Privacy is important because it protects us from possible abuses of power. That makes it essential for both personal freedom and democracy. Without privacy, fundamental pillars of democracy like investigative journalism, attorney-client privilege, and fair elections fail. In this talk, Carissa Véliz shows that, given how we have designed the digital, to digitize is to surveil.Technology is not neutral, and neither is digitization. The very act of turning what was not data into data is a form of surveillance. To digitize is to make taggable, searchable, and trackable that which was previously off the record. And what is it to track if not to surveil? Surveillance leads to control, and societies of control end up undermining freedom. How we are building AI, with troves of personal data, and with the capacity to sift through data always on, is an ethical choice.Ubiquitous personalized AI chatbots are further eroding our privacy and threatening with ever more efficient mass surveillance. But these design features are ethical choices, and ethical choices should be based on reflections on what it is to have a good life. What data we share with AI is an exercise in applied ethics that is relevant to policymakers, businesses, and citizens alike. Ethics, far from being a barrier to innovation, is a catalyst of innovation. How can we redesign the digital with ethics in mind? What would the digital look like if it wasn’t designed for surveillance?Carissa Véliz is an Associate Professor in Philosophy at the Institute for Ethics in AI, and a Fellow at Hertford College at the University of Oxford. She is the recipient of the 2021 Herbert A. Simon Award for Outstanding Research in Computing and Philosophy. She is the author of the highly-acclaimed Privacy Is Power (an Economist book of the year, 2020) and the editor of the Oxford Handbook of Digital Ethics. She is a member of UNESCO’s Women 4 Ethical AI. She advises companies and policymakers around the world on privacy and the ethics of AI. She thinks books are the greatest artefact of them all. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
More from TED
- 10:14Strings, Voices, and Something Magical | A. Moiz Sufi And Band | TEDxGCULahoreLed by Moiz Sufi, this group of young musicians brings together strings, voices, and a spark of something magical. Their performance is a soulful blend of rhythm, melody, and emotion — a reminder that music doesn’t always need words to move us. Moiz Sufi and his band are renowned Pakistani Sufi vocalists.They are celebrated for their soulful renditions that bridge traditional devotional music with contemporary sensibilities. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 13:33Taking Action Without Desperation: A Story of Growth | Mr. Manoj Prabahar Asokan | TEDxTRPIn this inspiring talk, Manoj Prabahar Asokan shares his journey from being a muted, uncertain 25-year-old to a confident entrepreneur running one of the leading office space solutions in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. He opens up about failures, family pressures, and the lessons learned from taking action without desperation. Manoj emphasises the power of starting small, building minimum viable solutions, and scaling thoughtfully. Through his story, he demonstrates that it’s not the business that fails; it’s the person who gives up. He also shows how vision, resilience, and strategic thinking can turn challenges into opportunities. Helping Businesses Expand Seamlessly into India | Helping 450+ Clients Grow in India | Passionate About Sales and Cross-Border Growth This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 18:45Remaining organic in an artificial world | Eliana Reyes | TEDxCabarete"She’s comes from a Dominican lineage of storytellers, beekeepers and farmers. Through care, creativity and connection, her work inspires self liberation and challenge the systems that shape identity.When people want to connect to their inner spark, express their unique ability and feel more alive, they call Eliana, also known as the Soul Mami. Her frequency is for those who want to feel alive, connected and hungry for soulful experiences. As an Artist & Joy Generator, she turns people ON to the adventure of living life and the joy of being alive. Having lived nomadically for 8 years and impacted over 500,000+ leaders across various countries including Spain, Kenya, El Salvador, Haiti, Thailand, Mexico, Colombia and the Dominican Republic, the Soul Mami’s message of becoming your true self and living authentically resonates deeply within diverse communities worldwide. " "She’s comes from a Dominican lineage of storytellers, beekeepers and farmers. Through care, creativity and connection, her work inspires self liberation and challenge the systems that shape identity.When people want to connect to their inner spark, express their unique ability and feel more alive, they call Eliana, also known as the Soul Mami. Her frequency is for those who want to feel alive, connected and hungry for soulful experiences. As an Artist & Joy Generator, she turns people ON to the adventure of living life and the joy of being alive. Having lived nomadically for 8 years and impacted over 500,000+ leaders across various countries including Spain, Kenya, El Salvador, Haiti, Thailand, Mexico, Colombia and the Dominican Republic, the Soul Mami’s message of becoming your true self and living authentically resonates deeply within diverse communities worldwide. When people want to connect to their inner spark, express their unique ability and feel more alive, they call Eliana, also known as the Soul Mami. Her frequency is for those who want to feel alive, connected and hungry for soulful experiences. As an Artist & Joy Generator, she turns people ON to the adventure of living life and the joy of being alive. Having lived nomadically for 8 years and impacted over 500,000+ leaders across various countries including Spain, Kenya, El Salvador, Haiti, Thailand, Mexico, Colombia and the Dominican Republic, the Soul Mami’s message of becoming your true self and living authentically resonates deeply within diverse communities worldwide. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 17:30Unmute Innovation: How India’s Youth is Shaping the Future | Prof. Karunakaran C. S. | TEDxTRPInnovation is the voice of progress and when muted, it loses its power. In this inspiring TEDxTRP talk, C. S. Karunakaran shares how India’s youth, startups, and innovative minds are rewriting the future of technology, aerospace, and entrepreneurship.From pioneering drone competitions to building startups from scratch, Karunakaran highlights how unmuting creativity transforms ideas into inventions, and inventions into global innovations. Learn how one generation’s drive has propelled India onto the world stage in aerospace, IT, and digital economies and how you too can break barriers and unmute your potential. FOUNDER & CEO, PULLINAM AEROSPACE TECHNOLOGIES PRIVATE LIMITED (Asia's promising aircraft manufacturing startup) This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 6:32The importance of taking up space as a woman | Ruby Danner | TEDxUniversity High School YouthImagine being told silently, through stares and unspoken rules that taking up space is something to be ashamed of. From classrooms to soccer fields, girls and women are often discouraged from speaking up, stepping forward, and making mistakes. In my talk, I’ll share both research and my own journey to show why reclaiming that space matters and how all of us can do it. Ruby is a senior (26') at University High School and plans to attend a four year university when she graduates. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 5:56A Filmmaker’s Journey from Shadows to Spotlight | Safar Ali Danish | TEDxGCULahoreHave you ever wondered what just one camera, a dream, and determination can do? Safar Ali Danish makes a bold statement: "Don't just ask for change — become the change." He leaves with an everlasting message to become our own voice, to tell our story, and to become a beacon of light ourselves through his inspiring life story of struggle and honor. He is the epitome of optimism. Safar Ali Danish is an award-winning independent filmmaker, writer, director, and cinematographer from Hazara Town, Quetta, where stories are often silenced before they are even told. A graduate of Iqra University and founder of Filmsaaz Productions, his camera doesn't just document; it defies invisibility. Safar uses his lens to tell stories that rarely make it to mainstream screens...raw, human stories of struggle, identity, and survival. With over 8 years of experience and multiple international recognitions, he’s proving that powerful storytelling can emerge from the most overlooked places. His work isn’t just about film; it’s about giving voice to people the world often chooses not to see. Safar's work is focused on empowering voices and bringing to light the societal issues, which are often brushed under the rug. His journey from his hometown to international stages represents the power of creativity and resilience in the face of invisibility and oppression. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
