What if the labels of the past didn’t limit what’s possible ahead? This talk explores the transformative power of giving opportunities to people who don’t fit into the box. April Hicke is the Founder and CEO at Toast, a talent partner dedicated to increasing gender diversity in tech. April is deeply passionate about removing bias from systems and challenging the status quo. Her work is grounded in the belief that when we stop putting people in boxes, we create space for innovation, belonging, and untapped potential to thrive. With over 15 years of experience in leadership, workforce transformation, and inclusive talent strategy, spanning roles at some of North America's biggest companies, April brings a bold, people-first lens to everything she does. Beyond her professional work, April is a proud mom of two young boys and is raising them to be thoughtful, inclusive humans. Her journey from early adversity to co-founding a company that reimagines equity in hiring is a testament to the power of resilience, authenticity, and believing in what’s possible beyond the labels. 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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- 9:28The myth of the gifted girl | Kaia Vernon-Oliveria | TEDxLasVegasWhat if the world’s most creative problem-solvers are being overlooked simply because they’re too polite to interrupt? In this witty, sharp, and heartfelt talk, 12-year-old Kaia Vernon-Oliveira challenges our assumptions about what giftedness looks like, especially in girls. With humor, research, and lived experience, Kaia unpacks how gender bias in education sidelines gifted girls and why it’s time to change the narrative.Equal parts personal story and powerful call to action, this talk is a must-watch for parents, educators, and anyone who cares about unlocking human potential.About the Speaker: Kaia Vernon-Oliveira is a profoundly gifted student, writer, and performing artist who attends Nasri Academy in Las Vegas and the Davidson Young Scholars program. Known for her bold curiosity, emotional depth, and comedic timing, Kaia uses her platform to advocate for equity in gifted education, especially for girls. Her TEDxLasVegas talk marks one of the few public talks addressing giftedness through the lens of gender and neurodiversity. Kaia is a multiracial 11-year-old storyteller and performer who loves making people think. A student at Nasri Academy for Gifted Children and a Davidson Young Scholar, she started watching TED Talks in kindergarten and is thrilled to give one of her own.When she’s not deep in debate, reading, writing, or building a prototype for her next big idea, she can be found on stage. From dancing to acting, she loves putting on a good show. She has performed with Rainbow Company Youth Theatre, Dynamic Performing Arts Center, Drama Kids of Las Vegas, and Bright Star Acting Academy.Kaia also loves comedy. Whether delivering a monologue or cracking a joke (the bluer, the better!), she believes her words have the power to move people—to action, to laughter, and if she’s lucky, both. Whatever she chooses to do with her life, Kaia plans to use her creativity and talents to empower girls and make the world a better place for 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
- 6:55What If Your Phone Could Detect a Scam Before You Do? | Shouvik Mukherjee | TEDxBangaloreNOTE FROM TED: TEDx events are independently organized by volunteers. The guidelines we give TEDx organizers are described in more detail here: http://storage.ted.com/tedx/manuals/tedx_content_guidelines.pdfWhat if the very technology that scammers are using to steal crores annually from Indians could be turned into our greatest defense against them?In this TEDx talk, Shouvik Mukherjee exposes the terrifying reality of AI-powered scams in India, where your mother's voice can be cloned in seconds, fake police threaten you through video calls, and even government portals can be perfectly replicated. But as traditional awareness campaigns fail against these evolving threats, Mukherjee reveals how AI itself might be our only hope.Through shocking real-world examples and live demonstrations, he shows how we're approaching a world where we can't trust what we see or hear and why the solution isn't more education, but smarter technology.Learn how on-device AI can detect manipulation in real-time, flag deepfake voices during conversations, and protect your digital life without compromising your privacy.This isn't just about building better security, it's about choosing our future. Will we live in a world where AI amplifies fear and deception, or one where it stands as our digital guardian? Shouvik Mukherjee is the Founder & CEO of Bachao.AI, a Bangalore-based startup leveraging on-device AI to combat India’s ₹20,000 Cr+ scam crisis in real time. A college dropout who journeyed from call‑center roles to Principal Engineer, he built Bachao.AI to shield millions from fraud. With over 14 years in IT, he now leads India’s first proactive scam‑alert app. 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
