Alessandra Munduruku não queria ser líder de sua comunidade, mas aceitou o chamado. Hoje é uma das maiores ativistas pela liberdade e autonomia dos povos indígenas e na luta contra o garimpo e poluição do Rio Tapajós nas terras Munduruku. Agora, Alessandra está amplificando o chamado para uma consciência global. Vencedora do Prêmio Goldman, o "Nobel do Meio Ambiente", Alessandra Korap Munduruku é uma das principais lideranças indígenas do Brasil. Nascida em Itaituba (PA), no Médio Tapajós, ela se uniu à luta indígena quando seu território passou a ser ameaçado por grandes projetos de energia e mineração. 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

Maureen discusses identity as a continuous process of reinvention. She inspires listeners to embrace change and courage as pathways to becoming their fullest selves. Maureen Kyere is a dedicated lawyer and women’s rights advocate whose work reflects a deep commitment to justice and empowerment. With her passion for amplifying women’s voices, Maureen has consistently engaged in conversations that encourage growth, resilience, and boldness. 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

Prince examines how AI blurs traditional roles and expertise. He highlights Africa’s opportunity to lead as creators in a tech-driven world. Prince Tagoe is the Founder and CEO of GradeRun, an AI-powered exam simulation platform that helps students prepare smarter through personalised testing, adaptive feedback, and intelligent study support. Prince works at the intersection of education technology and market strategy, driven by his conviction that Africa can create solutions with global impact. 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

This talk is about the of going from zero to one, or the journey of taking an idea and finding that first customer or user. It provides a framework for innovation, covering the essential steps to close this gap. The key is not necessarily about flawless the execution of each step, instead, it’s about how many times you can complete that loop. While the discussion is grounded in research, the takeaways may be relevant to anyone working to bring new ideas into practice. Maggie Chen is a PhD student at the Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, and a kinesiologist in the Department of Anesthesia and Pain Management at the University Health Network. Her work focuses on interventions to prepare and support patients before and after surgery. 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

AI is transforming research into an open and accessible space—allowing anyone with curiosity, not just experts, to contribute to academia. Open-source machine learning models and accessible datasets have unlocked opportunities for anyone, regardless of age, formal education, or institutional backing, to contribute to research. The barriers to entry into academia are lower than ever before, and anyone with the drive to explore can make a meaningful impact. Allison Andreyev is a high school student, AI researcher, and advocate for accessible academic exploration. Her journey in AI research began in the University of Maryland’s Cyber-Physical Systems Engineering Program where she worked with a team to develop a robotic hand that transcribes live speech into ASL fingerspelling. Her project was featured in a documentary and local news. Inspired to make a greater impact, Allison developed an algorithm to automate evaluation, and integrated latency tracking, and published those findings on arXiv, discovering that impactful research isn’t reserved for those with advanced degrees—anyone with curiosity and drive can contribute to academia. Allison is driven to break down barriers and encourage others to explore AI research, regardless of formal credentials. 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

Imagine spilling a glass of orange juice into a crystal-clear pool. The juice swirls, mingles, and disappears into the water. Is it still orange juice? Pool water? Or something entirely new? This simple image captures a profound question: when boundaries blur, how do we define identity? Today, artificial intelligence is that orange juice—blending into the vast pool of human creativity. AI can write essays, compose music, and generate art at lightning speed. But does this output represent originality, or is it a remix of countless human ideas? Where does creativity end and plagiarism begin? For centuries, plagiarism meant copying without credit. Now, AI complicates that definition. It doesn’t “think” or create like humans; it predicts and recombines patterns from massive datasets. The result? Content that feels original but is derivative at its core. This raises ethical dilemmas: Who owns AI-generated work? How do we cite sources that don’t exist? And what happens when originality becomes an illusion? This talk explores the gray zone between inspiration and appropriation, the illusion of originality, and the urgent need for transparency. AI should complement—not replace—human thought. Creativity thrives on intent, meaning, and transformation—qualities machines cannot replicate. As we stand at the crossroads of innovation and ethics, the challenge is clear: How do we protect human creativity while embracing AI as a tool for progress? The answer will shape the future of art, education, and human flourishing. A 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