TED Talks Daily (SD video)
1,483 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 7 hours ago - ★★★★ - 1.7K ratingsTED is a nonprofit devoted to ideas worth spreading. On this video feed, you'll find TED Talks to inspire, intrigue and stir the imagination from some of the world's leading thinkers and doers, speaking from the stage at TED conferences, TEDx events and partner events around the world. This podcast is also available in high-def video and audio-only formats.
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
Life lessons from Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 | Benjamin Zander
December 11, 2023 15:45 - 19 minutes VideoLegendary conductor Benjamin Zander explains his view on the difference between "positive thinking" and "possibility" (one's a fraud; the other's the real thing, he says) and intersperses delightful stories from a lifetime in music with a sing-along to Beethoven's Symphony No. 9.
TED Explores: A New Climate Vision | TED Countdown
December 11, 2023 14:19 - 56 minutes VideoThe impacts of climate change are growing, but so are the world's attempts to stop them. Hosted by Manoush Zomorodi of the TED Radio Hour, this special TED documentary examines the rapid technological revolution underway — and the real possibility of a better future for all. Featuring urban planner Anika Goss, scientist and carbon expert Julio Friedmann, UN Climate Chief Simon Stiell, auto industry sustainability leader Cynthia Williams, and multi-generational farmers Jim and Jessica...
How stress drains your brain — and what to do about it | Nicole Byers
December 08, 2023 16:07 - 9 minutes VideoDo you ever feel extra forgetful? Stress could be the culprit. In a fascinating talk about how your memory works, neuropsychologist Nicole Byers shares the science behind how stress drains your brain's resources, making it harder to remember things and easier to make mistakes. But fear not: she also shares a simple solution to recharge your brain and get your memory back on track.
Why science needs to get behind natural medicine | Jeff Chen
December 08, 2023 16:00 - 3 minutes VideoPharmaceutical companies often only patent drugs they can monetize, creating synthetic versions of remedies already available in nature. In this quick talk, physician and entrepreneur Jeff Chen offers a path to affordable, effective natural medicines — for everyone.
The unifying power of grace | Sean Goode
December 08, 2023 15:58 - 3 minutes Video"Will you forgive me?" asks community leader Sean Goode. He proposes that the promise of forgiveness before wrongdoing — what he calls "unapologetic grace" — can empower people to share their truths and create space to bridge our differences.
How stem cells orchestrate healing — and how to speed it up | Kevin Stone
December 08, 2023 15:55 - 3 minutes VideoFrom synthetic embryos to lab-grown skin, we live in a brave new world of stem cell advances. So why can it still take years to recover from injury? Orthopedic surgeon Kevin Stone is working to accelerate the body's healing response so you could recover in a matter of days or weeks, not months or years.
The future of repairing the human body | Nina Tandon
December 08, 2023 15:19 - 5 minutes VideoAs humans live longer than ever before, we need our implants to last as long as we do, says bioengineer Nina Tandon. Using stem cells and digital fabrication, she's working on growing anatomically precise spare parts for the human body, replacing damaged bones, cartilage and more with implants that fit perfectly and hold up for a lifetime.
True love — and the myth of "happily ever after" | Francesca Hogi
December 08, 2023 15:15 - 3 minutes Video"The fairytale industrial complex has been lying to you," says love coach and podcast host Francesca Hogi. Having spent years talking to thousands of people about their romantic hopes and dreams, she introduces a new possibility for our collective romantic future, one that recognizes that each of us holds the keys to true love within ourselves.
The transformative potential of AGI — and when it might arrive | Shane Legg and Chris Anderson
December 07, 2023 22:02 - 16 minutes VideoAs the cofounder of Google DeepMind, Shane Legg is driving one of the greatest transformations in history: the development of artificial general intelligence (AGI). He envisions a system with human-like intelligence that would be exponentially smarter than today's AI, with limitless possibilities and applications. In conversation with head of TED Chris Anderson, Legg explores the evolution of AGI, what the world might look like when it arrives — and how to ensure it's built safely an...
AI's single point of failure | Rob Toews
December 07, 2023 19:17 - 11 minutes Video"The world's most important advanced technology is nearly all produced in a single facility," says AI expert Rob Toews. He describes how one company in Taiwan, TSMC, manufactures nearly all the most advanced semiconductor chips — a crucial technology that powers everything from phones to electric vehicles to next-generation artificial intelligence — and breaks down how geopolitical tensions in the region could paralyze the global field of AI.
Can AI catch what doctors miss? | Eric Topol
December 07, 2023 15:59 - 14 minutes VideoAI could propel the biggest transformation in the history of medicine, says physician-scientist Eric Topol. He explains how sophisticated AI models can interpret medical images as well or better than human experts can — and, beyond that, even pick up things that human eyes can't see. Learn all the ways AI is poised to make a difference for both patients and doctors.
What will happen to marketing in the age of AI? | Jessica Apotheker
December 07, 2023 15:57 - 10 minutes VideoGenerative AI is poised to transform the workplace, but we still need human brains for new ideas, says marketing expert Jessica Apotheker. She explores how marketers can find their niche in the world of AI based on their preference for data or creativity, offering a pragmatic and hopeful look at the future of business.
How to find humor in life's absurdity | Maira Kalman
December 06, 2023 15:55 - 14 minutes VideoWith levity and profound insight, artist Maira Kalman reflects on life, death, dinner parties, not knowing the right answers, the joys of eating a hot dog from a street vendor and more. This talk, interwoven with her delightful paintings, is itself an artwork that seems to hold the entirety of life in all its absurd glory.
How to stop the next pandemic? Stop deforestation | Neil Vora
December 05, 2023 15:58 - 9 minutes VideoClearing tropical forests isn't just dangerous to the natural world — it's also a threat to human health and wellbeing, says physician Neil Vora. Tracing how environmental devastation led to deadly epidemics like Ebola, he presents three ways deforestation unleashes disease and calls on each of us to help preserve the delicate ecological balance we depend upon.
Democracy works — we just need better leaders | Lindiwe Mazibuko
December 04, 2023 16:04 - 12 minutes VideoSouth Africa transitioned to democracy in the 1990s with a visionary constitution, but the promises of that constitution are largely unfulfilled to this day. Public leader Lindiwe Mazibuko explores how poor leadership failed to deliver a better life for the country's citizens — and shares her mission to cultivate a new generation of ethical leaders who can revitalize democracy in South Africa and beyond.
A playbook for financing climate solutions | Nili Gilbert and David Blood
December 01, 2023 15:56 - 13 minutes VideoTackling climate change costs a lot of money — and the financial sector is key to getting that money flowing. In a wide-ranging conversation, sustainable investment leaders Nili Gilbert and David Blood discuss where progress is being made on climate solutions, where capital still needs to move faster and why this is an unprecedented opportunity for sustainable growth.
A playbook on financing climate solutions | Nili Gilbert and David Blood
December 01, 2023 15:56 - 13 minutes VideoTackling climate change costs a lot of money — and the financial sector is key to getting that money flowing. In a wide-ranging conversation, sustainable investment leaders Nili Gilbert and David Blood discuss where progress is being made on climate solutions, where capital still needs to move faster and why this is an unprecedented opportunity for sustainable growth.
How to harness abundant, clean energy for 10 billion people | Julio Friedmann
November 30, 2023 15:57 - 12 minutes VideoWe can produce abundant, sustainable and cheap energy — for everyone, says physicist Julio Friedmann. He explores the infrastructure, innovation and investment needed to supply energy to 10 billion people, offering case studies from Chile's refurbished supply chain, built in partnership with Japan, to Namibia's budding clean hydrogen production, inviting us to envision a greener, more equitably powered world.
Can we hack photosynthesis to feed the world? | Steve Long
November 29, 2023 15:50 - 11 minutes VideoPhotosynthesis is one of the most important processes on the planet, helping produce the food we eat and the air we breathe. Crop scientist Steve Long thinks it could be more efficient — and he's intent on giving it a boost. He shows how hacking photosynthesis could help feed the world all while reducing climate change.
Life on the frontlines of war reporting | Jane Ferguson
November 28, 2023 15:45 - 14 minutes VideoCovering global war stories can be hard and thankless — but it's critical work if the rest of us are to understand what's really going on in the world. For nearly two decades, journalist Jane Ferguson has reported on hostilities across Africa and the Middle East, and she's witnessed firsthand the changing face of her profession. Via stories of her own experiences at the heart of complex conflicts, she shares fascinating details of how she and other female colleagues have changed the ...
The science behind how sickness shapes your mood | Keely Muscatell
November 27, 2023 15:58 - 13 minutes VideoYour immune system is more socially aware than you think, says social neuroscientist and psychology professor Keely Muscatell. Investigating the interconnectedness of your mood and your inflammatory system, she offers an evolutionary reason as to why being sick may make you feel depressed — and vice versa.
The case for a new Great Migration in the US | Charles M. Blow
November 27, 2023 15:51 - 13 minutes VideoSocial progress in the United States often seems to take two steps forward and one step back, with hard-fought civil rights wins countered by a seemingly inevitable backlash. In this spirited talk, writer Charles M. Blow makes the case that history, inverted, suggests a potential path forward. It's an unapologetically provocative proposal that Blow thinks just might spark a real shift toward equality in the US.
A case for a new Great Migration in the US | Charles M. Blow
November 27, 2023 15:51 - 13 minutes VideoSocial progress in the United States often seems to take two steps forward and one step back, with hard-fought civil rights wins countered by a seemingly inevitable backlash. In this spirited talk, writer Charles M. Blow makes the case that history, inverted, suggests a potential path forward. It's an unapologetically provocative proposal that Blow thinks just might spark a real shift toward equality in the US.
Why you shouldn't trust boredom | Kevin H. Gary
November 22, 2023 15:31 - 10 minutes VideoAre you actually bored, or is something else going on? Educator Kevin H. Gary shares three practical takeaways to deal with the doldrums, so you can take control of your attention, figure out which feelings to trust and name the real problem.
When Biden met Xi (and what's going on with the US and China) | Ian Bremmer
November 21, 2023 16:10 - 42 minutes VideoUS President Joe Biden and President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping recently met in San Francisco. It was the first time Xi had visited the US in six years — and the first time the two leaders had met in person in a year. Geopolitical expert Ian Bremmer explains the implications of the meeting, sharing context and insight on areas where the pair agree — and flagging key areas where tensions might yet arise. (This conversation with TED's Helen Walters was recorded on Nov...
A crash course in making political change | Katie Fahey
November 21, 2023 16:05 - 15 minutes VideoYou don't need political power to make real change, says activist Katie Fahey. She tells the story of how she led a successful movement in Michigan to end gerrymandering — the practice of drawing district lines to favor one political party — and how it all started with a simple social media post.
The exciting, perilous journey toward AGI | Ilya Sutskever
November 20, 2023 22:43 - 12 minutes VideoJust weeks before the management shakeup at OpenAI rocked Silicon Valley and made international news, the company's cofounder and chief scientist Ilya Sutskever explored the transformative potential of artificial general intelligence (AGI), highlighting how it could surpass human intelligence and profoundly transform every aspect of life. Hear his take on the promises and perils of AGI — and his optimistic case for how unprecedented collaboration will ensure its safe and beneficial d...
Meet methane, the invisible climate villain | Marcelo Mena
November 20, 2023 15:54 - 9 minutes VideoA landfill on fire doesn't only emit a horrid stench — it has devastating consequences for the environment, too. The culprit is methane, an often underestimated greenhouse gas produced in large part by food systems, organic waste and yes, cow burps. Biochemical engineer Marcelo Mena explains the source of this sneaky pollutant, why its emissions need to be cut in half by 2050 — and what you can do to help.
The secret perks of driving electric | Cynthia Williams
November 17, 2023 15:59 - 11 minutes VideoElectric vehicles need to be more than just eco-friendly — they have to be more chic, convenient and affordable than their gas-powered alternatives, says sustainability leader Cynthia Williams. She explores what it'll take for an electric revolution to succeed in the US, calling on corporations, policy leaders, investors and more to collaborate in unprecedented ways.
Are you really as good at something as you think? | Robin Kramer
November 16, 2023 15:48 - 10 minutes VideoDoes confidence equal competence? Not quite. In a talk that will make you better aware of yourself, experimental psychologist Robin Kramer delves into the Dunning-Kruger effect — which argues that those who are least capable often overestimate their skills the most — and explores just how good you are at judging your own abilities.
Your company is wasting time — here's how to stop it | Salvatore Cali
November 15, 2023 15:58 - 11 minutes VideoThe vast majority of our time at work is spent trudging through redundant and outdated workflows, says operations visionary Salvatore Cali. Laying out the most common time-wasting pitfalls, he urges policy leaders and businesses to reevaluate what they ask of both employees and consumers. "By rethinking the true purpose of each task, you will discover what is waste and what is the real gold of your company: the creation of value," says Cali.
The real gold of our economy is in our hands | Salvatore Cali
November 15, 2023 15:58 - 11 minutes VideoThe vast majority of our time at work is spent trudging through redundant and outdated workflows, says operations visionary Salvatore Cali. Laying out the most common time-wasting pitfalls, he urges policy leaders and businesses to reevaluate what they ask of both employees and consumers. "By rethinking the true purpose of each task, you will discover what is waste and what is the real gold of your company: the creation of value," says Cali.
Why you should ditch deadly fossil-fuel appliances | Donnel Baird
November 14, 2023 15:51 - 10 minutes VideoIn the US, people spend the overwhelming majority of their time inside buildings that burn fossil fuels, which are bad for both the environment and human health. (Think: breathing in air pollution from gas stoves, furnaces and water heaters.) If we're going to fix this problem, we need to retrofit millions of buildings with all-electric equipment, says energy upgrader Donnel Baird. Hear about his ambitious plan to rip the fossil fuel infrastructure out of aging buildings and upgrade ...
An alternative to the "midlife crisis" | Chip Conley
November 13, 2023 15:51 - 3 minutes VideoMidlife doesn't have to be a scary time, says entrepreneur Chip Conley. In this short yet profound talk, he takes inspiration from the natural world to reframe our 40s, 50s and 60s as a transitional stage that's full of grace and beauty — and urges us all to make aging aspirational.
The unexpected way spirituality connects to climate change | Gopal D. Patel
November 10, 2023 15:53 - 10 minutes VideoEnvironmental activist Gopal D. Patel thinks the climate movement could learn a lot from one of the longest-standing social initiatives in human history: religion. Exploring three areas where frameworks from faith traditions could benefit the climate movement, Patel offers a playbook for discovering your big idea to build momentum towards powerful social change.
It's time to rethink the role of First Lady | Irina Karamanos Adrian
November 09, 2023 15:56 - 12 minutes VideoIrina Karamanos Adrian didn't plan on becoming Chile's First Lady — but she set out to transform the role all the same. She shares how she's fighting gender stereotypes and protecting democracy by shifting political power back to where it belongs: to people who were actually elected.
Returning to school mid-career? Here's what you need to know | Candice Neveu
November 09, 2023 15:44 - 11 minutes VideoAre you thinking of returning to school? Educator Candice Neveu shares three challenges you might face continuing your education mid-career — and three mindset shifts to speed up your learning, improve your confidence and achieve the results you want.
The dark side of competition in AI | Liv Boeree
November 08, 2023 15:52 - 11 minutes VideoCompetition is a core part of human nature, and it can drive us to extraordinary feats. But when it goes wrong, the results can be devastating. Poker champion and science communicator Liv Boeree introduces us to "Moloch's trap" — the dark force of game theory driving many of humanity's biggest social problems, which is now threatening to derail the AI industry.
Photographing nature beyond the limits of human perception | Doris Mitsch
November 07, 2023 16:00 - 5 minutes VideoArtist Doris Mitsch invites us to revel in the wonders of nature through her dazzling photography: stacked images of starlings in flight, hawks surfing thermal updrafts, bats echolocating through the night sky and more. Revealing the hidden trails created by creatures in flight, her work offers unique insight into the intelligence behind nature's invisible rhythms.
Is technology our savior — or our slayer? | Ruha Benjamin
November 06, 2023 16:00 - 11 minutes VideoWhen it comes to technology, we're often presented with two contrasting visions of the future: one where technology fulfills all our desires, and another where it leads to chaos and conflict. Sociologist Ruha Benjamin is here with a more radical vision of the future — one where humanity isn't saved or slayed by technology, but rather uses it to uplift ordinary people and make things like health care and housing for all a reality.
Regeneration can restore a broken world | Paul Hawken
November 03, 2023 14:45 - 12 minutes VideoA frog and a mockingbird changed Paul Hawken's life, kindling a devotion to protect and restore nature. Now, as one of the world's preeminent environmentalists, he advocates for regeneration — a calling and action plan for the world to come together to end the climate crisis in one generation and put life at the center of every decision we make.
Artificial skin? We made it — here's why | Anna Maria Coclite
November 03, 2023 14:37 - 10 minutes VideoMaterial scientist Anna Maria Coclite unveils "smart skin" — artificial skin technology that responds to touch, temperature and humidity like your very own. (It's actually even more sensitive than human skin!) From helping burn victims to paving the way to smarter, safer humanoid robots, Coclite highlights the broad-ranging potential of this innovation.
The powerful possibilities of recycling the world's batteries | Emma Nehrenheim
November 02, 2023 14:54 - 9 minutes VideoThe world has plenty of clean energy. The problem is storing that energy and getting it where we need it, when we need it, says battery recycling pioneer Emma Nehrenheim. While batteries are fundamental to powering a sustainable future, their production is surprisingly harsh on the environment. She lays out the science behind a breakthrough in recycling a battery's core elements, offering a manufacturing solution that could vastly reduce the industry's environmental impact and demand...
The power of unconventional thinking | David McWilliams
November 01, 2023 14:58 - 18 minutes VideoFrom World War I to the 2008 economic collapse and beyond, history shows that economists don't always see the future as clearly as they think they do, says economist David McWilliams. Using the words of W.B. Yeats, McWilliams makes the case for embracing unconventional thinkers – poets, artists and musicians – and offers a creative path towards a world filled with less confirmation bias and more understanding.
AI is dangerous, but not for the reasons you think | Sasha Luccioni
October 31, 2023 14:46 - 10 minutes VideoAI won't kill us all — but that doesn't make it trustworthy. Instead of getting distracted by future existential risks, AI ethics researcher Sasha Luccioni thinks we need to focus on the technology's current negative impacts, like emitting carbon, infringing copyrights and spreading biased information. She offers practical solutions to regulate our AI-filled future — so it's inclusive and transparent.
How to keep AI under control | Max Tegmark
October 30, 2023 14:38 - 12 minutes VideoThe current explosion of exciting commercial and open-source AI is likely to be followed, within a few years, by creepily superintelligent AI – which top researchers and experts fear could disempower or wipe out humanity. Scientist Max Tegmark describes an optimistic vision for how we can keep AI under control and ensure it's working for us, not the other way around.
How to think computationally about AI, the universe and everything | Stephen Wolfram
October 27, 2023 15:00 - 17 minutes VideoDrawing on his decades-long mission to formulate the world in computational terms, Stephen Wolfram delivers a profound vision of computation and its role in the future of AI. Amid a debut of mesmerizing visuals depicting the underlying structure of the universe, he provides a sweeping survey of his life's work, offering a new perspective on the applications — and consequences — of AI powered by computational language.
My quest to end the horror of gun violence in the US | Lucy McBath
October 27, 2023 13:57 - 12 minutes VideoUS Congresswoman Lucy McBath has made it her mission to seek bipartisan solutions for gun safety, leading the way in sponsoring so-called "red flag" laws that prevent gun violence and mass shootings. In a searing and timely talk, she shares the personal story that led her to this work — and a message for why comprehensive, common-sense gun legislation in the US is more urgent than ever.
A simple way to inspire your team | David Burkus
October 26, 2023 14:58 - 10 minutes VideoUsing paychecks, perks and carefully worded mission statements plastered on posters, companies are on a never-ending quest to find what drives morale at work. An underappreciated solution lies in the answer to one simple question, says management researcher David Burkus. With notable examples backed by decades of success, he presents a clear path to inspiring your team — and finding your purpose at work.
How comedy helps us deal with hard truths | Roy Wood Jr.
October 26, 2023 14:37 - 36 minutes VideoThere's a saying that comedy is tragedy plus time. Perhaps that's why some of our biggest problems feel easiest to manage with a dose of humor. Comedian, journalist and actor Roy Wood Jr. has spent his career finding the silly in the serious and using this tactic to influence real change. Listen in to learn how you can tap into the powers of humor in your own life. (This conversation, hosted by comedian Chris Duffy, was part of an exclusive TED Membership event. TED Membership is the...