As AI becomes a powerful presence in our daily lives, students today face a critical choice: will AI replace their thinking, or challenge them to think deeper? In this TEDx talk, Dr. Robert Stroud explores how the growing use of AI in education risks weakening our most essential tool: the human mind. He argues that struggle, often seen as something to avoid, is actually the foundation of real learning and growth. When we let AI do the thinking for us, we lose the chance to develop original ideas, question assumptions, and truly understand. But when we engage with AI critically, using it as a tool, we grow as thinkers, creators, and leaders. This talk is a call to action for students: Don’t give away your power to think. Use AI to push yourself, not replace yourself. Because the future won’t be built by those who take shortcuts. It will be built by those who keep thinking. Dr. Robert Stroud is a professor at Hosei University in Japan, specializing in the use of technology to enhance education. He advocates for the thoughtful integration of digital tools to create meaningful, equitable learning environments. His work focuses on empowering students to become critical thinkers, self-directed learners, and socially conscious individuals in an increasingly AI-driven world. 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
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- 12:39Why it's time to expand the House of Representatives | Chuck Todd | TEDxFoggyBottomRenowned political analyst, Chuck Todd, invites a daunting solution to revive representative democracy. Chuck Todd is a political analyst and host of The ChuckToddCast, a weekly podcast offering in-depth interviews with political figures and experts. A six-time Emmy® Award-winner, Todd was NBC News’s chief Political Analyst and moderator of Meet the Press from 2014 to 2023. He also hosted Meet the Press NOW, a daily show on NBC News NOW, bringing timely political analysis to a digital audience.Known for his sharp insight and encyclopedic knowledge of politics, Todd has co-moderated multiple presidential debates, including the record-breaking 2019 and 2020 Democratic debates. He previously served as NBC News’s chief White House Correspondent and hosted The Daily Rundown on MSNBC. Todd is the author of two books and has contributed to The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Atlantic. Todd resides in Arlington, VA, with his wife, Kristian, and their two children.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
- 16:27Can AI Understand Why Humans Play? | Arjun Mehra Balasree V | TEDxBangalorePlay is not just fun and games. It is inherently human. But will AI understand? What if AI labeled play an "error"?In this unique TEDx talk, Arjun Mehra and Balasree Viswanathan use improv theatre to explore an emerging fundamental question: can artificial intelligence ever truly understand what makes us human?Through an improvised journey set in 2125, they imagine a world where play has been deemed "unproductive" by AI systems. But as two humans fight back with stories, games, and laughter, a deeper truth emerges: play doesn't waste time, it stretches it. It doesn't solve problems, it expands what's possible.Will AI begin to understand that play isn't a bug in the human system, but a feature? This isn't just a talk about the future of AI, it's a celebration of what makes us irreplaceably human. Arjun Mehra is the Co-Founder of Improv Lore, a platform dedicated to nurturing creativity through improvisational theatre. With years of global experience in performance and teaching, he brings spontaneity and sharp insight to the stage. He has mentored countless improvisers and continues to shape the improv scene through innovation and collaboration.Balasree V is the Co-Founder of Improv Lore, a platform dedicated to nurturing creativity through improvisational theatre. With a passion for storytelling and spontaneity, she empowers individuals to express themselves confidently. Balasree combines innovation and art to build vibrant community experiences. 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
- 14:57Kalaripayattu as a practice for stillness | Ranjan Mullarat | TEDxBangaloreWhat if the antidote to our hyperconnected, burnout-driven world isn't found in the latest app or wellness trend, but in a 3,000-year-old martial art from ancient India?Guru Ranjan Mullaratt reveals how Kalaripayattu (the world's oldest martial art) is experiencing an unexpected renaissance, not as a fighting technique, but as a profound practice for finding stillness in our motion-obsessed world. Through breathtaking live demonstrations by his students, Ranjan shows how ancient warriors' training has become modern medicine for digital-age warriors battling stress, disconnection, and the relentless pace of contemporary life.This isn't about preserving tradition, it's about re-envisioning ancient wisdom for urgent contemporary needs. Guru Ranjan Mullarat is the Director of Kalari Gurukulam and a renowned master of Kalaripayattu, one of the world’s oldest martial arts. With decades of experience, he blends tradition with modern expression through movement, healing, and discipline. He has also choreographed Kalari sequences for films, bringing its grace and power to the big screen. 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
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