TED Radio Hour The lab behind Waymo and Google Glass that wants to reshape your life
12 snips
Sep 12, 2025 
Astro Teller, CEO of X, Alphabet's moonshot factory, is an innovative entrepreneur and computer scientist tackling urgent global challenges. He discusses groundbreaking advances in self-driving technology and shares insights into Waymo's impact on urban life. The conversation includes the evolution of Google Glass, societal perceptions, and ethical dilemmas surrounding AI. Astro emphasizes the importance of experimentation and risk management in developing transformative tech. He also highlights unique projects aimed at climate change, renewable energy, and food distribution.
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Moonshot Criteria
- A moonshot needs a big problem, a radical solution, and a breakthrough technology to test the idea.
- That trio forms a testable hypothesis and grants permission to begin work.
Graduate Winners Quickly
- When a project can scale, move it out of the incubator so you can focus on new bets.
- Use a formal "graduation" process to avoid fixing on one success and stifling other experiments.
Run Hard Problems First
- Hunt for ways to prove your idea wrong early by running at the hardest parts first.
- Celebrate attempts to 'kill' projects because breaking assumptions speeds discovery.