The lineup
Who spoke at TED 2016?
- AMAbigail Marsh Researcher | Exploring the Psychology Behind Human Altruism
Adam Grant Organizational psychologist | Bestselling author exploring motivation, generosity, and human potential, Wharton School- ASAdam Savage MythBusters co-host & Tested editor | 14 years of science, making, and spectacular failures
- AGAl Gore Nobel Peace Prize Winner | Climate Crisis Catalyst and Global Environmental Leader, University of California, Los Angeles
- ASAlan Smith | Making statistics accessible and engaging, Duke University
- AKAlex Kipman Microsoft Technical Fellow | Inventor of HoloLens & Mixed Reality, Microsoft
Alexander Wagner | Expert on honesty and motivation in business, Duke University- ARAlice Rawsthorn Design Critic | Exploring Rebellion and Innovation in Design History
- AGAlicia Garza Co-Founder, Black Lives Matter | Social Justice Activist, Black Lives Matter
Allan Adams Theoretical Physicist | Pioneering Fluid Dynamics & Quantum Theory- APAmanda Palmer Grammy-Nominated Musician | Pioneering Independent Music & Fan Engagement
Amit Sood Director, Google Cultural Institute | Digitizing the World's Art and Culture, Google
Anand Giridharadas Author & Cultural Critic | Emerging Technology Impacts- APAndrew Pelling Scientist | Growing biological materials from unexpected sources
- AYAndrew Youn Founder, One Acre Fund | Alleviating Global Poverty, One Acre Fund
- ADAngélica Dass Photographer | Exploring Human Diversity Through Pixels
- ACAnjan Chatterjee Neuroscientist & Entrepreneur | Exploring the Creative Brain
- AGAnthony Goldbloom Kaggle Co-Founder | AI Prediction & Data Science Pioneer, Kaggle
Arthur C. Brooks Harvard Professor & Atlantic Columnist | Co-Author with Oprah Winfrey- AJAshley Judd Actress, Activist & Author | Empowering Women's Leadership
Astro Teller Captain of Moonshots | Emerging Technology & Disruptive Innovation, X (Alphabet Inc.)- BABlaise Agüera y Arcas Artificial Intelligence Pioneer | Software Engineering Visionary, Google
- BCBrittney Cooper Rutgers Professor | Exploring Race, Gender & Social Justice, Rutgers University
- CDCaitlin Doughty Mortician & Advocate | Rethinking Death & Dying, The Order of the Good Death
- CBCamille A. Brown Entrepreneur | CEO & Product Development
Carolyn Jones Filmmaker & Performer | Shining a Spotlight on Global Issues- CNCarrie Nugent Asteroid Scientist & Planetary Defender | Asteroids, Climate Change, and the Future of Life, California Institute of Technology
- CHChinaka Hodge Educator & Futurist | Reimagining the Workplace, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
Chris Milk Virtual reality artist and speaker | Creating empathy through immersive experiences
Christiana Figueres UN Climate Champion | Paris Agreement Architect and Climate Action Catalyst, Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy
Christopher Soghoian Privacy Advocate | Exposing Government Surveillance Tools
Courtney E. Martin Author & Journalist | Communicating Social Impact
Dalia Mogahed Muslim Community Researcher | Advisor & Consultant, Gallup Center for Muslim Studies
Dan Gross Brady Campaign President | Cutting US Gun Deaths, Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence- DPDan Pallotta Entrepreneur | Rethinking Charity & Social Impact
- DCDavid Casarett Palliative Care Physician | Exploring the Grey Zones of Life and Death
- DKDeepika Kurup Clean Water Innovator | Youngest-Ever TEDx Speaker, Harvard University
Don Tapscott Blockchain Visionary | 'Wikinomics' Author & Business Transformation, Blockchain Research InstituteEd Boyden MIT Neuroscientist | Emerging Technology & Scientific Innovation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- ELElizabeth Lesser Bestselling Author | Inspiring Resilience & Mindfulness, Omega Institute
Ellen Jorgensen Biotech Entrepreneur | Democratizing Biotechnology, Genspace
Emma Marris Environmental Journalist | Solutions-Focused Science Storytelling
Emtithal Mahmoud Poet & Activist | Speaking Truth to PowerEric Liu Citizen University CEO | Former Clinton speechwriter, teaching Americans how to exercise civic power, Citizen University
- EGErika Gregory Founder & CEO | The Future of AI Governance
- FFFranz Freudenthal Medical innovator | Healing hearts without surgery, Duke University
- HEHadi Eldebek Technologist & Futurist | Shaping the Next Era of Computing
- HDHaley Van Dyck Government Digital Strategist | Transforming Civic Innovation, The White House
- HTHalla Tómasdóttir CEO of The B Team | Former Icelandic presidential candidate, values-based leadership pioneer, The B Team
- HHHays Holladay AI Ethicist | Designing Responsible Technology, Center for Human Compatible AI, UC Berkeley
- HEHugh Evans Founder & CEO, Global Citizen | Inspiring Action Against Extreme Poverty, Global Citizen
- IWIone Wells Activist & Author | Empowering Youth Voices
- ILIsaac Lidsky Entrepreneur & Bestselling Author | Overcoming Blindness & Embracing Change, Oculus Labs
- ILIse Lyfe Storyteller | Building Community Through Media, PostGrid
- JVJ.D. Vance Bestselling Author | Exploring Appalachia & American Divides
- JDJan Denecker Futurist & Innovation Strategist | Exponential Technology Trends, Singularity University
- JGJeanne Gang Founding Principal | Visionary Architect & Urban Planner, Studio Gang
- JKJeff Kirschner Founder of Litterati | Combating Plastic Pollution with Citizen Science, Litterati
- JBJennifer Brea Filmmaker | Chronicling Chronic Illness
- JKJennifer Kahn Science Journalist | Unveiling Hidden Truths, The New Yorker
From the stage
Sessions worth replaying
The sessions from this edition we found on video.
Session
"Redemption Song"
John Legend
Session
"St. James Infirmary Blues"
Silk Road Ensemble
Session
"Turceasca"
Silk Road Ensemble
Session
3 reasons why we can win the fight against poverty
Andrew Youn
Session
4 reasons to learn a new language
John McWhorter
Session
4 ways to build a human company in the age of machines
Tim Leberecht
Frequently asked
- Who spoke at TED 2016?
- 148 speakers, including Abigail Marsh, Adam Grant, Adam Savage, Al Gore, and Alan Smith.
- What did TED 2016 cover?
- Topics include Emerging Tech, Social Justice & Equity, Climate Action & Net Zero, Biotech & Health Tech, Civil Liberties & Digital Rights, and Social Impact.
- When and where was TED 2016?
- Feb 15-19, 2016 in Vancouver, Canada.
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 2016 crowd
Aspen Ideas Festival 2024
Aspen, United States
5 shared speakers
Countdown 2020
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
5 shared speakers
Aspen Ideas Festival 2025
Aspen, United States
4 shared speakers
Brilliant Minds 2025
Stockholm, Sweden
3 shared speakers
Aspen Ideas Festival 2023
Aspen, United States
3 shared speakers
Aspen Ideas Festival 2022
Aspen, United States
3 shared speakers
Explore more events
Other conferences held in Vancouver