TED Tech

How much electricity does humanity use? And how can we ensure that the energy we need in the future is also clean?  In this episode, Sherrell shares two talks on how one climate advocate in Japan is convincing the country to adopt renewable energy, and a TED-Ed lesson that dives into the complex systems required to  power the world.Talks featuredA cheat sheet for accelerating clean energy | Kimiko HirataHow much electricity is needed to power the world? | TED Ed

“Entry-level hiring has collapsed — because Agentic AI is now doing the work that used to train junior developers, researchers, and analysts,” says TED Tech host Sherrell Dorsey. In this episode, Sherrell shares two talks on the future of AI. First, Alvin W. Graylin is in conversation with TED Radio Hour host Manoush Zomorodi at TED Next 2025 on the policies that can help people whose jobs are threatened by AI. Then dive into a TED-Ed lesson on technological inventions throughout the centuries and AI impact on humanity’s future.Talks featured3 possible futures for AI — which will we choose? | Alvin W. Graylin and Manoush ZomorodiIs AI the most important technology of the century? | TED-Ed

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 featuredHow AI Can Solve Its Own Energy Crisis | Varun Sivaram

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 featuredWe're Doing AI All Wrong. Here's How to Get It Right | Sasha Luccioni

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 featuredThe Story You're Not Hearing About AI Data Centers | Ayşe Coskun

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 featuredHow to build an equitable and just climate future | Peggy Shepard

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.

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

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 featuredHow to make transportation quieter, cleaner and cheaper | Doreen OrishabaTED-ED: The surprisingly long history of electric cars | Daniel Sperling and Gil Tal