TED Tech

From the construction of virtual realities to the internet of things to the watches on our wrists—technology's influence is everywhere. Its role in our lives is evolving fast, and we're faced with riveting questions and tough challenges that sit at the intersection of technology and humanity. Listen in every Friday, with host, journalist Sherrell Dorsey, as TED speakers explore the way tech shapes how we think about society, science, design, business, and more.

Follow Sherrell on Instagram @sherrell_dorsey and on LinkedIn @sherrelldorsey

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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32 episodes
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Avg 25 min
English

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July 3 · 46 min
Is your electric bill about to go up? with Asim Z. Haque
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.
June 26 · 34 min
Power Without a Playbook with Kristen Gonzalez
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.
June 19 · 39 min
What does the Cloud drink? with Sarah Houston
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.
June 12 · 27 min
The Data Center Next Door with Dr. Sacoby Wilson
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.
June 5 · 28 min
How a wildlife conservationist is saving animals with online streaming
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.
May 29 · 39 min
How to make AI worth your time with Max Mullen | from WorkLife with Molly Graham
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.
May 22 · 23 min
The past and future of clean transportation with Doreen Orishaba, Daniel Sperling, and Gil Tal
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.
May 15 · 24 min
What big oil is hiding from you with Cindy Taff and Stephanie Honchell Smith
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.
May 8 · 14 min
Is AI progress stuck? | Jennifer Golbeck (re-release)
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.
May 1 · 20 min
Why we need to talk about money to save the planet with Yi Li and Brent Loken
“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.
April 24 · 20 min
What if our infrastructure could repair itself? with Mark Miodownik and Congrui Jin
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.
April 17 · 14 min
The probe on a mission to touch the Sun | Nour E. Rawafi (re-release)
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.

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