Dare to discover: the lectures of TED@BCG 2024

We can discover new ideas to design the world we want – if we dare to push boundaries. During a day full of lectures and performances, 15 speakers explored exactly how we can break through entrenched obstacles to imagine and innovate a bold future.

The event: TED@BCG: Dare to Discover, the fifteenth event jointly organized by TED and Boston Consulting Group (BCG) to encourage forward-thinking speakers from around the world. 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 conversations in short:

Alex Amouyelpresident 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 profits from the food company it owns. Amouyel shows how we can reimagine business and philanthropy to serve the common good, and invites others to join this small but mighty club that envisions a world where capitalism is turned upside down for the sake of society.

Amaryllis Liampotientrepreneur, business strategist

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

Scott Shigeokacuriosity 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 extend that same grace to others – and why recognizing our shared humanity starts with practicing curiosity.

Shalinee SharmaCEO and co-founder of Zearn

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

Mark Abrahampioneer in the field of personalization

In a world full of spam and endless ads, it can be frustrating when a company clogs your inbox with meaningless and useless content. What can brands do to improve the customer experience? Mark Abraham shares key findings from his groundbreaking research (and new book) on personalization. He explains how brands that embrace a less-is-more attitude will see big gains in customer satisfaction and business growth.

Marielle Remillardclimate strategist

The path to net zero requires an enormous amount of materials: billions of solar panels, millions of wind turbines and more. Climate strategist Marielle RemillardThe company’s research reveals critical shortages ahead – and analyzes why this is both a challenge and the greatest manufacturing opportunity since the Industrial Revolution.

Neveen F. Awadleader in technology change

Neveen F. Awad works at the intersection of healthcare, technology and equality. She highlights a broad shift in healthcare toward hyper-personalized experiences, including AI-powered medical diagnostics, and advocates for inclusive innovation that ensures advanced technology benefits everyone, not just a select few.

Andrei LevinAI strategist

Negotiating the price of a product can be uncomfortable, especially in the automotive industry where haggling is still common. AI strategist Andrei Levin presents research showing that many customers would actually pay more for their cars to avoid the stress of haggling – and shows how advances in AI could enable companies across industries to set optimal fixed prices, helping negotiation is a thing of the past.

Giorgia Lupiinformation designer, data humanist

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

Ethan Krosspsychologist, 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 say Ethan Kross calls it. He shows how, using techniques such as talking to yourself with distance, asking others for advice, and experiencing awe, you can harness the potential of your inner voice while minimizing its pitfalls.

Nicholas S. Langgeopolitical navigator

What is the most likely scenario for the future of geopolitics? International business advisor Nicholas S. Lang predicts a multipolar world, with multiple spheres of influence aligned with 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 future.

Neeraj Aggarwalchairman of the Asia Pacific region for BCG

Asia’s cultural influence is growing rapidly and driving innovation around the world, says Neeraj Aggarwalwho has been studying these trends for 25 years. From K-pop to manga, he tells how Asia’s burgeoning cultural power is colliding with its booming economy – delivering technological breakthroughs and solutions to global challenges that are reshaping the future in creative, unexpected ways.

King Rajamannarhead of marketing and communications at Mastercard, in conversation with TED’s Whitney Pennington Rodgers

As CMO of Mastercard, King Rajamannar advocates a marketing approach that goes beyond profit and emphasizes purpose-driven strategies that benefit society while stimulating business. In conversation with TED current affairs curator Whitney Pennington Rodgershe shares how Mastercard sees marketing as a force for good, leading to innovative solutions such as the True Name card for transgender people and touch identifying cards for the visually impaired.

Kristy Ellmerchange leader

The only constant in today’s world is change. How can we make people enthusiastic about change within their organizations? Change leader Kristy Ellmer explains how companies can overcome the high failure rates of business transformations by focusing on the people aspect of each phase of their change programs. This allows employees to not only navigate the process, but also see the potential good that is yet to come.

Lauren Taylorcustomer focus champion

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

Daring to discover new boundaries of musicality, Okay, cowgirl plays three songs with lead vocals from Leah Lavigne and lead guitar from Jake Sabinsky.