Artificial Breakdown

In this episode of Artificial Breakdown (recorded live at Inventures), Carrie and Pete are joined by Sabaa Quao, the founding President of PlusCo Venture Studio, the AI and fintech innovation spinoff from Cossette and Plus Company Canada. Sabaa’s got more titles than a bookshelf—he’s a creative leader, entrepreneur and business strategist who's been shaking up the digital media scene for years.

Sabaa’s passionate about one thing: innovation—and not just the buzzword kind. He believes the need for true innovation is as urgent now as it was when businesses first embraced the digital era 25 years ago. With a career that’s spanned over a dozen countries, Sabaa shares how creativity and technology collide to fuel success in today’s startup world.

Tune in to hear how Sabaa’s combining creativity, tech and entrepreneurship to launch the next generation of groundbreaking startups. If you're into building businesses, making waves in AI and learning from someone who's been there and done that—this one’s for you!

Music: 

Music from Uppbeat:

Title: Make It Happen

Artist: All Good Folks

License code: 6BVFZAHAWVMGPFRE

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On episode 13 of Artificial Breakdown, recorded live at Inventures 2025, Carrie and Pete sit down with Chris Hogg, CEO of Digital Journal, one of Canada’s largest independent media companies.

We dive into how AI is transforming news delivery, and whether we should still trust our feeds (spoiler: it's complicated). Chris talks us through the wild, truth-bending landscape where journalism meets tech, and just how deep the rabbit hole of AI-powered media goes. Can AI tell fact from fiction? Does it even care? Tune in to find out.

If you’ve ever wondered how AI is messing with your news—and how to spot the real from the AI-generated—this episode is a must-listen!

Music: 

Music from Uppbeat:

Title: Make It Happen

Artist: All Good Folks

License code: 6BVFZAHAWVMGPFRE

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On this Inventures 2025 episode of Artificial Breakdown, we’re joined by two incredible leaders in Indigenous-led tech: Brown Eagle Belanger, COO at Nationsfirst Technologies, and Ethan Clark, CEO and Co-Founder of Nationsfirst Technologies.

Together, they’re pioneering the use of blockchain and other cutting-edge technologies to empower Indigenous communities through sovereign solutions. From economic development to environmental conservation, they’re leading the charge on a new era of resource management and investment that’s rooted in Indigenous values.

Music from Uppbeat:
Title: Make It Happen
Artist: All Good Folks
License code: 6BVFZAHAWVMGPFRE

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As our Inventures 2025 series continues, Pete and Carrie sit down with Dr. Mohammad Keyhani, Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the Haskayne School of Business. We dive into the fascinating (tumultuous) intersection of education, entrepreneurship and innovation, and what the future of business leaders looks like in a world increasingly shaped by AI technologies.

Dr. Keyhani drops some knowledge on how education is adapting to prepare the next wave of innovators, and what it takes to thrive in today’s ever-evolving landscape. Whether you're an educator, entrepreneur or just interested in (terrified of) how innovation is reshaping, well, everything, this one's for you.

Music from Uppbeat:
Title: Make It Happen
Artist: All Good Folks
License code: 6BVFZAHAWVMGPFRE

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Welcome to Artificial Breakdown's first episode from our incredible weekend at Inventures 2025! Pete and Carrie sit down with Jenny McLean and Darren Engels from Tailwind Ventures, based right here in Calgary. Learn about how AI is changing what venture capitalists are looking for, and also how it's changing how they're doing their job. Here's a hint: Jenny and Darren's vast expertise isn't easily replaced. 

Keep an eye out for a whopping 5 more episodes from guests at this year's Inventures conference. 

*Note: Audio quality may be lower than normal due to the nature of live recording.

Music: 

Music from Uppbeat:

Title: Make It Happen

Artist: All Good Folks

License code: 6BVFZAHAWVMGPFRE

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Owen Brierley, Doctor of Computational Media Design and Course Leader for Creative Industries at the University of Kingston, joins Carrie “Artists in tech are my Roman Empire” Robinson and Pete “There are storylines in games?” Bishop to artfully discuss the conversation about how artists are using AI and what that means for everything from how ChatGPT talks to you to how NPCs could evolve in your next favourite game. 

Put down your copy of Macbeth and join us for a chat about one artist’s evolution into tech and why Owen is calling from the UK. 

Guests: Owen Brierley

Hosts: Carrie Robinson, Pete Bishop

Producer: Pete Bishop

Music: 

Music from Uppbeat:

Title: Make It Happen

Artist: All Good Folks

License code: 6BVFZAHAWVMGPFRE

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Carrie “are skinny jeans back in yet?” Robinson and Pete “my capsule wardrobe is for space travel” Bishop are joined by the future-forward Courtney Kos, co-founder of Prévoir.ai, creating data-driven fashion collections—and reducing waste as she goes. Courtney takes us behind the scenes of how she’s sewing AI into the world of fashion, reducing textile waste and forecasting trends in an industry that's all about staying one step ahead.

Slip on your most stylish thinking cap (or just your comfiest hoodie) and join us for a conversation that's part tech talk, part style talk and 100% the hosts having no idea what’s fashionable right now other than AI. 

Guests: Courtney Kos
Hosts: Carrie Robinson, Pete Bishop
Producer: Pete Bishop

Music:
Music from Uppbeat
Title: Make It Happen
Artist: All Good Folks
License code: 6BVFZAHAWVMGPFRE

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AI is coming for the music industry—because what it needs right now is more controversy over who owns what. Carrie and Pete sit down with James O’Brien, Co-CEO of Sound Ethics to talk about AI’s role in music: can AI and artists coexist, or are we about to see the world’s weirdest battle of the bands? Tune in for some hot takes, ethical debates and what musicians can do to move forward in the era of AI on today’s episode of Artificial Breakdown.

https://www.soundethics.org/ 

Guests: James O’Brien
Hosts: Carrie Robinson, Pete Bishop
Producer: Pete Bishop

Music: 

Music from Uppbeat:
Title: Make It Happen
Artist: All Good Folks
License code: 6BVFZAHAWVMGPFRE

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Is there room for frivolity in the world of AI literacy? We freaking hope so. Carrie and Pete chat with Mike Jacobson and Sami Kriegstein Jacobson from itwritesitself.ai (and about 100 other awesome projects) to talk about the role that play has when learning new tools. Share a few laughs and a few insights on today’s episode of Artificial Breakdown.

Music: 

Music from Uppbeat:
Title: Make It Happen
Artist: All Good Folks
License code: 6BVFZAHAWVMGPFRE

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AI agents are making waves in the business world—but what’s really behind the screen? Today, Carrie and Pete sit down with Karl Yeh, Chief AI Officer and Co-founder of 0260.AI, to talk about AI agents and what businesses should (and shouldn’t) expect from the buzz. Tune in and let’s break it down!

Guest: Karl Yeh

Hosts: Carrie Robinson, Pete Bishop

Producer: Pete Bishop

Music:
Music from Uppbeat:
Title: Make It Happen
Artist: All Good Folks
License code: 6BVFZAHAWVMGPFRE

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