Before You Use AI, Regulate Your Brain | Leo van Woerden | TEDxUniversityofGroningen

Artificial intelligence amplifies the mental state a person brings to it, so the human mind's regulation matters as much as the tools. In this TEDxUniversityofGroningen talk, neuroscientist and sleep expert Leo van Woerden argues that the real bottleneck is often the human system trying to keep up with technology. He focuses on working with the brain's natural rhythms to support creativity, critical thinking and intuition. The talk connects this to growth, which the speaker frames as coming from the capacity to recover, regulate and make sound decisions in complex environments rather than from speed or more tools. The presenter has more than 25 years of research experience on the brain, stress, performance and recovery.

• AI amplifies the mental state a person brings to it
• Human regulation and brain rhythms matter more than more software
• Recovery and decision-making under pressure as a basis for growth
• Speaker: Leo van Woerden, neuroscientist and sleep expert

Artificial intelligence doesn't just process data — it amplifies whatever mental state you bring to it, turning your noise into professional-looking nonsense. When you work with your brain's natural rhythms, you unlock the creativity, critical thinking and intuition that AI can amplify but not guide. The real difference in the age of AI isn't more software — it's a well-regulated human mind doing the leading. Leo van Woerden is a neuroscientist, sleep expert, and speaker with more than 25 years of research experience on the brain, stress, performance, and recovery. His work focuses on a defining challenge of our time: as technology becomes more powerful, how do people remain clear, adaptive, and resilient under increasing pressure? In his TEDx talk, Leo explores why the real bottleneck is often not the technology itself, but the human system trying to keep up with it. This directly connects to the theme of growth. Real growth does not begin with more speed, more output, or more tools, but with the capacity to recover, regulate, and make sound decisions in complex environments. His message is clear: sustainable growth depends on how well we understand and train the brain and body that must navigate change. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx