Data is the New Addiction | Dr. Kunal Sarkar | TEDxIEM Salt Lake

A heart surgeon argues that data consumption can become a form of addiction comparable to historic epidemics such as tobacco and drug abuse. He warns that isolation in a hyper-connected digital age can harm physical and mental well-being. The talk stresses the value of genuine companionship and judicious use of data as AI-driven technology grows. The speaker, Dr. Kunal Sarkar, has over three decades of experience in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery.

• Data consumption compared with tobacco and drug abuse
• Isolation in the digital age and its effects on health
• The role of genuine human companionship
• Judicious use of data in an AI-driven future

Are we trading genuine human connection for a constant stream of digital notifications? In this talk, a heart surgeon compares modern data addiction to historic epidemics like tobacco and drug abuse, warning that isolation in the digital age poses a severe threat to our physical and mental well-being. He emphasizes that despite living in a hyper-connected world, true companionship and judicious data consumption are essential to navigate an increasingly isolated, AI-driven future. With over three decades of experience in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, Dr. Kunal Sarkar is one of India’s leading cardiac surgeons, having performed over 40,000 heart surgeries, including more than 32,000 bypass procedures. A Fellow of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons of Edinburgh and Glasgow, he has also served as President of the Indian Association of Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgeons. His expertise spans complex coronary surgery, minimally invasive cardiac surgery and advanced cardiovascular care. 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