What We Don't See Shapes Everything We Do | Jeffrey Ong | TEDxAsia Pacific U
In this heartfelt talk, Jeffrey uses a shaken soda bottle as a metaphor for the emotions we hide inside. He shares his struggle after leaving a stable job just before the pandemic, pretending to be fine while silently breaking under pressure. Through his personal story, he introduces a framework called PAUSE: Permission, Acknowledge, Understand, Shift, and Engage, a reminder to pause, acknowledge, understand, shift, and engage with emotions before they escalate. His message is simple yet powerful: what we don’t see within us shapes everything we do, and true strength begins when we dare to face it. Early in his career, Jeffro was part of digital transformation projects that kept missing deadlines. The real issue wasn’t the technology, it was the hesitation and resistance people carried beneath the surface. That discovery drew him into the emotional side of work, where clarity can turn doubt into momentum. Today, he explores what lies behind the visible - the fears, values and motivations that shape how we show up. For him, beneath the surface isn’t just a theme, it’s a lived practice of helping people move with clarity and confidence. 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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- 17:04AI, Cyberbullying, and the Mental Health Crisis | Prashasth Baliga | TEDxAsia Pacific UPrashasth Baliga sheds light on the dark intersection between technology, manipulation, and mental health. Through shocking real-world stories of AI-powered scams, online deception, and digital trafficking, he exposes how technology is being weaponized against human trust. But beyond the chaos, his talk is a call for empathy, urging technologists, educators, and citizens to design and act with compassion. Because in a world where AI can imitate humanity, our only safeguard is to remember what makes us truly human. Prashasth Baliga is an international voice in cybersecurity, known for leading large-scale security transformations and consulting for global enterprises. With deep expertise in cyber risk, automation, and AI security, he has led security teams at some of the world’s foremost cybersecurity companies, helping secure critical sectors including banking, fintech, government, and education.Beyond his corporate role, Prashasth is a passionate public speaker and mentor, having delivered keynotes and guest lectures at leading universities and conferences across Asia, Europe, and Australia. A strong advocate for cyber awareness and AI safety, he is committed to inspiring the next generation and promoting greater diversity in the cybersecurity field. 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
- 14:14The AI Jobs Boom | Dr. Mohammed Muayad Abdulrazzaq | TEDxAsia Pacific UDr. Mohammed Al-Obaydee explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping the world of work, education, and human potential. Rather than replacing people, AI is becoming a tool that enhances creativity, productivity, and collaboration. Drawing on real-world examples, he shows how new opportunities; from AI-driven healthcare to responsible innovation, are redefining what it means to work, learn, and lead in the age of intelligent machines. His message is clear: the future belongs not to AI itself, but to those who learn how to work with it. Dr. Mohammed Al-Obaydee (Dr. Obay) is a seasoned AI trainer, academic leader, and international speaker with over 20 years of experience in Artificial Intelligence. A certified HRD Corp trainer, he has empowered over 5,000 professionals through hands-on, industry- relevant programs. He is an ELITE Fellow at the University of Malaya and Adjunct Associate Professor at Taylor’s University, where he supervises postgraduate AI research. As the founder of AIC4ALL and INNOEYETIVE, Dr. Obay champions AI education and innovation. He also holds strategic leadership roles in digital transformation, delivering global talks to inspire AI adoption and digital advancement. 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
- 14:02Digital Afterlife: Who Owns ur Data When ur Gone? | Suresh Sankaran Srinivasan | TEDxAsia Pacific UCybersecurity leader Suresh Sankaran takes us beneath the surface of our digital lives to ask a profound question: what happens to our data after we die? From passwords and photos to shadow profiles and AI-trained models, our digital footprint continues long after we’re gone. Through real cases and striking examples, he explores the ethical, legal, and emotional challenges of digital legacy, and why we urgently need digital wills, consent frameworks, and awareness to protect our dignity beyond life. Suresh Sankaran Srinivasan is a global cybersecurity leader and the architect behind the Axiata Cyber Fusion Center, a state-of-the-art Center of Excellence for cyber resilience across ASEAN and South Asia. With over 25 years of experience spanning Vodafone, EY, and now Axiata Group Berhad, he has led cyber strategy and innovation across highly complex, multi-market digital ecosystems. Suresh is the innovator behind HELIOS, a patent-pending AI-driven platform for cyber threat attribution, and the mind behind “Digital Storm”, a powerful lens on emerging tech risks at the intersection of AI, quantum, 5G, cloud, and IoT. An ASEAN CSO30, Business Value CISO, and ETCIO Transformative CIO awardee, Suresh is also a Programme Leader at the Indian School of Business (ISB), mentoring the next generation of cyber leaders. His work blends innovation with insight, and his mission is simple: redefine trust in a world that no longer plays by the old rules. 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
- 16:27Two Faces, One Life | Mikail Vohra & Zidaan Vohra | TEDxReptonSchoolDubaiWe’re identical twins who spent years as “MikailZidaan”, same teams, same jokes, even the same test scores. A simple question, “What would you do without each other?” hit hard when a new school put us in different classes. Our talk shares how we learned to author identity through choices, experiences, values, and boundaries, and why a clearer ‘I’ makes a stronger ‘we’. The same starting point does not equal the same story. Mikail Vohra is a dedicated IB student with a passion for exploring complex ideas and pushing academic boundariesZidaan Vohra, as an IB student, values critical thinking, global perspectives and meaningful inquiry 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
- 16:57The Punchline I Never Saw Coming | Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Tan Chin Ike | TEDxAsia Pacific UDr. Tan Chin Ike takes the stage with wit and wisdom, sharing how stepping into the world of stand-up comedy reshaped his understanding of courage, learning, and creativity. Coming from a background in teaching, he reflects on what it means to challenge oneself, take risks, and embrace failure with humor. His talk reminds us that education isn’t just about knowledge, it’s about daring to try, to laugh at ourselves, and to discover the lessons hidden in every punchline we never saw coming. Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Tan Chin Ike is the Head of School, School of Computing at Asia Pacific University (APU), with 25+ years of experience in game development, computing, and digital education. He founded Malaysia’s flagship Game Development program and established the MYGAMEDEV initiative under the ETP. As founding chairman of the Game Development Council of Malaysia, he champions national talent development. A registered Professional Technologist (MBOT), he also serves on panels for MDEC, FINAS, MOSTI, and MQA. Dr. Tan holds a PhD in Game-Based Learning and a Master’s in Computing. His work bridges education, industry, and policy to empower the next generation of digital innovators. 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
- 11:55Confidence and Humility | Sophia Al Lamki | TEDxReptonSchoolDubaiThis talk explores a powerful idea: that true innovation and lasting success don’t come from pure confidence or pure caution, but from the tension between the two. Through vivid metaphor and real-world figures, the speech uncovers how bold vision must be matched with humility to adapt, listen, and grow. It’s a call to future leaders—not to choose a side, but to master the balance between daring action and grounded reflection. Because in a world of rapid change, only those who learn to hold both extremes can lead, innovate, and endure. My name is Sophia Al Lamki, I’m 17 years old and from Oman. I am currently in Year 13 at Repton, completing my A Levels in Economics, Mathematics, and English Literature. With a strong interest in global affairs and analytical thinking, I plan to pursue Economics and Politics at university, aiming to explore how policy, markets, and governance shape the world we live in. 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
