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TED Tech

TED Tech

TED Tech 266 Episodes Jul 3, 2026

TED Tech explores the intersection of technology and humanity, covering topics from virtual realities to the internet of things. Hosted by journalist Sherrell Dorsey, each episode features TED speakers discussing how tech shapes society, science, design, business, and more. New episodes are released every Friday.

Episodes

Is your electric bill about to go up? with Asim Z. Haque Jul 3, 2026 46:53 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 P
Power Without a Playbook with Kristen Gonzalez Jun 26, 2026 34:22 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 m
What does the Cloud drink? with Sarah Houston Jun 19, 2026 39:11 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 Data Center Next Door with Dr. Sacoby Wilson Jun 12, 2026 27:00 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
How a wildlife conservationist is saving animals with online streaming Jun 5, 2026 28:49 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 fo
How to make AI worth your time with Max Mullen | from WorkLife with Molly Graham May 29, 2026 39:58 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 w
The past and future of clean transportation with Doreen Orishaba, Daniel Sperling, and Gil Tal May 22, 2026 23:53 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
What big oil is hiding from you with Cindy Taff and Stephanie Honchell Smith May 15, 2026 24:00 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 featuredHow to power the world 24/7 — without oil | Cindy TaffWhat the oil industry doesn’t want you to know | Stephanie Honchell Smith Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy f
Is AI progress stuck? | Jennifer Golbeck (re-release) May 8, 2026 14:57 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
Why we need to talk about money to save the planet with Yi Li and Brent Loken May 1, 2026 20:28 “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 Lok
What if our infrastructure could repair itself? with Mark Miodownik and Congrui Jin Apr 24, 2026 20:06 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 featuredThe brilliance
The probe on a mission to touch the Sun | Nour E. Rawafi (re-release) Apr 17, 2026 14:51 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

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