The lineup
Who spoke at TED 2009?
Aimee Mullins Paralympic athlete & model | World record holder, walked for Alexander McQueen, Independent- AGAl Gore Nobel Peace Prize Winner | Climate Crisis Catalyst and Global Environmental Leader, University of California, Los Angeles
- ABAlain de Botton Philosopher & Bestselling Author | Architecture & Design Storyteller
Alexis Ohanian Reddit Co-Founder | Tech Investor & Startup Advisor, Reddit- ABAlwar Balasubramaniam Environmental Artist | Transforming Nature and Technology
Ananda Shankar Jayant Classical Dancer | Bharatanatyam & Kuchipudi Expert- AGAndrea Ghez Astrophysicist | Nobel Laureate and Dark Matter Pioneer, University of California, Los Angeles
Anil Gupta Global Strategy Expert | Thinkers50 Top Management Thinker on Innovation
Anupam Mishra Environmental Activist | Preserving Traditional Water Harvesting
Arthur Benjamin Distinguished Mathematician & Mental Calculation Wizard | TED Speaker
Barry Schwartz Psychologist & Decision Expert | The Paradox of Choice in Modern Life
Beau Lotto Neuroscience Researcher | Emerging Technology & Perception, Lab of Misfits
Bertrand Piccard Adventurer & Visionary | Pioneering Sustainable Aviation, Solar Impulse Foundation- BDBill Davenhall Spatial Analyst | Pioneering Geospatial Data Insights, Esri
- BGBill Gates Microsoft Co-founder | Co-chair of the Gates Foundation, Gates Foundation
- BBBonnie Bassler Microbiologist | Pioneering Bacterial Communication Research, Princeton University
Brian Cox Professor of Particle Physics | BBC Science Presenter
Carolyn Porco Cassini Imaging Leader | Exploring Planetary Science & Climate- CSCarolyn Steel Author & Urban Strategist | How Cities Shape Human Behavior, University of Cambridge
Cary Fowler Global Seed Vault Architect | Combating Agricultural Collapse, Crop Trust
Catherine Mohr Medical Robotics Innovator | Transforming Surgery through AI and Technology, Intuitive Surgical
Dan Ariely Duke Professor | Behavioral Economics & Bestselling Author, Duke University- DDDan Dennett Philosopher of mind and consciousness | Pioneer in cognitive science, cognitive scientist
Daniel Kraft Physician-scientist transforming healthcare | Pioneer in exponential medical technologies, entrepreneur- DLDaniel Libeskind Architect & Urban Planner | Designing Transformative Spaces, Studio Libeskind
David Blaine Illusionist & Endurance Artist | Redefining the Limits of Human Potential
David Hanson Founder & CEO of Hanson Robotics | Creator of Sophia the Robot, Hanson Robotics- DMDavid Merrill Co-Founder, Sifteo | Pioneering Tangible User Interfaces, Sifteo
- DSDerek Sivers TED Speaker & Entrepreneur | Founder of $22M CD Baby Business, CD Baby (Founder, Former)
Devdutt Pattanaik Mythologist & Management Consultant | Bridging Business and Mythology- DBDiane Benscoter Author & Cult Survivor | Overcoming Deception & Indoctrination
Dr. David Agus World-Renowned Cancer Doctor | GQ Rock Star of Science- EUEd Ulbrich Digital Visionary | Pioneering Visual Effects & Storytelling, Digital Domain
- EGElizabeth Gilbert Bestselling Author of Eat Pray Love | Transformative Storytelling Expert
- EJEmmanuel Jal Former Child Soldier | Humanitarian & Spoken Word Artist
- EDEric Dishman Healthcare Innovation Advocate | Transforming Patient Care Through Technology
Eric Lewis Musician | Jazz Pianist and Composer- EMEric Mead Magician | Blending Science and Illusion
- ESEric Sanderson Professor | Mapping Nature's Resilience in the Anthropocene, Wildlife Conservation Society, Columbia University
- EHErik Hersman Founder of BRCK | Connecting Africa Through Emerging Tech, BRCK
- EWEv Williams Co-founder of Twitter and Blogger | Digital communication pioneer, Twitter
- EGEvan Grant Design Innovator | Future of Architecture and Urban Planning, EGStudio
- EMEvgeny Morozov Technology Critic | The Myth of the Digital Utopia
- FRFeisal Abdul Rauf Imam & Interfaith Leader | Promoting Muslim-Western Understanding, Cordoba Initiative
- FWFields Wicker-Miurin Sustainability Leader | Scaling Ethical Innovation, Leaders' Quest
Geoff Mulgan Social Innovator & Policy Advisor | Transforming Systems for the Future, The Young Foundation- GTGever Tulley Founder & Author | Redefining Education & Innovation, Brightworks
- GLGolan Levin New media artist and creative technologist | Pioneering interactive art and human expression
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Gordon Brown Former UK Prime Minister | Global Leadership & Emerging Technologies- HRHans Rosling Global Health Professor | Data Visualization Pioneer & Author of Factfulness, Gapminder Foundation
- HMHenry Markram Neuroscientist | The Brain, AI, and the Future of Humanity, Blue Brain Project
Herbie Hancock Jazz Legend | Pioneering Musical Innovation
Ian Goldin Globalisation Expert | Oxford Professor and Former World Bank VP, University of Oxford%2520(cropped).jpg%3Fwidth%3D800&w=3840&q=75)
Imogen Heap Grammy-Winning Artist | Pioneer in Music Technology and Interactive Performance
Itay Talgam Conductor and leadership speaker | Orchestral approaches to leading organizations- JNJacqueline Novogratz Global Impact Investor | Transforming Poverty Through Entrepreneurial Solutions, Acumen
- JBJames Balog Environmental Photographer | Documenting Climate Change
- JGJames Geary PR Strategist | Building Influential Brands
- JHJamie Heywood Co-Founder of PatientsLikeMe | Disrupting Healthcare and Increasing Patient Power, PatientsLikeMe
Jane Chen Social Entrepreneur | Driving Global Health Impact, Embrace Innovations
From the stage
Sessions worth replaying
The sessions from this edition we found on video.
Session
1.3m reasons to re-invent the syringe
Marc Koska
Session
10 things you didn't know about orgasm
Mary Roach
Session
10 young Indian artists to watch
Ravin Agrawal
Session
17 words of architectural inspiration
Daniel Libeskind
Session
3 ways the brain creates meaning
Tom Wujec
Session
9 life lessons from rock climbing
Matthew Childs
Frequently asked
- Who spoke at TED 2009?
- 147 speakers, including Aimee Mullins, Al Gore, Alain de Botton, Alexis Ohanian, and Alwar Balasubramaniam.
- What did TED 2009 cover?
- Topics include Innovation, Climate Action & Net Zero, Emerging Tech, Cognitive Neuroscience, Global Development, and Sustainability & Climate.
- When and where was TED 2009?
- Feb 4-7, 2009 in Long Beach, United States.
What this lineup's speakers cover
The topics this edition's speakers are known for.
Industries represented
The sectors this edition's speakers come from.
Speakers here who tour together
Pairs from this lineup who've shared the stage at other conferences too.
Similar events
Other editions that drew the TED 2009 crowd