What 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
More from TED
- 25:07Snakebites: A neglected disease | Tri Maharani | TEDxJakartaIndonesia 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
- 15:27Intergenerational Dialogue Through Play | Adriel Adrizon | TEDxJakartaAll 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
- 14:25Mind in the Noise: Fighting Brain Rot | Marlistya Citraningrum | TEDxJakartaMarlistya Citraningrum better known as Citra once found herself unable to get through more than a few paragraphs without her brain staging a quiet rebellion. That moment of frustration sparked a deeper realization: the creeping plague of “brain rot” isn’t just a meme; it’s real, and it’s everywhere. In this sharp and engaging reflection, Citra unpacks how constant digital noise and the addictive pull of social media are eroding our capacity for deep thought; not just among the youth, but across all generations. It’s not just Gen Z scrolling into oblivion; it’s all of us, swiping through life and slowly trading clarity for chaos. Drawing on her own experiences as a writer, reader, and reluctant doom-scroller, Citra makes a compelling case for reclaiming our attention, reawakening our critical thinking, and resisting the slow erosion of thought in the digital age. For Marlistya Citraningrum (Citra), reading and writing are not hobbies, but rather ways to stay thinking. In addition to working in energy and climate policy, Citra actively writes for media outlets such as The Jakarta Post, The Conversation Indonesia, and Nikkei Asia, and shares reading material on social media. Her reasoning is simple: to encourage readers to think more deeply and cultivate reason as a small form of resistance in a noisy era. Amidst data, policies, and the demands of the professional world, she chooses to remain a believer in the power of stories and narratives. 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
- 16:04A Family Story: When Voice Meets Imagination | Bimo Kusumo Yudo | TEDxJakartaBimo Kusumo Yudo comes from a family where voice runs in the blood from his father, Hari Laksono, a broadcasting veteran, to his daughter, Mireya, a rising national voiceover talent. But when his own child experienced speech delay, Bimo discovered that even a family immersed in sound and storytelling faced unforeseen challenges. Turning to the power of stories and fairy tales, Bimo and his family used narrative as therapy, showing how imagination, voice, and human connection can help overcome obstacles. In this talk, he shares a deeply personal journey about the transformative power of storytelling, the voices we inherit, and how creativity can heal and unite generations. Bimo Kusumo Yudo comes from a family where voice runs in the blood from his father, Hari Laksono, a broadcasting veteran, to his daughter, Mireya, a rising national voiceover talent. But when his own child experienced speech delay, Bimo discovered that even a family immersed in sound and storytelling faced unforeseen challenges. Turning to the power of stories and fairy tales, Bimo and his family used narrative therapy, demonstrating how imagination, voice, and human connection can help overcome obstacles. In this talk, he shares a deeply personal journey about the transformative power of storytelling, the voices we inherit, and how creativity can heal and unite generations. 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
- 13:30Indonesia’s Global Talent: Why Diaspora Matters | Primawan Satrio Bindono | TEDxJakartaWhat does it mean for a nation when its brightest talents decide to leave to study or work abroad? For Primawan Satrio, it’s not a loss, rather he sees it as an opportunity. As a tech entrepreneur, recruiter, and advocate for Indonesia’s greatest talents, he argues that intellectual diaspora experiences can strengthen industries, spark innovation, and build resilience at home. In this talk, he will explore how encouraging Indonesians to pursue education and careers overseas can actually expand the nation’s global perspective while creating new bridges for collaboration and growth. Primawan Satrio is an Indonesian tech entrepreneur and recruiter with a background in software engineering and product management. As the founder of Satrio Consulting and several tech ventures, he focuses on connecting Indonesian professional talents with global opportunities while building scalable recruitment and education solutions. His everyday work involves bridging cultures—scouting candidates and clients across borders, negotiating contracts, and ensuring talent mobility.Having studied, worked, and collaborated internationally, Primawan believes that Indonesia’s intellectual diaspora plays a crucial role in strengthening the nation’s global perspective. As an influencer of the #KaburAjaDulu social movement, he would like to push for more Indonesians to pursue education and careers overseas, arguing that diaspora experiences abroad can empower domestic industries, foster innovation between countries, and build resilience at home in an increasingly interconnected 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
- 15:32From Emotion to Motion: Escaping Through Abstraction | Isha Hening | TEDxJakartaMany people think that working as a visual artist is purely a passion. But for Isha Hening, it has also been an escape from the uncomfortable feelings she has carried throughout her life. How did she eventually find meaning in creating sophisticated motion graphics—the backbone of major stage performances and concerts, including representing Indonesia on the global stage? In this talk, alongside stunning visuals, Isha takes us behind the scenes of stadium concerts and the Indonesian Pavilion at the World Expo, and into the personal space of a creator. Isha Hening has been shaping Indonesia’s visual scene through motion graphics, live visuals, and immersive stage design. As a visual artist and VJ, her work has illuminated the country’s biggest music festivals and art spaces, blending technology, music, and visual language into unforgettable experiences. Through her art, she explores the X of visual storytelling, how images speak when words fall short, and how creative expression connects us beyond the surface. 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
