In this inspiring TEDx talk, Dr. Liangfang “Liang” Chao shares her remarkable journey from Silicon Valley technologist to civic leader—and offers a bold vision for bridging innovation and public service. What happens when an engineer trades debugging code for navigating city politics? Dr. Chao never imagined herself in government. In fact, she hadn’t even voted before 2014. But when she witnessed irrational decisions affecting her community—from school policy to urban planning—she couldn’t look away. In this powerful talk, she reflects on her transition from tech engineer and introverted professor to becoming the Mayor of Cupertino, California. Along the way, she challenges “feel-good” policies that often worsen the very problems they claim to fix, and she reveals how tools like AI can accelerate policymaking—but never replace human empathy. This isn’t just a story about city hall. It’s a call to action for everyday citizens—especially those who think public leadership isn’t for them. Dr. Chao challenges each of us to give just 5% of our time to build what she calls social capital—the trust, relationships, and community that power meaningful change. Whether you're a technologist, parent, student, or neighbor, this talk offers a powerful reminder: You don’t need to be loud to lead. You just need to care enough to begin—and the courage to stay. Dr. Liang Chao is a technologist, educator, and civic leader who bridges the worlds of software engineering and public service. She began her career as an assistant professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Iowa State University and conducted research in Germany before moving to Silicon Valley, where she has spent over three decades developing software for hardware acceleration. Currently, she is a senior software engineer at JITX, Inc., a startup reimagining circuit board design using AI. She holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Princeton University and a master’s in Computer Engineering from National Chiao Tung University in Taiwan. Dr. Chao has served on both the school board and the Cupertino City Council since 2016. As Mayor in 2025, she launched initiatives spanning art, dance, entrepreneurship, and technology to build community and strengthen civic engagement. Her “Cupertino Stories” project, in partnership with California Science and Technology University, empowers residents to share their experiences, creating a unique dataset to train and apply AI in storytelling. She is passionate about empowering the next generation of innovators and creating spaces where every voice can shape the future.Event: TEDxCSTU Date: May 18th, 2025 Location: California Science & Technology University (CSTU) Website: https://www.cstu.edu?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=tedx2025&utm_term=liangfang_chaoSpeaker: Learn more about the speaker: Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/LFChao Website: http://cupertinostories.org/about/liang-chaoOrganizer: Leni Jin, Organizer of TEDxCSTU Behind the scenes of TEDxCSTU: Stories & notes: https://lenijin.com/tedx More about the organizer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lenijin/ Organizer's channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Leni_JinPlease note: This talk was recorded at TEDxCSTU, an independently organized TEDx event hosted at California Science and Technology University under a license from TED. The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the speaker and do not necessarily represent those of TEDxCSTU, the university, or TED.#TEDx #TEDxTalk #Leadership #CivicEngagement #Technology #ArtificialIntelligence #PublicService #SocialChange #Community #Innovation #FutureOfWork #Changemakers #TEDxCSTU2025 Dr. Liang Chao is a Silicon Valley technologist and civic leader who brings people together through innovation and storytelling. With a Ph.D. from Princeton and decades of experience in chip design software, she now works at a startup transforming circuit board design with AI and automation. As Mayor of Cupertino in 2025, she launched initiatives blending art, entrepreneurship, and technology to strengthen community bonds. 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

What are the risks associated with microplastics? How are they distributed in daily life and the environment? What roles do governments and regulations play in the consumption of microplastics? Dr. Hadi Pirasteh Anosheh, born in 1986 in Dehdasht, Iran, is an Assistant Professor of Crop Plant Physiology at Shiraz University, Iran, and Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Poland. His academic work primarily focuses on plant responses to environmental stresses. Dr. Pirasteh has carried out extensive research on microplastics, emphasizing the detrimental impact of improper plastic usage in daily life, which has resulted in the infiltration of microplastics into the human food chain—posing significant health and environmental hazards. In this presentation, he proposes practical and scientifically grounded strategies to mitigate this pressing global issue. 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

In the new digital era, how do we keep cultural traditions alive? For Sofwan Amin, the answer lies in the power of storytelling and the ever-changing media landscape. Using humor, cinematic storytelling, and platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, he aims to transform Betawi culture into content that resonates with young audiences and everyone alike. In this talk, he explores how culture can adapt, survive, and thrive in the digital age, and why embracing our tradition & roots is important for preserving it. Sofwan Amin was born in Jakarta on October 26, 1999. He is a young content creator of Betawi heritage, widely recognized for his dedication to preserving Betawi culture through social media. A graduate of the Faculty of Film and Television at the Jakarta Institute of Arts (IKJ), Sofwan combines his cinematic skills with educational and entertaining storytelling, making his work resonate with audiences ranging from children to academics.With his signature tagline, “Nyok Kite Bahas” (“Let’s Talk About It”), Sofwan presents Betawi culture in a way that is fresh, humorous, and meaningful. He actively encourages people especially younger generations to embrace and celebrate their cultural roots. Through platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, Sofwan has not only become a new face of Betawi cultural preservation but also an inspiration for many young Indonesians. 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

When Intan Rahmaningtyas and Zacky Irwandi lost their beloved jamu gendong seller in 2022, they also lost a living link to Indonesia’s herbal wisdom. This moment inspired them to start Lestari Jamuku, a movement to revive jamu traditions for the next generation. From finding old family recipes to creating Temu Jamu—a space where urban communities can share health concerns and receive herbal solutions just like in the past—they explore how ancient knowledge of roots and spices can meet modern lifestyles. Their journey is not only about brewing herbal drinks, but also about restoring conversations, care, and culture around jamu. Intan Rahmaningtyas express their love for the wisdom of Indonesian herbal traditions through the modernization of traditional herbal medicine or Jamu. They co-founded Lestari Jamuku with the aim to revive the habit of drinking Jamu for the next generation, engaging in a way that is relevant to modern people.Not born into a family of herbal medicine makers, Intan journey into the world of herbal medicine began after their favorite Jamu Gendong passed away in 2022. This loss became a turning point for them to delve deeper into the importance of heritage in the form of knowledge/wisdom.Their journey of exploring Jamu and archiving it through social media has now become a common insight, enriching not only Jamu drinkers but also fellow Jamu sellers.Zacky Irwandi express their love for the wisdom of Indonesian herbal traditions through the modernization of traditional herbal medicine or Jamu. They co-founded Lestari Jamuku with the aim to revive the habit of drinking Jamu for the next generation, engaging in a way that is relevant to modern people.Not born into a family of herbal medicine makers, Zacky's journey into the world of herbal medicine began after their favorite Jamu Gendong passed away in 2022. This loss became a turning point for them to delve deeper into the importance of heritage in the form of knowledge/wisdom.Their journey of exploring Jamu and archiving it through social media has now become a common insight, enriching not only Jamu drinkers but also fellow Jamu sellers. 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

Indonesia has the second-highest number of venomous snake species in the world, yet many people still underestimate the real threat. In this session, Dr. Tri Maharani, Indonesia’s only venomous snake toxinology specialist, together with curator Aghniadi, discusses the challenges of handling snakebites, including the limited availability of antivenom—most of which is centralized in Thailand—requiring her to personally transport it to remote islands for critical cases. She also highlights incidents caused by negligence, such as keeping snakes as pets or entering snake habitats without proper knowledge, and shares proper procedures for treating snakebites. Additionally, she introduces a dedicated app and hotline for first aid and emergency guidance, providing crucial insights to raise public awareness and preparedness against venomous snake threats. In an archipelago where even a snakebite is categorized as a high-ranked neglected disease, Tri Maharani has spent more than a decade seeking answers on how to save lives. A physician and an Emergency Medicine Specialist who has traveled across the country, she saving lives and raising awareness of where potential dangers from wildlife and disease may occurand how to prevent them. Her journey shows that true courage often begins with knowledge, and with the will to serve, even when no one is watching. 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

All children are born artists—the real challenge is staying one as we grow older. In this talk, Adriel Arizon invites his Grandma Elly on stage to play with a spinning top, proving that play is not just child’s play but a vital force that keeps us creative, connected, and alive with meaning. Through their intergenerational play, Adriel reminds us that artistry and joy can flourish at any age. Adriel Arizon never studied art the formal way. Trained as an architect, he built structures by day, but it was in quiet corners that his true world of art took form. Since the age of three, he has loved creating, with each piece carrying reflections on human nature. His work reveals the beauty in the discarded, the sacred in the simple, and reminds us of the art that lives within everyone. 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