# The emergent genius of ant colonies

- Institution: TED
- Department: TED2003
- Speaker: Deborah Gordon
- Year: 2003
- Level: For everyone
- Language: English
- Subjects: Biology, Art, architecture and design
- Source: [TED](https://www.ted.com/talks/deborah_gordon_the_emergent_genius_of_ant_colonies)
- Licence: [CC BY-NC-ND 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/) (Non-commercial use only, and no changed versions.)
- Who can watch: Tweens profiles and older (sources give no ratings; placed by Invisible Network from the source's own words)

Deborah Gordon studies ant colonies in the Arizona desert to understand their complex social system. She asks: How do these chitinous creatures get down to business -- and even multitask when they need to -- with no language, memory or visible leadership? Her answers could lead to a better understanding of all complex systems, from the brain to the Web. Thanks, ants.

## Lectures

1. [The emergent genius of ant colonies](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/ted/deborah_gordon_the_emergent_genius_of_ant_colonies/46456fdf2382), 21 min (TED's player)