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
- 13:50How privacy can save your life | Carissa Véliz | TEDxPortoPrivacy 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
- 17:41Reframing invisible and visible disabilities | Sophia Hotung & Jessica Chan | TEDxTinHau WomenWhat if being different wasn’t good or bad, but just... neutral?Jessica and Sophia challenge how we think about disabilities by exploring visible and invisible differences, showing how pity, patronization, and awkwardness turn everyday conversations into alienating moments. Through their personal stories, they encourage us to approach diversity with neutrality and empathy, reminding us that everyone is whole—just as they are. Sophia Hotung is a Eurasian writer and illustrator, best known for creating The Hong Konger art collection, which features 100 artworks inspired by The New Yorker magazine and her experiences growing up in Hong Kong.Sophia speaks and writes regularly about invisible disabilities and living with chronic illness and autoimmune diseases. She is the author and illustrator behind various Hong Kong-related fiction and non-fiction books, and has been featured in the New York Times, Tatler Asia, South China Morning Post, and Harper’s Bazaar.Sophia also works with charities to create passive income streams through creative projects. Her work funds and supports advocacy programs and educational initiatives focused on chronic disability awareness, women’s rights, and the representation of Hong Kong in art and literature.Jessica Chan was born into this world with Achondroplasia, a form of dwarfism. Despite being shorter in stature, she has never stopped dreaming or striving for the same experiences as others, in both her professional and personal pursuits.Jessica is an advocate for gender and disability equality in society through social and education platforms in Hong Kong. She studied architecture at the University of California at Berkeley, focusing on inclusive spaces and accessible design, before earning an MBA in Finance from New York University. Her background is what led her to an international career in real estate and construction at JLL, having built iconic landmarks throughout New York, Singapore, and now Hong Kong. She is a champion for the collaboration and connection of women, co-founding a number of Women & Allies Networks in Hong Kong.As an extreme sports fanatic, Jessica has proven that her perceived physical limitations are no match for her tenacity. 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
- 17:58Život je lijep i kad si slijep | Feručo Lazarić | TEDxVirovitica LibraryPođite na putovanje kroz mrak, ali i kroz neke od najviših planinskih vrhova svijeta. Nakon što je izgubio vid, Feručo nije izgubio strast prema životu – naprotiv, otkrio je novu slobodu kroz planinarenje, putovanja i priče koje inspiriraju. Svjedočimo kako jedna osobna priča ruši predrasude o invaliditetu i pokazuje da granice često postoje samo u našem umu. Feručo Lazarić živi u Svetvinčentu, a oslijepio je prije trideset godina u 35. godini života. Nakon pretrpljenog šoka odlučio je otkriti novi, drukčiji svijet. Putuje više nego kada je vidio, počeo je planinariti, jahati konja, voziti tandem-bicikl, skijati, trčati... Popeo se na Kilimandžaro, Ande, Himalaju, Olimp, Triglav, Musalu i mnoge druge niže visine po Hrvatskoj za što je dobio Najviše priznanje HPS-a za obiđenih 150 vrhova. 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
- 16:13Priče koje ostaju | Dijana Zorić | TEDxVirovitica LibraryŠto je to što priče čini vječnima, što ih drži živima u nama, čak i kad zaboravimo tko ih je prvi izgovorio? Što priče znače, zašto ih trebamo – i kako nas upravo one čine ljudima? Moć priče nije samo u riječima, nego u tome koliko dugo i daleko mogu putovati. Dijana Zorić certificirana je pripovjedačica i stručnjakinja za sve vrste storytellinga, Licencirana je turistička vodičica i interpretatorica baštine kao i dugogodišnja storytelling mentorica. Pokretačica je i vlasnica prvog hrvatskog storytelling centra StoryLab unutar kojeg djeluje prva hrvatska Storytelling akademija. Organizatorica je STORYing festivala, prvog međunarodnog storytelling festivala u Hrvatskoj koji se svake godine odvija u Zagrebu. Organizira i vodi storytelling večeri u kultnom zagrebačkom klubu Crni mačak. 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
- 17:59Invisibile meraviglia | Paolo Garimberti | TEDxSassuoloIl naso rosso del clown non nasconde, ma rivela la mia anima e la mia verità. Indossarlo significa mostrare chi sono davvero, con autenticità e unicità. Essere clown è emozionarsi, accettare i propri limiti, ridere di sé stessi, rialzarsi sempre. È amare, stupirsi, e vivere come un poeta in movimento, con occhi da bambino. Paolo Garimberti nasce a Poviglio (RE) nel 1971. Laureato in Economia, è cofondatore della compagnia “Macedonia Clown”, guidata da Don Vittorio Chiari, con cui diffonde la poesia del clown. Finalista al bando “I Teatri del Sacro” 2008 con lo spettacolo su Etty Hillesum, ha all’attivo lavori come Circa un Circo, Arrivano i Clown, NO… EH!. Conduce laboratori di espressività e clownerie per ragazzi ed educatori in scuole e associazioni. Collabora con la Casa delle Storie di Reggio Emilia. 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
- 14:13Il gusto del sentire. La meraviglia di ciò che cresce | Fabio Vandelli | TEDxSassuolo"Nel nostro ristorante non si tratta solo il cibo ma di gesti consapevoli: ascoltare la terra, rispettarne i tempi, trasformare la materia in emozione ma con tecnica. In un mondo che corre, invito a coltivare il tempo giusto — quel ritmo lento che permette a una carota di diventare dolce o al miso di fermentare con pazienza. " Fabio Vandelli, premiato con un Cappello Guida de L’Espresso, porta in cucina una visione profonda che si traduce in piatti evocativi. Nel suo ristorante Erbavoglio a Modena ridisegna i confini del vegetale, raccontando storie di terra, ecosistemi e memoria. Ogni piatto è un manifesto di sostenibilità, ricerca e rispetto per la natura. Tra i suoi riconoscimenti più recenti: “The Best Vegetable Restaurant 2025” e il premio “Identità Golose 2025”, che confermano la sua voce unica in cucina. 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
