Is AI the most transformative technology of the century? episode artwork

EPISODE · Jun 18, 2026 · 7 MIN

Is AI the most transformative technology of the century?

from TED-Ed · host TED-Ed

Is the 21st century the most pivotal time in human history? Explore how the decisions we make now may impact humanity’s future.--Is it possible that this century is the most important one in human history? The 21st century has already proven to be a period of rapid growth. We’re on the cusp of developing new technologies that could entirely change the way people live— and could contribute to unprecedented levels of existential risk. Explore how the decisions we make now might have a major impact on humanity’s future.Directed by Jon Mayes, AIM Creative Studios.Learn more about the long-term thinking required for humanity to thrive: https://ed.ted.com/mostimportantcenturyThis video made possible in collaboration with the Forethought FoundationLearn more about how TED-Ed partnerships work: https://bit.ly/TEDEdPartnersSupport Our Non-Profit Mission----------------------------------------------Support us on Patreon: http://bit.ly/TEDEdPatreonCheck out our merch: http://bit.ly/TEDEDShop----------------------------------------------Connect With Us----------------------------------------------Sign up for our newsletter: http://bit.ly/TEDEdNewsletterFollow us on Facebook: http://bit.ly/TEDEdFacebookFind us on Twitter: http://bit.ly/TEDEdTwitterPeep us on Instagram: http://bit.ly/TEDEdInstagram----------------------------------------------Keep Learning----------------------------------------------View full lesson: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-most-important-century-in-human-historyDig deeper with additional resources: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-most-important-century-in-human-history#digdeeperAnimator's website: https://aimcreativestudios.com Music: https://soundcloud.com/aim-music----------------------------------------------Thank you so much to our patrons for your support! Without you this video would not be possible! Morgan Williams, Devin Harris, Pavel Zalevskiy, Karen Goepen-Wee, Filip Dabrowski, Barbara Smalley, Megan Douglas, Tim Leistikow, Ka-Hei Law, Hiroshi Uchiyama, Mark Morris, Misaki Sato, EdoKun, SookKwan Loong, Bev Millar, Lex Azevedo, Michael Aquilina, Jason A Saslow, Yansong Li, Cristóbal Moenne, Dawn Jordan, Prasanth Mathialagan, Samuel Doerle, David Rosario, Dominik Kugelmann - they-them, Siamak Hajizadeh, Ryohky Araya, Mayank Kaul, Christophe Dessalles, Heather Slater, Sandra Tersluisen, Zhexi Shan, Bárbara Nazaré, Andrea Feliz, Victor E Karhel, Sydney Evans, Latora, Noel Situ, emily lam, Sid, Niccolò Frassetto, Mana, I'm here because of Knowledge Fight Facebook group., Linda Freedman, Edgardo Cuellar, Jaspar Carmichael-Jack, Michael Burton, VIVIANA A GARCIA BESNE, The Vernons and Olha Bahatiuk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is the 21st century the most pivotal time in human history? Explore how the decisions we make now may impact humanity’s future.--Is it possible that this century is the most important one in human history? The 21st century has already proven to be a period of rapid growth. We’re on the cusp of developing new technologies that could entirely change the way people live— and could contribute to unprecedented levels of existential risk. Explore how the decisions we make now might have a major impact on humanity’s future.Directed by Jon Mayes, AIM Creative Studios.Learn more about the long-term thinking required for humanity to thrive: https://ed.ted.com/mostimportantcenturyThis video made possible in collaboration with the Forethought FoundationLearn more about how TED-Ed partnerships work: https://bit.ly/TEDEdPartnersSupport Our Non-Profit Mission----------------------------------------------Support us on Patreon: http://bit.ly/TEDEdPatreonCheck out our merch: http://bit.ly/TEDEDShop----------------------------------------------Connect With Us----------------------------------------------Sign up for our newsletter: http://bit.ly/TEDEdNewsletterFollow us on Facebook: http://bit.ly/TEDEdFacebookFind us on Twitter: http://bit.ly/TEDEdTwitterPeep us on Instagram: http://bit.ly/TEDEdInstagram----------------------------------------------Keep Learning----------------------------------------------View full lesson: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-most-important-century-in-human-historyDig deeper with additional resources: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-most-important-century-in-human-history#digdeeperAnimator's website: https://aimcreativestudios.com Music: https://soundcloud.com/aim-music----------------------------------------------Thank you so much to our patrons for your support! Without you this video would not be possible! Morgan Williams, Devin Harris, Pavel Zalevskiy, Karen Goepen-Wee, Filip Dabrowski, Barbara Smalley, Megan Douglas, Tim Leistikow, Ka-Hei Law, Hiroshi Uchiyama, Mark Morris, Misaki Sato, EdoKun, SookKwan Loong, Bev Millar, Lex Azevedo, Michael Aquilina, Jason A Saslow, Yansong Li, Cristóbal Moenne, Dawn Jordan, Prasanth Mathialagan, Samuel Doerle, David Rosario, Dominik Kugelmann - they-them, Siamak Hajizadeh, Ryohky Araya, Mayank Kaul, Christophe Dessalles, Heather Slater, Sandra Tersluisen, Zhexi Shan, Bárbara Nazaré, Andrea Feliz, Victor E Karhel, Sydney Evans, Latora, Noel Situ, emily lam, Sid, Niccolò Frassetto, Mana, I'm here because of Knowledge Fight Facebook group., Linda Freedman, Edgardo Cuellar, Jaspar Carmichael-Jack, Michael Burton, VIVIANA A GARCIA BESNE, The Vernons and Olha Bahatiuk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Is AI the most transformative technology of the century?

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This episode was published on June 18, 2026.

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Is the 21st century the most pivotal time in human history? Explore how the decisions we make now may impact humanity’s future.--Is it possible that this century is the most important one in human history? The 21st century has already proven to be a...

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