TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design. TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading.
Started as a four-day
conference in California 25 years ago, TED has grown to support those world-changing
ideas with multiple initiatives. The annual TED Conference invites the world's leading
thinkers and doers to speak for 18 minutes. Their talks are then made available, free,
at TED.com. TED speakers have included Bill Gates, Al Gore, Jane Goodall, Elizabeth
Gilbert, Sir Richard Branson, Nandan Nilekani,Philippe Starck, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Isabel
Allende and UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
The annual TED Conference takes place
in Long Beach, California, with simulcast in Palm Springs; TEDGlobal is held each year
in Oxford, UK. TED's media initiatives include TED.com, where new TEDTalks are posted
daily, and the Open Translation Project, which provides subtitles and interactive transcripts
as well as the ability for any TEDTalk to be translated by volunteers worldwide. TED has
established the annual TED Prize, where exceptional individuals with a wish to change the
world are given the opportunity to put their wishes into action; TEDx, which offers
individuals or groups a way to host local, self-organized events around the world, and
the TEDFellows program, helping world-changing innovators from around the globe to
become part of the TED community and, with its help, amplify the impact of their
remarkable projects and activities.
For details on all upcoming conferences and events, visit
www.TED.com.
In the spirit of "ideas worth spreading," TED has created TEDx. TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. Our event is called TEDxSMU, where x = independently organized TED event. At TEDxSMU, TEDTalks video and live speakers will combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events, including ours, are self-organized.
