What if we used video games to run experiments? | Mike Ambinder | TEDxBoston
Video Games create virtual environments, provide feedback, dynamically alter a generated experience, respond to player inputs, provide access to measured player behavior, and offer desirable goals to motivate players. These qualities are often used solely in pursuit of entertainment, but maybe it is time to broaden their focus (and their utility). This talk covers the potential of adaptive gameplay (driven by advances in statistics, machine learning, and AI) to foster prosocial behavioral outcomes outside of games. What if games could do more than just entertain? What if they could teach, simulate, provide therapeutic benefit, perform research, or aid skill development? They can still entertain while all of this occurs, but perhaps we can shape them to do just a little bit more...Cognitive science, Entertainment, Innovation, Machine Learning, Research, Video Games Mike spent 15 years at Valve leading research efforts in applied psychology and game design, data science and machine learning, user research, non-invasive Brain-Computer Interfaces, and economic systems design among other things. He currently leads research efforts at August Interactive hoping to use gameplay to generate some positive change in the 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
More from TED
- 10:02Melody of the Mind: How Music Shapes Teen Mental Health | Ksenia Galushko | TEDxIPS Wroclaw YouthIn her insightful talk, Ksenia explores the powerful role music plays in the mental and emotional development of children and teenagers. Drawing on influential psychological studies, she examines how different genres and rhythms can influence mood, behavior, and emotional well-being. Ksenia emphasizes that music is more than just entertainment - it is a vital, ever-present force in our lives that shapes how we think, feel, and connect with the world. Her talk is both a scientific exploration and a personal reflection on why, for the developing mind, silence is never truly silent - because music is always there. Ksenia is a senior high school student with a strong academic focus and a deep passion for both psychology and music. She enjoys exploring the human mind through the lenses of psychology and sociology, while also expressing herself through piano performance. Besides being a wonderful friend, she is an ambicious student with many great achievements ahead of her. 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
- 7:58Success beyond Validation | Advin Roy Netto | TEDxSJCETPalaiIn his talk, UX designer Advin Roy Netto shared a refreshing perspective on success, grounded in consistency, self-belief, and growing through perseverance. He reminded us that success isn’t about being perfect, but about showing up again and again, even when things aren’t ideal.Advin spoke about the power of manifestation, the importance of celebrating small wins, and staying true to your path even when no one else seems to notice. With quiet honesty, he pointed out that the world often only sees the one time you succeed, not the hundred times you failed along the way.His talk was a heartfelt push to keep going, stay consistent, and define excellence on your own terms. Advin is a designer and mentor with a passion for creating impactful, user-centric solutions. At Google, he leads the development of AI-powered products that help non-technical users generate business insights, optimize workflows, and better understand customer needs. He has played a pivotal role in building this ecosystem from the ground up while collaborating with cross-functional teams in design, research, and content.Beyond his professional contributions, Advin is dedicated to mentoring the next generation of designers. He shares his knowledge through talks, workshops, and engaging content, inspiring young creatives to push boundaries and think beyond the conventional. Whether tackling complex challenges or fostering design culture, Advin is driven by a vision to empower through thoughtful and inclusive design. 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
- 13:00Fight the losing battle | Kim Ngan Pham | TEDxSuPhamThrough a famous Haiku about a little snail, Kim Ngân came to a quiet yet powerful realization: sometimes, you have to fight a losing battle. But is that bravery or recklessness? Is it foolish—or is it the very thing that gives life its meaning? In her talk, she invites us to reflect on the quiet strength it takes to keep moving forward, even when the odds are stacked against us, and asks: could the journey itself be worth it, no matter the outcome? - Student at the University of Languages and International Studies, Vietnam National University, Hanoi (ULIS – VNU). - Executive Member of the English Language and Culture Department Student Union. - Collaborator at the Research and Development Division, Youth Union and Student Union of the English Language and Culture Department. - Awarded the title of Excellent Student for the 2023–2024 academic year with a Type A Academic Encouragement Scholarship. - ULIS Ambassador 2025. - Champion of the ?????????? 2025 Speaker Audition. 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
- 18:03Cultural industries on the rise | Ngoc Uyen Phi Huynh | TEDxSuPhamWhy should young people care about their country's cultural industries? This talk offers an engaging and accessible deep dive into that very question. Through vivid stories of heritage sites and modern performances, the speaker will reveal how culture is not just something to be preserved in museums—it’s a living, breathing force that shapes national identity, fuels creativity, and drives economic growth. - Deputy Director of Tuan Chau Hanoi Company - Operations Manager of “Tinh Hoa Bắc Bộ” – Vietnam’s first real-scene performance - In charge of cultural communication for “Tinh Hoa Bắc Bộ” - Guest speaker at the panel discussion “Human Resources in Entertainment and Event Management: Practical Insights from Businesses” hosted by the Faculty of Cultural and Heritage Industries – VNU School of Interdisciplinary Sciences and Arts 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
- 16:26The Future of F&B Industry in India | Sahil Baweja | TEDxSIBMBengaluruIn this insightful and entertaining talk, Sahil Baweja, a seasoned F&B entrepreneur and INSEAD MBA, shares his bold vision for the future of the restaurant industry, rooted in India’s tier-two cities. With stories from his journey across Guwahati to Gorakhpur, and ventures like Boombox and Roadies Coffee House, Sahil breaks down why smaller cities offer massive potential for sustainable, profitable growth. Blending data-backed insights with sharp humor and hard-learned lessons, he uncovers what it truly takes to succeed—timing, team building, and humility. A must-watch for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to build where few have looked. Sahil, an INSEAD alumnus, is a serial entrepreneur, who ran a media startup in LA at 17 and has been behind numerous successful hospitality ventures in India, including Chica Loca by Sunny Leone, Boombox Cafe and Roadies Koffeehouz. 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
- 12:56Spazio e sostenibilità: una sfida globale oltre l’atmosfera | Pierluigi Di Lizia | TEDxSaronnoOggi, sopra le nostre teste, orbitano oltre 34.000 oggetti artificiali. Solo circa 10.000 sono ancora operativi e fondamentali per la nostra vita quotidiana. Il resto? È lì, invisibile ma sempre presente. Per capire davvero cosa sta accadendo, è fondamentale conoscere come funzionano i satelliti, comprendere le orbite in cui si muovono, e agire per preservare lo Spazio prima che sia troppo tardi. Pierluigi è professore associato presso il Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Aerospaziali del Politecnico di Milano, dove insegna Meccanica aerospaziale e Guida e navigazione di satelliti. Lunga esperienza nel monitoraggio dei detriti spaziali, contribuisce attivamente alla sicurezza e alla sostenibilità delle operazioni spaziali attraverso ricerche avanzate sulla determinazione orbitale, l’identificazione di potenziali collisioni, l’analisi del rientro in atmosfera di satelliti incontrollati. Ha guidato attività di ricerca su diversi aspetti legati al monitoraggio del traffico spaziale all’interno di progetti finanziati da Agenzia Spaziale Europea, Comunità Europea, Agenzia Europea per la Difesa, Agenzia Spaziale Italiana, Aeronautica Militare Italiana, Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica e US Air Force. È delegato per l’Agenzia Spaziale Italiana presso l’Inter Agency Debris Coordination Committee, ed è membro del CapTech Space dell’Agenzia Europea per la Difesa 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