TED Talks Daily

When Kate Marvel set out to write a book on climate change, she wanted to expand the conversation beyond data, charts and graphs. This meant refocusing the topic on nine human emotions: wonder, anger, guilt, fear, grief, surprise, pride, hope and love. In this TED Talks Daily Book Club interview, host Elise Hu speaks with Kate about her new book, Human Nature: Nine Ways to Feel About Our Changing...

Chatbots might help you get work done faster — but at what cost? When we outsource our reasoning to artificial intelligence, we reduce ourselves to "middle managers for our own thoughts," says AI and design researcher Advait Sarkar. He examines the cognitive trade-offs of using AI at work and introduces a different kind of tool: one that encourages critical thinking, nudges reflection and actually...

What's the right way to flirt? According to love coach Francesca Hogi, it doesn't have to be shallow or creepy — it can be a genuine chance for human connection. In this smart, playful talk, she gives a much-needed rethink on flirting that will help you feel confident, spark chemistry and maybe even find love. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Climate change isn't just reshaping our planet — it's also shaking the very foundations of the economy, says sustainability expert Edmond Rhys Jones. He explores the massive gap between what science tells us about the climate crisis and how the economy measures its impact, advocating for economists to borrow tools from science (like simulations and digital twins) to prepare for the turbulence ahea...

Two current US governors — Democrat Matt Meyer of Delaware and Republican J. Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma — trade notes on how to rebuild trust without partisan theater. In this special segment of "On the Spot" (TED's rapid-fire Q&A format), they share thoughts on leading when people live in different realities, swapping outrage for outcomes and why we need to govern like neighbors, not enemies. Ho...

Author A.J. Jacobs embarked on a quest with a deceptively simple idea at its heart: to personally thank every person who helped make his morning cup of coffee. More than one thousand "thank yous" later, Jacobs reflects on the globe-trotting journey that ensued -- and shares the life-altering wisdom he picked up along the way. "I discovered that my coffee would not be possible without hundreds of p...

If we can put astronauts on the moon, conservationists shouldn't have to hike miles through dense forests to change the batteries on cameras, says Juan M. Lavista Ferres, chief data scientist at the AI for Good Lab. He introduces SPARROW, an open-source, solar-powered AI system that can analyze sounds and images to turn years of biodiversity monitoring into real-time insights, giving conservationi...

When entrepreneur Samir Ibrahim asked farmers in Kenya what problem they most needed solved, the answer was simple: reliable access to water to irrigate their farms year-round. Samir is the CEO of SunCulture, a company replacing diesel- and petrol-powered water pumps with more affordable solar-powered ones. He sits down with Sherrell Dorsey, host of the “TED Tech” podcast, to discuss how he contin...

Hollywood needs to stop resisting what the world actually looks like, says actor, director and activist America Ferrera. Tracing the contours of her career, she calls for more authentic representation of different cultures in media -- and a shift in how we tell our stories. "Presence creates possibility," she says. "Who we see thriving in the world teaches us how to see ourselves, how to think abo...

Your blood should have more in common with ketchup than just color, says chemical engineer Sean Farrington. Demonstrating the flow of everyday products like shampoo, peanut butter and ketchup, he makes the case for expanding the use of blood viscosity as a medical diagnostic, much like blood pressure. Learn more about the little-known field of rheology and how it could save lives — if taken seriou...

When conservationists talk about rewilding, most people picture wolves and bison roaming endless landscapes — but Isabella Tree discovered the real revolution is happening in ordinary backyards. She shares the incredible story of how she and her husband transformed their failing farmland into a nature paradise, offering a three-step formula for anyone looking to turn their green space wild. Hosted...

What if the next Lionel Messi or Simone Biles is out there right now ... but no one knows? Sports scientist Richard Felton-Thomas shows how new AI tools are expanding the reach of talent discovery in sports, helping scouts find the next great superstar — and letting athletes showcase their skills from anywhere in the world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if you had an AI-powered assistant — that took initiative on its own? Technology leader Swami Sivasubramanian believes AI agents are the future of work, capable of sparking new levels of productivity and creativity. Demystifying the workings of autonomous software systems, he explains what they are (and aren’t) and advocates for a world in which AI handles the boring stuff, so you can fo...

The AI revolution and our aging power grid are on a historic collision course, threatening to stall innovation and raise energy costs for everyone. Physicist and AI grid futurist Varun Sivaram reveals how we might turn this looming crisis into a once-in-a-generation opportunity — unlocking massive power capacity, lowering costs and accelerating the energy future we’ve been waiting for. Hosted on A...

Did you know that you start losing muscle mass as soon as the age of 30? Author and surfer Bonnie Tsui explores how to build strength as you age with Chris Duffy, host of the "How to Be a Better Human" podcast. Watch as Bonnie tries to teach Chris how to surf while weaving in lessons on the benefits of weightlifting, maintaining mobility and adding more movement into your life. This episode is par...

"Confidence is the necessary spark before everything that follows," says educator and activist Brittany Packnett Cunningham. In an inspiring talk, she shares three ways to crack the code of confidence -- and her dream for a world where revolutionary confidence helps turn our most ambitious dreams into reality. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it take to fly a plane? For TED Fellow Refilwe Ledwaba, it took perseverance and drive — and an instructor who took the time to teach to her learning style. Today, as founder of Girls Fly Africa, Ledwaba is empowering the next generation of pilots, particularly young women, with the engineering skills, professional networks and hands-on experience they need to take flight into a sky-high...

Artificial intelligence is changing everything — but at what cost? AI sustainability expert Sasha Luccioni exposes how tech companies' massive data centers are burning through energy and wrecking the planet. She introduces a powerful alternative: small but mighty AI models that could flip the script and make the technology smarter, fairer and sustainable. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for...

Ecosystem scientist Yadvinder Malhi takes us on a jaw-dropping journey through the hidden flows of energy that make life on Earth tick. From sun-soaked forests to tropical islands, he shows how his team measures the vibrancy of ecosystems across the world. This complex web of energy isn't just nature's masterpiece, he says — it's a lifeline for all of us that call this planet home. Hosted on Acast...

Imagine watching a movie where the main character turns, looks right at you and asks what to do next. That's the future of entertainment that AI engineer Christoph Lassner envisions, featuring interactive, AI-powered stories that you don’t just watch but also help create. He unpacks what this could mean for storytelling, imagining a world in which creators use generative AI to set the scene — and...

Neuroscientist Jennifer Pfeifer digs into the fascinating brain changes driving young people’s behavior during the critical years of adolescence. She debunks some of the biggest misunderstandings about teens — including puberty, hormones and the impact of social media on mental health — and shows how to support kids during this period of growth and possibility.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com...

Being open and vulnerable with your loneliness, sadness and fear can help you find comfort and feel less alone, says writer and artist Jonny Sun. In an honest talk filled with his signature illustrations, Sun shares how telling stories about feeling like an outsider helped him tap into an unexpected community and find a tiny sliver of light in the darkness. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy f...

Reflecting on moments that shaped his life, actor Ethan Hawke examines how courageous expression promotes healing and connection with one another -- and invites you to discover your own unabashed creativity. "There is no path till you walk it," he says. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

More than 8,000 satellites orbit Earth, taking photos every day. Food security specialist and TED Fellow Catherine Nakalembe shows how she uses this imagery to help smallholder farmers across Africa prepare for floods, droughts and crop failures. Learn why real innovation isn’t always about shinier technology — it’s about making the tech truly fit the problem it’s solving. Hosted on Acast. See aca...

Troy Vincent Sr. — a professional football player for 15 years and now an executive for the NFL — is here to share the future of the game: flag football. He discusses how this new version of the sport is opening doors for young women and girls to take the field, creating a global movement ahead of its debut at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...