TED Talks Daily

America Ferrera, the award-winning actor and activist famous for her roles in *Ugly Betty* and *Real Women Have Curves*, passionately discusses the urgent need for authentic representation in Hollywood. She recounts her struggles with stereotypes and industry biases, emphasizing how her identity has always been a superpower, not a barrier. Ferrera calls for a shift in storytelling to reflect diverse cultures and resonates on how visibility shapes self-worth and aspirations. Her journey is a powerful reminder of the impact of presence in media.

Chemical engineer Sean Farrington, a PhD student passionate about blood rheology, argues that our blood should flow like ketchup. He shares fascinating insights on how everyday fluids like peanut butter and shampoo can help illustrate the principles of viscosity. Farrington emphasizes the critical link between high blood viscosity and serious health risks, advocating for blood rheology as a vital diagnostic tool. He also discusses his innovative work on a portable device to measure blood flow, aiming to make this life-saving technology accessible.

Isabella Tree, a conservationist and author known for her innovative rewilding projects, shares her journey of transforming a struggling farm into a thriving biodiversity hotspot. Discover her three actionable tips for anyone eager to make their green spaces wild, including creating varied terrain and thinking like a herbivore in garden care. Isabella underscores the profound impact of rewilding even in ordinary backyards, emphasizing that embracing messiness can redefine beauty in our gardens and urban landscapes.

In this engaging talk, sports scientist Richard Felton-Thomas, co-founder of AI.io, reveals how AI is revolutionizing talent discovery in athletics. He discusses the limitations of traditional scouting methods and how geography can bias opportunities for aspiring athletes. Through the AI Scout app, Richard explains using biomechanics and computer vision to analyze sports performance via smartphones. He shares a success story of an overlooked player who secured a professional contract, showcasing the app's potential to uncover hidden talent globally.

Swami Sivasubramanian, VP of agentic AI at AWS, explores the revolutionary potential of AI agents in modern work. He distinguishes these autonomous systems from chatbots, explaining how they adapt and act on user goals. Swami highlights the importance of trust and developer experience for AI agents to thrive. With real-world examples, he showcases how agents can automate creative workflows and simplify software development. He envisions a future where AI agents become invisible assistants, unlocking productivity and creativity across various fields.

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.Interested in learning more about upcoming TED events? Follow these links:TEDNext: ted.com/futureyou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Bonnie Tsui, an author and surfer known for her book "On Muscle and Why We Swim," as she dives into the fascinating world of strength and movement with host Chris Duffy. They discuss the surprising truth that muscle mass can start declining as early as 30. Bonnie shares practical tips on weightlifting and how to maintain mobility, while exploring the cultural significance of muscles and gender norms. Learn how strength can reshape self-perception and the importance of joyful movement in our lives.

Brittany Packnett Cunningham, an inspiring educator and activist, discusses confidence as a catalyst for change. She highlights how knowledge isn't enough without the spark of confidence. Brittany reveals her framework for building confidence through permission, community, and curiosity. Personal anecdotes illustrate how positive support and role models can embolden individuals to find their voice. She envisions a world where inclusive leaders, empowered by revolutionary confidence, drive justice and ambition.

Refilwe Ledwaba, a commercial airplane and helicopter pilot, is the founder of Girls Fly Africa, which empowers young people, particularly women, in aviation. She shares her inspiring journey from flight attendant to pilot, emphasizing the importance of tailored instruction for overcoming training hurdles. The organization focuses on equipping aspiring pilots with essential skills and networks. Refilwe highlights the significance of increasing female representation in aerospace, discussing the community impact and future ambitions to normalize women in aviation careers.

Sasha Luccioni, an AI sustainability expert, reveals the staggering environmental toll of large AI models and massive data centers. She advocates for smaller, more efficient AI that minimizes energy usage while maintaining performance. Luccioni emphasizes the importance of curated training data to reduce misinformation risks and highlights practical benefits like enhanced privacy and accessibility. With innovative applications in climate monitoring, she calls for transparency in AI's energy use and collective action to promote sustainable practices in the industry.