Former NFL quarterback Alex Smith almost died after a particularly rough tackle snapped his leg in 2018 -- yet he was back on the field just two years later. In this inspiring talk, he shares his hard-won insights on overcoming fear, self-doubt and anxiety that could help anyone endure life's challenges. (This talk contains graphic images.)

What is consciousness? Can an artificial machine really think? For many, these have been vital considerations for the future of artificial intelligence. But British computer scientist Alan Turing decided to disregard all these questions in favor of a much simpler one: Can a computer talk like a human? Alex Gendler describes the Turing test and d...

Whether they're belting Beyoncé, head-banging to classic rock, or rattling off curse words at zoo-goers, parrots are constantly astounding us. They are among the only animals that produce human speech, and some parrots do it almost uncannily well. How is this possible? Grace Smith-Vidaurre and Tim Wright dig into the anatomy that allows parrots ...

Remote work was a trend that some companies and gig workers were trying out, even as others resisted. Then the pandemic made it an overnight reality for many of us. This feels like uncharted territory, but there's already plenty of knowledge on how to do it well. Learn from someone who has done more remote work than almost anyone on the planet -...

Sustainability is often presented as being complex, expensive, and fraught with difficulty, it is considered the preserve of those who can afford it, and with the means and the ‘know how' to achieve it. Leaving behind those that need it the most. The truth is that becoming sustainable isn’t complex. We can’t pretend it is always easy and that it...

True desires for love and affection can manifest in many different ways, but society prioritizes one type of romantic relationship: the relationship between a man and a woman. In this talk, Alex explores the limitations of heteronormativity and compulsive heterosexuality and how coming out allowed for her to reconnect with herself. Coming out op...