TEDxAtlanta has unveiled the speaker lineup for its inaugural TEDxAtlanta Youth conference, an event dedicated to showcasing the ideas of young innovators, entrepreneurs, and advocates. Scheduled for the afternoon of Oct. 3 at Atlanta International School in Sandy Springs, the conference is part of TEDxAtlanta 2026's Bold. Brave. Unbreakable. season and will feature speakers aged 16 to 23.
The event is organized into two parts: Seen and Unleashed. The Seen segment focuses on the experiences and perspectives of young people being taken seriously. Speakers include Temple Lester, a STEM advocate who learned to speak up after being sidelined at science camp for being the only girl; Nidhi Madam, who explored language and culture through K-dramas and AI's limitations in understanding cultural nuance; and an On the Spot conversation between entrepreneur Zoe Oli and her mother Evana Oli, discussing the dynamics when a child's idea becomes a real business.
The Unleashed segment turns to action, with young innovators challenging existing systems. Kanushi Dua will discuss circular systems design and AI's role in reducing garment waste; Ian Sun will explore community involvement in AI development; Akos Vida will share insights from building an accessible gaming controller, emphasizing designing with rather than for users; and Ethan Benater will present his experience creating a vaping-cessation solution, questioning the inevitability of entrenched problems.
Jacqui Chew, TEDxAtlanta licensee and organizer, emphasized the importance of listening to young people about the present, not just the future. "Young people hear constantly that they are the future. We were much more interested in what they have to say about the present," she said. "These speakers are asking questions that affect all of us: Whose ideas get taken seriously? What gets lost when technology doesn't understand culture? And what becomes possible when young people have the opportunity to build rather than wait?"
The event underscores a shift in recognizing youth as active participants in shaping current societal and technological landscapes. By featuring topics like AI, accessibility, and sustainability, TEDxAtlanta Youth highlights the potential impact of young voices on industries and communities. The conference also aims to bridge generational gaps, as seen in the intergenerational On the Spot conversation.
TEDxAtlanta, Georgia's largest TED affiliate, has been organizing conferences since 2009 and has featured over two dozen speakers on TED. The Youth conference extends this legacy by providing a platform for the next generation of thinkers and doers. Back-to-school ticket prices for TEDxAtlanta, TEDxAtlanta Youth, and Complete Passes are available now on the official website: TEDxAtlanta.com.
