TED’s head of media and curation Helen Walters hosts TED@BCG: Infinite Possibilities in Dubai on October 23, 2025. (Photo: Gilberto Tadday / TED)
We live in a time of great risk — and thrilling possibility. To make sense of it all, 21 speakers and performers gathered to draft a blueprint for our future.
The event: TED@BCG: Infinite Possibilities, the sixteenth event TED and Boston Consulting Group (BCG) have co-hosted to uplift forward-thinking speakers from around the globe. Hosted by TED’s head of media and curation Helen Walters.
When and where: October 23, 2025 at The Lana, Dorchester Collection, in Dubai, UAE
Speakers: Riyad Joucka, Suresh Subudhi, Vinciane Beauchêne, Mary Martin, Edmond Rhys Jones, Sharon Price John, Stephen Remedios, Maegan Stephens, Nicole Lowenbraun, Akram Awad, His Excellency Khalfan Belhoul, Qahir Dhanani, Kirsten Rulf, Lance Katigbak, Kanika Sanghi, Chris Musser, Alessandra Catozzella, Wolfgang Schnellbaecher, Melissa M. Mikus, Christian Busch
5 big ideas from the day:
Alessandra Catozzella speaks at TED@BCG: Infinite Possibilities in Dubai on October 23, 2025. (Photo: Gilberto Tadday / TED)
Climate chaos is colliding with the global economy. Climate change isn’t just reshaping our planet — it’s also shaking the very foundations of the economy, says climate pathfinder Edmond Rhys Jones. He explores the massive gap between what science tells us about the climate crisis and how the economy measures its impact, advocating for economists to borrow tools from science — like simulations and systems thinking — to prepare for the turbulence ahead. Meanwhile, health insurance leader Alessandra Catozzella thinks insurance could be one of the best tools to prevent and manage the climate-fueled health crisis. She gives examples of how insurers, governments and businesses can work together to turn insurance into a force that keeps people healthier for longer.
Akram Awad speaks at TED@BCG: Infinite Possibilities in Dubai on October 23, 2025. (Photo: Gilberto Tadday / TED)
AI is transforming everyday life — and our systems need to keep up. Leadership and AI maverick Stephen Remedios offers a cautionary tale, recounting how he built an AI model (“DaddyGPT”) to answer his sons’ questions while he was busy — only to find himself out-parented by a bot. He quickly learned that while outsourcing care might be convenient, it comes at a steep cost to our most valued relationships. AI futurist Akram Awad picks up on this thread, adding that we must learn to value relationships and community over productivity and wealth — or else we’ll find ourselves in an identity crisis. With the right education and compensation models, he says, we can find meaning in societal contributions, not just job titles. This systemic change should impact governance, too, according to digital sovereignty expert Kirsten Rulf. She thinks regulation is too focused on the output of AI, as opposed to the algorithm behind it. Laws should be written as “living, adaptive, responsive code that learns like AI does,” she says, allowing safety and security to evolve alongside the technology.
Kanika Sanghi speaks at TED@BCG: Infinite Possibilities in Dubai on October 23, 2025. (Photo: Gilberto Tadday / TED)
Gen Z is reshaping culture, but not in the ways you might think. Consumer trends expert Kanika Sanghi dives into how Gen Z embraces novelty, remixes traditions and celebrates a relatable lifestyle over polished success. She shows why brands, leaders and creators need to stay authentic in order to keep up with a generation that’s already building the future. “Keep evolving, keep remixing, keep pushing us forward — because that is what will build a better tomorrow,” she says.
Chris Musser speaks at TED@BCG: Infinite Possibilities in Dubai on October 23, 2025. (Photo: Gilberto Tadday / TED)
Living a fulfilling life starts with tracking what truly matters. Personal metrics expert Chris Musser shares how he turned a single question — “Am I living a good life?” — into a daily practice, tracking progress across nine dimensions, from faith and relationships to work and wellbeing. By measuring his life each day, Musser shows how he learned to spot patterns, balance trade-offs and focus on what truly matters.
Lance Katigbak speaks at TED@BCG: Infinite Possibilities in Dubai on October 23, 2025. (Photo: Gilberto Tadday / TED)
Dreams are the real measure of progress. Consumer research expert Lance Katigbak reveals why a country’s true story is found in its people’s aspirations — not just its GDP. Surveying Filipinos nationwide, he finds a generation dreaming for their families, chasing financial security and often feeling unsupported by institutions. Imagine having a “Department of Dreams,” he says, urging governments and organizations to help people turn ambition into reality — and build a society where everyone can thrive.
Musician Tina Lajevardian plays the oud at TED@BCG: Infinite Possibilities in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on October 23, 2025. (Photo: Gilberto Tadday / TED)