TED 2023: Supercharging Possibility

I've heard that people that attend the TED conference have brain fog for the weeks following the experience. And now I know why.

After a week of stimulating and thought-provoking talks and events, I found myself overwhelmed with ideas. I had filled my little red TED notebook full of notes and transcribed them all to a Google doc on the way home from Vancouver. I re-watched the talks on the TED Live app. But when I sat down more to write up my highlights and takeaways...I kept hitting a wall.

Author Joan Didion once said, "I don't know what I think until I write about it." This is why I always think it is so important to document ideas in the moment, particularly when we are so overloaded with stimuli in our day-to-day. It's been almost a month since I experienced TED, but I haven't forgotten a moment. In fact, I think that having a bit of time away from it all has put it into perspective.

Takeaway #1: Don't take yourself too seriously

I worried about the wrong things going into my first TED experience. I stressed out about what to wear. I rewrote my bio 10 times. I even tried asking ChatGPT to tell my story better (It didn't). And I went into it, like many other first timers do: with serious imposter syndrome.

But what I almost immediately learned is that what makes TED such a special conference for attendees (and yes, maybe somewhat of a cult), is that it is primarily about making meaningful connections through a shared experience. TED is more than a series of talks on the main stage. It is a week chock full of events to bring together attendees to engage with one another.

A late addition to the attendee list, I found that many of the hosted events were already fully booked. Consequently, I signed up for a Vancouver brewery tour and a martial weaponry training session involving axes, archery, and swords.

While these activities might not have been a first choice for many, I was thrilled to be surrounded by people who were embracing life and willing to step out of their comfort zones to do something unexpected and fun.

I also tried out the Immersive Gamebox experience - having a Netflix 's Squid Game-licensed experience with some new friends. I attended a dinner about decoding neurotechnology and neuro-rights, and ended up talking about science fiction and pop culture all evening. I even made an attempt to learn curling (I mean, when in Canada!). And I danced. A lot.

Don't think about being the best in the world, think about what is best for the world. ~ Benjamin Zander, "The Art of Possiblity"

The theme of TED 2023 was "Possibility" with the promise of exploring the strange and beautiful place known as the "adjacent possible." Conductor Benjamin Zander truly set the tone for this theme at the close of the first session of the week. His discussion borrowed themes from his book "The Art of Possibility," and explored transformative concepts like embracing life's potential, shifting perspectives, and overcoming limiting beliefs. It was so incredibly powerful and inspiring, that I immediately signed up for his hosted lunch at the end of the week.

For me, one of the most profound realizations inspired by Zander's work was the notion that life is too short to spend time worrying. Innovation happens in a place of creativity, resilience, and an open mind. Later that week at Zander's lunch session, I found myself sitting in a room with some of the music industry's most pioneering artists including Amanda Palmer (whose TED talk I referenced as an inspiration in my own 2013 TEDx talk) and Jacob Collier (more on him in this article). These are artists who operate from that same state of mind. Finding your voice as a leader or a creator means abandoning anxieties and self-doubt in exchange for purpose and potential.

Embracing the multifaceted nature of my artistic pursuits has allowed me to approach each new endeavor with a sense of curiosity and playfulness, recognizing the creative journey is as important as the destination.

Towards the end of the week, Alua Arthur , a death doula and founder of Going with Grace, gave a moving talk about how she has made a career out of helping people to live at the end of their lives. When she told the audience that we needed to "Find the magic in the mundane," and to "EAT THE CAKE!" you could hear everyone in the room light up.

Life is too short to take anything too seriously. Being someone who is willing to enjoy every moment is being someone that others like to be around!

Takeaway #2: Technology is supercharging everything (for better or worse)

With a diverse array of topics spanning Web3 and AI, to the ever-evolving media landscape, this year's lineup promised a tantalizing exploration of technology's far-reaching impact on our future. Embracing the whirlwind of debate surrounding the transformational power and potential pitfalls of these advancements, the conference was designed to illuminate our understanding of the digital frontier and the complex intersection between technology and humanity.

Session 2 of the week opened with the founder of OpenAI, Greg Brockman, discussing the releases of DALL-E 2 (the organization's deep learning model that generates images and art from text) and Chat-GPT (the largest neural network ever created). TED Host Chris Anderson asked Brockman if he thought that releasing these tools when OpenAI did was too soon - and if he thought it could be a Pandora's Box. Brockman noted that he felt that it was important for the world to have the ability to try out the tech now, before it becomes more intelligent, in order to prepare for it. He also showed off some nifty new features that ChatGPT will be unveiling including integrations with apps like Instacart and Zapier.

Brockman's talk was immediately followed by one of my favorite talks of the week - University of Washington professor Yejin Choi. Her research revolves around if and how AI systems can learn commonsense knowledge and reasoning. I really enjoyed her pragamatic (and often witty) approach to demystifying the potential opportnities and threats that these AI models pose to our future.

Choi shared some hilarious mistakes that current AI models make due to their lack of common sense. This was echoed by Cognitive Scientist Gary Marcus who discussed the need for governance in this troubling era of dis- and mis-information.

"AI will kill us all." ~ Eliezere Yudwsk

And that's when things took a bit of a turn towards doom and gloom. Eliezer Yudkowsky, a renowned AI researcher and rationality expert, discussed the potential threat that artificial intelligence poses to humanity. In his TED talk, Yudkowsky painted a sobering picture of the possible consequences of uncontrolled AI development. He emphasized the importance of aligning AI systems with human values and goals to avoid catastrophic outcomes, such as the emergence of an AI with a misaligned objective that could inadvertently harm humanity while optimizing its own goal.

But the impact of technology on our future also has some very hopeful voices. Duolingo Co-Founder and CEO Louis van Ahn, for example, gave an energetic TED Talk about the success of his language learning platform and the future of education. Duolingo now has hundreds of millions of users because it leverages the mobile phone and gamified tools similar to TikTok and Instagram to make learning fun. He called it "making broccoli taste like dessert." Duolingo is truly supercharging education, with plans to expand into other categories beyond language studies.

The rise of Web3 and decentralized technologies is also reshaping our digital landscape, offering new avenues for privacy, security, and empowerment. Yat Siu , Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of Animoca Brands , made the powerful point that we spend a lot of time online, but we own very little there. He noted that Web3 is laying the foundation for a freer, fairer, and more prosperous internet by ensuring robust digital property rights. He discussed that whereas Web1 was the era of "read" and Web2 was the era of "read/write," Web3 is the era of "ownership."

And as the creator economy evolves, Web3's potential for creating significant income and new opportunities truly highlights its bright prospects. Siu noted that in 2022, at one of its lowest points, NFT creators earned $24B. On the other hand, the music streaming platform Spotify only paid out $8B across its entire platform to artists that same year. As a music industry professional, observing this striking contrast in earnings compels me to believe that Web3 and NFTs may very well catalyze a transformative shift in the music business, ultimately empowering musicians to secure the financial rewards they've long deserved.

We should use AI to accentuate the best aspects of reality." ~Bilawal Sidhu, Metaversity

From revolutionizing the arts to spearheading healthcare breakthroughs and combating climate change, the immense potential of technology-driven solutions holds the power to reshape our world for the better. Bilawal Sidhu , Creative Technologies & AI Creator at Mentrix , wields AI and 3D technologies to blur the lines between reality and imagination. He shared that he believes that one of the most important advancements ahead of us is the democratization of creativity. Young creators no longer need to master expensive tools and esoteric knowledge in order to bring their visions to life, thanks to co-creation tools.

K. Allado McDowell of KAM Studio uses AI to deepen understanding through writing and music. Their TED discussion of how AI might change the way we work and create was fascinating and included three (3) ways to think about AI and creativity:

1. Creation: Nurturing creative relations with programs to help open the mind, bringing to life ideas that could never have been born of a single creator.
2. Collaboration: This is important for shaping a well-rounded and diverse future of AI, as the voices that are fed into machine learning also shape its output.
3. Care: "AI needs a North Star." McDowell shared that AI should most prominently be used to discover new ways to help people heal - both through art and science.

There is no doubt in that AI will have a transformative role in reshaping the creative frontier. One can't help but wonder: are we on the cusp of a new artistic renaissance driven by the synergy of human ingenuity and artificial intelligence?

Takeaway #3: Own who you are.

My final takeaway from TED this year is that there is value in owning who you are, both literally and figuratively.

The literal side of owning ourselves is particularly true the context of Web3 and the burgeoning metaverse. Tom Graham , CEO of Metaphysic.ai , highlighted the critical need for individuals to take ownership of their digital image. Graham most recently made headlines as the first person to file a copyright for his AI likeness with the U.S. Copyright Office. At TED, he discussed the opportunities and challenges with deep fake technology and the need for some kind of legal mechanism over yourself in the future.?

As we transition into a Web3-enabled world, decentralized technologies and the metaverse are already redefining our online experiences. Digital identities are becoming more valuable than ever before, with virtual avatars and digital assets gaining prominence. This makes it essential for individuals to protect their online presence from potential misuse and manipulation. By doing so, we can safeguard our personal privacy, combat identity theft and misinformation, and navigate the complexities of an ever-evolving digital landscape with confidence and integrity.

It's worth noting that technologies like those developed by Metaphysic are already making waves in the entertainment industry. These cutting-edge solutions enable efficient and affordable de-aging techniques, allowing filmmakers to recreate younger versions of actors or even resurrect deceased performers.

The convergence of Web3, the metaverse, and deepfake technologies underscores the importance of owning our digital selves. As we continue to explore the possibilities offered by these advancements, it's crucial that we establish robust systems and legal frameworks to protect our identities and maintain the authenticity of our online interactions, while also harnessing their potential for creative and innovative purposes.

On the last day of TED, we moved from Graham's focus on digital identity, to Grammy-winning prodigy Jacob Collier's captivating talk on the importance of owning oneself figuratively, illustrating how embracing our unique attributes can drive meaningful change in the world. Collier, known for his engaging live performances, even had people singing along at TED, exemplifying the contagious nature of confidence. As individuals confidently sang along, they inspired others to follow suit, culminating in a harmonious and uplifting collective experience.

Collier emphasized that each individual possesses a singular perspective and voice, which, when fully embraced, can profoundly impact the world around us. By tapping into our authentic selves and fearlessly expressing our creativity, we can create a ripple effect of inspiration, encouraging others to discover and share their own unique gifts.

Collier suggested asking, "What are the things that only I can say?" And then he asked, "Are you connected by what you are doing?" He emphasized that people are not solely moved by facts and figures; rather, it is the connection we share with one another that stirs our emotions and unites us.

As a singer and musician myself, Collier's message resonated deeply with me, serving as a poignant reminder that my voice is not only important, but also a gift to be shared with the world. His talk underscored the transformative power of music as a means of forging connections and eliciting emotions that transcend mere words.

Collier's talk was a perfect bookend to Benjamin Zander's discussion about possibility earlier in the week. By thinking about life in the same way as the dynamism of music and harnessing the confidence within ourselves, we can inspire others and create positive change in the world.

Some Closing Thoughts

In reflecting upon the wealth of insights gleaned from the TED Conference of 2023, three main takeaways stand out as particularly resonant:

1. Don't take yourself too seriously: Amidst the high-stakes discussions on the future of technology and humanity, it is essential to remember the importance of humor, humility, and perspective. By approaching challenges with an open mind and a willingness to laugh at ourselves, we can maintain a balanced outlook and foster an environment of creativity and innovation.
2. Technology is supercharging everything (for better or worse): The conference showcased numerous examples of how technology is revolutionizing industries, education, and our daily lives. However, it also highlighted the potential risks and ethical dilemmas that come with unchecked technological advancement. Amidst the various discussions on the future of AI, Web3, and other groundbreaking developments, the conference also served as a powerful reminder of our shared responsibility to harness our individual talents and passions in the pursuit of a better world. We must approach progress with caution and intention, ensuring that the benefits outweigh the potential pitfalls.
3. Own who you are: Taking ownership of who you are, both literally and figuratively, is a theme that we will see over the years to come. In the literal sense, it involves being vigilant about personal security and maintaining control over your digital self, including your likeness, voice, and other attributes. With the emergence of deepfake technologies and the potential for malicious intent, safeguarding one's digital identity is crucial in order to prevent misuse, manipulation, and infringement on personal privacy. Figuratively, taking ownership means embracing your individuality, taking pride in your unique qualities, and recognizing the value you bring to the world. By owning who you are, you can tap into your innate potential, seize opportunities, and inspire others through your authentic self-expression.

Events like TED serve a crucial purpose in culture. They are designed to inspire, nudging us towards recognizing and embracing our potential. They guide us in navigating the myriad of challenges and opportunities that come our way, particularly in the rapidly evolving digital landscape. They are a call to action for us to work collaboratively, using our unique abilities and perspectives to shape a brighter, more inclusive future for all.

Personally, I was reminded of the immense sense of possibility that emerges when we authentically embrace our unique backgrounds and interests without apology. As someone who bridges the realms of the arts and technology, I have come to appreciate the importance of owning my distinct experiences and leveraging them to drive innovation.

A fellow attendee I met in line for breakfast one morning aptly described TED as his "Mind Spa," and I wholeheartedly concur. The event serves as a rejuvenating space for the exchange of ideas and a celebration of individual contributions.

By fostering an environment that encourages diverse perspectives and values each person's uniqueness, we unlock the true potential of technology and its capacity to not only advance humanity, but also supercharge possibility.

Note: If you'd like to review my raw notes from TED 2023, I've made them available free on Google Docs here. These notes read more like a diary, but include some very level highlights from each of the talks and events I attended. I only cited a few of the many talks in this article, but may write more when I go back and rewatch them all. Enjoy!

Please also subscribe to memBrain's monthly music magazine, The STORM Report. Jacob Collier first appeared in the STORM in 2017!