TED, or Technology, Entertainment, and Design, is a nonprofit organization that spreads messages and concepts that are good for the community. Included in these ideas are some of the most inspirational discussions in the field of computing. Here are five of the greatest TED talks concerning computer science.

1. Birth of Computers

Although many people have learned certain technical facts about computers, few individuals truly know what actually happened in the beginning. In George Dyson’s 2003 TED talk, he discusses the birth of computers. Dyson is a historian who traced the computer’s development back to the 1800s. Throughout his talk, he gives funny anecdotes that bring smiles to the faces of listeners and provides information that sinks into their brains. Since the future rests on the past, it is crucial to comprehend how the computer got its start.

2. Computer That Works Like a Brain

In 2007, Kwabena Boahren gave a talk about the limitations of conventional computer science and offered a unique perspective about the future of programming. At Stanford, he investigated how to make a computer function like a human brain. His work found the structure was redundant, but it provided a faster and more efficient outcome. His project took a deeper look at how technology could reach places never imagined. It has served as inspiration for different waves of thought and has acted as a catalyst to develop better and smarter computer features.

3. Computing a Theory of Everything

In an important TED talk, theoretical physicist Stephen Wolfram discussed how computers will eventually become the single largest data-science concept to emerge within the last century. He explained his mission is to make everything searchable, computational, and easily manipulated. Thanks to his curiosities, he developed Wolfram Alpha, a knowledge engine that computes data, which provides answers and conclusions to specific problems. He believes this concept gives the universe a unique form of “knowledge-based” computing. After listening to his speech, individuals are awed by the depth of his dedication to the computer science field and his goals to create a computer-driven society.

4. The Year Open-Data Went Worldwide

In 2010, Tim Berners-Lee entered the debate over who has ownership of the Internet’s information. Tim dedicated his life to the promotion of open data. He has encouraged schools, businesses, and government entities to make data accessible to everyone. Through his invention, the World Wide Web, he has taken the universe by storm and provided one of the most useful tools of all times. He continuously presses to make sure his contributions to computer science are used for good. The reason behind his breakthrough was to offer everyone the opportunity to have access to as much raw information as possible. This talk displays the results when data is linked up.

5. How Algorithms Shape Our World

In 2011, Kevin Slavin gave a talk, which placed awareness on how the field of computer science manifests throughout the real world. Although algorithms are usually part of technical discussions, he shows how they apply to everyday things, including stock prices and movies. He offers great insight that blends seriousness and humor and explores the benefits and dangers of algorithms. He stresses control will only be maintained when people are responsible for the potential implications algorithms bring.

TED uses the Internet to broadcast numerous speeches and videos to the public. Since the world of computers is constantly changing, the above talks are great tools that help people learn about the past and understand the future of the industry. They provide relevant information that links history to the technology of tomorrow and should not be missed.