James Trapp

James Trapp has spent his life navigating extremes – from courtroom battles in Miami to spiritual leadership on international stages. A former attorney turned spiritual teacher and organizational leader, James is passionate about one powerful idea: authentic dialogue can heal even our deepest divisions.

Over the years, he’s led dynamic spiritual communities, served as President and CEO of Unity Worldwide, and helped diverse groups find common ground in times of conflict. His work has taken him from interfaith summits to public protests, from boardrooms to meditation halls. But at the heart of it all is one question he keeps asking: What happens when we listen to each other?

Now, James is turning that question toward one of the most urgent topics of our time: artificial intelligence. As machines improve at mimicking human conversation, can they help us bridge cultural and political divides? Or is genuine dialogue something only humans can create through presence, vulnerability, and the willingness to be changed?

James explores whether AI can support the kind of transformational conversations we need in this new era – or whether the most meaningful communication still happens face-to-face, heart-to-heart.

James graduated from Princeton University, the University of Florida Law School, and Unity Worldwide Institute. He brings with him decades of leadership, lived experience, and a deep belief in the power of communication to not just inform, but transform. 

About TEDx, x = independently organized event

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TED Talks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized. (Subject to certain rules and regulations.)

About TED

TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. Started as a four-day conference in California 30 years ago, TED has grown to support its mission with multiple initiatives. The two annual TED Conferences invite the world’s leading thinkers and doers to speak for 18 minutes or less. Many of these talks are then made available, free, at TED.com. TED speakers have included Bill Gates, Jane Goodall, Elizabeth Gilbert, Sir Richard Branson, Nandan Nilekani, Philippe Starck, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Sal Khan and Daniel Kahneman.

The annual TED Conference takes place each spring in Vancouver, British Columbia. TED’s media initiatives include TED.com, where new TED Talks are posted daily; TED Translators, which provides subtitles and interactive transcripts as well as translations from volunteers worldwide; the educational initiative TED-Ed. TED has established The Audacious Project that takes a collaborative approach to funding ideas with the potential to create change at thrilling scale; TEDx, which supports individuals or groups in hosting local, self- organized TED-style events around the world, and the TED Fellows program, helping world-changing innovators from around the globe to amplify the impact of their remarkable projects and activities.

Follow TED on Twitter at  http://twitter.com/TEDTalks, or on Facebook at  http://www.facebook.com/TED.