TEDialogues

Sara, a talent manager, introduces imma, a virtual human created with CGI, who has gained popularity for her fashion and lifestyle posts on social media. Despite not being real, imma connects deeply with her audience, especially Gen Z, blurring the lines between virtual and real-life influencers. As virtual humans like imma become integrated with AI, they can engage in real-time conversations and...

Saamra, an entrepreneur who started her journey at 39, shares how she once believed entrepreneurship wasn’t for her, despite growing up with entrepreneurial parents. Today, she works to demystify entrepreneurship for young Black people by showing them multiple pathways to becoming business creators. Saamra highlights the importance of diverse role models, near-peer mentorship, and the power of soc...

Drawing from her personal journey growing up on a small farm in Uganda, this speaker highlights the transformative power of empowering smallholder farmers. She shares how providing her mother with improved seeds boosted crop yields and financial independence, leading to greater community development. As the former Minister of Agriculture in Rwanda, she helped implement agricultural reforms that li...

In this powerful talk, a war reporter sheds light on the untold stories of environmental defenders—Indigenous communities and activists risking their lives to protect the world’s last pristine ecosystems. These unsung heroes, often living in conflict zones, are battling governments, multinational corporations, and violent cartels to defend mountains, rivers, and forests. With over 1,700 environmen...

In this fascinating dialogue, cognitive neuroscientist Anil Seth and actor Yara Shahidi explore the intersections between acting, consciousness, and the sense of self. Shahidi shares her experience as an actor, discussing how playing different roles influences her perception of reality and self-identity. Seth delves into how consciousness constructs our experience of the world, including emotions...

In this talk, the speaker, with two decades of experience in international conflict resolution, argues that war is the ultimate human rights abuse and often exacerbates conflicts rather than resolves them. Drawing on examples such as Afghanistan, Iraq, and Ukraine, the speaker stresses the need for early mediation, diplomacy, and addressing security concerns of all sides. Highlighting the importan...

This talk explores the often-invisible yet essential infrastructure systems—energy, water, sewage, transportation—that underpin modern life. The speaker highlights how these systems give us agency and freedom, but also how they are deeply intertwined with global issues like climate change. Reflecting on how infrastructural networks connect us to the past, present, and future, the speaker emphasize...

In this compelling talk, the speaker highlights the critical link between climate change and conflict, particularly in Africa. Drawing from personal experience as a war survivor and his work with conflict-affected communities, he emphasizes how poverty, unemployment, and violence hinder climate action. Through stories from Uganda and beyond, he illustrates how communities are forced to exploit nat...

In this engaging talk, the speaker explores the role of testosterone in shaping sex differences in behavior, particularly in play. Testosterone, present in both sexes but significantly higher in men, influences growth, brain function, and behavior. Drawing from research in behavioral endocrinology and personal experiences, the speaker highlights how rough-and-tumble play is more common in boys due...

In this talk, the speaker highlights the importance of improving work conditions for essential workers in low-wage, labor-intensive industries like retail and restaurants. Workers such as Janet, a retail manager, face unlivable wages and unpredictable schedules, leading to high turnover and inefficiency. Through the “Good Jobs System,” companies like Costco and Sam’s Club have shown that investing...

In this thought-provoking dialogue, theater director Amir Nizar Zuabi and conservationist Kristine McDivitt Tompkins reflect on the deep interconnection between human compassion, climate change, and societal collapse. Zuabi shares stories of symbolic art projects like Amal, a puppet refugee, and “The Herds,” life-sized animal puppets migrating to highlight environmental collapse. Tompkins draws pa...

In this insightful talk, an Iranian-American speaker reflects on the complexities of living between two cultures. Celebrating the beauty of both Iranian and American identities, they explore the tension between independence and interdependence, continuous improvement and being present. The speaker shares how American ideals like independence and constant growth are complemented by the Iranian emph...

Henna Pryor shares a humorous yet insightful reflection on how our fear of awkwardness holds us back from taking risks and improving ourselves. From miscommunications in the workplace to the discomfort of correcting someone about your name, Pryor shows how our desire for external approval often keeps us stuck in a mindset that limits growth. Drawing parallels between professional life and the inte...

Playwright and negotiation expert shares five transformative lessons about negotiation, sparked by an unexpected lesson in a two-person kayak during her honeymoon. She redefines negotiation as a process of steering relationships, not battling for control. Key takeaways include the power of curiosity, starting with self-reflection, and understanding silence as a tool. Rather than viewing negotiatio...

Playwright David Finnigan reflects on the surprising reactions to his provocative play Kill Climate Deniers , which aimed to spark dialogue about climate change and politics. Despite initial controversy from conservative media, Finnigan’s interactions with everyday climate deniers revealed a deeper truth: while many deny climate science to avoid facing its consequences, others who believe in the s...

Playwright David Finnigan shares his experience writing Kill Climate Deniers , a provocative play meant to spark a conversation about climate change and politics. Through the unexpected reactions of climate deniers, Finnigan uncovers a deeper truth about our collective response to climate change. While climate deniers reject the science to avoid accepting its consequences, Finnigan argues that man...

In this thought-provoking conversation, social psychologist Brian S. Lowery and technologist Kylan Gibbs discuss the implications of AI and technology on human connection and social experiences. They explore how AI interactions differ from human communication, emphasizing the nuances that make us uniquely human. Gibbs highlights the potential for AI to shape our sense of agency and shared experien...

In this hilarious and insightful talk, Chris Duffy shares how working with fifth-grade students and teaching improv comedy taught him valuable lessons in creativity, humor, and letting go of self-judgment. From unexpected student questions to mischievous pranks on LinkedIn, Duffy illustrates how tapping into our uninhibited, childlike creativity can lead to delightful surprises. Whether it’s turni...

In this powerful talk, the speaker addresses the global crisis of extreme poverty, where hundreds of millions struggle to meet basic needs. While traditional aid projects often fail due to inefficiency and bureaucracy, unconditional cash transfers offer a solution that is more effective, efficient, and respectful. By directly giving cash to those in need, people can make their own choices and inve...

In this eye-opening talk, a food waste expert highlights the enormous scale of global food waste, which sees one billion meals discarded daily. This waste contributes significantly to climate change through methane emissions from rotting food in landfills, and it squanders vast resources used in food production. The speaker shares practical solutions—from food-saving apps to smarter shopping and m...

In this Dialogue Book Club episode, host Elise Hu interviews social psychologist Jonathan Haidt about his book, The Anxious Generation . Haidt explores the link between the rise of smartphones and the mental health crisis affecting Gen Z. He explains how the shift from a play-based childhood to a phone-based one has led to increasing rates of anxiety, depression, and social isolation, especially a...

Success feels exhilarating, but once the excitement fades, many ask, “Is this all there is?” In this insightful talk, a Stanford professor reflects on personal achievement and its limits. While accomplishments can provide happiness and purpose, true meaning comes from relationships and participating in others’ stories. The talk explores how coherence, purpose, and significance create a fulfilling...

In this fascinating talk, talent manager Sara introduces imma, a virtual human created using CGI. Despite being fictional, imma has a huge following on social media, sharing her life, fashion, and opinions on real-world issues. With a blend of creativity and AI, virtual humans like imma offer new ways for people to connect and express themselves. Imma has collaborated with top brands and been reco...

In this powerful talk, a Stanford professor reflects on the difference between personal achievement and a meaningful life. While success can bring happiness and a sense of accomplishment, it often leaves people asking, “Is this all there is?” The speaker explores the deeper concept of meaning, which comes from coherence, purpose, and significance. Meaningfulness is often found in relationships and...

In this inspiring conversation, food pioneer Uma Valeti and chef Jon Kung discuss the power of optimism and innovation in tackling the world’s biggest challenges—starting with the future of food. Valeti shares his journey from cardiology to founding Upside Foods, a company focused on cultivating meat from animal cells. Their discussion highlights the need for solutions that balance tradition and i...