11 of the best Ted Talks on technology
Learn about Google's driverless cars, tech-inspired democracy, and how we'll survive on Mars

The Earth is full
Paul Gilding, writer and activist
What's it about?
Gilding argues we've used up the Earth's resources and available space - then tells us what happens next
Key quote
"When we think about the future I paint, of course we should feel a bit of fear. But fear can be paralysing or motivating. We need to accept the fear and then we need to act."
Your online life, permanent as a tattoo
Who is it?
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Juan Enriquez, futurist specialising in genomics
What's it about?
The alarmingly permanent personal histories we are accidentally creating online
Key quote
"What happens if Facebook, Google, Twitter, LinkedIn, cell phones, GPS, Foursquare, Yelp, Travel Advisor, all these things you deal with every day, turn out to be electronic tattoos? And what if they provide as much information about who and what you are as any tattoo ever would?"
Behind the Great Firewall of China
Who is it?
Michael Anti (aka Jing Zhao), a key figure in Chinese journalism
What's it about?
China censors criticism, but produces its own versions of Western social networks to wield freedom of speech like a weapon
Key quote
"This technology is very new, but technically is very old. It was made famous by Chairman Mao, Mao Zedong, because he mobilised millions of Chinese people in the Cultural Revolution to destroy every local government. It's very simple, because Chinese central government doesn't need to even lead the public opinion. They just give them a target window to not censor people. Not censoring in China has become a political tool."
Your kids might live on Mars. Here's how they'll survive
Who is it?
Stephen Petranek, journalist and technology forecaster
What's it about?
Within 20 years, Petranek believes we will live on Mars. The question, he believes, is how
Key quote
"Governments and robots no longer control this game. Private companies are leaping into space and they will be happy to take you to Mars."
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Hacked law firm 'didn't think it was a data breach' – the ICO disagreed
News The ICO has fined DPP Law for failing to report an attack that saw confidential information released on the dark web
By Emma Woollacott
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Cisco names Oliver Tuszik as global sales chief
News Cisco has announced the appointment of Oliver Tuszik as its new executive vice president of global sales, who replaces Gary Steele.
By Daniel Todd
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Why cutting-edge innovation is killing the planet
In-depth AI and robots will do our work, we’ll get paid in cryptocurrency, and cars will drive themselves – but each of these technologies is a massive energy hog
By Nicole Kobie
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Meet the CAVForth project: The world's first autonomous bus
Case Study Edinburgh's AB1 route, in Scotland, lets the public catch a ride on an self-driving bus over the Forth Road Bridge. But is this really the future of public transit?
By Nicole Kobie
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Sonatus secures $35 billion to spur software-defined vehicles
News The funding will be used to turn cars into data centers on wheels
By IT Pro
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Oculii raises $55 million for its AI-powered radar software
News The VAI platform by Oculii improves the angular resolution of any radar by up to 100 times
By Praharsha Anand
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ZF augments vehicle intelligence with next-gen AI supercomputer
News New ZF ProAI packs a punch with up to 66% more computing power than its predecessor
By Praharsha Anand
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Why driverless cars don't belong on public roads (yet)
Opinion Autonomous vehicles still can't account for human error
By Jane McCallion
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Autonomous cars may prompt the changing of Australian drink-driving laws
News The rise of autonomous vehicles could significantly change future driving laws
By Hannah Simms
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One large pizza, extra onions, hold the tech gimmicks
Opinion Driverless pizza deliveries do nothing for customer service, argues Jane McCallion
By Jane McCallion