TED Tech

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311 episodes · showing the newest 200

How teach students in an increasingly-AI world | Randi Williams and Matt Wu

Nov 13, 2026 28 min

Technology has always shaped education, but nothing is disrupting teaching like artificial intelligence. In this episode, Sherrell reflects on how learning might change in decades to come, and how by 2040s, “college campus” might mean a cluster of learning pods orbiting somewhere in outer space. In this episode, she shares two talks on student’s relationship with technology and why educators must teach students media literacy and to question AI. Talks featured How to raise kids who question AI | Randi Williams Why AI will never replace a great teacher | Matt Wu Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How Community Notes reduce viral misinformation | Jay Baxter and Keith Coleman

Nov 6, 2026 28 min

Community Notes on X started with a wild idea: Instead of tech companies deciding what's true, what if you let people fact-check each other? Keith Coleman and Jay Baxter, who helped build the crowdsourced system adding context to misleading posts, discuss how the program reduces viral misinformation — and why people across the political spectrum trust it. In conversation with TED guest curator Audrey Tang, they discuss how their "surprising agreement" algorithm could reveal the common ground that quietly exists across a polarized internet. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How to make the internet fun again with Steve Huffman and Michael Sun

Oct 30, 2026 29 min

From Hotmail to Yahoo! to AOL instant messenger, online chat space has transformed throughout the years. Now, there’s Chat GPT, Claude, Gemini, and more AI agents vying for your attention. In today’s episode, Sherrell shares two talks, first featuring Steve Huffman, the co-founder of Reddit, on the platform’s model for a better internet. Then a talk from internet culture writer Michael Sun on how you can recapture the joy of the early internet. Talks featured Reddit's model for a better internet | Steve Huffman How to recapture the joy of the early internet | Michael Sun Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Democracy in the Age of AI (1/5): How AI could hack democracy | Lawrence Lessig

Oct 26, 2026 23 min

Does AI pose a threat to democracy? Law professor Lawrence Lessig dissects how this emerging technology could influence democratic institutions, warning that we’ve already passed a point (before superintelligence or AGI) that deserves a lot more attention. After the talk, Sherrell reflects on the importance of media literacy and the need to remain vigilant and engaged to defend our democracy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Democracy in the Age of AI (2/5): When AI can fake reality, who can you trust? | Sam Gregory

Oct 26, 2026 15 min

We're fast approaching a world where widespread, hyper-realistic deepfakes lead us to dismiss reality, says technologist and human rights advocate Sam Gregory. What happens to democracy when we can't trust what we see? Learn three key steps to protecting our ability to distinguish human from synthetic — and why fortifying our perception of truth is crucial to our AI-infused future. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Democracy in the Age of AI (3/5): Your creative superpowers can help protect democracy | Sofia Ongele

Oct 26, 2026 12 min

"Democracy is more fun and inviting when you take it into your own hands," says creator and activist Sofia Ongele. Sharing how she's using coding and social media to defend democracy, Ongele invites us to identify our own creative superpowers — whether it's community organizing, making music or telling stories — and use them to cause a ruckus and bring movements to life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Democracy in the Age of AI (4/5): How to govern AI — even if it's hard to predict | Helen Toner

Oct 26, 2026 16 min

No one truly understands AI, not even experts, says Helen Toner, an AI policy researcher and former board member of OpenAI. But that doesn't mean we can't govern it. She shows how we can make smart policies to regulate this technology even as we struggle to predict where it's headed — and why the right actions, right now, can shape the future we want. After the talk, Sherrell expands on what’s needed to ensure that AI aligns with the best interests of humanity, without stifling innovation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Democracy in the Age of AI (5/5): How AI and democracy can fix each other | Divya Siddarth

Oct 26, 2026 12 min

We don't have to sacrifice our freedom for the sake of technological progress, says social technologist Divya Siddarth. She shares how a group of people helped retrain one of the world's most powerful AI models on a constitution they wrote — and offers a vision of technology that aligns with the principles of democracy, rather than conflicting with them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The unexpected wonders of my son's short life | James G. Robinson | Your Body on Tech

Oct 23, 2026 51 min

When James G. Robinson's son Nadav was born with a rare heart defect, he feared the worst. What he didn't anticipate were the moments of unexpected wonder. In this profound talk, Robinson traces five years of impossible medical odds, a genetic discovery so strange it felt like fate ... and how grateful he is to have experienced it all. His story is a vivid reminder of what it means to be human — an inexplicable gift, however fleeting. And stick around after his talk for a deep dive conversation with our guest host for the week, author and podcaster Manoush Zomorodi, into the ideas he shared on stage and beyond. This is the last episode in a seven-part series airing this week on TED Talks Daily, where Manoush — and the seven speakers she curated for TED2026 — explore how you can live a healthier life in our high-tech era. To hear more from Manoush, listen to TED Radio Hour wherever you get your podcasts. Check out her new book, Body Electric, to learn more about the hidden health costs of the digital age. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The case for making art in a crisis | Yiyun Kang | Your Body on Tech

Oct 16, 2026 43 min

We have more data than any generation in history, yet reality has never felt harder to grasp. Artist Yiyun Kang is on a mission to translate the invisible crises of our time — from vanishing fresh water and collapsing ecosystems to the black box of AI — into physical experiences that people can feel. Art isn’t a luxury, she says. It’s essential to understanding and acting on our biggest problems. And stick around after her talk for a deep dive conversation with our guest host for the week, author and podcaster Manoush Zomorodi, into the ideas she shared on stage and beyond. This is episode six of a seven-part series airing this week on TED Talks Daily, where Manoush — and the seven speakers she curated for TED2026 — explore how you can live a healthier life in our high-tech era. To hear more from Manoush, listen to TED Radio Hour wherever you get your podcasts. Check out her new book, Body Electric, to learn more about the hidden health costs of the digital age Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can Ozempic end addiction? | Dhruv Khullar | Your Body on Tech

Oct 9, 2026 47 min

What if GLP-1s like Ozempic could do more than just tip the scales? Physician Dhruv Khullar traces the winding path of the "moderation molecule" — from a discovery in Gila monster saliva to a potential diabetes medication and addiction treatment — and how they could quiet the relentless noise of craving. The most surprising effects of GLP-1s may not be in the gut, but in the brain. And stick around after his talk for a deep dive conversation with our guest host for the week, author and podcaster Manoush Zomorodi, into the ideas he shared on stage and beyond. This is episode five of a seven-part series airing this week on TED Talks Daily, where Manoush — and the seven speakers she curated for TED2026 — explore how you can live a healthier life in our high-tech era. To hear more from Manoush, listen to TED Radio Hour wherever you get your podcasts. Check out her new book, Body Electric, to learn more about the hidden health costs of the digital age. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why I’m obsessed with health wearables (and you should be too) | Michael Snyder | Your Body on Tech

Oct 2, 2026 49 min

Genome researcher Michael Snyder believes health wearables, such as smart watches and glucose monitors, can transform medicine, shifting from reactive to predictive. (In fact, he's such a big fan of these devices that he wears eight of them every single day.) From spotting an illness days before symptoms appear to helping prevent the onset of diabetes, learn why the future of health care may be on your wrist. And stick around after his talk for a deep dive conversation with our guest host for the week, author and podcaster Manoush Zomorodi, into the ideas he shared on stage and beyond. This is episode four of a seven-part series airing this week on TED Talks Daily, where Manoush — and the seven speakers she curated for TED2026 — explore how you can live a healthier life in our high-tech era. To hear more from Manoush, listen to TED Radio Hour wherever you get your podcasts. Check out her new book, Body Electric, to learn more about the hidden health costs of the digital age. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robots! (1/5): Meet NEO, your robot butler in training | Bernt Børnich

Sep 28, 2026 15 min

What if doing your chores were as easy as flipping a switch? In this talk and live demo, roboticist and founder of 1X Bernt Børnich introduces NEO, a humanoid robot designed to help you out around the house. Watch as NEO shows off its ability to vacuum, water plants and keep you company, while Børnich tells the story of its development — and shares a vision for robot helpers that could free up your time to focus on what truly matters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robots! (2/5): How you could see inside your body — with a micro-robot | Alex Luebke and Vivek Kumbhari

Sep 28, 2026 12 min

Would you swallow a micro-robot? In a gutsy demo, physician Vivek Kumbhari navigates Pillbot, a wireless, disposable robot swallowed onstage by engineer Alex Luebke, modeling how this technology can swiftly provide direct visualization of internal organs. Learn more about how micro-robots could move us past the age of invasive endoscopies and open up doors to more comfortable, affordable medical imaging. After the talk, Sherrell reflects on how these kinds of innovations could impact the future of diagnostics for everyone. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robots! (3/5): Next up for AI? Dancing robots | Catie Cuan

Sep 28, 2026 11 min

Would you tango with a robot? Inviting us into the fascinating world of dancing machines, robot choreographer Catie Cuan highlights why teaching robots to move with grace, intention and emotion is essential to creating AI-powered machines we will want to welcome into our daily lives. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robots! (4/5): 7 new species of robot that jump, dance — and walk on water | Dennis Hong

Sep 28, 2026 17 min

More than a decade ago, roboticist Dennis Hong debuted a new generation of cutting-edge robots. Now he's back to reveal how his lab at UCLA has eclipsed its own achievements with a fleet of wildly advanced and delightful humanoid robots. Part demo, part time capsule, part glance into the future, Hong brings you into the excitement and potential of the next evolution in robotics engineering. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robots! (5/5): Self-assembling robots and the potential of artificial evolution | Emma Hart

Sep 28, 2026 10 min

What if robots could build and optimize themselves -- with little to no help from humans? Computer scientist Emma Hart is working on a new technology that could make "artificial evolution" possible. She explains how the three ingredients of biological evolution can be replicated digitally to build robots that can self-assemble and adapt to any environment -- from the rocky terrain of other planets to the darkest depths of the ocean -- potentially ushering in a new generation of exploration. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Your vaccine questions deserve real answers | Kizzmekia Corbett | Your Body on Tech

Sep 25, 2026 48 min

What good is a vaccine people don't trust? Immunologist and TED Fellow Kizzmekia Corbett co-developed the first COVID-19 vaccine to enter clinical trials — but she'll tell you that making the vaccine was never the hardest part. The real obstacle is the gap between scientists and the people who have honest questions about the shots they're being asked to take. She shares a refreshing approach for taking on vaccine inquisitiveness and ensuring that humanity is ready for the next pandemic. And stick around after her talk for a deep dive conversation with our guest host for the week, author and podcaster Manoush Zomorodi, into the ideas she shared on stage and beyond. This is episode three of a seven-part series airing this week on TED Talks Daily, where Manoush — and the seven speakers she curated for TED2026 — explore how you can live a healthier life in our high-tech era. To hear more from Manoush, listen to TED Radio Hour wherever you get your podcasts. Check out her new book, Body Electric, to learn more about the hidden health costs of the digital age Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What we're getting wrong about teens and tech | Candice Odgers | Your Body on Tech

Sep 18, 2026 55 min

Trigger warning - this episode contains mention of suicide and severe depression. For years, the warning has been: smartphones are destroying a generation. But developmental psychologist Candice Odgers says that decades of data on teens tells a different story — violence, alcohol use and pregnancy are at historic lows, and research shows social media may not actually be the culprit for mental health problems. Hear her analysis of what’s really troubling kids these days, and why banning them from online spaces may make things worse. And stick around after her talk for a deep dive conversation with our guest host for the week, author and podcaster Manoush Zomorodi, into the ideas she shared on stage and beyond. This is episode two of a seven-part series airing this week on TED Talks Daily, where Manoush — and the seven speakers she curated for TED2026 — explore how you can live a healthier life in our high-tech era. To hear more from Manoush, listen to TED Radio Hour wherever you get your podcasts. Check out her new book, Body Electric, to learn more about the hidden health costs of the digital age. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What sitting all day does to your brain and body | Keith Diaz | Your Body on Tech

Sep 11, 2026 47 min

Can a five-minute walk change how you feel all day? Exercise scientist Keith Diaz shows how your body is built for the kind of movement that modern life has quietly erased — and suggests something refreshingly doable: making time for small doses of movement sprinkled throughout the day, as a way to boost your brain and body. And stick around after his talk for a deep dive conversation with our guest host for the week, author and podcaster Manoush Zomorodi, into the ideas he shared on stage and beyond. This is episode one of a seven-part series airing this week on TED Talks Daily, where Manoush — and the seven speakers she curated for TED2026 — explore how you can live a healthier life in our high-tech era. To hear more from Manoush, listen to TED Radio Hour wherever you get your podcasts. Check out her new book, Body Electric, to learn more about the hidden health costs of the digital age. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why living online is leaving us exhausted — and what actually helps (with Manoush Zomorodi and Elise Hu) | from TED Talks Daily

Sep 4, 2026 42 min

Manoush Zomorodi, host of TED Radio Hour, takes over as guest host ofTED Talks Daily this week to answer a timely question: What does it mean to be human right now, as technology reshapes everything around us? She brings together seven thinkers — scientists, doctors, parents, an artist — to wrestle with how we stay connected to ourselves, and our bodies, in a world that keeps pulling us away. First up, Manoush is joined by Elise Hu to dig into the ideas that are going to be explored this week. They discuss her new book, Body Electric, which explores the hidden health costs of our sedentary lifestyle, and what we can all be doing to reverse the damages. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alternative Future (#1): AI is changing how we talk and think. How can we stop it? with Adam Aleksic and Advait Sarkar

Aug 31, 2026 34 min

Algorithms and AI don’t show us reality, but that doesn’t stop people from treating ChatGPT and online bots as our personalized therapists, travel planners, and editors. In this episode, Sherrell is sharing two talks on how AI is changing the way we’re influenced. From shaping our language to becoming “middle managers of our own thoughts,” these speakers ask what happens when we offload critical thinking to a machine. Talks featured Why are people starting to sound like ChatGPT? | Adam Aleksic How to stop AI from killing your critical thinking | Advait Sarkar Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alternative Future (#2): What Earth in 2125 could look like | Iseult Gillespie

Aug 31, 2026 7 min

Faced with the realities of current crises, it’s easy to assume our world is headed in a bleak direction. But there’s good reason to be hopeful— with developments in science and technology, a positive future is more viable than ever before. So, what if the future was awesome? Iseult Gillespie explores what three cities could look like in 100 years if we harness the tools we have at our disposal. [Directed by Devin Clark, Augenblick Studios, narrated by Alexandra Panzer, music by Tom Kaericher]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alternative Future (#3): How to build in space for life on Earth | Ariel Ekblaw

Aug 31, 2026 14 min

Is space the “final frontier” — or the perfect place to revolutionize life on Earth? Space architect Ariel Ekblaw reveals how self-assembling structures could build orbiting real estate in space dedicated to solving humanity’s greatest dilemmas on Earth, leading to scientific and medical breakthroughs only possible in zero gravity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alternative Future (#4): The food that fertilizes itself | Giles E.D. Oldroyd

Aug 31, 2026 14 min

Could the key to a sustainable food system already be growing in the world’s farms? Plant scientist Giles E.D. Oldroyd explores how a special quirk of soybean plants allows them to naturally partner with networks of fungi and bacteria to access essential nutrients in the air and soil — eliminating the need for synthetic fertilizers. He shows how harnessing these microscopic powerhouses could help scientists rewire crops to make their own fertilizer, reducing pollution, increasing yields and improving livelihoods for smallholder farmers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alternative Future (#5): Who owns the internet of the future? | Ordinary Things

Aug 31, 2026 21 min

The emergence of data-driven mass surveillance "is threatening to turn privacy into a relic of the 20th century," says the anonymous YouTube creator known as Ordinary Things. Meanwhile, state-funded troll farms are spreading disinformation and curating chaos on platforms meant to connect us and revolutionize the way we live. This week, we're revisiting a talk in which Ordinary Things gives an enlightening account of the internet's strengths and weaknesses, warning that the fight for a free internet is a fight for our collective future. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why humans should merge with AI | D. Scott Phoenix

Aug 28, 2026 33 min

Deep tech entrepreneur D. Scott Phoenix spent years building AI — now, he believes we're on the cusp of a profound merger between humans and machines. Reframing the AI debate through the lens of evolutionary biology, he shifts the question from whether we should fear or embrace AI to whether we understand what's at stake if we get it wrong. Hear his provocative case for why we need to "eat the AI." After the talk, Sherrell interviews Baratunde Thurston, host of Life with Machines, on how to live well with technology. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why AI isn't going to become conscious | Anil Seth

Aug 21, 2026 19 min

We see consciousness in AI the same way we see faces in clouds, says neuroscientist Anil Seth. He explores the all-too-human tendency to project inner life onto machines that are brilliant mimics, not sentient beings, and gives a definitive answer to the urgent question: Will AI ever gain consciousness? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How to parent in the age of AI with Stephen Remedios and Avni Patel Thompson

Aug 14, 2026 27 min

Outsourcing parenthood can feel like the ultimate life hack. Less noise. Fewer interruptions. But at what cost? In today’s episode, Sherrell shares two talks on parenting in the age of AI. First, a father who handed the job to AI and learned something no algorithm could teach him. Then, a founder who says the goal was never to outsource the parenting but to lighten the load for the people carrying the most. Talks featured I let DaddyGPT parent my kids. Here's what I learned | Stephen RemediosCan AI help with the chaos of family life? | Avni Patel Thompson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Exploring the ocean through whales with Eric Stackpole

Aug 7, 2026 15 min

What if you stuck a camera onto a whale’s back before it dives underwater? What would you discover and what would you hear? In this episode, Sherrell shares a talk from an ocean explorer who captured something no one had ever seen. Then, she shares a TED-Ed lesson that explains the mechanics of whale communication and why their sounds are so melodic. Talks featured A Whale’s Eyeview of the Ocean | Eric Stackpole Why do Whales Sing? | TED Ed Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The hidden health benefits of wearables technology with Michael Snyder

Jul 31, 2026 28 min

Michael Snyder is a professor and genomicist who wears eight pieces of wearable technology every day: four smartwatches, two rings, and two hearing aids. These devices give him a personal data dashboard to help him understand his health in real time. In this interview, Michael joins Sherrell to discuss how wearables can help you identify health conditions, from irregular heartbeats to a COVID-19 exposure, to even which food triggers your glucose spike. The two also talk about why everyone should wear a CGM (continuous glucose monitor), how wearing wearables can help you stay more accountable to your health goals, and why it’s important to know who owns your data. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sherrell's Top 5 (#1): How we built Watch Duty, the lifesaving wildfire alert app with John Mills

Jul 24, 2026 11 min

After finding himself alone in an unreported wildfire in the woodlands of California, John Mills decided to take matters into his own hands. Hear the incredible story of how he rallied fire survivors and retired first responders to create Watch Duty, the nonprofit emergency alert system that’s beating official government warnings and buying people precious minutes to escape danger. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sherrell's Top 5 (#2): Inside India's astonishing solar revolution with Kanika Chawla

Jul 24, 2026 13 min

In 2014, the world’s second largest coal consumer made a bold promise: to increase its solar capacity from three gigawatts to 100 gigawatts in just eight years. Many people called it overly ambitious, but energy expert Kanika Chawla saw the opportunity of a lifetime. She tells the story of how India became a solar powerhouse, turning an expensive dream into an economic reality — and creating a model for other countries to follow suit. After, Sherrell reflects on what drives the green economy and the growth strategy other companies can follow. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sherrell's Top 5 (#3): How one of China’s biggest tech companies is tackling carbon removal with Xu Hao

Jul 24, 2026 23 min

Tencent is one of China’s biggest tech companies, running the popular Chinese messaging app WeChat and the world’s largest video game vendor. Now, it’s also an up-and-coming force in the field of carbon removal. Xu Hao, the vice president of Sustainable Social Value at Tencent, oversees two of those initiatives: the Carbon Neutrality Lab and CarbonX. He sits down with Sherrell Dorsey, host of the “TED Tech” podcast, to talk about how megacorporation can help advance the climate movement. He also explores the current state of carbon removal technology and how Tencent’s video games are becoming an unlikely source of climate education for hundreds of thousands of people. This is episode three of a four-part series airing this month on TED Tech, where host and climate tech journalist Sherrell Dorsey speaks with climate leaders on the technology sparking a greener, more equitable future. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sherrell's Top 5 (#4): The multidimensional magic of modern maps | Peter Wilczynski

Jul 24, 2026 9 min

Maps have long helped us understand the world — now, they can help us shape it. Digital cartographer Peter Wilczynski introduces the Living Globe: a real-time, data-rich digital twin of Earth that fuses satellite imagery, sensor data and AI. Watch for a glimpse of the future of maps — and learn how these new tools can help us build the future without wrecking the planet. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sherrell's Top 5 (#5): How to pull the emergency brake on global warming with Mohamed A. Sultan

Jul 24, 2026 17 min

Landfills across African cities are catching fire and releasing methane, an invisible greenhouse gas with more short-term warming potential than CO2. Sustainable strategist Mohamed A. Sultan reveals how local communities are turning this crisis into opportunity, diverting hundreds of tons of waste from landfills and helping thousands of farmers adopt more sustainable techniques. Learn why cutting methane emissions is a win-win opportunity to drive down global temperatures while also creating more livable cities. (This ambitious idea is part of The Audacious Project, TED’s initiative to inspire and fund global change.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How to power the world – and accelerate clean energy with Kimiko Hirata

Jul 17, 2026 20 min

How much electricity does humanity use? And how can we ensure that the energy we need in the future is also clean? In this episode, Sherrell shares two talks on how one climate advocate in Japan is convincing the country to adopt renewable energy, and a TED-Ed lesson that dives into the complex systems required to power the world. Talks featured A cheat sheet for accelerating clean energy | Kimiko Hirata How much electricity is needed to power the world? | TED Ed Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How to pick the right path forward with AI with Alvin W. Graylin and Manoush Zomorodi

Jul 10, 2026 22 min

“Entry-level hiring has collapsed — because Agentic AI is now doing the work that used to train junior developers, researchers, and analysts,” says TED Tech host Sherrell Dorsey. In this episode, Sherrell shares two talks on the future of AI. First, Alvin W. Graylin is in conversation with TED Radio Hour host Manoush Zomorodi at TED Next 2025 on the policies that can help people whose jobs are threatened by AI. Then dive into a TED-Ed lesson on technological inventions throughout the centuries and AI impact on humanity’s future. Talks featured 3 possible futures for AI — which will we choose? | Alvin W. Graylin and Manoush Zomorodi Is AI the most important technology of the century? | TED-Ed Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is your electric bill about to go up? with Asim Z. Haque

Jul 3, 2026 46 min

The grid powering millions of homes and businesses on the East Coast was never built to handle the surging demand from data centers and the AI boom. So what happens when the system designed to carry that load starts falling behind and consumers start seeing rate hikes? In this miniseries finale, Sherrell sits down with Asim Z. Haque, Senior Vice President of Governmental & Member Services at PJM Interconnection, to talk about the state of our energy infrastructure. Then after the interview, Sherrell shares a talk from Varun Sivaram on how AI can scale responsibly and help solve the energy crisis it created. Talk featured How AI Can Solve Its Own Energy Crisis | Varun Sivaram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Power Without a Playbook with Kristen Gonzalez

Jun 26, 2026 34 min

With data centers popping up throughout the country, what does accountability look like for local governments? In this episode, Sherrell is in conversation with New York State Senator Kristen Gonzalez discussing the role policy can play in the development –or lack thereof– of data center construction. Afterwards, stick around for a talk from Sasha Luccioni on the alternative AI models that could make technology smarter, fairer and more sustainable. Talk featured We're Doing AI All Wrong. Here's How to Get It Right | Sasha Luccioni Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does the Cloud drink? with Sarah Houston

Jun 19, 2026 39 min

Every time you run an AI query, a pump turns on somewhere. In Memphis, Tennessee, that pump draws from one of the purest aquifers in the world. That same water supply is already threatened by a century of industrial pollution. Community organizer Sarah Houston shares what xAI's five-million-gallon-a-day habit is costing the communities closest to Colossus. Then, a talk from Ayşe Coskun on who pays the price when development comes to town. Talk featured The Story You're Not Hearing About AI Data Centers | Ayşe Coskun Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Data Center Next Door with Dr. Sacoby Wilson

Jun 12, 2026 27 min

Imagine if one day, your quiet neighborhood came alive with a steady hum… and it never went away? All throughout the United States, data centers are popping up next door and in your backyards. These buildings guzzle millions of water, cause noise pollution, and are raising homeowners’ utility bills. In this first episode of a four-part miniseries, Sherrell interviews environmental health scientist Dr. Sacoby Wilson on what happens when data centers infiltrate a neighborhood. They discuss why data centers disproportionately undermine working class communities and how Dr. Wilson is working developing ordinances to better regulate data centers and holding planning commissions accountable. Talk featured How to build an equitable and just climate future | Peggy Shepard Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How a wildlife conservationist is saving animals with online streaming

Jun 5, 2026 28 min

Wildlife conservationist Maya Higa did something extraordinary – and surprising. In only 21 hours, Maya reached over a million people and raised more than half a million dollars to fund a wildlife sanctuary – by livestreaming on Twitch. Following her talk at TED2026, Maya sat down for a special interview with Sherrell to discuss how the internet is creating a novel, non-invasive way for people to learn about – wildlife rehabilitation, discusses the benefits of reaching a new audience through digital platforms, and shares advice she has for young people on finding what you love online. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How to make AI worth your time with Max Mullen | from WorkLife with Molly Graham

May 29, 2026 39 min

If you’ve tried AI and felt underwhelmed — or if the constant pressure to “just play around with it” makes you want to throw your laptop across the room — you’re not alone. But according to Max Mullen, co-founder of Instacart and one of the most practical thinkers on this technology, you might be closer to becoming an AI expert than you realize. In this episode, Max makes the case that expertise with AI isn’t about taking a course or spending your weekend trying to learn how to use it. Max talks about how to use AI to solve real problems, why you want to try it more than once, and argues that building a relationship with the tool is the key to getting better and faster results. This is the episode for anyone who’s skeptical, behind, or just exhausted by the hype. WorkLife is a podcast from TED where host and company builder Molly Graham and her expert guests talk through the messy feelings we all experience at work. Ambition and failure, joy and burnout, confidence and self-doubt — this show digs into it all to help you build a career without losing yourself. Listen now: https://link.mgln.ai/WxcTph Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The past and future of clean transportation with Doreen Orishaba, Daniel Sperling, and Gil Tal

May 22, 2026 23 min

Electric vehicles have a surprisingly long history. Battery-powered cars have existed since 1881. So why did the world choose to spend over a century investing in fossil fuels? Sherrell explores this question with a talk from engineer Doreen Orishaba. Doreen built Africa's first electric vehicle and now runs 100+ electric buses across East Africa. Her success proves that the countries that did not inherit a broken infrastructure may be best positioned to build what comes next. Then digs deeper into the background of electric cars in a TED-ED lesson from Daniel Sperling and Gil Tal. Talks featured How to make transportation quieter, cleaner and cheaper | Doreen Orishaba TED-ED: The surprisingly long history of electric cars | Daniel Sperling and Gil Tal Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What big oil is hiding from you with Cindy Taff and Stephanie Honchell Smith

May 15, 2026 24 min

Did you know every time you fill up your gas tank, you’re paying two prices? In this episode, Sherrell shares two talks about what Big Oil has built, what it buried, and what this discovery means for our future. Talks featured How to power the world 24/7 — without oil | Cindy Taff What the oil industry doesn’t want you to know | Stephanie Honchell Smith Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is AI progress stuck? | Jennifer Golbeck (re-release)

May 8, 2026 14 min

Will progress in artificial intelligence continue to accelerate, or have we already hit a plateau? Computer scientist Jennifer Golbeck interrogates some of the most high-profile claims about the promises and pitfalls of AI, cutting through the hype to clarify what's worth getting excited about — and what isn't. After the talk, Modupe reminds us that AI is a tool and it's our responsibility to use it wisely. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why we need to talk about money to save the planet with Yi Li and Brent Loken

May 1, 2026 20 min

“In climate tech, we don’t like talking about money,” says TED Tech host Sherrell Dorsey, but what if avoiding money talk is hurting the planet more than we realize? In this episode, Sherrell is sharing two talks on the past and future of farming and sustainability. Entrepreneur Yi Li speaks on why prioritizing her company’s bottom line is crucial in her work to help Kenyan farmers. Then, Bret Loken explores what farming would look like if it considered profit and scale alongside climate. Talks featured The missing piece in climate action (it's not what you think) | Yi Li Can we create the "perfect" farm? | Brent Loken Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if our infrastructure could repair itself? with Mark Miodownik and Congrui Jin

Apr 24, 2026 20 min

What if we live in a world where infrastructure maintenance is regenerative? Roads, bridges, and buildings won’t have to rely on taxes or tolls to finance repair, but are constructed with materials capable for self-repair? In this episode, Sherrell is sharing two talks on how two engineers are rethinking ways to design infrastructure that’s greener and more sustainable. Talks featured The brilliance of bridges and roads that repair themselves | Mark Miodownik What if cracks in concrete could fix themselves? | Congrui Jin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The probe on a mission to touch the Sun | Nour E. Rawafi (re-release)

Apr 17, 2026 14 min

From its life-sustaining energy to its explosive geomagnetic storms, the Sun has many mysteries, says astrophysicist Nour E. Rawafi. He sheds light on NASA's latest endeavor to better understand our fiery neighbor and its impact on the future of society: sending the cutting-edge Parker Solar Probe deep into the Sun's atmosphere in humanity's closest-ever approach to a star. This episode originally aired in 2025. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.