In this forward-thinking TEDx talk, Santosh I, COO & Technical Director at CyberXTron Technologies, introduces the concept of the Digital Twin—a personalized cybersecurity system that learns from your online behavior to proactively defend you from digital threats. Presented at TEDxChennai Institute of Technology on January 24th, 2025, this talk explores how your digital twin could monitor your habits, detect fraud in real time, and evolve alongside you to offer smarter, tailored protection. Drawing from real-world examples, Santosh shows how this technology could revolutionize online safety—far beyond passwords and basic security tools. But with innovation comes responsibility. Santosh raises important questions about data privacy and control, urging us to consider the balance between advanced protection and personal freedom in an AI-driven world. This talk challenges us to rethink cybersecurity, not as a static defense, but as a living, learning partner in our digital lives. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx Santhosh I, Director & COO at CyberXTron Technologies, is a cybersecurity expert with over 14 years of experience dedicated to protecting businesses from online threats.Before founding CyberXTron, he served as Senior Threat Management Manager at a leading telecommunications firm, where he led the global MSS Threat Management platform, ensuring proactive defense against evolving cyber risks.At CyberXTron, Santhosh is committed to delivering top-tier security and trust outcomes by collaborating with customers, industry peers, and strategic partners to fortify cybersecurity defenses.His passion for innovation and strategic leadership continues to shape the future of cybersecurity, making the digital world safer for businesses and individuals alike. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

In today’s fast paced world, it’s easy for us as teens to get caught up in the constant pressure and chaotic world around us. It feels like the world is competing in an endless, overwhelming, draining race and it can be hard to keep up. Unfortunately, many of us don’t have the right resources when it comes to maintaining our mental well-being. Too often, people avoid taking care of their mental health. I’d like to encourage every teen to slow down, take a step back, and spend some time focusing on their mental well-being. Jiya is a middle schooler at Frisco ISD, an older twin, and a passionate advocate for mental health. She’s a keen writer and has always been interested in music. Some of her hobbies include playing the flute & saxophone, photography, and spending time with her family. Outside of school—you could find her reading or working on Mindful Bites, a nonprofit she co-founded with her sister! This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Did you know your heart has a secret rhythm that affects how you feel, think, and connect with others? Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is a lesser-known indicator of health, resilience, and emotional well-being. Research shows people with higher HRV have lower stress, stronger focus, and even longer lives. Athletes use HRV to improve recovery by up to 30%. Sai Balaji is a high school stem advocate from Houston, Texas, dedicated to transforming medical diagnostics and enhancing well-being through the integration of science, technology, and holistic health. She developed a machine learning model using heart rate variability (HRV) to enable early detection of sepsis, with the goal of saving lives. This work was recognized at major science fairs and published at the 21st IEEE Conference on Computational Intelligence in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology. She also presented her research at the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC) 2024 Conference This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

How do we lead with empathy when everything feels like it's falling apart? Drawing on his military experience, work as a psychologist and executive coach, Dr. Cedric Williams introduces a simple yet powerful framework for building cultural intelligence in times of trauma, grief, and interpersonal tension. Through a deeply personal story of witnessing tragedy in Iraq, he shows how connection, acceptance, reflection, and encouragement—the CARE model—can transform not only how we lead, but how we show up for each other as human beings. This talk invites us to confront emotional discomfort, strengthen trust, and practice leadership grounded in curiosity, humility, and care. Dr. Cedric Williams is a licensed clinical and consulting psychologist and the author of Brick by Brick: Becoming a Clinical and Consulting Psychologist. He integrates psychological science and leadership development models to support individuals, teams, and organizations in achieving meaningful growth. Dr. Williams brings extensive experience in executive coaching, organizational consulting, and assessment, working with leaders across sectors including technology, financial services, and nonprofits.His research interests focus on multicultural humility, occupational thriving, leadership, and followership. He has served on the executive board of the American Psychological Association’s Division 13, the Society of Consulting Psychology. In addition to his work as a psychologist, Dr. Williams has served soldiers and their families in the United States Army—both Active Duty and Reserve—for over 23 years. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

What if land acknowledgements could grow into something living, rooted, and real? In this collaborative talk, Ruth Burke and Dr. Shannon Epplett share the story of Sunset on the Longest Day, a performance and land art project that honors Indigenous history and enacts healing through domestic rewilding, native plants, and interspecies collaboration. The work challenges performative gestures by creating a long-term, community-driven commitment to restoration, memory, and belonging. Through oxen-powered earthworks, Native storytelling, and ecological art, this project invites all of us to remember, to act, and to root ourselves in deeper relationship—with the land and each other. Dr. Shannon Epplett teaches Indigenous literature, film, and popular culture courses at Illinois State University. He received his Ph.D. from University of Illinois. He is a theatre director and deviser, as well as dramaturg for Rosy Simas Danse, a Native-led modern dance company in Minneapolis.Ruth K. Burke is an interdisciplinary artist and educator who collaborates with animals, plants, and land in her creative practice. She makes land art, moving image, performance, and installations to engage ideas around multispecies histories, land use, interspecies kinship, and settler colonialism. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

What if the key to stronger, more resilient communities isn’t a billion-dollar project, but a small act—done today, by someone like you? In this inspiring talk, high school teacher and community advocate Noah Tang argues that real change begins with “thinking small.” From filling housing gaps to picking up trash, from rebuilding a neighbor’s porch to launching local food ventures, he shares how grassroots actions can solve real problems when mega-projects fall short. Drawing from the Strong Towns movement, he shows how everyday people can shape the places they live—through observation, action, and repetition. I am a high school social studies teacher and community organizer who focuses on bottom-up solutions to crises facing our community and its built environment. As the President of the Bloomington Revivalists: Strong Towns BloNo, we have focused our efforts on rebuilding neighborhood bonds, picking up trash, showing the importance of the traditional downtown built form, and fostering better pedestrian connections with public art. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx