AI for Equity

What happens when you meet Barack Obama?

In this week’s episode of AI for Equity, Jenny and Leah reflect on their surreal encounter with the former President in Dublin and the powerful lessons they took away. From leadership and empathy to technology and truth, this episode explores how we can use AI to strengthen, not replace, our humanity.

They discuss what Obama’s words meant for the future of leadership, how to stay grounded in a world of digital noise, and why critical thinking and compassion remain our most powerful tools.

Listen in for:
• Reflections on meeting Barack Obama
• Critical thinking in the age of AI
• The role of empathy in technology
• Leadership and humility
• Finding hope in an uncertain digital future

AI can’t give empathy. The choices are ours.

In this thought-provoking episode, Shayne Halls explores how AI is reshaping the world of talent acquisition and human resources — and why empathy must remain at the centre of it all.

We dive into how algorithms can assist human judgment without losing sight of the emotional intelligence and compassion that define great leadership. From career-defining decisions to responsible data use, Shayne makes the case for a people-first approach in the age of AI.

🎧 Available on all streaming platforms
📺 Watch the full conversation on YouTube

#AIForEquity #AIinHR #PeopleFirst #TalentAcquisition #HumanResources #EmpathyInLeadership #FutureOfWork #AIForGood

In this episode of AI for Equity, Jenny and Leah sit down with Christina Chen, founder of First AI Group, to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming talent acquisition, business automation, and investment opportunities for female founders.

Christina shares her insights on the human side of AI - reminding us that even in a world of automation, people remain at the heart of innovation.

Why “people first” should guide every AI conversation
The growing importance of AI literacy in the workplace

The rise of investment in female founders and inclusive innovation
How businesses can build internal AI capabilities
Career advice for anyone looking to enter the AI space

If you’re curious about how technology, productivity, and people come together in the future of work, this conversation is a must-watch.

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watch the full Episode on youtube!

Keywords: AI, talent acquisition, automation, productivity, female founders, investment, business process, career advice, technology

In this episode of AI for Equity, Leah and Jenny speak with Ekua Cant, a visibility leadership coach, about what it really means to be seen and valued in today’s world of technology and AI.

From the power of paid speaking opportunities to the biases coded into algorithms, Ekua shares how diverse leaders can use visibility as a form of empowerment — and why collaboration and courage are key to creating equitable outcomes.

🎥 Want to see the full conversation and behind-the-scenes clips? Watch the video episode now on YouTube (@AIforEquityPod)

In this episode of AI for Equity, Leah and Jenny sit down with Finbar O’Hanlon, a musician turned tech innovator, to explore how curiosity and creativity fuel innovation in an AI-driven world. From the similarities between music and coding to the need to unlearn outdated beliefs, Finbar shares how adaptability and experimentation can redefine what it means to be human in the age of technology.

Together, they discuss the future of work, the role of play in learning, and how AI can become a true creative partner—enhancing, not replacing, our imagination.

Tune in to discover why the most powerful technology is still the human mind.

In this episode of AI for Equity, Leah-Sunshine Garrett speaks with Suvianna, founder of the AI for Change Foundation, about what it really means to build ethical and responsible AI.

From the challenges organisations face in turning policy into practice to the global need for equity in AI design, Suvianna shares powerful insights into how culture, innovation, and ethics intersect. Together, they explore how Finland is shaping discussions on AI innovation, why ethics must be seen as a foundation for creativity, and how human-centred design can ensure AI serves everyone - fairly and responsibly.

This episode is a reminder that responsible AI isn’t just about compliance; it’s about compassion, accountability, and the courage to shape technology that uplifts us all.

Watch the full conversation on YouTube to see the ideas come to life.

Bio:
Suvianna Grecu is the Founder of the AI for Change Foundation, a global non-profit initiative promoting the responsible and ethical use of artificial intelligence. She’s recognized as one of Europe’s emerging voices in ethical AI, governance, and female leadership in tech, helping leaders and organizations harness AI in a way that aligns with human values, trust and long-term impact. Suvianna’s mission is to make AI accessible, ethical and empowering, turning complex technology into a force for good in business and society.

Links:
https://aifcf.org
https://www.linkedin.com/in/suvianna-grecu/
https://www.instagram.com/suvianna.ai/
https://www.tiktok.com/@suvianna

In this episode of AI for Equity, we sit down with Anna Jones, CEO and co-founder of RefuAid and MeritAI, to explore how technology, especially AI, is reshaping refugee integration and empowerment.

From her beginnings in law to leading two transformative organisations, Anna shares how language, re-accreditation, and access are key to restoring dignity and independence for refugees. She also discusses how AI-driven tools like Path and Merit are creating personalised pathways for refugees to rebuild their lives and careers.

This conversation dives deep into community mobilisation, the power of context in AI, and the ways technology can challenge bias and create equitable opportunities for all.

Watch the full conversation on YouTube to see the ideas come to life.

Anna's Bio:

Anna is the CEO and co-founder of RefuAid, a UK non-profit dedicated to providing access to finance for people who have been forcibly displaced. Since launching, RefuAid has supported over 2,200 individuals to overcome systemic barriers to employment, education, and financial independence. Through its Equal Access Loan programme, the organisation has distributed more than £2.8 million in interest-free loans, achieving an exceptional 98% repayment rate and delivering a return of £5.66 to the UK economy for every £1 lent.

Building on this success, Anna co-founded Merit AI, a platform that uses artificial intelligence to tackle systemic inequalities in financial services. She also led the creation of Path, an AI-driven tool that guides refugees through professional reaccreditation pathways in the UK.

With nearly a decade of experience building mission-driven organisations, Anna is passionate about developing sustainable, tech-enabled solutions to social challenges. Her work has been recognised by Forbes 30 Under 30 and Startups Magazine’s Most Influential Women of 2024.

On stage and in conversation, Anna speaks about fintech innovation, financial inclusion, AI for social impact, and transformative approaches to refugee integration.

Keywords: RefuAid, AI, social impact, refugees, community, technology, re-accreditation, language skills, equity, innovation.

In this powerful episode of AI for Equity, Jenny and Leah speak with Christian Ortiz, a de-colonial technologist and creator of Justice AI, to unpack the deep-rooted issues of AI bias and explore what true ethical AI looks like in practice.

Christian shares how Justice AI was built through collaboration with marginalised professionals to identify and mitigate bias in organisations. Together, they discuss the importance of indigenous data sovereignty, intersectional ethics, and the ongoing challenge of keeping AI systems updated and accountable.

This episode is a call to action — to educate, unlearn, and rebuild technology for collective liberation.

Watch the full conversation on YouTube to see the ideas come to life.

In this episode, Leah and Jenny sit down with Sumathi Menon, a trailblazer at the intersection of AI, digital marketing, and women in technology. Sumathi shares her inspiring journey from tech to digital marketing and her mission to bridge the gender gap in STEM through training, education, and cultural understanding. She explains why AI isn’t just for techies, highlighting the importance of critical thinking, communication, and human connection in shaping an inclusive AI ecosystem. From her work with GenAI and Mave Social to her advocacy for women re-entering the workforce, Sumathi brings refreshing insights into how automation, cultural perspectives, and adaptability are transforming the future of work.

Want the full experience? Watch the podcast on YouTube for bonus visuals and behind-the-scenes moments!

https://youtu.be/IqaR0q01Qhk

About Sumathi:

Sumathi Menon is the founder of Mave Social AI. She makes AI accessible for individuals and organisations through practical workshops, strategy sessions and hands-on demos. In addition she enables individuals and organisations get started with AI through consulting and building automations by finding their efficiency sweet spot. Her work focuses on inclusive, responsible AI adoption and empowering non-traditional learners, especially as the regional lead of Women Defining AI she strives to move women and non-binary individuals from simply using AI to actively building with it.She is a regular panelist and podcast guest on AI strategy, its responsible & ethical use and bias mitigation. She is a member of Conscious advertising Network and is Vice Chair for Citizens Advice Wandsworth Trustee board.

Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sumathimenon

Www.mavesocialai.com

Series 2 of the AI for Equity podcast kicks off with Jenny Garrett OBE and Leah-Sunshine Garrett sharing their excitement for a new chapter of conversations on AI, equity, and innovation. In this opening episode, they reflect on their backgrounds in AI and explore how technology is reshaping some of the most pressing issues in society.

From improving workplace diversity and fairness to supporting victims of gender-based violence, AI’s potential to drive meaningful change is front and centre. Jenny and Leah also examine how AI is revolutionising healthcare diagnostics, the ethical dilemmas of data privacy, and the role of community engagement in shaping a more equitable future.

This conversation sets the stage for a season of curiosity, learning, and critical reflection, highlighting both the promise and the challenges of AI in building a fairer world.