Dare to discover: The talks of TED@BCG 2024

TED’s head of media and curation Helen Walters hosts TED@BCG: Dare to Discover at the TED Theater in New York, NY on September 12, 2024. (Photo: Gilberto Tadday / TED)

We can discover new ideas to design the world we want — if we dare to push through boundaries. In a day of talks and performances, 15 speakers explored precisely how we can break through entrenched obstacles in order to invent and innovate a bold future.

The event: TED@BCG: Dare to Discover, the fifteenth event TED and Boston Consulting Group (BCG) have co-hosted to uplift forward-thinking speakers from around the globe. Hosted by TED’s head of media and curation Helen Walters.

When and where: Thursday, September 12, 2024 at the TED World Theater in New York City

Speakers: Alex Amouyel, Amaryllis Liampoti, Scott Shigeoka, Shalinee Sharma, Mark Abraham, Marielle Remillard, Neveen F. Awad, Andrej Levin, Giorgia Lupi, Ethan Kross, Nikolaus S. Lang, Neeraj Aggarwal, Raja Rajamannar, Kristy Ellmer and Lauren Taylor

The talks in brief:

Alex Amouyel, president and CEO of Newman’s Own Foundation

As CEO of Newman’s Own Foundation, Alex Amouyel challenges the norm of corporate giving by championing the “100% for purpose” movement: the foundation’s unique model of donating all of the profits from the food company it owns. Amouyel demonstrates how we can reimagine business and philanthropy to serve the common good, inviting others to join this small but mighty club envisioning a world where capitalism is turned on its head for the benefit of society.

Amaryllis Liampoti, entrepreneur, business strategist

AI is fundamentally changing how brands connect with consumers, and vice versa. Business strategist Amaryllis Liampoti outlines how, as AI chatbots become increasingly human-like in their capabilities, companies can use them to build deeper relationships with their customers. She shares three key principles to ensure brands are using this powerful tool responsibly.

Scott Shigeoka, curiosity expert

Curiosity is about seeking what unites us rather than clinging to what divides us, says author Scott Shigeoka. Reflecting on his journey across the US, where he purposefully met people with opposing views, he shares why learning to love his inner critic helped him to extend that same grace to others — and why recognizing our shared humanity starts with practicing curiosity.

Shalinee Sharma, CEO and cofounder of Zearn

Math isn’t just for “math kids” — it’s for everyone, says Shalinee Sharma, CEO and cofounder of the math learning platform Zearn. By believing in our abilities, making math meaningful through visual understanding and embracing fun practice through games, we can all develop strong math minds. Let’s give math a second chance and discover its beauty and power together.

Mark Abraham, personalization pioneer

In a world of spam and never-ending ads, it can be frustrating when a business clogs your inbox with meaningless and unhelpful content. So what can brands do to improve the customer experience? Mark Abraham shares the key findings from his groundbreaking research (and new book) on personalization. He explains how brands that embrace a less-is-more attitude will enjoy big wins in customer satisfaction and business growth.

Marielle Remillard, climate strategist

The path to net zero demands a massive amount of materials: billions of solar panels, millions of wind turbines and more. Climate strategist Marielle Remillard‘s research reveals critical shortages ahead — and breaks down why this is both a challenge and the biggest production opportunity since the Industrial Revolution.

Neveen F. Awad, technology change leader

Neveen F. Awad works at the intersection of health care, tech and equity. She highlights a broad shift in health care towards hyper-personalized experiences, including AI-powered medical diagnostics, and makes the case for inclusive innovation that ensures cutting-edge tech benefits everyone, not just a select few.

Andrej Levin, AI strategist

Negotiating over the price of a product can be uncomfortable, particularly in the automotive industry, where haggling is still common. AI strategist Andrej Levin presents research showing many customers would actually pay more for their cars in order to avoid the stress of negotiating — and shows how advancements in AI could enable companies across industries to set optimal fixed prices, making bargaining a thing of the past.

Giorgia Lupi, information designer, data humanist

After developing long COVID, Giorgia Lupi tracked her symptoms meticulously, creating a visual narrative for The New York Times that resonated deeply with many. She describes her shift from tracking symptoms to focusing on collective progress and gratitude, sharing how a new way of looking at data brought herself and others hope.

Ethan Kross, psychologist, neuroscientist, author

Your inner voice is a powerful tool for self-reflection and planning, but it can also trap you in negative thought loops — “chatter,” as psychologist and neuroscientist Ethan Kross calls it. He shows how, with techniques like distanced self-talk, seeking advice from others and experiencing awe, you can harness the potential of your inner voice while minimizing its pitfalls.

Nikolaus S. Lang, geopolitics navigator

What’s the most likely scenario for the future of geopolitics? International business consultant Nikolaus S. Lang forecasts a multipolar world, with multiple spheres of influence aligned along economic, technological and military interests, as opposed to just one or two dominant global powers. He shares why business leaders must prepare for this new geopolitical landscape — or risk their very futures.

Neeraj Aggarwal, chair of the Asia-Pacific region for BCG

Asia’s cultural influence is rapidly growing and fueling innovation around the world, says Neeraj Aggarwal, who has studied these trends for 25 years. From K-pop to manga, he shares how Asia’s burgeoning cultural power goes hand-in-hand with its booming economy — spurring tech breakthroughs and solutions to global challenges that are reshaping the future in creative, unexpected ways.

Raja Rajamannar, chief marketing and communications officer of Mastercard, in conversation with TED’s Whitney Pennington Rodgers

As CMO of Mastercard, Raja Rajamannar champions an approach to marketing that goes beyond profit, emphasizing purpose-driven strategies that benefit society while boosting business. In conversation with TED current affairs curator Whitney Pennington Rodgers, he shares how Mastercard thinks about marketing as a force for good, leading to innovative solutions like the True Name card for transgender individuals and touch-identifiable cards for the visually impaired.

Kristy Ellmer, change leader

The only constant in today’s world is change. How can we get people excited about change within their organizations? Change leader Kristy Ellmer explains how companies can remedy the high failure rates of corporate transformations by focusing on the human aspect of every stage of their change programs — helping employees not only navigate the process but also see the potential good to come.

Lauren Taylor, customer centricity champion

Why do sustainable products often fail? Lauren Taylor believes it’s because they don’t meet consumers’ core needs (looking at you, paper straws). Offering a blueprint for creating planet-friendly options that are both functional and desirable, she explains how businesses can drive sustainability without asking customers to compromise.

Daring to discover new frontiers of musicality, Ok Cowgirl performs three songs featuring lead vocals from Leah Lavigne and lead guitar from Jake Sabinsky.