The shorts of TED2023 define the era we find ourselves in — immersed in artificial intelligence, playing with possibility and defiantly full of infinite depth and discovery. Watch below for AI-infused resets and perspective shifts embodying the spirit of TED2023.
The short: “Baraye”
In brief: Coldplay performs Iranian protest song “Baraye” (originally by Shervin Hajipour) — and invites exiled Iranian actor Golshifteh Farahani on stage to sing with them during their Buenos Aires concert in 2022.
Shown during: Session 1: In which we start things off with a bang
The short: “Jacquemus ‘Champagne?'”
The creator: Directed by Pantera
In brief: A runaway, ricocheting champagne cork causes tremendous trouble in record time for a quiet Christmas party.
Shown during: Session 1: In which we start things off with a bang
Arthur C. Clarke about the future of AI.
—21 September 1964[source, BBC Archive: https://t.co/u9RpXTrztK]pic.twitter.com/rccfoQlv42
— Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) March 26, 2023
The short: “Arthur C. Clarke predicts AI at the 1964 New York World Fair”
The creator: BBC Archive
In brief: BBC newscaster Arthur C. Clarke predicts the future of artificial intelligence with startling accuracy — during a report from the 1964 World’s Fair.
Shown during: Session 2: In which we explore the astounding new era of AI
The short: “Symbiosis”
The creators: AI: @remi_molettee; Film: slimshowroom; Performers: Ebinum Brothers; Music: Max Richter
In brief: Two root-like bodies dance and tumble over, under and through each other in a vast desert.
Shown during: Session 2: In which we explore the astounding new era of AI
The short: “All for You”
The creator: Directed by Arthur Studholme
In brief: A series of meet-cutes devolve from dream to nightmare for one man who seems to have enough room in his romantic imagination for everyone and everything he encounters.
Shown during: Session 4: In which we ponder ideas that are way, way out there
The short: “Hairy Pouter”
The creators: Directed by Chris Carboni; Sound by Ambrose Yu; Music by Charles Di Raimondo
In brief: A 98-year-old woman’s review of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, absurdly interpreted in this film entirely designed by AI.
Shown during: Session 4: In which we ponder ideas that are way, way out there
The short: “You Know What I Need”
The creators: Video by MELT IMMERSIVE; Directed by Kuba Matyka & Kamila Staszczyszyn
In brief: Mind-melting, multi-dimensional AI art meets the melodies of Troye Sivan and PNAU in this visually immersive and psychedelic music video.
Shown during: Session 6: In which we discover how our brains might soon get upgraded
The short: “Ode To My Shiny Metal Toaster”
The creator: Guided by Alexander Reben
In brief: A poem dedicated to a shiny metal toaster … generated, titled, illustrated and spoken by artificial intelligence.
Shown during: Session 6: In which we discover how our brains might soon get upgraded
The short: “One More Try”
The creator: Directed by Najeeb Tarazi
In brief: How many tries does it take to get to the center of a sweet skateboarding trick? One, two, three? A lot more than that, sometimes.
Shown during: Session 6: In which we discover how our brains might soon get upgraded
The short: “Apple – The Greatest”
The creator: Directed by Kim Gehrig
In brief: An ode to the beauty of human diversity — and how tech assists our journey through life.
Shown during: Session 7: In which we breathe deep and embrace humanity’s full potential
The short: “KCRW: ‘Listen'”
The creator: Directed by Anderson Wright
In brief: A reminder to just stop … and listen … to the world around you.
Shown during: Session 7: In which we breathe deep and embrace humanity’s full potential
The short: “I’m Only Sleeping”
The creator: Directed (and painted) by Em Cooper
In brief: Take a semi-lucid, painterly dip between dreaming and waking with this trippy visual complement to this sleepy Beatles single.
Shown during: Session 8: In which we delightedly and unapologetically nerd out
The short: “Magically Turning into Random Objects”
The creator: Kevin Parry
In brief: A man transforms into a variety of everyday objects through the power and optical illusory magic of impressive video editing.
Shown during: Session 8: In which we delightedly and unapologetically nerd out
The short: “I asked AI to write an Eminem rap about cats”
The creator: Grandayy
In brief: Ever wondered what it would sound like if Eminem rapped about cats? AI has your answer.
Shown during: Session 9: In which we prepare for the inevitable chaos ahead
The short: “Bonobo – ATK”
The creators: Directed by McGloughlin Brothers
In brief: Fast trains + high shutter speeds = everyday zoetropes as the world passes you by.
Shown during: Session 9: In which we prepare for the inevitable chaos ahead
The short: “Blue Jeans and Bloody Tears”
The creators: Concept and creative direction by Nim Shapira; Song by Amir Shoenfeld, Avshalom Ariel, Ben Scheflan, Eran Hadas, ORACLE Israel & UK and Nim Shapira; Music video by Karni and Saul
In brief: The first Eurovision song generated by artificial intelligence. (Warning: The chorus will get stuck in your head.)
Shown during: Session 10: In which we experience new levels of AI creativity … and ask some hard questions
@donalleniii 🤯How does this WORK??? #gen1 @runwayml
The short: “AI Adventurer Archaeologist”
The creator: Don Allen Stevenson III
In brief: AI reimagines a homemade homage to Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom into an inspired and dynamic animated scene.
Shown during: Session 10: In which we experience new levels of AI creativity … and ask some hard questionss
The short: “Turbulence”
The creator: Roman De Giuli
In brief: Glittering, metallic transcendence in ultra high-definition slow motion.
Shown during: Session 11: In which we celebrate the unbridled power of the imagination
The short: “Tropical Zincphony”
The creators: Directed by Donna Conlon and Jonathan Harker
In brief: A parade of mangoes roll down a plethora of Panamanian zinc roofs. Where do they stop? Nobody knows.
Shown during: Session 11: In which we celebrate the unbridled power of the imagination