Designing a Humane Future

Designing a Humane Future

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Designing a Humane Future episodes

  • Episode 9, Part 2: Rebooting Social Media and Shaping AI

    What if the future of technology was designed with empathy at its core?


    In Episode 9 of the Designing a Humane Future podcast, we explore how social media and artificial intelligence are reshaping our lives—and how young people, ethical innovators, and inclusive design practices are showing us a better way forward.

    From Minecraft servers built for neurodiverse youth to AI systems that know when to hand off to a human, this two-part episode dives into the systems we build—and the future we want to shape.

    Listen now to discover how we can transform powerful technologies into tools for care, connection, and collective well-being.
    __
    Learn more about the experts interviewed this episode by visiting the following links (in order of appearance):

    Kara Brisson-Boivin
    Director of Research, MediaSmarts
    https://mediasmarts.ca/

    Dr. Skye Barbic

    Associate Professor, Department of Occupational Science and Occupation Therapy, 
University of British Columbia (UBC)
    https://osot.ubc.ca/our-research/our-faculty/skye-barbic/

    Stuart Duncan
    Founder, Autcraft
    https://www.autcraft.com/

    Kevin Tuer
    Chief Technology Officer, Communitech
    https://www.communitech.ca/

    Fion Lee-Madan
    Technical Co-Founder, COO, Fairly AI
    https://www.fairly.ai/

    Brian Ritchie

    Founder & CEO, kama.ai
    https://kama.ai/

    23 min
  • Episode 9, Part 1: Rebooting Social Media and Shaping AI

    What if the future of technology was designed with empathy at its core?


    In Episode 9 of the Designing a Humane Future podcast, we explore how social media and artificial intelligence are reshaping our lives—and how young people, ethical innovators, and inclusive design practices are showing us a better way forward.

    From Minecraft servers built for neurodiverse youth to AI systems that know when to hand off to a human, this two-part episode dives into the systems we build—and the future we want to shape.

    Listen now to discover how we can transform powerful technologies into tools for care, connection, and collective well-being.
    __
    Learn more about the experts interviewed this episode by visiting the following links (in order of appearance):

    Kara Brisson-Boivin
    Director of Research, MediaSmarts
    https://mediasmarts.ca/

    Dr. Skye Barbic

    Associate Professor, Department of Occupational Science and Occupation Therapy, 
University of British Columbia (UBC)
    https://osot.ubc.ca/our-research/our-faculty/skye-barbic/

    Stuart Duncan
    Founder, Autcraft
    https://www.autcraft.com/

    Kevin Tuer
    Chief Technology Officer, Communitech
    https://www.communitech.ca/

    Fion Lee-Madan
    Technical Co-Founder, COO, Fairly AI
    https://www.fairly.ai/

    Brian Ritchie

    Founder & CEO, kama.ai
    https://kama.ai/

    29 min
  • Episode 8, Part 2: The Right to Housing, Housing the Middle

    This is a two-part ­episode that examines housing as a right with a focus on housing the middle and creating affordable, sustainable housing for middle-income households. In both parts, we’ll learn more about what led us to the housing crisis we are now facing in Canada and explore the efforts to ensure there is enough housing for all.

    Learn more about the experts interviewed this episode by visiting the following links (in order of appearance):


    Andrea Nemtin
    Chief Executive Officer, Social Innovation Canada

    Mitchell Cohen
    President & CEO, The Daniels Corporation

    Tim Ross
    Executive Director, Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada

    Joshua Barndt
    Executive Director, The Neighbourhood Land Trust

    Graham Haines
    Project Manager, Housing Policy, City Planning Division, City of Toronto

    Marc Soberano
    Founder & Executive Director, Building Up

    1 hr 18 min
  • Episode 8, Part 1: The Right to Housing, Housing the Middle

    This is a two-part ­episode that examines housing as a right with a focus on housing the middle and creating affordable, sustainable housing for middle-income households. In both parts, we’ll learn more about what led us to the housing crisis we are now facing in Canada and explore the efforts to ensure there is enough housing for all.

    Learn more about the experts interviewed this episode by visiting the following links (in order of appearance):


    Andrea Nemtin
    Chief Executive Officer, Social Innovation Canada

    Mitchell Cohen
    President & CEO, The Daniels Corporation

    Tim Ross
    Executive Director, Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada

    Joshua Barndt
    Executive Director, The Neighbourhood Land Trust

    Graham Haines
    Project Manager, Housing Policy, City Planning Division, City of Toronto

    Marc Soberano
    Founder & Executive Director, Building Up

    1 hr 27 min
  • Episode 7, Part 2: Greening the Economy, Greening the Grid

    This is a two-part ­episode that examines climate change and our current economic model. In part one, we’ll learn more about two of the industries that are some of the biggest contributors to greenhouse gases in Canada, and the shifts underway within these sectors to not only reduce emissions but to move towards net zero.

    In part two, we’ll focus on greening the grid. We will look at how microgrids are part of building more local, climate-resilient energy infrastructure, and how these locally scaled smart grids can provide opportunities for community-owned and -produced power as well as Indigenous energy sovereignty.

    Learn more about the experts interviewed this episode by visiting the following links (in order of appearance):

    Brent Preston

    Farmer, The New Farm, https://thenewfarm.ca/
    Director, Farmers for Climate Solutions, https://farmersforclimatesolutions.ca/
    President, Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario, https://efao.ca/

    Emma Jarratt

    Executive Editor, Electric Autonomy Canada
    https://electricautonomy.ca/

    Dr. Christina Hoicka

    Canada Research Chair in Urban Planning for Climate Change
    Associate Professor, Geography and Civil Engineering, University of Victoria
    https://www.socialexergy.com/

    Dr. Vidya Vankayala

    Director, Smart Microgrid Applied Research Team (SMART)
    British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT)
    https://www.bcit.ca/applied-research/smart-microgrid/

    Mary Warner

    Co-Executive Director, Finance & Operations, TREC Renewable Energy Co-op
    https://www.trec.on.ca/

    Chris Henderson

    Founding Executive Director, Indigenous Clean Energy (ICE) Social Enterprise
    https://indigenouscleanenergy.com/

    1 hr 9 min
  • Episode 7, Part 1: Greening the Economy, Greening the Grid

    This is a two-part ­episode that examines climate change and our current economic model. In part one, we’ll learn more about two of the industries that are some of the biggest contributors to greenhouse gases in Canada, and the shifts underway within these sectors to not only reduce emissions but to move towards net zero.

    In part two, we’ll focus on greening the grid. We will look at how microgrids are part of building more local, climate-resilient energy infrastructure, and how these locally scaled smart grids can provide opportunities for community-owned and -produced power as well as Indigenous energy sovereignty.

    Learn more about the experts interviewed this episode by visiting the following links (in order of appearance):

    Brent Preston

    Farmer, The New Farm, https://thenewfarm.ca/
    Director, Farmers for Climate Solutions, https://farmersforclimatesolutions.ca/
    President, Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario, https://efao.ca/

    Emma Jarratt

    Executive Editor, Electric Autonomy Canada
    https://electricautonomy.ca/

    Dr. Christina Hoicka

    Canada Research Chair in Urban Planning for Climate Change
    Associate Professor, Geography and Civil Engineering, University of Victoria
    https://www.socialexergy.com/

    Dr. Vidya Vankayala

    Director, Smart Microgrid Applied Research Team (SMART)
    British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT)
    https://www.bcit.ca/applied-research/smart-microgrid/

    Mary Warner

    Co-Executive Director, Finance & Operations, TREC Renewable Energy Co-op
    https://www.trec.on.ca/

    Chris Henderson

    Founding Executive Director, Indigenous Clean Energy (ICE) Social Enterprise
    https://indigenouscleanenergy.com/

    45 min
  • Episode 6, Part 2: What the World Needs Now...Feminine Leadership

    This two-part ­episode examines the body of research on women, leadership, and systemic barriers that remain for women to reach parity with men. The aim is to find a working definition and understanding of how feminine leadership can help us tackle the looming issues of economic and social justice, and climate change that lie ahead. You will hear from stakeholders and emerging leaders engaged in the work of championing more inclusive and equitable leadership.


    Learn more about those interviewed by visiting the following links (in order of appearance):

    Stephanie Kwan
    Foresight Lead, Trends and Implications Section, Canada Revenue Agency
    Graduate, Strategic Foresight and Innovation Graduate Program, OCAD University
    http://openresearch.ocadu.ca/id/eprint/3402/1/Kwan_Stephanie_2021_MDes_SFI_MRP.pdf

    Laurissa Barnes-Roberts
    Service Design Lead, Government of British Columbia
    Graduate, Strategic Foresight and Innovation Graduate Program, OCAD University
    https://www.laurissa.me/mrp-research-study

    Patricia
    Graduate, Strategic Foresight and Innovation Graduate Program, OCAD University

    Angie Fleming
    Data Humanist, Coeuraj
    Graduate, Strategic Foresight and Innovation Graduate Program, OCAD University
    https://openresearch.ocadu.ca/id/eprint/3768/1/Fleming_Angie_2022_MDes_SFI_MRP.pdf

    Karen Campbell
    Director, Community Initiatives & Policy, Canadian Women's Foundation
    https://canadianwomen.org/

    Steph Jeremie
    Project Director, In Good Company, YWCA Canada
    https://igcompany.ca/

    Barb Wallace
    Executive Director, Girls Inc. of York Region
    https://girlsincyork.org/

    Sarika Sinha
    Program Teaching Staff, Feminist Leadership For Justice, Equity and Ecology Program, Coady Institute, St. Francis Xavier University
    https://coady.stfx.ca/feminist-leadership-for-justice-equity-and-ecology/

     

    36 min
  • Episode 6, Part 1: What the World Needs Now...Feminine Leadership

    This two-part ­episode examines the body of research on women, leadership, and systemic barriers that remain for women to reach parity with men. The aim is to find a working definition and understanding of how feminine leadership can help us tackle the looming issues of economic and social justice, and climate change that lie ahead. You will hear from stakeholders and emerging leaders engaged in the work of championing more inclusive and equitable leadership.


    Learn more about those interviewed by visiting the following links (in order of appearance):

    Stephanie Kwan
    Foresight Lead, Trends and Implications Section, Canada Revenue Agency
    Graduate, Strategic Foresight and Innovation Graduate Program, OCAD University
    http://openresearch.ocadu.ca/id/eprint/3402/1/Kwan_Stephanie_2021_MDes_SFI_MRP.pdf

    Laurissa Barnes-Roberts
    Service Design Lead, Government of British Columbia
    Graduate, Strategic Foresight and Innovation Graduate Program, OCAD University
    https://www.laurissa.me/mrp-research-study

    Patricia
    Graduate, Strategic Foresight and Innovation Graduate Program, OCAD University

    Angie Fleming
    Data Humanist, Coeuraj
    Graduate, Strategic Foresight and Innovation Graduate Program, OCAD University
    https://openresearch.ocadu.ca/id/eprint/3768/1/Fleming_Angie_2022_MDes_SFI_MRP.pdf

    Karen Campbell
    Director, Community Initiatives & Policy, Canadian Women's Foundation
    https://canadianwomen.org/

    Steph Jeremie
    Project Director, In Good Company, YWCA Canada
    https://igcompany.ca/

    Barb Wallace
    Executive Director, Girls Inc. of York Region
    https://girlsincyork.org/

    Sarika Sinha
    Program Teaching Staff, Feminist Leadership For Justice, Equity and Ecology Program, Coady Institute, St. Francis Xavier University
    https://coady.stfx.ca/feminist-leadership-for-justice-equity-and-ecology/

     

    35 min
  • Episode 5: Supporting Main Street

    This episode of the Designing a Humane Future podcast is dedicated to small businesses - to exploring the future of our Main Street shops and understanding ways to ensure they can continue to be part of our communities and our lives now and looking ahead. In this episode, we explore possible future trends and learn from those involved in running and championing small business every day. We’ll look at the challenges facing small businesses and some of the solutions that are helping them to navigate the uncertainties now and that can allow them to thrive into the future.


    Learn more about those interviewed by visiting the following links (in order of appearance):

    Judy Morgan

    Judy Morgan Consulting


    https://www.linkedin.com/in/judy-morgan-7b47992

    Anita Agrawal 

    Co-author, “Out of Control”, Commercial Rent Report, February 2022
    https://betterwayalliance.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/BWA_Out-of-Control_-Why-Small-Businesses-Need-Urgent-Action-on-the-Commercial-Rent-Crisis.pdf
    CEO, Best Bargains Jewellery
    https://bbjw.com/

    Aaron Binder

    Director, Better Way Alliance
    https://betterwayalliance.ca/
    Chief Experience Officer, Segway Ontario
    https://segwayofontario.com/
    Chief Experience Officer, Go Tours Canada
    https://www.gotourscanada.com/


    John Kiru
    Executive Director, Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas
    https://www.toronto-bia.com/

    57 min
  • Episode 4, Part 2: The Future of Work

    In this two-part episode, the focus is the future of work. In part one, we’ll explore how technology and the economic impacts of the pandemic are shaping jobs now and the opportunities in the future. You’ll hear from experts who help us unpack the current trends we are seeing in the labour market.


    In part two, we will focus on universal basic income as an innovation that can address uncertainties in the labour market and ensure everyone has the basics they need to live. We’ll look at the impact of Ontario’s Basic Income Pilot and learn about how a proposed basic income plan can contribute to the Canadian economy.

    The episode explores ways to build a post-pandemic economy that centres on making work more equitable, inclusive, and dignified. Learn more about those interviewed by visiting the following links (in order of appearance):

    Creig Lamb

    Co-Founder & Principal, Shift Insights
    https://www.shiftinsights.ca/

    Floyd Marinescu
    Executive Director, UBI Works
    CEO and Co-founder, C4Media
    https://www.ubiworks.ca/

    Anjum Sultana
    Fellow, Public Policy Forum
    Contributor, “Skills for the Post-Pandemic World: Scoping Report”
    Co-Author, “A Feminist Recovery Plan for Canada”
    https://www.anjumsultana.com/

    Jessie Golem
    Entrepreneur, professional writer, photographer, pianist, and activist
    Creator, Humans of Basic Income portrait series
    https://www.jessiegolem.com/

    Wayne Lewchuk
    Professor, School of Labour Studies, Department of Economics, McMaster University
    Co-author, “Southern Ontario’s Basic Income Experience” report
    https://socialsciences.mcmaster.ca/people/lewchuk-wayne

     

    48 min

About Designing a Humane Future

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This podcast explores how we can actively engage in imagining and designing a future that is more equitable, intentional, and humane.