ZERO WORLD: How AI Can Eliminate Humanity's Greatest Challenges | Shalini Gopalkrishnan | TEDxCSTU
Drawing from her experience at the forefront of AI, ethics, and innovation, Dr. Shalini outlines a practical yet radical roadmap to Zero World. Her talk blends systems thinking, emerging technologies, and deep human empathy to challenge us to move beyond crisis management and toward intentional redesign. Whether addressing AI governance, healthtech, poverty eradication, or economic inclusion, she offers a blueprint for how technology, policy, and people can converge to solve our deepest challenges—not someday, but now.
As a global educator, technologist, and visionary, Dr. Gopalkrishnan’s work sits at the intersection of AI and exponential impact. Her framework has inspired leaders from Silicon Valley to South Asia, from academic institutions to international development forums. This talk is more than an idea—it’s a call to action.As a professor, entrepreneur, and AI strategist, Dr. Shalini Gopalkrishnan works across universities and industries to ensure AI benefits humanity. She has taught AI and exponential technologies at multiple global universities, including in the U.S., South America, and India. Dr. Shalini is also a serial entrepreneur, having built companies in the edtech and emerging tech space, and advises startups, and international organizations on ethical and responsible AI deployment.
She holds a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA), and an MBA. As a speaker, she has addressed audiences at several Universities, United Nations panels, and AI summits. She is also the founder of multiple initiatives aimed at leveraging technology for global good, with a particular focus on sustainable development goals (SDGs) and inclusion.
Her latest research and community work advocate for Zero World—a future framework based on dignity, abundance, and systemic transformation, where AI becomes a liberatory force instead of a disruptive threat.
Dr. Gopalkrishnan's TEDx talk challenges us to radically rethink what is possible when humanity and technology evolve together.Event: TEDxCSTU
Date: May 18th, 2025
Location: California Science & Technology University (CSTU)
Website: https://www.cstu.edu?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=tedx2025&utm_term=ShaliniSpeaker: Shalini Gopalkrishnan
Learn more about the speaker: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shalini-gopalkrishnan-b8488a14/Organizer: Leni Jin, Organizer of TEDxCSTU
Behind the scenes of TEDxCSTU:
Stories & notes: https://lenijin.com/tedx
More about the organizer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lenijin/
Organizer's channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Leni_JinChapters (Timestamps):
00:27 Introduction: Idea of zero world
01:47 AI is being used to combat world hunger
02:49 AI's role in the medical field
04:23 AI can help eliminate poverty.
05:18 f AI in predicting and preventing wars.
06:32 three things you can do to help bring about a "zero world":Please note: This talk was recorded at TEDxCSTU, an independently organized TEDx event hosted at California Science and Technology University under a license from TED. The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the speaker and do not necessarily represent those of TEDxCSTU, the university, or TED.#TEDx #ZeroWorld #FutureOfAI #TechForGood #EthicalAI #AIForHumanity #SustainableFuture #InclusionThroughAI #ExponentialImpact #SystemsThinking #GlobalGood #TEDxCSTU2025 Dr. Shalini is the CSTU - California Science and Technology University Professor, a consummate traveller to all continents and over 100 countries, Speaker, author, researcher, serial entrepreneur in technology, leadership, and social impact 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
- 18:14Corps en éveil, lumière de l’âme. | Jade Kilar | TEDxSaintDenisWomenEt si le corps était bien plus qu’une enveloppe, mais une boussole vers notre essence profonde ? Jade KILAR nous invite à explorer cette reliance intime au corps, forgée à travers les épreuves et les renaissances. Dans cette danse entre l’ombre et la lumière, elle montre comment chaque cicatrice peut devenir un chemin vers la guérison et l’amour de soi. Son talk est une célébration de la réappropriation corporelle, pour éveiller l’âme et incarner pleinement sa liberté. Je m’appelle Jade, je suis accompagnante et formatrice spécialisée dans le domaine du bien-être. Je suis passionnée par la réappropriation corporelle et l’harmonie entre le corps et l’esprit. À travers le toucher-massage, le mouvement somatique, la relaxation et la gestion du stress, j’accompagne chacun.e vers un mieux-être global. Mon approche intégrative allie pédagogie, connaissance de soi, soin et transmission pour favoriser l’épanouissement personnel. 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
- 15:43Trouver sa zone G : Quand réussir vous fait du bien. | Laura Larivière | TEDxSaintDenisWomenEt si la réussite n’était pas une course à l’effort, mais une danse guidée par le plaisir ? Laura LARIVIERE nous emmène à la découverte de sa « Zone G », cette zone de génie où tout devient fluide, où l’énergie circule sans contrainte et où l’action naît de la joie plutôt que de la souffrance. En quittant les chemins balisés du convenu, de l’entendu et du voulu, elle a choisi d’explorer son véritable désir : créer une vie alignée à ses rêves. Son talk est une invitation à chacune et chacun d’entre nous à trouver ce GPS intérieur, celui qui nous conduit vers une réussite qui fait vraiment du bien. Frêle mais pas faible.Pendant des années, c’est ce contre quoi je me bats. Physiquement frêle, issue d’un schéma familial hors norme, je rentre malgré moi dans la case « la pauvre », « la pitié ».Alors, je me réfugie dans mes passions, ce monde où je ressens ce flow, où le temps disparaît.Je commence à créer la vie que j’imagine, loin du convenu, loin de ce qu’on attend de moi.La passion prend tout son sens quand on entreprend pour lui donner vie. Entreprendre, c’est faire.Et c’est là que mon histoire commence.J’ai 23 ans, et je découvre ma Zone G. Ma zone de plaisir ultime.Et si c’était ça la clé de tous nos blocages ?Vous pensez que je vais parler de sexualité ? Loupé.Je parle de cette zone de compétence ultime qui permet de mieux se connaître, mieux vivre en société et laisser une trace.Pourquoi tant de gens s’en privent ?Par peur. Par conformisme. Par conditionnement.Mais si on osait enfin explorer notre Zone G ? 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
- 14:19Transformer les blessures en gratitude. | Naïma Lemaire | TEDxSaintDenisWomenIl y a des blessures qui semblent nous briser, mais qui deviennent parfois les graines d’une renaissance. À travers son parcours, Naïma LEMAIRE nous montre que la santé mentale n’est pas une faiblesse, mais une force silencieuse qui se cultive. Son talk est une respiration d’espoir : transformer nos cicatrices en gratitude, et choisir, malgré tout, de rayonner. Je m'appelle Naïma, j’ai 22 ans et je suis née à La Réunion. Hypersensible, amoureuse de la vie, émerveillée par les choses simples, je suis optimiste, créative et déterminée. Longtemps, j’ai tenté d’entrer dans un moule par peur du rejet, avant de comprendre que c’était moi-même que je rejetais. J’ai alors décidé de créer ma propre case et, avec le temps, appris à m’accepter et à m’affirmer.Sur le plan professionnel, je me suis cherchée : des études arrêtées, une expérience en entrepreneuriat, puis une pause fin 2024 pour prendre du recul. Aujourd’hui, après réflexion, j’ai choisi de reprendre mes études en psychologie en septembre 2025, car le fonctionnement humain me fascine.Mon souhait : pouvoir un jour accompagner des personnes en souffrance, avec l’espoir que mon parcours inspire à croire qu’il est toujours possible de se réinventer. 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
- 16:11Who Am I? Youth in Transition | Manasi K G | TEDxSt Pauls CollegeWho am I? This timeless question becomes especially powerful during youth, a stage of constant change, discovery, and transition. In today’s fast-paced world, young people face unique challenges of identity, belonging, and purpose, shaped by social media, cultural expectations, and global uncertainties. This talk explores the journey of self-discovery during adolescence and young adulthood, highlighting both the struggles and opportunities that come with it. By reflecting on resilience, authenticity, and the courage to embrace change, it invites us to view youth not as problems to be solved but as possibilities to be nurtured. Manasi K G is the Founding Partner of NarrateIndia, a platform dedicated to capturing and amplifying authentic, grassroots narratives. A firm believer in the power of personal storytelling to shape collective futures, Manasi works closely with young people to help them discover voice, purpose, and agency. Her work lies at the intersection of youth development, civic identity, and narrative justice. 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
- 10:03Your Unseen Part to Being an Impact-Driven Individual | Uzoma Alika | TEDxSamaruYour unseen part to being an impact-driven individual is the inner work discipline, values, and resilience. Impact isn’t only what the world sees; it begins in the choices we make when no one is watching Head of Field Operations at Thrive Agric 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
- 8:19Rewriting the Future for Girls Who Were Never Given One | Seyi Bolaji | TEDxSamaruRewriting the future for girls who were never given one means breaking cycles of silence and limitation. It is about education, empowerment, and opportunity ensuring every girl has the right not just to dream, but to achieve COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGIST, EDUCATION CHAMPION AND GIRL ADVOCATE 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