The number is 110: One hundred and ten past and new TED speakers are part of our newest conference, TEDSummit, happening in Banff, Canada, 26–30 June 2016.

And you are invited to join us!

Some of the most popular TED speakers of all time, including Dan Pink, David Gallo, Esther Perel, Kelly and Jane McGonigal, Pico Iyer and dozens more will be joined by brand-new voices including food innovator Josh Tetrick, forest biologists Suzanne Simard, environmental writer Emma Marris, energy experts Joe Lassiter and Michael Shellenberger, blockchain researcher Bettina Warburg, global affairs writer Jonathan Tepperman, empathy scientist Abigail Marsh and more.

About half of these speakers will take the stage to give major TED Talks on topics ranging from advanced digital technologies to climate change to surveillance and transparency … from relationships to brain microscopy … from trust to what humans might look like in 200 years

These 110 speakers will also join — and often lead — workshops and participatory sessions. Look, among the more than 100 sessions, for workshops on the ethics of artificial intelligence, and on the fragility of global megacities … brainstorms on what the TED community might do to help confront the refugee crisis, or on the idea of a female utopia … master classes on social storytelling and on how to think like a scientist … a walk in the woods guided by a forest biologist … even a hands-on genetic manipulation lab.

And there will be planned and unplanned surprises, and of course, outdoor activities in the gorgeous scenery of the Canadian Rocky Mountains.

There are a few seats left to attend TEDSummit. You can find more information and apply here.

And here is the full list of past and new TED speakers who have confirmed their participation in TEDSummit 2016 (subject to change):

Alessandro Acquisti, Privacy economist
Esra’a Al Shafei, Human rights activist
Monica Araya, Activist
Tasso Azevedo, Forester, sustainability activist
Julia Bacha, Filmmaker
Uldus Bakhtiozina, Photographer, visual artist
Benedetta Berti, International policy analyst
Alexander Betts, Refugee scholar
Laila Biali, Musician
Rachel Botsman, Sharing innovator
Laura Boushnak, Photographer
Ed Boyden, Neuroengineer
Steve Boyes, Explorer
Jennifer Bréa, Filmmaker
Erik Brynjolfsson, Innovation researcher
Kitra Cahana, Journalist and conceptual artist
Daniela Candillari, Musician
Jason Clay, Market transformer
Angélica Dass, Photographer
Abe Davis, Computer scientist
Dan Dennett, Philosopher, cognitive scientist
Jamie Drummond, Anti-poverty activist
R. Luke DuBois, Artist, composer, engineer
Zak Ebrahim, Peace activist
Hasan Elahi, Privacy artist
Juan Enriquez, Futurist
Helen Fisher, Anthropologist; expert on love
Melissa Fleming, Voice for refugees
David Gallo, Oceanographer
Casey Gerald, American
Anand Giridharadas, Author
Michael Green, Social progress expert
Michael Green, Architect
Brian Greene, Physicist
Johann Hari, Journalist
Sam Harris, Neuroscientist and philosopher
Gary Haugen, Human rights attorney
Lesley Hazleton, Accidental theologist
Celeste Headlee, Writer and radio host
Margaret Heffernan, Management thinker
Hugh Herr, Bionics designer
Erik Hersman, Blogger, technologist
Hays + Ryan Holladay, Musical artists
John Hunter, Educator
Jedidah Isler, Astrophysicist
Pico Iyer, Global author
Meg Jay, Clinical psychologist
Ellen Jorgensen, Biologist and community science advocate
Sarah Kay, Poet
Kevin Kelly, Digital visionary
Matt Kenyon, New media artist
Ken Lacovara, Paleontologist
David Lang, Maker
Joe Lassiter, Energy scholar
Tim Leberecht, Marketer
Monica Lewinsky, Social activist
Rebecca MacKinnon, Media activist
Pia Mancini, Democracy activist
Emma Marris, Environmental writer
Abigail Marsh, Psychologist
Jane McGonigal, Game designer
Kelly McGonigal, Health psychologist
Lee Mokobe, Poet
Robert Muggah, Megacities expert
Michael Murphy, Designer
Ethan Nadelmann, Drug policy reformer
Iyeoka Okoawo, Singer
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Economist
Dan Pallotta, Charity defender
Amanda Palmer, Musician
Sarah Parcak, Space archaelogist, TED Prize winner
Eli Pariser, Organizer and author
Vikram Patel, Mental health care advocate
Esther Perel, Relationship therapist
Dan Pink, Career analyst
Will Potter, Investigative journalist
Navi Radjou, Innovation strategist
Shai Reshef, Education entrepreneur
Usman Riaz, Percussive guitarist
Joshua Roman, Cellist
Jon Ronson, Writer and filmmaker
Martine Rothblatt, Transhumanist
Juliana Rotich, Tech entrepreneur
Louie Schwartzberg, Filmmaker
eL Seed, Calligraffiti artist
Bill Sellanga, Musician
Graham Shaw, Communication coach
Michael Shellenberger, Climate policy expert
Michael Shermer, Skeptic
Suzanne Simard, Forest biologist
Ernesto Sirolli, Sustainable development expert
Kevin Slavin, Algoworld expert
Christopher Soghoian, Privacy researcher + activist
Andrew Solomon, Writer
Malte Spitz, Politician and data activist
Daniel Suarez, Sci-fi author
Pavan Sukhdev, Environmental economist
Ilona Szabo de Carvalho, Policy reformer
Don Tapscott, Digital strategist
Anastasia Taylor-Lind, Documentary photographer
Marco Tempest, Techno-illusionist
Jonathan Tepperman, Editor, Foreign Affairs
Josh Tetrick, Food innovator
Julian Treasure, Sound consultant
Zeynep Tufekci, Techno-sociologist
Sherry Turkle, Cultural analyst
James Veitch, Comedian and writer
Robert Waldinger, Psychiatrist, psychoanalyst and Zen priest
Bettina Warburg, Blockchain researcher

At TED@StateStreet, Patrice Thompson shares how two generations with very different ideals can work together effectively. Photo: Paul Sanders/TED

From anti-jargon campaigns to how Gen X and Gen Y can collaborate, TED@StateStreet highlighted ideas to inspire leaders at every level. This TED Institute event, held in London on November 18, showcased speakers from both inside and outside the financial services company. Throughout, the focus was on innovative thinking in work culture.

Below, quotes worth sharing from each of the TED@StateStreet talks:

“The quality of our conversations matter. Great achievements only come after great conversations.” —John O’Leary, communications advocate 

“We don’t need to reinvent the wheel. We have the rim, the hub and the spokes — we just need to put them together.” —Paul O’Connell, economist

“Big social changes can start with seemingly small, mundane actions.” —Christina Balch, selfie artist

“Imagine if your life were defined by the thing you were most ashamed of. What skills and talents would the world miss out on?” —Alexander McLean, TED Fellow

“What I’d always thought was simply a personal matter, I now see has a ripple effect out into the workplace and community. If I don’t share who I really am, I may be inadvertently contributing to an atmosphere of discrimination.” —Morgana Bailey, Human Resources activist

“Here are three ways to improve your communication: 1) Know your audience. 2) Know what you’re trying to say. 3) Get to the point, and do it quickly.” —Thea Knight, anti-jargon crusader

“No one is denying there’s a global education problem. How can we fix it?” —Todd Gershkowitz, education disruptor

What’s in a name? More than you think, says Cynthia Win at TED@StateStreet. Photo: Paul Sanders/TED

“We have to change the dialogue on immigration. Immigration is a catalyst, a vital force. It is a social good that makes communities more interesting.” —Tim Graf, global soul

“It took me 32 interviews to get one job. The most important thing I learned? Persistence, persistence, persistence.” —Ashwini Mrinal Bhagat, company culturist

“How can companies improve employee engagement across generations? Three ways: 1) Encourage more collaborative projects, 2) Cross-train staff on different roles, and 3) Recognize and reward valuable ideas.” —Patrice Thompson, generational diplomat

“I am drawn to ghost towns. I always wonder, how many ghost towns are we in the process of creating today?” —Abbey Williams, ghost town explorer

“Shakespeare — financier, poet, playwright — should be our inspiration today.” —John Bolton, business imaginist 

“In some parts of Asia, more and more people are adopting Western names for convenience. If we don’t put in the effort to learn the names from other cultures today, will we still see traditionally meaningful names in the next generation?”  —Cynthia Win, name decoder 

“When professional footballers transfer teams, their original team receives a fee. What if companies did the same thing with employees?” —Yusuf Nurbhai, management innovator

“I started off studying to be a doctor. Then I became a poet. Poetry is a less quantifiable way of saving lives.” —Harry Baker, slam poet

In Katete, a community in Malawi’s capital, Lilongwe, a group of residents watch a test flight of a new drone from Matternet that could, someday soon, deliver test results for newborn babies in their town. Photo: Aris Messinis for Matternet

Drones are the sexy, mysterious tech craze that are often a butt of a joke, a vague solution or an ominous threat. But no matter how flashy, good technology should still solve concrete problems. Amid the hype of getting packages and pizzas delivered in half the time, what if drones could revolutionize transportation networks, connecting people to what they actually need the most?

The health of a community relies on efficient networks. Medicine and medical supplies need to be transported reliably from Point A to Point B. This, in turn, relies on roads to travel on. Sturdy roads, able to endure heavy rains and bad weather, are something many in developed countries take for granted. But worldwide, a staggering one billion people lack access to all-season roads. What that means for people who live in remote villages: a simple rainstorm can turn a dirt road into a muddy and impassable mess, cutting them off from vital goods, services and medicines.

A surprising new technology might make a difference. Andreas Raptopoulos (watch his TED Talk) and Paola Santana co-founded Matternet, a company that adds smart software to nimble drones. Their signature product, Matternet ONE, can carry 1 kilogram of cargo over 15-20 kilometers on a single battery charge.

Matternet has worked with WHO in Bhutan to deliver medical supplies to remote hospitals, and with MSF (Doctors Without Borders) in Papua New Guinea to transport medical tests for tuberculosis.

In March 2016, Matternet started tests, along with UNICEF, in Malawi to see how well drones could deliver medical tests and blood samples from remote villages to labs. They’re working with the Malawian government to see if the drones could reduce the wait times for HIV test results, specifically for infants.

Local children watch the test flights in Katete. Photo: Aris Messinis for Matternet

An estimated one million people in Malawi live with the disease, as of 2014. Testing — and regular medication — is crucial to survival, and yet it takes an average of 11 days to deliver supplies from health centers to labs and eight weeks to return test results. Also, according to Raptopoulos, “More than three-quarters of them are within 20 kilometers of each other or a diagnostic lab.” Using drones could dramatically speed up this process and solve the problem of distance.

The first step to solving a problem is assessing what’s already happening. Paola Santana, who is also the Head of Network Operations and Lead Coordinator for this project, studied Malawi’s current system for transporting HIV tests. “There is someone on a motorcycle or in a car that does a circuit every day. They need to go and select the number of labs where they start in the morning, and by the afternoon, they have picked up all of these samples from these clinics. Then they go to the hospital where these samples are going to be analyzed,” she says. The problem is, though, that these routes are outdated. “These circuits have been created based on data that has been there for a while. So imagine that as populations shift, more people now live in other areas that are not being served every day. Still, the logistics circuit stays the same.”

Young girls watch test flights at the Area 18 Health Center. Photo: Aris Messinis for Matternet

Logistics, she says, need to account for how people are moving, how outbreaks are spreading and how many samples are transported in real time. That way, a regular and efficient system is created, one that can transport tests once a day, as opposed to once a week or even twice a month, which is the current norm.

With this data, Santana and her team clearly understood the task at hand. “The challenge is trying to envision how the system should work that has nothing to do with how the system works today. How do we adapt the flow of logistics to a new technology?”

Working with Malawi’s Ministry of Health, Department of Civil Aviation and Ministry of Transportation, among others, Matternet first mapped the geography of the approved flying area. Then, they entered the data into the software so that any obstacles could be accounted for in determining the safest and most effective routes.

Through the app, a user can select the landing location and command the drone to take off. Because it flies at around 400 feet, a user can also track its course on the app and get a notification when it lands.

This means that in the future, lab technicians could autonomously use the app to send HIV tests from their remote villages to central hospitals, and get the results back in a timely manner.

A lab technician from Kamuzu Central Hospital holds the UNICEF drone, flanked by Jim O’Sullivan, left, Matternet’s electronics lead, and Paola Santana, right, Matternet’s head of network operations. Photo: Aris Messinis for Matternet

Santana and her team were in Lilongwe, Malawi, for a total of two weeks. During the first half of the trip, they worked from 8am to 5pm every day to acclimate the drones to the new geography and make sure they could fly safely over densely populated areas. “The goal was to collect diagnostics from Area 25 Health Center and Area 18 Health Center to the Kamuzu Central Hospital to be analyzed,” Santana says.

As they prepped, Matternet, UNICEF and Malawi’s Ministry of Information hosted hands-on sessions and a Community Demo Day so that the locals could see how the drones work and learn what they’d be carrying. These demos also stressed the importance of HIV awareness, getting tested and taking antiretrovirals.

At Kamuzu Central Hospital, UAV technician Brandon Landry speaks to a group of moms-to-be, showing how the drone works and what it will be carrying: HIV tests for infants. Photo: Aris Messinis for Matternet

Plenty of locals turned out for Community Demo Day at Area 25 Primary School. Photo: Aris Messinis for Matternet

The next week, they conducted the first official test launch. The drone completed a 10-kilometer journey from Area 25 Health Center to Kamuzu Central Hospital, a journey UNICEF calls the “first known use of UAVs [unmanned aerial vehicles] on the continent for improvement of HIV services.”

On the day of the inaugural test launch at Kamuzu Central Hospital, Dr. Peter Kumpalume, Malawi’s Minister of Health, works with drone technician Brandon Landry to get ready for launch. Photo: Aris Messinis for Matternet

Malawi’s Minister of Health, Peter Kumpalume, praised the launch as a huge step forward in the country’s fight against HIV/AIDS. “We are at the forefront of technology. The countdown to ending HIV/Aids has begun and today is another step forward in meeting that goal.”

UNICEF’s Malawi representative, Mahimbo Mdoe, also remarked on the implications for transportation in the country. “HIV is still a barrier to development in Malawi. This innovation could be the breakthrough in overcoming transport challenges and associated delays experienced by health workers in remote areas of Malawi.”

What’s next? UNICEF, the Malawian government and other partners are assessing the results of the feasibility study. This way, they can look at impact before moving on to any subsequent phases.

TED and Wikipedia have teamed up in the spirit of open, accessible knowledge.

“I firmly believe that nonprofit organizations should magnify their impact by collaborating wherever their aims align,” says Andy, one of TED’s Wikipedians-in-Residence.

Andy works as a consultant, advising organizations about Wikipedia, Wikiquote and numerous other Wiki-projects run by the Wikimedia Foundation, including a program known as the GLAM-Wiki Initiative. GLAM stands for “Galleries, Libraries, Archives and Museums,” and it pairs experienced Wikipedia editors with nonprofit cultural institutions — like TED, which fits under the “archive” category of GLAM’s acronym.

What’s in the archive that TED is sharing with the Wiki editors? A collection of metadata around our 2,000+ TED Talks — headlines and descriptions, tags, speaker names and more — which will become part of the Wikidata bank, and can be used to add all kinds of information and detail to Wiki pages.

So TED has hired Andy and his fellow veteran Wikipedia volunteer, Jane, to work part time for six months to help connect TED’s data with Wikipedia. Their goal: to motivate their fellow volunteers to add new articles about speakers and topics that TED covers, and to add new links into existing articles where TED’s data would add knowledge. As well, they’re hoping to inspire people to translate pages. Think of Andy and Jane as the face of TED in the Wikipedia community, liaisons who understand the nuances and sensitivities that come with being a part of such a dedicated and hardworking collective.

This complex-seeming workflow for linking TED’s metadata to Wikipedia, encouraged and assisted by TED’s Wikipedians-in-Residence, is how Wikipedia works — many hands, many lines of communication and many ways to contribute. Based on original diagram by Lori Byrd Phillips; edits by Sacha Vega for TED.

To break down the diagram: TED donates metadata (images, content) to the Wikipedians-in-Residence who then upload this information to Wikidata,  which allows fellow Wikimedia volunteers to easily access these details and update or create articles. In return for the data, Andy and Jane share their expertise with the TED staff through informationals and basic Wikimedia training. Occasionally, the Wikipedians-in-Residence may hold a GLAM event. These events can range from competitions to hackathon-style tasks to further encourage participation with the project.

Andy and Jane are working for and getting paid by TED, which is made immediately clear to the Wikimedia community. “Though they have different approaches, TED and the Wikimedia community both want to make knowledge available, multilingually,” Andy says via email. “I want to help both organizations to do that in partnership, and to help each community to understand the other.”

“The advantage of working in Wikidata is that everyone can work there in their own language,” Jane says. “This enables easy access to information across all language Wikipedias. Central discussions are still in English, but when we link to things, they show up in the user’s own language.”

Why can’t TED just edit Wikipedia on its own? Well, the Wikimedia Foundation has set up protections to ensure that organizations can’t edit their own pages — no matter the intention, good or bad. Giving a business unrestricted access to its Wikipedia page could result in a constantly evolving advertisement, possibly transforming much of the site into a black hole of never-ending marketing copy.

The Wikimedia ethos is about maintaining a collaborative and transparent digital climate. And Wikipedia as a whole is its own galaxy. Collaborating with people who are intimately familiar with its layout and peculiarities, while bringing perspectives from numerous cultures, languages and fields of expertise, allows for an organic cross-pollination of information.

Over time, as speaker pages are created and articles updated, TED’s Wikipedians-in-Residence will be able to identify gaps in TED’s past and present coverage, and reflect back to TED what they see. Meanwhile, they can generate calls to action to the Wikipedia community – via project pages, discussion boards and on their personal profiles – to fill in the lightly covered areas, no matter the topic.

Which suits these volunteers fine. “My favorite part of being a Wikipedian is learning more about what interests me,” Jane says.

There are a lot of kindred spirits among the TED and Wikimedia communities, people committed to the spreading and sharing of knowledge. This collaboration is all about sending a probe into the farthest corners of Wikimedia — finding those who are interested in helping to further TED’s mission of ideas worth spreading.