A firework ladder to the sky — and the magic of explosive art | Cai Guo-Qiang (re-release)

In this episode of TED Talks Daily, host Elise Hu introduces Cai Guo-Qiang, a multidisciplinary artist known for his pyrotechnic events, who discusses his lifelong fascination with gunpowder and its use in his art. Cai shares how he transitioned from setting off small explosions as a child to creating large-scale firework spectacles, including the 2008 Beijing Olympics and his "Sky Ladder" project. He explores the themes of destruction and construction, control and freedom, and the intersection of violence and beauty in his work. Cai also discusses his more recent exploration of AI as a creative partner, highlighting the element of unpredictability and the potential for AI to unlock new dimensions of creativity. He concludes by expressing his hope that, like gunpowder, AI can bring hope and expand our understanding of the unknown world.