Hello 50:50 World - Make Tech More Humane

By Lisa Stähli

The podcast where leaders and technologists explore how to design, engineer, and build for a better, more inclusive future — with and through technology. In each episode, host Lisa Stähli, an engineer... more

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FAQs about Hello 50:50 World - Make Tech More Humane:

How many episodes does Hello 50:50 World - Make Tech More Humane have?

The podcast currently has 11 episodes available.

Hello 50:50 World - Make Tech More Humane episodes:

August 06, 2026Digital Twins & Storytelling
Why communication is just as important as technology
"People need to know why. They don't need to know the technical term." — Dana Ritzmann
Key Takeaways
Technical innovation only creates impact when we communicate it in language that people understand and can relate to.
Digital twins are more than impressive 3D models—they help people make better decisions about real-world challenges.
Building great technology also means designing great user experiences, especially when creating tools for citizens rather than experts.
Storytelling and journalism play a vital role in bridging the gap between technical experts and the public.
Inspiring the next generation starts with making technical careers visible, understandable, and welcoming to everyone.
Learn more about Dana's work
Dana Ritzmann on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danaritzmanndd/
GeoSN – State Authority for Geobinformation and Surveying of Saxony: https://www.geosn.sachsen.de/
Geoportal Sachsenatlas: https://geoportal.sachsen.de/
If this episode made you reflect on communication, digital twins, public participation, or how we make technology more accessible, let us know in the comments or share it with someone who would enjoy the conversation.
More episodes & show notes: https://www.hello5050.world/podcast
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/Hello5050World
Producing partner: Tess Marketing Consulting & Stephan Germann
https://www.tess-marketing.ch/
https://videopodcast.studio/
...more
31min
July 23, 2026Hackathons & Diverse Teams
Why the most innovative teams aren't built by chance
"Building good teams isn't just about diversity—it's about balancing skills, preferences, and inclusion." — Professor Dr. Debra Hevenstone
Key Takeaways
Diverse teams don't emerge naturally, but when people collaborate across different backgrounds and skill sets, they often learn more and are more satisified with the collaboration.
Inclusive hackathons begin long before the event itself through thoughtful recruitment, team formation, family-friendly design, and creating spaces where everyone can contribute.
AI is lowering technical barriers, allowing hackathons to become more accessible to people with domain expertise beyond software engineering.
Civic hackathons create opportunities for learning, networking, and showcasing talent while connecting technology with real societal challenges.
Building better technology isn't only about better code—it starts with intentionally building better teams.
Learn more about Debra's work
Debra Hevenstone on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-hevenstone-6a56533/
Hack Integration: https://hackintegration.ch/
Hack4SocialGood 2026: https://www.bfh.ch/de/aktuell/fachveranstaltungen/hack4socialgood26/
Research and researchers mentioned in the episode:
Open-source enabled hackathons: Oleg Lavrovsky — Data engineer and developer relations specialist with deep open-source technology expertise: https://people.epfl.ch/oleg.lavrovsky?lang=en
Matching Algorithms: Marek Pycia — Department of Economics, University of Zurich: https://www.econ.uzh.ch/en/people/faculty/pycia.html
The Leadership Lottery: Berger, J., Osterloh, M., Rost, K., & Ehrmann, T. (2020). How to prevent leadership hubris? Comparing competitive selections, lotteries, and their combination. The Leadership Quarterly, 31(5), 101388.
During the conversation, we discuss family-friendly hackathon design. For historical accuracy:
The first children's programme at Hack4SocialGood was organized by PH Bern.
Two years later, the children's programme in Olten was organized by Ginkgo Educa, led by Josh Weber (FHNW), continuing the commitment to making hackathons more accessible for participants with families.
If this episode made you reflect on diversity, hackathons, AI, or how better teams create better technology, let us know in the comments or share it with someone who would enjoy the conversation.
More episodes & show notes: https://www.hello5050.world/podcast
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/Hello5050World
Producing partner: Tess Marketing Consulting & Stephan Germann
https://www.tess-marketing.ch/
https://videopodcast.studio/
...more
43min
July 09, 2026Hardware, Drones & Purpose in Tech
Why staying connected to the purpose of what you're building matters more than ever.
"Stay connected to the purpose of what you're building, and you're going to be fine." — Youssef Demitri
Key Takeaways
Building hardware requires a different mindset than software: mistakes are more expensive, feedback cycles are slower, and reliability becomes a core competitive advantage.
AI is changing software and hardware engineering rapidly, and developments in robotics are both an enabler and accelerator of this change.
Successful teams create intentional spaces for experimentation, learning, and exploration rather than forcing AI adoption from the top down.
Trust is the foundation of high-performing teams. Strong leadership balances empowerment and autonomy with support and guidance.
As product, design, and engineering roles continue to converge, staying connected to the purpose behind what you're building becomes more important than any individual tool or technology.
Learn more about Youssef's work:
Youssef on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/youssef-demitri-a82614100/
Wingtra: https://wingtra.com/
If this episode made you reflect on hardware vs. software, engineering leadership, or product development let us know in the comments or share it with someone who would enjoy the conversation.
Link to the podcast with Tony Fadell: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJjl1TwyfWM
More episodes & shownotes: https://www.hello5050.world/podcast
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/Hello5050World
Producing partner: Tess Marketing Consulting & Stephan Germann
https://www.tess-marketing.ch/
https://videopodcast.studio/
...more
41min
June 25, 2026Startups, Silicon Valley & Female Founders
Why understanding the problem is more important than building the solution.
"If you don't believe in something, nobody else is going to do that." — Alessia Paccagnella
Key Takeaways
The most successful founders spend as much time understanding their users as they do building products. Great products start with a deep understanding of real problems.
Silicon Valley's greatest advantage is not technology, but a culture where people actively support, encourage, and help each other succeed.
AI is making software development dramatically faster, but strong engineering fundamentals, architecture, and human oversight remain essential.
Building a startup requires learning how to separate signal from noise, whether that comes from users, investors, social media, or the broader market.
More visible female founder stories matter because they help others imagine bigger possibilities for themselves and their careers.
Learn more about Alessia's work:
Alessia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alessiapaccagnella/
VibeFlow: https://www.vibeflow.com/
If this episode made you reflect on entrepreneurship, building products, finding the right environment to grow, or supporting women in tech, let us know in the comments or spread the word.
More episodes & shownotes: https://www.hello5050.world/podcast
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/Hello5050World
Producing partner: Tess Marketing Consulting & Stephan Germann
https://www.tess-marketing.ch/
https://videopodcast.studio/
...more
41min
June 11, 2026DevOps, AI & the Future of Software Engineering
Why quality, systems thinking, and agile principles matter more than ever
"Teams that have already adopted the Agile principles are getting faster at everything they are doing. AI and Agile are using each other to accelerate." — Romano Roth
Key Takeaways
The biggest bottlenecks in software development are often not in engineering, but in everything that happens before implementation — from ideation and prioritization to requirements and decision-making.
Building a culture of quality requires shared ownership. Quality cannot be delegated to a single team; it needs to be built into the product from the very beginning.
AI accelerates everything in software development — both the good and the bad. Teams with strong engineering practices get faster, while teams with poor foundations accumulate problems even more quickly.
The future of product development will likely involve smaller, more cross-functional teams where product, design, engineering, and quality responsibilities increasingly overlap.
While AI is changing how we work, the fundamentals remain the same. Systems thinking, critical thinking, collaboration, and fast feedback loops will continue to matter.
Learn more about Romano's work:
Romano on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/romanoroth/
Zühlke: https://www.zuehlke.com/
DevOpsDays Zurich: https://www.devopsdays.ch/
If this episode made you rethink where the real bottlenecks in software development are, how AI is changing engineering teams, or what skills will matter most in the future of tech, let us know in the comments or spread the word.
More episodes & shownotes: https://www.hello5050.world/podcast
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/Hello5050World
Producing partner: Tess Marketing Consulting & Stephan Germann
https://www.tess-marketing.ch/
https://videopodcast.studio/
...more
39min
May 28, 2026Virtual Reality & Life After Meta
What happens when someone who helped build the future of virtual reality inside Big Tech decides to walk away from it and finds purpose.
"If you are in a position where you can speak up, then I feel you have a responsibility to do so.” — Britta Hummel
Key Takeaways
The core technical challenges behind modern VR systems are largely solved — the bigger challenge today is finding meaningful and sustainable use cases.
Virtual reality has enormous potential in healthcare, trauma therapy, education, and professional training — especially when designed intentionally around human needs instead of engagement metrics.
Building inside Big Tech can create incredible opportunities for experimentation and innovation, but also environments where dissent and critical feedback become increasingly difficult.
Humane technology is not about rejecting technology altogether, but about building and consuming it with more moderation, thoughtfulness, and responsibility.
Many people in tech are searching for deeper meaning in their work, and purpose-driven technology can fundamentally change how work feels.
Learn more about Britta's work:
Britta on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittahummel/
Waven: https://waven.app/
Why I Left - Britta's Article on Substack: https://brittahummel.substack.com/p/why-i-left
If this episode made you rethink how you can use your own voice to make tech more humane, how virtual reality is adding real value, or to create a crowdfunded VR headset, let us know in the comments or spread the word.
More episodes & shownotes: https://www.hello5050.world/podcast
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/Hello5050World
Producing partner: Tess Marketing Consulting & Stephan Germann https://www.tess-marketing.ch/ https://videopodcast.studio/
...more
33min
May 13, 2026Open Source: The Power of Collaboration
How open source software shaped today’s digital world and what we can learn from its evolution
“Open source is an immune response to the denial of access to society through technology.” – Aaron Seigo
Key take aways
Early open source communities were built around collaboration, shared learning, and the belief that access to software should not depend on permission from large companies.
Small groups of contributors helped create foundational internet technologies, including browser engines that later influenced products like Safari and Chrome.
AI-generated contributions and large language models are creating new ethical and practical challenges for open source communities.
Open source is not only for developers. People with skills in communication, outreach, business, design, documentation, and community building also play an essential role.
Technology shapes who can participate in society. Open access, transparency, and collaboration are not just technical questions, but societal ones.
Learn more about Aaron’s work
Aaron Seigo on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronseigo/
KDE: https://kde.org/
If this episode made you rethink the role of openness, collaboration, and human contribution in technology, share it with someone in your environment and join the conversation in the comments.
More episodes & shownotes: https://www.hello5050.world/podcast
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/Hello5050World
Producing partner: Tess Marketing Consulting & Stephan Germann https://www.tess-marketing.ch/ https://videopodcast.studio/
...more
39min
April 30, 2026Social Media Architecture: Breaking the Addiction Loop
Why engagement-driven platforms shape our behavior and what it takes to build healthier tech
“It's not just one feature — it's a whole system designed to keep us engaged.” – Vardon Hamdiu
Key take aways
Platforms rely on engagement-driven algorithms, variable rewards, and behavioral patterns that are designed to keep users scrolling and interacting for longer.
When platforms optimize for engagement, they tend to amplify extreme, emotional, or polarizing content, influencing how we perceive reality and interact with others.
Younger generations understand how tech affects them, but knowledge alone is not enough. The real challenge is translating awareness into action and behavioral change.
Sparkable experiments with alternatives such as bridging algorithms and pro-social design to align technology with human and societal well-being.
While reflecting on our own habits matters, real change requires structural shifts in how platforms are built and what they optimize for.
Learn more about Vardon's and Sofiia's work:
Vardon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vardonhamdiu/
Sparkable: https://sparkable.cc/
Sofiia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sofiiakaminska/
Option Control: https://hub.hslu.ch/design-film-kunst/katalog/sofiia-kaminska/
If this episode made you rethink how social media is designed and how it shapes your behavior and those of others, share it with someone in your environment and join the conversation in the comments.
More episodes & shownotes: https://www.hello5050.world/podcast
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/Hello5050World
Producing partner: Tess Marketing Consulting & Stephan Germann
https://www.tess-marketing.ch/ https://videopodcast.studio/
...more
47min
April 16, 2026Data, AI & Health: Risks & Opportunities
Why context matters when building AI for health and how data can both help and harm
"All tech operates in context and it's good for one context. Think about what's the right place for AI, and what is not the right place for this technology." - Lisa Falco
Key take aways
Data can change how we understand our bodies: Tracking cycles, sleep, or health metrics can reveal patterns but it should support, not replace, personal awareness.
Health data is never neutral: The same data that helps improve care can also be used in ways that affect people’s access to insurance, privacy, or even legal protection.
AI can unlock access where systems are limited: In places with few medical specialists, AI can help detect diseases earlier and guide next steps in care.
Real impact depends on the full system: Detecting a disease is only useful if people can afford and access the next step in diagnosis and treatment.
The gender health gap is built into historical data: Women’s health has long been under-researched, but increased awareness and new data are starting to close that gap.
Context decides how AI should be used: The same AI system can act as support in one place and as a primary solution in another.
Learn more about Lisa’s work
Lisa Falco on LinkedIn
Lisa Falco's website
Book: Go Figure!
Company: N23 Health
If this episode made you rethink the role of context and the personal experience when building AI or tech solutions, share it with someone in your environment and join the conversation in the comments.
More episodes & shownotes: Hello 50:50 World Podcast
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/Hello5050World
Producing partner: Tess Marketing Consulting & Stephan Germann
https://www.tess-marketing.ch/ https://videopodcast.studio/
...more
38min
April 01, 2026Designing AI for Humans: The Psychology of Trust & Relationships
Why understanding human-AI relationships is the most overlooked skill in tech
"AI is no longer just a tool. It’s part of our social world and the way people relate to it shapes their behavior.” - Dr. Marisa Tschopp
Key take aways:
Most users don’t experience AI as a tool: Humans naturally humanize systems that talk back, applying concepts known from human interactions such as trust, emotion, and social scripts.
As product builders, you are designing for roles, not just functionality: AI is perceived as a servant, friend, or co-pilot, depending on the user and use case.
Trust is multidimensional and needs calibration: Good AI design helps users understand when to rely on the system and when not to.
Inclusion gap in AI usage: Non-technical users are more likely to overtrust, misinterpret outputs and are more exposed to risks and harm.
High-risk contexts need clear boundaries: AI is already being used in vulnerable moments but current systems are not safe enough (yet) for mental health use.
AI literacy = agency: Understanding how AI works is one of the strongest protections against misuse and overtrust.
Dr. Marisa Tschopp is a corporate researcher at scip AG, a cybersecurity company based in Zurich. She specializes in both academic and corporate research on AI, focusing on human-AI relationships, trust, agency, and gender issues in AI. Since April 1st 2026, she is Head of Subject Area Humans & AI at ZHAW Angewandte Psychologie.
Learn more about Marisa's work
Marisa Tschopp on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-marisa-tschopp-0233a026/
Marisa Tschopp on ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Marisa-Tschopp
If this episode made you rethink how you design or use AI from the perspective of the human psychology, share it with someone in your environment and join the conversation in the comments.
More episodes: https://www.hello5050.world/podcast
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Hello5050World
Producing partner: Tess Marketing Consulting & Stephan Germann
https://www.tess-marketing.ch/
https://videopodcast.studio
...more
35min

FAQs about Hello 50:50 World - Make Tech More Humane:

How many episodes does Hello 50:50 World - Make Tech More Humane have?

The podcast currently has 11 episodes available.