Chief Technology Officer, Match Group Inc
When AI Enters the Village... | Will Wu | TEDxShibocun Road
What happens when AI becomes the storyteller of our villages? Will Wu explores how AI can preserve history, reshape human ...
About Will Wu
Will Wu, Chief Technology Officer at Match Group, stated in a March 2025 interview that AI is already an integral part of the dating experience on the company's platforms. He noted that Match Group has been incorporating AI into its products for a long time, using it for recommendations and to enhance trust and safety, and that the company has been "doubling down" on AI since the release of ChatGPT two years ago. In a separate TEDx talk in March 2025, Wu discussed the potential for AI to help preserve the stories, culture, and traditions of villages. He described scenarios where AI could provide early warnings for natural disasters, assist elderly farmers with planting decisions, and make education more accessible through interactive lessons. Wu emphasized that the goal is for communities to define how they use the technology, stating that "it's about us, our humanity, our creativity defining how we use it."
Transcript (6 segments)
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Will Wu0:00
Hi everyone, here's a question to get us started: what if a village could use AI to hold on to its stories, its culture, and its traditions forever? Think about that for a second. What if no stories got lost, no song forgotten, and no piece of wisdom faded away? Sounds incredible, doesn't it? My name is Will, and today I'd like to talk about something that may sound like science fiction at first, but it's really closer to reality than we think. I want to talk about how artificial intelligence, or AI, could step into our villages, our communities, and our lives. But here's the quest: it's not about that technology doing other things; it's about us, our humanity, our creativity defining how we use it.
Let's talk first about what makes a village a village. A village isn't just roads and houses; it's where people know each other. It's where we share meals, swap stories, and celebrate together. It's a community where you're not just another face; you belong. But here's the thing: the world is changing. Young people are moving away to big cities, traditions are fading, and challenges like climate change are making things harder for those who stay behind. So here's the big question: can AI step in to help? Can it make life easier while helping us hold on to the things that matter most? In my opinion, AI could deal with the challenges that are biggest for the villages and also develop them.
Villagers today face two big challenges. One: we're losing traditions. Think about the songs and stories that have been passed down for generations. They are like cultural resources, but as people move away, they are slowly slipping through the cracks. Two: not everyone in a village has access to the same resources—things like education tools and even a simple internet connection. And even when the tools are there, knowing how to use them is another story. So how can we deal with it? And here is where AI could step in and make a real difference.
Okay, picture this: an elderly farmer is staring at the sky, wondering if it's the best time for him to plant the seeds. If it rains too early, the crops might not make it; if it rains too late, same problem. Now imagine this: his phone sends him a text: 'Hey, it's going to rain next week, time to plant.' That's AI in action. And that is where AI could make better harvests, less stress, and more food on the table. What's more, AI could also make disaster warnings. Villages are always the place that has the first impact of floods, droughts, and maybe fires. But AI could help by acting as an early warning system. Now imagine this: when everyone gets an alert on their phones, 'It's going to be a flood here, move to higher ground.' It sounds easy, but it could save lives.
And also, I think every village has amazing stories. Think of our grandparents; they could sing a tale so vivid that you feel like you were there. Very good memories, right? However, what will happen when those voices are gone? But with AI, we could record the stories, preserving them, sharing them, and even translating them into other languages so more people can hear them. And it doesn't stop there. AI could take those stories and also turn them into books, animations, or even songs. It's like giving traditions a new life. Most importantly, AI could also make education easier to access. Kids could learn math and science through fun and interactive lessons on tablets. Adults could learn new skills, start businesses, or even connect with loved ones far away. And here's the coolest part: even if someone goes away to a big city, they can still stay part of the village—virtual meetings, online projects, you name it. And this is how AI could keep those connections strong, no matter the distance.
When I'm on vacation time, just as now, I would always choose some time to go to my hometown with my parents to accompany my grandparents. My grandpa is a veteran; he seems always to have many stories to tell. And I would sit in the yard with him and listen to his tales as a soldier. I have learned how to be hardworking, how to be brave, how to be a soldier in your daily life. And with AI, I believe the future village will pass these good qualities from generation to generation. The stories of our villages aren't just stories; they are pieces of who we are. With AI, we have a chance to preserve them, share them, and also create new ones for the future. Let's make sure that when AI enters our villages, it makes them thrive, not just with technology but with heart. That's all. Thank you for listening.