind stretching muscles and crooked teeth to the everyday mysteries of food expiration dates and airplane mode, these TED-Ed animations captured our attention in 2023:

Uncover the unexpected and enlightening with this selection of TED Talks from 2023 that you didn’t know you needed. From the value of thinking about your mortality to the quirky world of Wikipedia and beyond, these talks offer an intellectual adventure and a captivating blend of education, inspiration and wonder:

As we look with hope toward a new year, these TED Talks offer inspiration from speakers addressing some of the world’s most pressing issues — from sustainable living and justice reform to breakthrough technology and the power of grassroots movements.

Embark on a journey of self-improvement with this selection of TED Talks on personal growth. From innovative parenting strategies and mental health support to fostering self-confidence and sustainable habits, these ideas offer practical advice and fresh perspectives for a transformative year ahead:

Head of TED Chris Anderson publishes new book, “Infectious Generosity”

In the face of the world’s daunting problems, our kindness can seem pretty inadequate. But what if there were a way to turbocharge it? We live in the connected age. What would it take for kindness to go viral? This is the question Head of TED Chris Anderson explores in his new book, Infectious Generosity, on sale January 23, 2024. Under the radar, countless heroic individuals have discovered how to give in a way that inspires others. This book is filled with their stories, creating a playbook that can help usher in a more hopeful view of human possibility in the 21st century.

As the curator of TED for more than 20 years, Anderson has seen first-hand how ideas can spread. Through the power of the internet, he has helped the world’s boldest thinkers share their most uplifting and world-changing concepts. With Infectious Generosity, he encourages all of us to harness the internet as a force that brings people together instead of driving them apart. Through a combination of inspiring stories, cutting-edge psychological research and practical guidance, Infectious Generosity serves as both a manifesto and a playbook for embarking on a journey of generosity.

Learn more and preorder your copy of Infectious Generosity here.

As part of the publication and its larger mission, Anderson will donate his proceeds from Infectious Generosity to TED, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation dedicated to discovering and spreading ideas that spark conversation, deepen understanding and drive meaningful change. For every copy purchased in the US, the Crown Publishing Group will also donate a portion of its proceeds to TED-Ed in support of its missions to spark and celebrate the ideas of teachers and students around the world. Finally, Aevitas Creative Management will be donating a portion of its proceeds to The Peace Studio, an organization that gives artists and journalists the tools to transform conflict in the US.

As Anderson shows, each of us as individuals can be a catalyst for the amplification of human kindness — in sometimes surprising ways. Through acts of generosity great and small, we have within us the power to create a ripple effect that could truly transform the world. Learn more at InfectiousGenerosity.org.

Moving on up: Talks from day 3 of TEDWomen 2023

For the final day of TEDWomen 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia, a multidisciplinary group of experts took on the challenges and opportunities of navigating change — from reimagining migration for political power and addressing the real threats of AI to championing inclusivity, celebrating nature’s wildness and pondering life’s myriad complexities through art.

The event: Sessions 4 and 5 of TEDWomen 2023, hosted by TEDWomen editorial director Pat Mitchell, TED’s head of curation Helen Walters and activist, filmmaker and entrepreneur Maya Penn

When and where: Friday, October 13, 2023, at the Woodruff Arts Center in Atlanta, Georgia

Speakers: Charles M. Blow, Sasha Luccioni, Ruha Benjamin, Melonie D. Parker, Sherrell Dorsey, Mary Ann Sieghart, Dyhia Belhabib, Rebecca McMackin, Lucy McBath, Valerie Montgomery Rice, Maira Kalman, Freada Kapor Klein, Sheila Ngozi Oparaocha, Chantale Zuzi Leader

Music: Darkwave artist Abra captivated the TEDWomen audience with her signature blend of gothic, R&B and electronic music.

Societal progress often feels like two steps forward, one step back — how do we change that? New York Times columnist Charles M. Blow calls for a peaceful, reverse migration of Black Americans to southern US states, to write over legacies of oppression and wield political power to change history.

We’ve all heard it recently: “AI could kill us all.” Instead of catastrophizing, AI ethics researcher Sasha Luccioni wants to address AI’s more pressing risks — like carbon emissions, copyright infringement and biased data — by creating tools and legislation that promote transparency.

In the era of superintelligent AI, are health care and housing for all really beyond reach? From the outcry against Atlanta’s “Cop City” to tech-driven democracy in Barcelona, researcher Ruha Benjamin imagines a future where tech and people-power work in tandem, not in opposition.

How can we create safe and inclusive work cultures for all? Google’s chief diversity officer Melonie D. Parker joins journalist and host of the TED Tech podcast Sherrell Dorsey in a nuanced conversation about creating a sustainably inclusive company where every employee can thrive.

We still take women less seriously than men, says author, journalist and broadcaster Mary Ann Sieghart. She explains how we can tackle what she calls the “authority gap” by questioning our biases against women’s intelligence (like judging a woman by the pitch of her voice) and actively promoting female experts.

Criminal groups use sophisticated technology to perpetrate crimes on the ocean: drug smugglers pilot autonomous submarines; pirates use satellites to detect ships they plan to capture and ransom. Maritime crime fighter Dyhia Belhabib introduces Heva, a tool that uses AI to aggregate international criminal records with the goal of detecting and stopping maritime crime.

Ecological horticulturist Rebecca McMackin explores the beauty of letting your garden run wild, surveying the success she’s had increasing biodiversity on the piers of Brooklyn Bridge Park and offering tips for creating wildlife-friendly habitats at home.

Following the death of her only son, US Congresswoman Lucy McBath was elected to office with one major goal: pass comprehensive gun safety legislation. She shares the power of a personal story to bridge divides and make real, impactful change.

“There are challenges and fears that catapult us to become the greatest versions of ourselves, to become great leaders,” says health equity advocate and president and CEO of Morehouse School of Medicine Valerie Montgomery Rice. She shares three lessons in leadership and shows how they can guide anyone hoping to break through fear, stand up for what’s right and build opportunity for all.

Multidisciplinary artist Maira Kalman delivers a delightfully wry, sneakily profound reflection on time, death, work, art, family, dreams and more. Backed by her wise, witty illustrations, her talk seems to embody the entirety of life itself, in all its absurd glory.

Impact investor Freada Kapor Klein is building fairness into the core of tech companies. Her VC fund, Kapor Capital, only invests in businesses that commit to hiring diverse teams, fostering inclusive workplaces and creating products and services that close opportunity gaps.

The dominant narrative of energy transition has a problem, says energy equity expert Sheila Oparaocha: it ignores the billions of people without energy access. For just and inclusive climate solutions, Oparaocha says we must empower women and prioritize universal access to sustainable energy.

After surviving devastating violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Chantale Zuzi Leader found safety in the US. She urges everyone to consider the problem of displacement with curiosity and compassion — and offers refugees like her a powerful message of hope: “It is possible to break through.”

Life, love and finding a path: Talks from day 2 of TEDWomen 2023

Day 2 of TEDWomen 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia featured an interdisciplinary array of ideas from speakers who are disrupting poverty, creating bold art, restoring Indigenous rights, exploring bioluminescence in nature and much more.

The event: Sessions 2 and 3 of TEDWomen 2023, hosted by TEDWomen editorial director Pat Mitchell and activist, filmmaker and entrepreneur Maya Penn

When and where: Thursday, October 12, 2023, at the Woodruff Arts Center in Atlanta, Georgia

Speakers: Tracie Revis, Diana Greene Foster, Aisha Nyandoro, Andre Dickens, Rosita Najmi, Esha Chhabra, Paige Alexander, Jay Bailey, Karinna Grant, Laetitia Ky, Glenn Close, Laurel Braitman, Wan Faridah Akmal Jusoh, Gary Barker, Lindsay Morris, Reed J. Williams, Maria E. Sophocles

A warm welcome: From Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, who shared how the city has partnered with the Carter Center on a campaign called Inform Women, Transform Lives, which is aimed at raising awareness about women’s right to information.

Music: An enchanting, genre-bending performance of her songs “Universe,” “Statues” and “Liberation” by singer-songwriter and producer Buzz.

Tracie Revis’s ancestors were forcibly removed from their homeland in what is currently known as Georgia. Now, she’s working to reclaim part of that land, the Ocmulgee Mounds, and turn it into Georgia’s first national park and preserve, which would be co-managed by the Muscogee Creek tribe — tapping into the immense power of their ancestral homeland to heal generational trauma.

Does having an abortion negatively impact a woman’s life? Demographer Diana Greene Foster’s research, known as The Turnaway Study, shows that women who want abortions and get them experience better mental and physical health and socioeconomic well-being than those who are denied.

For Black mothers receiving guaranteed income through the Magnolia Mother’s Trust, a first-of-its-kind guaranteed income program in the US, a steady check meant having the power to uplift those around them. Inspired by their example, poverty disruptor Aisha Nyandoro wants people to redefine wealth in terms of the good it can create.

Don’t fret about your leadership style, says global development economist Rosita Najmi — focus instead on your leadership languages. She explains why the best leaders are “multilingual,” fluent in the languages of business, philanthropy and public policy.

“Sustainability” has become a business buzzword, but environmental business journalist Esha Chhabra thinks it’s time to dig deeper. She outlines the growing wave of regenerative companies — which take a far more holistic approach to operations, with every aspect of business driving towards solving a social problem — and shows how many of them are already making big changes in fashion, energy, food, agriculture and beyond.

Access to information is the key to unlocking human rights for all, says equality champion Paige Alexander. Leading The Carter Center, she and her team are connecting women to vital resources to get educated, start businesses and transform lives around the world.

When creating an incubator for Black entrepreneurs, Jay Bailey drew inspiration from Motown and HBCUs — two great models for economic mobility. What do they have in common? Bailey says both cultivate belonging and give people the freedom to believe.

What if you could buy the latest fashions without crowding your closet or growing your carbon footprint? Digital fashion entrepreneur Karinna Grant says that future is already emerging: NFTs and augmented reality are expanding possibilities for creative consumption while decreasing waste.

Artist Laetitia Ky creates incredible sculptures using the hair on her head (and a bit of wire), transforming it into surprising forms — an umbrella, a sunflower, wings, a raised fist — that promote bodily autonomy and self-acceptance.

In 2009, Jessie Close confessed to her sister, actor Glenn Close, that her son’s struggle with schizophrenia had filled her with thoughts of suicide. She recounts how this revelation inspired their mental health advocacy organization, Bring Change To Mind, which is seeking to transform society’s negative perceptions of mental illness.

“Life is just one endless sushi conveyor belt of things that are going to test you and teach you at the same time,” says writer Laurel Braitman. Sharing the story of growing up as her dad battled cancer, she shares wisdom on why you can’t have joy without sorrow, bravery without fear.

There are more than 2,000 firefly species that we know of, and they’re found on every continent except for Antarctica. Wan Faridah Akmal Jusoh explores the mysteries of these luminous beetles — which are an essential part of a healthy ecosystem — and details her quest to discover new firefly species and safeguard them as their habitats disappear.

From childhood, boys have violent impulses imbued in them by a society that emphasizes independence at any cost. Unsurprisingly, most violent crimes are committed by men. Gary Barker shares ways to overcome violence by cultivating male empathy.

After bringing her son to a summer camp for gender-nonconforming children, photographer Lindsay Morris launched a project to share the kids’ stories with the world. One of them, Reed J. Williams, is now a powerful advocate for transgender youth. Together, Morris and Williams reveal two sides to the LGBTQ+ experience — one as a mother, one as a trans woman — and offer poignant insight into the power of community.

Gynecologist Maria E. Sophocles explains the science behind menopause — and its unsexy impacts in the bedroom. From estrogen to advocacy, she offers some solutions for women to bridge “the bedroom gap” and get back to comfortable, pleasurable sex.

A world view: Talks from day 1 of TEDWomen 2023

TEDWomen 2023 kicked off in its new home of Atlanta, Georgia with a moving and wide-ranging session of talks and performances about the future of global democracy, the pursuit of freedom in Russia and Ukraine, the path to recovery for survivors and more.

The event: Session 1 of TEDWomen 2023, hosted by TEDWomen editorial director Pat Mitchell, TED’s head of curation Helen Walters and activist, filmmaker and entrepreneur Maya Penn

When and where: Wednesday, October 11, 2023, at the Woodruff Arts Center in Atlanta, Georgia

Speakers: Yordanos Eyoel, Irina Karamanos Adrian, Oleksandra Matviichuk, Jane Ferguson, Dasha Navalnaya, Ava DuVernay, Christine Schuler Deschryver, Chris Anderson

Music: Introduced by Atlanta Symphony Orchestra music director Nathalie Stutzmann, chamber music group The Merian Ensemble open the week with an evocative and transporting performance of Nicole Chamberlain’s “Atalanta” for flute, oboe, bass clarinet, harp and viola.

It’s not news that democracy is under attack globally. In order to encourage new democracies (and protect established ones), we need more than robust institutions — we need grassroots action, says democracy entrepreneur Yordanos Eyoel, who explores innovative ways to nurture nascent pro-democracy groups wherever they’re threatened.

As a feminist, Irina Karamanos Adrian was not thrilled to become Chile’s First Lady. She shares how she overturned the position’s institutionalized responsibilities in an effort to make them more transparent, asserting that it’s undemocratic for an unelected position to have such power.

How do we defend people’s freedom and dignity against authoritarianism, asks human rights lawyer Oleksandra Matviichuk. In the face of Russian troops occupying Ukraine, she emphasizes the extraordinary capabilities of ordinary people — and urges us all to stand together.

Women journalists shape the way the world sees wars, says war reporter Jane Ferguson. Illuminating the historic impact of female-led reporting, she highlights the perspective-broadening power of humanizing stories from war zones.

Dasha Navalnaya is the daughter of an important man: Alexey Navalny, the leader of the Russian opposition and one of Vladimir Putin’s top critics. She shares the story of her father’s poisoning and imprisonment — and why Russians need your help to bring down Putin’s authoritarian regime.

In conversation with TEDWomen editorial director Pat Mitchell, writer, producer and filmmaker Ava DuVernay discusses how she turned Caste — Isabel Wilkerson’s Pulitzer-Prize winning nonfiction analysis of race in the US — into Origin, a gripping narrative film exploring both the book’s thesis and the author’s life story.

Human rights activist Christine Schuler Deschryver shares how her organization, City of Hope, is modeling a new recovery program for women survivors of sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo, one that allows women to reclaim their bodies while developing skills to become future community leaders.

We’re well aware of how quickly hate and misinformation go viral. But in a one-of-a-kind preview of his upcoming book, head of TED Chris Anderson argues generosity can be infectious as well — creating powerful ripple effects that help us thrive.

Closing performance: Mahogany-N-Motion, a student-run women’s dance group from Spelman College — a historically Black liberal arts college in Atlanta, Georgia — close out the session with an energetic, drumline-infused performance that brought the TEDWomen crowd to its feet.

Are men welcome at TEDWomen?

Many people hear TEDWomen and wonder: Are men welcome? The answer is an unequivocal “yes!” TEDWomen is a platform for progress, where we amplify ideas that build a better, more equitable future for all. It’s a space for all people — including men — to actively contribute to the global pursuit of equity.

Let’s explore the ways men are welcome at TEDWomen and break down the barriers that might prevent them from joining.

Why men should come to TEDWomen

TEDWomen fosters an environment of learning, collaboration and collective action that transcends gender barriers and empowers everyone to be part of the solutions. After all, we’re all in this together. Men actively contribute to our mission by leading and participating in workshop sessions, and of course, giving TED Talks. This year we’ll be hearing from Jay Bailey, Gary Barker, Charles M. Blow and more!

Seize opportunities to learn, grow and elevate your work 

TEDWomen is a unique environment for cross-collaboration and learning, where individuals from diverse backgrounds come together to share luminous new thinking, stories and ideas in ways that will enchant, uplift and inspire us all. Participants elevate their understanding of equity issues, so we can all break down barriers and practice dismantling unconscious biases. Our programming fosters a profound appreciation of the contributions of women, non-binary and trans individuals AND men who are building a more inclusive society.

Diversify your network 

TEDWomen helps you grow one of your most valuable assets: your professional network. By participating in our Discovery Sessions, networking receptions, dinners and exhibits, you’ll build deep connections with like-minded leaders, trail-blazers and catalysts across all industries. This is your opportunity to form new partnerships and collectively imagine different ways forward.  

Access a rich talent pool of visionaries 

Looking for your next board member, cofounder or c-suite executive? TEDWomen attendees have remarkable resumes and an impressive commitment to making a positive impact on the world. Half of all attendees hold senior executive positions such as CEO, CTO, CMO, president, founder, partner, chairperson and more. 

Strategize around your role in the fight for equity 

TEDWomen is all about building a better, more equitable future for all. As a result, the conference attracts individuals with a deep commitment to social impact and equity. Men who choose to align with this mission elevate their influence in the world by gaining insights from diverse perspectives and experiences. They can walk away as effective advocates for change.

Have a kickass time 

Prepare for way more than just mind-blowing TED Talks! You’re in for a dazzling celebration of the complicated, messy, rich reality of humanity. From dynamic networking breaks to captivating musical performances and unexpected surprises, we’re packing every moment with excitement. Join us for an unforgettable experience filled with inspiration, deep connection, transcendent joy and delight. 

So, are men welcome at TEDWomen? 

YES! The notion that TEDWomen is exclusively for women is a common misconception — one you can help to change. 

Men have a critical role to play in the quest for a more equitable future. If you’re a man who sees himself at the TEDWomen conference, ready to work toward new models of equity and help build a brighter future for all, apply now. 

TEDWomen will take place in Atlanta, GA on October 11-13, 2023 at the Woodruff Arts Center. Join a welcoming community dedicated to fostering an inclusive and collaborative environment to inspire positive action and drive meaningful change for all.

Apply for TEDWomen today!

Momentum: Notes from Session 7 of TED Countdown Summit 2023

TED Countdown Summit 2023 concluded with a wide-ranging session featuring eight inspiring takes from around the world on how to ensure a fast, fair transition to a clean energy future.

The event: Talks from Session 6 of TED Countdown Summit 2023, hosted by TED’s David Biello and Lindsay Levin with journalist Orlando P. Bailey.

When and where: Friday, July 14, 2023, at the Fillmore Detroit in Detroit, Michigan

Speakers: Kala Constantino, Rebecca Collyer, Rich Powell, Zainab Usman, Amir Nizar Zuabi, Sims Witherspoon, Ramón Méndez Galain, Mike Posner

There’s a green energy wave swelling in the Philippines. Kala Constantino, director of the ecology advocacy group Tara Climate Foundation introduces us to a cross-section of the actors working to build a grid for cheap and clean renewable power throughout Asia. Electricity consumers in the Philippines pay one of the highest bills in Southeast Asia due to imported fossil fuels. Yet, as an island nation, the country also loses hundreds of millions of dollars every year to the impacts of climate disasters aggravated by carbon emissions. Activists have already encouraged the government to set aside funds for renewables and slow down the construction of coal-fired plants. With their help, Constantino hopes to see the Philippines become energy independent through solar and wind power, which will not only reduce electricity costs but also create jobs in a new, profitable sector.

Rebecca Collyer is the executive director of 2023 Audacious Project grantee ReNew2030, a global coalition to scale the use of wind and solar energy. In conversation with TED science curator David Biello, Collyer explores how to ensure the transition to renewable energy is fast and fair — a crucial task, as the power sector produces more carbon emissions than any other sector in the world. She shows how, by mobilizing governments, businesses and local communities around the world, ReNew2030 aims to scale wind and solar power capacity by 2030 and set the world up for a climate-secure future — all while creating local jobs and clean air.

We’ve all heard of the dangers of NIMBY-ism (“not in my backyard”). Climate innovation leader Rich Powell takes it a step further, saying that the true barrier to immediate implementation of clean energy projects is BANANA-ism: “build absolutely nothing anywhere near anything.” This means that critical infrastructure like windmills, nuclear plants and flexible power grids can get bogged down for years in the permitting process — or killed by wealthy lobbyists seeking to keep wind farms or solar panels away from their property. Powell believes that the quickest way to solve our clean energy crisis is to remove these barriers, while keeping environmental protections like the Clean Water Act. If voters and regulators can find common ground, then he says we’ll be well on our way toward replacing our existing power grid with one focused on renewables.

Solving the climate crisis requires collective action on a global scale, but today’s economy is becoming fractured between four regions: the US, China, Europe and the rest of the world. Political economist Zainab Usman says the solution lies with policymakers, business leaders and activists. Working together worldwide, they can distribute low-carbon technology globally; prioritize consumer welfare to make green tech more accessible; and set global standards to govern the sourcing of strategic, nonrenewable materials (such as the minerals in solar panels and other green products). With these goals, Usman says, we don’t have to live out the divided, dystopian future predicted by George Orwell and other such writers long before.

Tapping into the power of theater and its ability to turn pressing issues into human stories that spark hope, theater director and playwright Amir Nizar Zuabi shares the journey of Little Amal — a 10-year-old refugee girl (who is actually a 13-foot puppet) that went on an epic, 5,000-mile migration across eight countries in a globe-trotting art piece called “The Walk.” She embodied the broken global refugee system that has left so many people vulnerable and displaced. Inspired by the impact Little Amal had on the communities she passed through, Zuabi unveils for the first time his next piece: “The Herds,” a massive migration of animal puppets that will start in West Africa and end in Norway, set to begin their travels in 2025. Evolving as they move, the herds will take on new species native to each country they encounter, raising awareness about climate change and the threat it poses to animals and humans alike in a devastating, powerful and beautiful way.

Sims Witherspoon wants to use artificial intelligence to tackle climate change. When building a sustainable future, she believes AI can help us better understand the impact of climate change on Earth’s ecosystems, accelerate the breakthrough science we need to create a carbon-free energy supply and speed up the transition to renewable energy sources. Witherspoon explains how she and her team recently partnered with Google to develop an AI that accurately predicts wind availability on one of Google’s wind farms. They trained a neural net on weather forecasts and Google’s historical turbine data and then deployed it on the wind farm to test its accuracy. Their AI ultimately performed 20 percent better than Google’s existing system, and Google has since decided to scale the technology — a win for the company and the planet.

Fifteen years ago, Uruguay was experiencing an energy crisis; today, the tiny nation produces 98 percent of its electricity from renewable sources — and even exports extra energy to countries like Argentina and Brazil. Former particle physicist Ramón Méndez Galain charted the country’s transition to renewables as head of the country’s National Energy Agency. He shares how they achieved energy stability with widespread political support by shifting away from fossil fuels toward clean energy sources like wind, solar and sustainable biomass made from rice hulls, bagasse and pulp. Uruguay also developed technologies to predict the availability of intermittent sources, like wind and solar, to determine which energy sources to rely on and when. Although the transition required massive effort, coordination and innovation, the country can now depend on a stable, sustainable and, yes, profitable energy sector.

Singer-songwriter Mike Posner performs two hit songs, “I Took a Pill in Ibiza” and “Could You Do the Same,” and delivers an inspiring talk about how he walked nearly 3,000 miles across the United States. A lot happened along the way, he says — including a life-threatening rattlesnake bite — but the journey left him with five crucial life lessons and a sense of deep, true happiness.

Community: Notes from Session 6 of TED Countdown Summit 2023

From innovative technologies upgrading our buildings to age-old Aboriginal wisdom on fire management and more, the five speakers of Session 6 of TED Countdown Summit 2023 offered transformative insights on how we can redefine our relationships to both our stuff and the world, with a focus on sustainability and resilience.

The event: Talks from Session 6 of TED Countdown Summit 2023, hosted by TED’s Logan McClure Davda and Lindsay Levin

When and where: Friday, July 14, 2023, at the Fillmore Detroit in Detroit, Michigan

Speakers: Josephine Philips, Aruna Rangachar Pohl, Oral McGuire, Donnel Baird, Gopal D. Patel

The fashion industry emits more carbon than travel from all airlines worldwide, combined. And all those clothes we toss in the charity box to make room for new ones? Many end up in landfills in Ghana or buried in a pile in the Atacama Desert so big astronauts can see it from space. To make fashion more sustainable, Josephine Philips says we need to buy less and value more the clothes we already own. When a shirt is torn, we should repair it, not toss it. Before giving away that old sweater, we should recall every experience we’ve had while wearing it, plus the time, labor and resources that went into making it — from the field that grew its cotton to the hands that stitched it together. When we value things correctly, she reminds us, we’re less wasteful, which reduces our negative impact on the planet.

Sustainable development leader Aruna Rangachar Pohl takes us on the long journey of one of India’s most beloved snacks: biscuits — revealing how the production of these treats and other highly processed goods that rely on industrial farming are hurting the planet and our health. Armed with a vision to rejuvenate productive landscapes in India equitably and sustainably, Rangachar Pohl established the India Foundation for Humanistic Development, and she shares stories of small-scale farmers in their incubator who are joining forces, acting as shareholders and purchasing resources in bulk together. Training farmers to adopt natural practices and calculate their carbon sequestration with a focus on revenue, Rangachar Pohl shows how green production really pays off. By creating a climate-resilient agricultural sector where people’s rights are protected, farming can mean a greener, tastier and healthier future for everyone.

“I acknowledge fire as a friend, as a part of my being and my spirit,” says Oral McGuire, a fire practitioner and member of the Mangarda Balladong Nyungar First Nations in southwestern Australia. A professional firefighter for 18 years, McGuire acknowledges the threat uncontrolled fire can pose to our natural environment. Connecting Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities and practices, he shares the importance of applying the right kind of fire in a sacred practice known as “kaarl-ngariny,” to maintain the health and balance of the land. By protecting and preserving nature through proper fire management, McGuire says can heal the spirit of the land and promote biodiversity at the same time.

Powering the United States’s 125 million buildings accounts for 30 percent of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions. To make matters worse, older ovens, furnaces and hot water heaters have been found to leak benzene, methane and nitrogen dioxide into homes, threatening the health of those inside. Energy upgrader Donnel Baird aims to solve this problem by moving buildings off of fossil fuels and onto renewably sourced electric power. His company BlocPower has trained thousands of people to install tech like solar panels, electric induction ovens and heat pumps. The company also works with financing to plan electrification costs into a home’s mortgage in an effort to make it more affordable, and with data accessibility so homeowners can understand the electrification plan they need.

To tackle the climate crisis, we’ll need to keep building resiliency and momentum. Gopal D. Patel is here with some good news: there’s already a time-tested, millennia-old framework to do just that. As cochair of the United Nations Multi-faith Advisory Council, Patel mobilizes faith communities for environmental advocacy and action around the world. He explains how the ideas and wisdom of faith traditions can apply to the climate movement, namely in three areas: nourishing and uplifting community; finding rituals and tradition that give a sense of belonging; and working with purposeful action. You don’t have to be religious to take advantage of these learnings, Patel says: they’re guides for anyone looking to advance climate action with a sense of renewed purpose and intention.

Renewal: Notes from Session 5 of TED Countdown Summit 2023

For Session 5 of TED Countdown Summit 2023, seven speakers underscored the urgency for collective action, highlighting the growing frequency and severity of extreme weather events; insights on the electric vehicle revolution; the interconnectedness of deforestation, pandemics and climate change; the crucial role of leadership in climate justice and more.

The event: Talks from Session 5 of TED Countdown Summit 2023, hosted by TED’s Logan McClure Davda and journalist Orlando P. Bailey

When and where: Thursday, July 13, 2023, at the Fillmore Detroit in Detroit, Michigan

Speakers: Al Roker, Cynthia Williams, Neil Vora, Ludmila Rattis, Louise Mabulo, David Lammy, Justin J. Pearson

Music: Multidisciplinary artist, musician, creative producer and Flint, Michigan native Tunde Olaniran explores themes of identity, injustice and empowerment across the worlds of music, dance, film, literature and performance art. Joined on the TED Countdown stage by four incredible dancers, Olaniran smolders through a set of songs powered by experimental electronic beats.

Al Roker is known as “America’s weatherman,” and he’s been in the weather business for a long time, reporting live from some of recent history’s worst storms and natural disasters. All this has made one thing abundantly clear to him: extreme weather is increasing in frequency and severity, and the consequences will be devastating. Offering a comprehensive overview of the knock-on effects of extreme weather, Roker encourages all of us to take small collective actions and unite in our efforts to address climate change in order to create a more sustainable, hopeful future for all.

Cynthia Williams‘s family has long worked in the auto industry — her grandfather started with General Motors during the 1940s boom, followed by her father a generation later along with nearly all her uncles. They witnessed a total transformation in the era of transportation, and today, as a sustainability executive for Ford, Williams is seeing another: the electric vehicle revolution. She explains how the car industry is already advancing towards a sustainable future by building new carbon-neutral manufacturing plants and training hundreds of thousands of workers. They’re also investing in supportive infrastructure (making sure EV charging stations are as plentiful and convenient as gas stations) and developing products that consumers want. Electric vehicles are sustainable, says Williams; they should be desirable, too.

The first rule of physicians is to do no harm — and that extends to trees, says actor and activist Rainn Wilson as he introduces Neil Vora, who leads pandemic prevention at Conservation International. Having worked at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for more than a decade previously, Vora shares his unique journey of transitioning from treating patients to protecting forests and the species in them. Highlighting the importance of preventing pandemics (not just reacting to them), Vora exposes three crucial ways deforestation impacts human health: (1) Animals living alongside humans are more likely to carry germs that can infect us; (2) When people move into deforested areas, there is more exposure to new viruses; (3) And animals are more likely to spread illness when their homes are threatened. “We have solutions to address deforestation. And if we implement them wisely, we can prevent outbreaks and mitigate climate change,” Vora says.

Ecologist Ludmila Rattis reveals the surprisingly fruitful benefits of letting nature take care of business, sharing how the digestive habits of tapirs in Amazonia spread seeds throughout the region, regenerating the forest. As tapirs walk, they eat fruit, slowly digest them and then poop, transporting the fruit seeds to new land. In a single tapir dropping, Rattis’s lab found an average of 733 seeds belonging to up to 24 different species. Creatures like dung beetles help reduce the competition in this concentrated pile of life — spreading the seeds as they roll, tunnel and bury the poop — and show how the somewhat undignified parts of nature are intertwined with our planet’s future more than we realize.

Louise Mabulo grew up on seemingly strange advice from her parents and grandparents about planting toward a full moon or burying a rock under root crops for a better yield. While others tended to regard her family’s beliefs as superstitious, Mabulo has since discovered the profound wisdom in them. She works in restorative agroforestry, and through her initiative, The Cacao Project, which works to build sustainable and climate-resilient livelihoods for farmers, she’s seen even the most bizarre stories proven true. Crops planted during a full moon do bear more fruit; root crops do thrive when planted with rocks because rocks keep the soil loose enough for air pockets to form and encourage growth. Invisible knowledge, Mabulo says, might hold the key to helping us adapt our ecosystems to a changing climate. It also affirms our spiritual and cultural connection with nature and our place in it.

In a wide-ranging and inspirational interview, Tennessee state representative Justin J. Pearson and British MP David Lammy discuss the pressing issue of climate justice and the nuances of leadership within the movement. Pearson shares his journey in the movement that began with a fight against a pipeline project in Memphis, Tennessee, emphasizing the significance of empowering the most affected communities and acknowledging the interconnectedness of different social issues. Lammy explains the need for a collective focus on large-scale issues and the role of climate justice as a unifying objective that transcends identity politics. They collectively emphasize the necessity for unifying and authentic leadership — and the need to hold powerful nations accountable for environmental action.