Posted on Updated on

TEDxURI 2027 seeks presenters to share perspective on what the future holds

TEDxURI logo
TEDxURI 2026 is looking for presenters for “Imagine Tomorrow.” Applications and video auditions are open through Nov. 29. (URI)

KINGSTON, R.I. – Oct. 26, 2026 – No one can predict the future. As Doc Brown said in Back to the Future, “Your future hasn’t been written yet. No one’s has. Your future is whatever you make it. So, make it a good one!” 

Ask someone 20 years ago, and they couldn’t imagine an AI chatbot, or that groceries could be delivered using an App, saving a trip to the store, or even that someone could fuel up their car in a parking lot at an EV station. What will the world look like in 10, 20, 30 years from now?

Predicting the future is what everyone tries to do, be it planning for a vacation, college or even starting a family. The future is what you make it, and the future can be tomorrow, in 5 years or even 20. 

Katrina Walier talks
Katrina Walier talks about “why kids are the funniest philosophers you’ll ever meet” during TEDxURI 2026’s “Now that’s funny.” (URI)

Thinking about the future is what University of Rhode Island organizers are asking potential presenters to do as part of TEDxURI 2027. Submissions are now open for anyone interested in presenting in April on the Kingston Campus.

This year’s theme is “Imagine Tomorrow,” and organizers are accepting audition tapes for those who can bring a fresh perspective on what the future holds. While it’s ok to touch on AI where it’s relevant as part of a larger presentation, organizers aren’t looking for those auditioning to solely focus on it.

Instead, organizers are looking for people who think outside the box and present the future in terms of the bigger picture—how our lives, our communities, and our world may evolve. This includes what tomorrow might look like when it comes to education, human relationships, and even reading.

TEDxURI 2027, will be held Sunday, April 11, at Edwards Hall, 64 Upper College Road on the University of Rhode Island’s Kingston Campus.

Those interested in becoming TEDxURI presenters have from Nov. 1 until Nov. 29 to submit their audition tape. Auditions are open to the URI community and to the public. Your video audition pitch should be three to five minutes in length and uploaded to YouTube. Applications must also be submitted. (Tips and submission details can also be found on the application form).

Submitted videos must be interesting, engaging and address this year’s theme. Note: Do not set audition videos to “private.” (URI is not responsible for any unviewable videos). Applications and audition videos submitted after Nov. 29 will not be considered. 

If selected to be a presenter, each person’s TEDxURI talk will be between five and seven minutes long. URI will also provide coaches to help each person develop their TEDxURI presentation. 

For more information or to view previous talks, visit the TEDxURI website.  

What is TEDx?

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TED has created a program called TEDx, a series of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. URI’s event is called TEDxURI, where x = independently organized TED events. TED Talk videos and live speakers will combine to spark deep discussion and connection. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events, including URI’s, are self-organized.