What if you could give a TED Talk? An inside look at “My Big Idea,” an original series from TED | TED

If you’ve ever wondered how you can give a TED Talk, you’re not alone. TED believes that ideas change everything — and that they can come from unexpected places. So, we issued an open call to anyone in the UK in search of the biggest, boldest..

My Big Idea (Ep. 1): A joyful way to get outside | Hazel Cottle

As a mother and occupational therapist, Hazel Cottle knows how important it is for both her kids and her patients to spend time outdoors. It sparks joy, brings people together and improves lives. Yet in the UK, a country where it rains a lot, it can..

A fresh approach to resolving conflicts | Darya Shaikh

Conflict is an unavoidable part of any relationship. But what if the point of arguing isn't to win, but rather to grow from the experience? Facilitator Darya Shaikh presents a powerful framework for managing conflicts, showing how you can navigate..

Work is broken. Gen Z can help fix it | Amanda Schneider

Would you rather stay in your current job until you retire, or change jobs every year? Researcher Amanda Schneider says Gen Z's answer to this question says a lot about the evolving workplace. Sharing data-driven insights on the young workforce, she..

An NBA champion's advice on being a top teammate | Shane Battier

What if the secret to success isn’t being in the spotlight, but making everyone else around you shine? Former NBA player Shane Battier shares how his most impactful moments didn’t come from scoring points but rather from small, underrated actions..

A guide to self-love for skeptics | Dan Harris

Self-love isn’t self-indulgence — it’s the learnable skill of treating yourself with the kindness you'd offer a friend, says mindfulness expert Dan Harris. He shares science-backed tips for improving your relationship with yourself and shows how..

An ethicist's guide to living a good life | Ira Bedzow

It's easy to say you have values — but how can you actually put them into action? Ethicist and rabbi Ira Bedzow helps people wrestle with this big question so they can navigate life with a sense of meaning and direction. He sits down with Shoshana..

Why are we sending critical metals to the dump? | Jeff More

The world is heading toward a massive copper shortage that could derail the clean energy transition, says mining expert Jeff More. He shows how advanced sensing technology could get us back on the right track, drastically cutting down on the wasted..

How light and code can transform a city | Leo Villareal

Leo Villareal is an artist, but his tools aren't paint and canvas; he manipulates light, color and computer code to create monumental works of public art. In a dazzling talk, he takes us inside his efforts to light up some of the world's most iconic..

The “hot shot rule” to help you become a better leader | Kat Cole

Confidence doesn’t come before action — it comes from taking action, says business leader Kat Cole, who worked her way up from waitress to CEO of a global health company. She presents a simple yet powerful practice called the “hot shot rule”..

Trump, Europe, Ukraine and the uncertain world order | Ian Bremmer

Headlines have been swirling as President Trump enters his second month back in office and his policies come into focus. In this urgent, fast-paced conversation, political scientist Ian Bremmer defines what we should pay attention to, digging into a..

The science behind dramatically better conversations | Charles Duhigg

The key to deeply connecting with others is about more than just talking — it's about asking the right kinds of questions, says journalist and author Charles Duhigg. He explores research-backed tools to have more meaningful conversations, sharing a..

How to see the future coming — and prepare for it | Jane McGonigal

As a futurist who helps people prepare for all different kinds of possibilities, Jane McGonigal thinks we overuse words like "unthinkable" and "unimaginable." She introduces three hypothetical scenarios, showing how you can foster the ability to think..

A survival guide for musicians in the age of AI | Harvey Mason Jr.

Artificial intelligence can write a song in seconds, but does that mean human songwriters will become obsolete? Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. doesn’t think so. A songwriter himself, he offers a four-step “survival guide” for human..

How to finance the future of farming | Berry Marttin

Agriculture is key to solving the climate crisis, but most farmers don’t have the financial incentive to switch to more eco-friendly practices, says banker and farmer Berry Marttin. He explores how improving the systems around carbon and..

The 7 pillars of unlocking potential | Anirudh Krishna

Why do some countries have a seemingly endless supply of talent in certain fields? From Jamaica's sprinters to South Korea's golfers, public policy professor Anirudh Krishna explains why "talent ladders" — structured pathways to identify and nurture..

A concrete plan for sustainable cement | Ryan Gilliam

Cement is one of the most-consumed materials on Earth — second only to water — and it accounts for a whopping eight percent of the world's carbon pollution. What if we could turn this climate villain into a hero? Clean tech innovator and serial..

A fresh approach to international development | Faisal Saeed Al Mutar

Money for international development rarely makes it to the people it intends to help, says Faisal Saeed Al Mutar, the founder of Ideas Beyond Borders. Highlighting the inefficiencies of the current system, he proposes a new model for aid that..

Where DEI falls short — and how to rethink it | Y-Vonne Hutchinson

Tired of “privilege walks” and black squares on social media that feel hollow? Workplace inclusion expert Y-Vonne Hutchinson peels back the superficial layer of performative DEI to reveal a fresh approach that meets people’s real-life anxieties..

How to divorce as allies, not enemies | Allison O'Brien

Ending a marriage doesn’t have to mean ending a family, says communication expert Allison O'Brien, who navigated her own divorce without lawyers or mediators. She introduces a framework for ensuring a divorce remains peaceful, supports children and..

Will AI make us the last generation to read and write? | Victor Riparbelli

Technology is changing our world — and how we communicate — at an astonishing rate. So much so that entrepreneur Victor Riparbelli predicts that artificial intelligence will drive audio and video to replace text as our primary form of..

Lessons from history for a better future | Roman Krznaric

How can the lessons of the past help us navigate the turbulence of the present and future? Social philosopher Roman Krznaric explores why history isn’t just a record of what’s gone wrong — it’s also full of solutions, resilience and radical..

How AI models steal creative work — and what to do about it | Ed Newton-Rex

Generative AI is built on three key resources: people, compute and data. While companies invest heavily in the first two, they often use unlicensed creative work as training data without permission or payment — a practice that pits AI against the..

How to tame your advice monster | Michael Bungay Stanier

It lurks within, emerging in conversation to share ineffective, premature suggestions … it’s your advice monster, and we all have one, says writer and teacher Michael Bungay Stanier. He shares how giving advice can easily go astray, from solving..

A bold new chapter for TED | Chris Anderson

Chris Anderson, head of TED, has some big news to share: after 25 years of leading the organization, he's issuing an open invitation to pass on its stewardship to someone new. It could be anyone. Maybe you? In conversation with Jay Herratti (CEO of..

The power shift US politics needs | Anathea Chino

As the cofounder of Advance Native Political Leadership, Anathea Chino creates space for Native American leaders to thrive in an often unwelcoming political system. Alongside comedian and filmmaker Negin Farsad, she discusses the power of diverse..

How to handle grief at work and beyond | Meredith Wilson Parfet

What happens when personal grief collides with your professional life? Drawing on her experience as the CEO of a crisis management firm and a hospice chaplain, Meredith Wilson Parfet breaks down the reality of grief — at work and beyond — and..

How to make anxiety your friend | David H. Rosmarin

When anxiety rears its head, we often just want it to go away. Clinical psychologist David H. Rosmarin asks us to consider instead the positive role anxiety can play in our lives, sharing four practical steps to transform it from your enemy into your..

Why joy is a serious way to take action | Pattie Gonia

While doom and gloom may wake people up, joy keeps them in the fight, says drag queen and environmentalist Pattie Gonia. With humor, creativity and a dress made of thrifted shower curtains and upcycled pink flamingo pool floaties, Pattie shows why..

Why social health is key to happiness and longevity | Kasley Killam

You know it's important to take care of your physical and mental health. But what about your social health? Social scientist Kasley Killam shows how feeling a sense of belonging and connection has concrete benefits to your overall health — and..

The key to navigating change with confidence | Kristy Ellmer

What if the change you fear most is actually the best thing for you? Change leader Kristy Ellmer shares a powerful lesson on how even the most difficult transitions, including layoffs and company-wide transformations, can open unexpected doors. She..

How little experiments can lead to big success | Emmanuel Acho and David Epstein

Are your goals and resolutions actually holding you back from becoming your best self? Emmanuel Acho — a former NFL player, now an author and TV sports analyst — sits down with investigative reporter David Epstein to explore why goal-setting often..

TED Explores: Food for the Future | TED Countdown

Food is culture, food is life — it’s part of who we are and the magic that binds us together. But here’s the twist: the way we eat is pushing the climate to the brink, with a third of global greenhouse gas emissions coming from the way we grow,..

What you're missing by focusing on the average | Sharon Zicherman

Are you looking at the right data when making big decisions? Data deconstructor Sharon Zicherman challenges our reliance on averages, showing how they can be misleading — especially in life-changing moments. By rethinking the way we interpret data,..

Is generosity the most underrated leadership skill? | Joe Davis

Leadership isn’t about a title or position — it’s about generosity, says organizational expert Joe Davis. Drawing on his extensive experience as a people manager, he shares three essential tips for leaders to unlock the potential of their teams..

Embrace your main character energy with Natasha Rothwell | On the Spot | Natasha Rothwell

Actor and writer Natasha Rothwell takes the stage for “On the Spot,” TED’s rapid-fire Q&A format. Answering a stream of unexpected questions, she dishes on everything from creativity and representation in TV to love, the first “pinch me”..

Can AI match the human brain? | Surya Ganguli

AI is evolving into a mysterious new form of intelligence — powerful yet flawed, capable of remarkable feats but still far from human-like reasoning and efficiency. To truly understand it and unlock its potential, we need a new science of..

The high-wire act to unlock clean energy | Jason Huang

Why are we using tech from 100 years ago to deliver the world's electricity? Materials scientist Jason Huang shows how we could massively upgrade the global power grid by replacing the wires in existing transmission lines with new, advanced..

The secret to telling a great story — in less than 60 seconds | Jenny Hoyos

For social media creator and viral video hitmaker Jenny Hoyos, the key to telling a great story is to keep it brief. She breaks down her framework for telling stories in 60 seconds or less that can gain millions of views online — or simply elevate..

Why daylight is the secret to great sleep | Christine Blume

Does the type and amount of light you’re exposed to during the day change how well you sleep at night? Diving into the effects of daylight on your internal biological clock, sleep scientist Christine Blume shares practical tips for making natural..

The surprising way small actions shift beliefs | Kris De Meyer

Feeling stuck on the big issues? Neuroscientist Kris De Meyer has a surprising fix. Instead of waiting for information to get you motivated, he shows how taking small actions in your personal life can rewire your brain to get unstuck. Learn more about..

6 ways to make better connections online | Margaux Miller

Networking expert Margaux Miller offers a fresh playbook for making meaningful connections online, presenting six tips for building online relationships that emphasize quality over quantity and the importance of genuine, personalized interactions...

Are we alone in the universe? We're close to finding out | Lisa Kaltenegger

Astrophysicist Lisa Kaltenegger explores the thrilling possibility of discovering life beyond Earth, highlighting how cutting-edge technology like the James Webb Space Telescope lets us analyze distant planets for signs of life in unprecedented..

How AI will answer questions we haven't thought to ask | Aravind Srinivas

Human potential will only accelerate with AI answering questions better and faster than ever before, says Aravind Srinivas, cofounder and CEO of conversational search engine Perplexity. He examines the trends driving new AI-powered tools that nourish..

Climate progress isn't a sprint — it's a marathon | Greg De Temmerman

Fighting climate change is much like long-distance running: a complex journey filled with obstacles, fast-changing conditions and the need for constant adaptation. Drawing on his own experience as an ultramarathon runner, energy expert Greg de..

Confessions of a recovering people pleaser | Baron Ryan

Internet filmmaker Baron Ryan talks to himself, but he doesn't always like what he has to say. In a funny, existential play (where Ryan plays both himself and his mind), he contemplates the paradox of being a people pleaser, the efficacy of melatonin..

The unique love between humans and dogs | Elias Weiss Friedman

What makes the bond between people and dogs so special? Elias Weiss Friedman, creator of The Dogist, has captured millions of hearts by documenting this unique connection through his journalistic style of dog portraits, which reveal each precious..

What if AI could spot your lies? | Riccardo Loconte

Humans are terrible at detecting lies, says psychologist Riccardo Loconte ... but what if we had an AI-powered tool to help? He introduces his team’s work successfully training an AI to recognize falsehoods in certain contexts, laying the groundwork..

How AI is decoding ancient scrolls | Julian Schilliger and Youssef Nader

AI researcher Youssef Nader and digital archaeologist Julian Schilliger share how they used AI to virtually "unroll" and decode the Herculaneum scrolls, burnt and buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius nearly 2,000 years ago. Learn how AI could help..

The potential US TikTok ban — and what's at stake | Clay Shirky

The clock is ticking on social media giant TikTok, which faces a nationwide ban in the United States unless its parent company, ByteDance, sells it by January 19. Social media theorist Clay Shirky unpacks why the US is trying to ban TikTok, what it..