In this personal and thoughtful talk, Qilemuge, a multilingual speaker from the Mongolian ethnic group in the Hetao Plain, reflects on how language shapes identity, perception, and worldview. Having grown up speaking Mongolian at home and throughout her early education, studied in English at university, and communicated in Chinese in daily life, she shares how navigating between languages has become an ongoing journey through shifting cultural landscapes. Qilemuge is an undergraduate student majoring in Accounting at BNBU. 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

In an era of rapid technological change, generative AI is emerging as a powerful force shaping our future. From creating original art and translating languages to uncovering patterns in scientific data, its applications are wide-ranging and impactful. Yet these advances also raise critical questions about authenticity, ethics, and the role of human creativity. This talk explores how generative AI is influencing fields like healthcare, climate science, and the arts—while urging reflection on its promise and the responsibilities that come with its use. Dr. Fan Wentao currently serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the Faculty of Science and Technology, BNU-HKBU United International College in Zhuhai, Guangdong, China. His research focuses on machine learning, deep generative models, computer vision, and pattern recognition, addressing a variety of real-life challenges across multiple domains. He has authored or co-authored over 140 publications in esteemed journals and conferences. 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

The fields of heritage and archaeology have effectively embraced advances in machine learning, modeling, and various elements of AI. However, a critical question remains: how can we use the past to create a sustainable future in the age of AI? Inspired by the idea of crossroads and designed to be thought-provoking, this talk explores the possibility of leveraging knowledge about the past—with the help of machines—to ensure subsistence and survivability. Gai Jorayev is an academic with interests in heritage management, cultural tourism, and digital humanities. He works at the intersection of heritage—in its various forms—and digital tools and technologies. In addition to working with archaeological sites, industrial heritage, and rural and cultural landscapes, Gai’s research also explores the history and heritage of space exploration and Earth observation. He is actively involved in heritage-based development initiatives and contributes to capacity-building efforts around 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

We’re living in a time of fast change, with technology, society, and our environment all shifting rapidly. Some of this is exciting, some of it scary, and a good deal more is plain unpredictable. In times like these, art and culture are more essential than ever—for it is in the arts that we can reflect on where and what we are, and dream of where we are going next. AI, in particular, is changing how we create, distribute, and consume the arts, and forcing us to question what its core is. This type of questioning is useful, as it stops us becoming complacent and makes us alert to the world as it really is. In this talk, the speaker explores how, as an artist and maker of live performances, he works through these issues—and how what can be seen as a threat to established practices and professional careers may also be an opportunity and an inspiration. After all, we have been making art for tens of thousands of years. We won’t stop anytime soon. Dr. Bill Aitchison is an actor, theatre director, and interdisciplinary artist whose work has been presented in galleries, museums, theatres, and festivals across Europe, Asia, America, Australia, and the Middle East. He has worked in diverse contexts including British Live Art, New York downtown theatre, postdramatic theatre, conceptual dance, and Chinese performance art, to name but a few. 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

In this inspiring talk, Zhong Baoying shares her personal journey from childhood curiosity to becoming a young antique collector deeply rooted in Chinese cultural heritage. Through vivid storytelling and heartfelt reflection, she explores the emotional and cultural meanings embedded in ancient artifacts, positioning collectors not just as hobbyists but as “guardians of history.” Drawing on family influence and her own evolving perspective, she illustrates how collecting antiques is a way of “telling history through objects.” Zhong Baoying is a BNBU alumna and emerging antique collector who carries forward her father’s legacy in preserving cultural artifacts. With a background in foreign affairs and cultural outreach, she is passionate about the role of traditional Chinese culture in global communication. Through her work and personal journey, Baoying explores how Chinese antiques—rooted in centuries of history—can foster international understanding, promote cultural diplomacy, and connect people across borders. 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

The question “What do you want to do in the future?” follows us through every stage of life. In this reflective talk, Lu challenges the idea that life must be meticulously planned. Instead, she argues that life is shaped through experience—especially the kind that involves uncertainty, trial, and risk. Drawing from personal stories and broader insights, she makes the case for embracing risky play as an essential part of growth, resilience, and discovering one’s true direction. Lu Yanganni is an undergraduate student majoring in Public Relations and Advertising at BNBU. 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