Etel Leit

Dr. Etel Leit is redefining what it means to connect in the age of AI.
A global voice on human communication, relationships, and emotional resilience, she brings together the ancient art of storytelling and the rising influence of machine intelligence.

With a Ph.D. in Psychology, a Master’s in Leadership and Education from Pepperdine University, and a career that began in Israeli intelligence, Dr. Leit offers a rare blend of scientific insight, cultural depth, and real-world leadership. She teaches Ph.D.-level psychology, focusing on the intersection of emotional development and technology, preparing tomorrow’s leaders to stay human in a digital world.

As founder of SignShine™ Beverly Hills, she has worked with thousands of families, educators, and public figures — including global celebrities — to unlock deeper, more authentic communication. Her five books, including UnAddicted to You and The Emotional Code, explore how we heal, connect, and stay emotionally alive in a world that often rewards disconnection.

Her work has been featured by CNN, NBC, KTLA, Fox, and Reuters, and she has spoken on stages from the U.S. Air Force to UCLA.

Dr. Leit’s core question is urgent:
As machines grow more intimate with our inner lives, what protects the human heart?

 In an era where machines can imitate love, how do we stay authentically human?

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.