TEDxNuremberg 2024: The Power of Uncertainty – How We Can Make Use of Uncertainty

A Guest Post by Jaqueline Hartmann

For nearly 30 years, the annual TED Conference in North America has pursued the goal of spreading ideas, fostering community, and creating positive impact. TED—short for Technology, Entertainment, and Design—is a nonprofit organization dedicated to making "Ideas worth spreading" accessible to a wide audience.

TED provides a platform for leading thinkers and innovators to share their ideas and experiences through short, powerful talks. Past speakers have included global icons such as Bill Gates, Jane Goodall, Elizabeth Gilbert, and Sir Richard Branson, whose visions and innovations have inspired countless people around the world.

What began in California over 30 years ago has grown into a worldwide success story: TEDx. TEDx events are independently organized under a license from the TED organization. The format has spread rapidly, with more than 3,000 TEDx events now held across the globe.

A standout example: Since 2020, TEDxNuremberg has been part of this global movement, providing people in the region with a platform to find inspiration and engage with new ideas.

Every technological advancement brings not only new opportunities but also new uncertainties. In an era of rapid change, where technology increasingly shapes every aspect of our lives, this uncertainty has become impossible to ignore. Artificial intelligence (AI), for example, is creating growing unease within society. Amplified by social media algorithms, topics like job loss due to automation, the unstoppable rise of AI, or the spread of fake news are fueling fear and uncertainty among the public.

However, only in recent years has it sparked a broader, often critical discussion, driven by increased public attention, technological maturity, and its proliferation on social media. Other technological developments, such as screenless devices (e.g., Meta Glasses), also raise pressing questions.

The core challenge lies in the fact that society often lacks clear strategies to address the potential impacts of these technologies. How can we manage these uncertainties? What steps can we take to minimize societal fears while simultaneously harnessing the potential of new technologies?

Speakers like Dr. Dilara Fietta, Prof. Ulrich Ulmer, Marlise Schneider, and Michael Rohrmüller will address these questions at TEDxNuremberg, offering fresh perspectives on how we can navigate the complexities of innovative technologies.

Technology has driven progress—without it, we wouldn’t be where we are today. Change is inevitable, but how we deal with it is up to us. It’s not about viewing every change as positive, but rather about acting with the right tools and a clear set of values.

Our ability to handle uncertainty can be influenced by factors such as mindset, leadership, gamification, and even the structure of our language. How can we leverage these elements to not only accept change but actively shape it?

On December 8, speakers like Dr. Christian Mühlroth, Kelly-Anne Cliffe, Dirk Schlünz, Robert Puchalla, and Moh Ghadban will address these questions and share new approaches to navigating change and uncertainty.

Technological innovations aren’t the only sources of uncertainty. Climate change, political situations, and social challenges are also causing fear and uncertainty in many parts of the world. Yet, technology could play a key role in addressing these issues. How can we, as a society, redefine our role in an uncertain world? How can technologies help us shape a positive future?

Speakers like Prof. Ulrich Ulmer, Joshua Steib, and Marlise Schneider will explore these questions in their talks, offering insights and potential solutions.

Uncertainty is an unavoidable part of change. But it doesn’t always have to be negative. It can inspire us to develop new perspectives and ask how we, as a society, want to address the challenges of the future. TEDxNuremberg 2024 invites us to explore these questions and discover how we can use uncertainty as an opportunity to actively shape the future.

TEDxNuremberg 2024 will take place on December 8, 2024, at the Meistersingerhalle in Nuremberg. It promises to be a day filled with inspiring ideas that can help us better navigate the uncertainties of our time. The event begins at 1 PM.