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Wednesday, January 14, 2026
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Digest for 1/14/2026

Explore trending topics with matching TED talks and AI insights

3 Topics • 9 Talks

Trending Topics

Featured TED Talks

The Rise of AI in Democratic Elections
We're building a dystopia just to make people click on ads by Zeynep Tufekci

We're building a dystopia just to make people click on ads

by Zeynep Tufekci

We're building an artificial intelligence-powered dystopia, one click at a time, says techno-sociologist Zeynep Tufekci. In an eye-opening talk, Tufekci explains how the same algorithms companies like Facebook, Google and Amazon use to get you to click on ads are also used to organize your access to political and social information.

Summary

Zeynep Tufekci's TED talk critiques how AI algorithms, designed to boost ad engagement, foster societal division and misinformation, mirroring concerns about AI's influence in democratic elections through targeted propaganda and deepfakes.

"We're building an artificial intelligence-powered dystopia, just to make people click on ads."

Discuss: What safeguards should be implemented to mitigate AI's potential to undermine democratic processes in elections?

Watch Talk (22:30)View Discussion
The Rise of AI in Democratic Elections
How digital innovation can fight pandemics and strengthen democracy by Audrey Tang

How digital innovation can fight pandemics and strengthen democracy

by Audrey Tang

Taiwan's digital minister Audrey Tang shares how digital tools can enhance transparency, participation, and trust in democratic systems, especially during crises.

Summary

Audrey Tang's TED talk on leveraging digital innovation to combat pandemics and bolster democracy highlights Taiwan's use of AI-driven tools for transparent governance and civic participation, directly linking to the rise of AI in democratic elections by demonstrating how such technologies can enhance electoral integrity, voter engagement, and misinformation combat without undermining democratic values.

"We turned the pandemic into a 'democratic vaccine' by using digital tools to foster trust and collaboration."

Discuss: In what ways could AI integration in elections, as inspired by Taiwan's model, prevent misinformation while preserving voter privacy?

Watch Talk (17:00)View Discussion
The Rise of AI in Democratic Elections
How to get empowered, not overpowered, by AI by Max Tegmark

How to get empowered, not overpowered, by AI

by Max Tegmark

There's a lot of talk about the need to regulate AI, but physicist Max Tegmark says we need to think bigger: what if we could design AI to make our lives better in every way? Tegmark explores the exciting possibilities of life with superintelligent machines -- and how we can ensure that the benefits of AI are shared fairly.

Summary

Max Tegmark's TED talk explores ways to harness AI's benefits while mitigating its risks, directly relating to the rise of AI in democratic elections where tools like deepfakes and algorithmic manipulation could undermine voter trust and fair processes.

"AI is like fire: it can cook your food or burn down your house."

Discuss: What safeguards should be implemented to prevent AI from overpowering democratic elections?

Watch Talk (17:00)View Discussion
Navigating Global Climate Policy in a Divided World
The inside story of the Paris climate agreement by Christiana Figueres

The inside story of the Paris climate agreement

by Christiana Figueres

What would you do if your job was to save the planet? When Christiana Figueres was tapped by the UN to lead the Paris climate conference (COP 21) in December 2015, she reacted the way many people would: she thought it would be impossible to bring the leaders of 195 countries into agreement on how to slow climate change. Find out how she turned 'impossible' into 'possible' -- and how you can, too.

Summary

In her TED talk, Christiana Figueres shares the behind-the-scenes story of forging the Paris climate agreement amid geopolitical tensions and skepticism, offering valuable insights into navigating global climate policy in today's divided world where cooperation remains essential despite divisions.

"Optimism is not about blindly believing everything will be fine. Optimism is about facing the reality with eyes wide open and still believing that we can do better."

Discuss: How can the strategies used in the Paris Agreement help bridge divides in current global climate negotiations?

Watch Talk (15:00)View Discussion
Navigating Global Climate Policy in a Divided World
New thinking on the climate crisis by Al Gore

New thinking on the climate crisis

by Al Gore

In this brand-new slideshow (premiering on TED.com), Al Gore presents evidence that the pace of climate change may be even worse than scientists recently predicted. He challenges us to act.

Summary

Al Gore's TED talk 'New thinking on the climate crisis' urges a shift in perspective to combat climate change through innovation and collective action, offering insights for navigating global climate policy amid political divisions and international tensions.

"We can solve the climate crisis. It will be hard, of course, but the benefits will be amazing."

Discuss: How can Al Gore's call for new thinking on climate solutions help bridge divides in global policy-making?

Watch Talk (28:00)View Discussion
Navigating Global Climate Policy in a Divided World
10 years to transform the future of humanity -- or destabilize the planet by Johan Rockström

10 years to transform the future of humanity -- or destabilize the planet

by Johan Rockström

Planetary scientist Johan Rockström shares a new way of thinking about the human impact on the climate and why swift action is needed to avoid environmental catastrophe.

Summary

Johan Rockström's TED Talk warns of a critical 10-year window to transform humanity's impact on Earth or risk planetary destabilization, directly linking to the challenges of navigating global climate policy amid geopolitical divisions, emphasizing unified action to avoid tipping points.

"We have roughly 10 years left to bend the curves on greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity loss, and land use change – or we risk destabilizing the planet."

Discuss: In a divided world, how can nations collaborate to achieve the transformations Rockström outlines within the next decade to secure a stable future?

Watch Talk (13:03)View Discussion
Reimagining International Relations Amid Geopolitical Shifts
The next global superpower isn't who you think by Ian Bremmer

The next global superpower isn't who you think

by Ian Bremmer

Political scientist Ian Bremmer argues that the world is entering a new era of technopolarism, where technology companies hold unprecedented power, reshaping global geopolitics.

Summary

Ian Bremmer's TED talk challenges traditional views of global power, positing that technology companies, not nation-states like China or the US, will emerge as the next superpowers. This insight aligns with reimagining international relations amid geopolitical shifts, highlighting how tech giants influence economies, politics, and societies beyond borders.

"The next superpower isn't going to be a country. It's going to be technology."

Discuss: In what ways could tech companies as superpowers alter the landscape of global diplomacy and conflict?

Watch Talk (14:03)View Discussion
Reimagining International Relations Amid Geopolitical Shifts
How megacities are changing the map of the world by Parag Khanna

How megacities are changing the map of the world

by Parag Khanna

Global strategist Parag Khanna explores how connectivity and urbanization are reshaping geopolitics in a multipolar world.

Summary

Parag Khanna's TED talk on how megacities are reshaping the global map ties into reimagining international relations amid geopolitical shifts, arguing that urban hubs are becoming the new centers of power, connectivity, and diplomacy, surpassing traditional nation-states in influence.

"The world is a network of cities, not just a collection of countries."

Discuss: In what ways could the dominance of megacities alter traditional international alliances and conflict resolution strategies?

Watch Talk (15:48)View Discussion
Reimagining International Relations Amid Geopolitical Shifts
Global power shifts by Joseph Nye

Global power shifts

by Joseph Nye

International relations expert Joseph Nye discusses the diffusion of power in the 21st century and how soft power influences global politics.

Summary

Joseph Nye's TED talk 'Global Power Shifts' examines the diffusion of power from governments to non-state actors and from West to East, advocating for 'smart power' as a strategy combining hard and soft power. This directly informs the trending topic of reimagining international relations amid geopolitical shifts, highlighting the need for adaptive strategies in a multipolar world.

"The 21st century is seeing a shift in the nature of power, not just its distribution."

Discuss: In what ways can 'smart power' help nations navigate current geopolitical tensions, such as those between the US, China, and Russia?

Watch Talk (17:42)View Discussion