What if ending hunger in America is really just a data problem waiting to be solved? With 42 million Americans facing food assistance cuts in November 2025 and government support disappearing, one AI-powered nonprofit is proving that technology can restore dignity to those experiencing food insecurity.

Discover how Samuel Cole, CTO of Lemon Tree Foods, is using Netflix-style recommendation algorithms and Uber-level user experience to connect over 450,000 households to free food assistance—transforming the way America fights hunger.

The Shocking Truth About Food Access in AmericaThere are more food pantries than McDonald's locations across the United States, yet millions of hungry Americans don't know they exist or feel too stigmatized to visit.

How AI is Revolutionizing Food AssistanceLearn how Lemon Tree uses machine learning recommendation models, real-time user reviews, and human-in-the-loop hospitality specialists to match people with the right food resources—just like booking an Uber or finding a show on Netflix.

Breaking Down Barriers with TechnologyDiscover how sophisticated algorithms combined with compassionate customer support are removing stigma, ensuring data privacy, and bringing enterprise-level hospitality to nonprofit services.

The Data Behind Hunger ReliefFind out how real-time feedback loops and AI-driven insights are reducing food waste, optimizing distribution networks, and identifying food deserts where new pantries are desperately needed.

Why This Matters Now More Than EverWith government hunger programs being eliminated and SNAP benefits cut for millions, nonprofit technology solutions are becoming the critical safety net for American families.

• 00:00 Samuel Cole's journey from Kickstarter & ActBlue to solving food insecurity
• 03:00 Why millions of Americans don't access available food resources
• 06:30 How AI recommendation algorithms match people to food pantries
• 12:00 The human-in-the-loop approach: hospitality specialists + technology
• 16:00 Addressing bias, privacy concerns, and maintaining dignity
• 22:00 The bigger picture: AI's role in redesigning social safety nets
• 28:00 How nonprofits can step up as government support disappears

Samuel Cole is the Chief Technology Officer at Lemon Tree Foods, a groundbreaking nonprofit using artificial intelligence to connect hundreds of thousands of households to food assistance. With a background at major tech companies including Kickstarter and ActBlue (where he helped build fundraising tools for the 2020 Biden campaign), Samuel now applies his engineering expertise to one of America's most pressing challenges: ensuring no one goes hungry.

Need food assistance? Visit FoodHelpline.org to find food pantries near you with just your address—no judgment, maximum dignity.

Want to help? Donate at FoodHelpline.org/donate or organize corporate volunteering with your team to support this critical mission.

Looking for a food pantry to volunteer at? Use Lemon Tree's search tool to discover local pantries in your neighborhood that need volunteers—it's a powerful way to connect with your community.

As America faces unprecedented challenges with food insecurity—including the November 2025 SNAP benefit cuts affecting 42 million people—technology-driven solutions like Lemon Tree are proving that innovation, when combined with compassion, can transform lives at scale. This conversation explores how AI for social good isn't just a buzzword—it's a lifeline for millions of families.

🎙️ Socially Conscious AI Podcast - Exploring cutting-edge innovations transforming our world for the better

👥 Hosts: Valencio Cardoso & Roman Bercot

💡 Bringing you conversations with brilliant minds and ethical pioneers harnessing AI's power to address humanity's greatest challenges

🔔 Subscribe for more conversations with innovators at the intersection of technology and social impact

The world's next billion users are redefining AI's future, and they're not where Silicon Valley expects them to be. Discover why digital sovereignty matters more than profit margins, and how 90% of the world's youth are driving unprecedented tech optimism from the Global South.What You'll LearnCore Insights:• How digital sovereignty empowers communities to control AI development on their own terms• Why the Global South shows explosive AI optimism while the West grows increasingly pessimistic• Real examples of marginalized communities using AI for social change and protest movements• The creator economy revolution driven by AI democratization and multilingual contentKey Topics Covered:• Digital infrastructure and the ethics of Big Tech's undersea cable investments• Balancing AI diversity with scalability - why inclusion drives better business outcomes• CARE principles (Collective benefit, Authenticity, Responsibility, Ethics) for ethical AI development• The romance economy: how AI enables intimate connections across cultural barriers• Behind-the-scenes work at Utrecht University's Inclusive AI Lab with partners like AdobeTimestamps• 00:00 - Digital sovereignty definition and importance• 01:46 - Global South optimism vs Western tech pessimism• 04:36 - AI enabling social change and protest movements• 09:24 - Digital sovereignty in practice: infrastructure and data control• 13:45 - Diversity vs scalability: breaking the false paradox• 16:00 - Inclusive AI Lab methods and Adobe collaboration• 19:50 - CARE principles for ethical AI development• 25:11 - The global romance economy and AI intimacyGuest ExpertDr. Payal Arora - Professor of Inclusive AI Cultures at Utrecht University, co-founder of Inclusive AI Lab, and "Next Billion Champion" by Forbes. Author of award-winning books "The Next Billion Users" and "From Pessimism to Promise," named one of 100 Brilliant Women in AI Ethics.Why This Matters NowWith AI investment reaching $33.9 billion globally and digital sovereignty becoming a national priority for countries worldwide, understanding inclusive AI development is critical. As 1.8 billion people now use AI tools but only 3% pay for premium services, the monetization gap represents massive opportunities for culturally responsive AI solutions.digitalsilk+3Subscribe for more conversations with ethical AI pioneers challenging who shapes technology's future.Connect with our guests:• Dr. Payal Arora on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/payalarora• Inclusive AI Lab: inclusiveailab.orginclusiveailab• Utrecht University Centre for Global Challengesuu#DigitalSovereignty #InclusiveAI #GlobalSouth #AIEthics #TechOptimism #NextBillionUsers #CreatorEconomy #DigitalDemocracy #AIForGood #TechInnovation #DigitalInclusion #AIGovernance #SociallyConsciousAISocially Conscious AI explores cutting-edge innovations transforming our world for the better, featuring conversations with brilliant minds leveraging AI's power to address humanity's most important challenges.

What if the fastest way to responsible AI… is to slow down?World-renowned AI ethicist Di Le joins us to unravel the myth of “frictionless” AI. If you think making everything faster is safer, think again. Discover why intentional friction—those thoughtful speed bumps in design—are crucial for safe, ethical, and user-centered artificial intelligence.In this episode:The hidden dangers of rushing AI innovationWhat the GPT-5 rollout reveals about emotional design and trustHow “intentional friction” protects human autonomy and prevents disasterConcrete strategies for UX designers, product leaders, and anyone building with AIReal stories from robotics and Fortune 500 deploymentsAre we flying too close to the sun, Icarus-style, with AI? Di Le has answers—and they might save us all.👉 Like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more social impact tech.🗣️ Share your take in the comments: Should AI progress be slowed down for safety?🔗 Connect with Di Le: LinkedIn: Di Le | diebot.io🎙️ Catch the full podcast everywhere or subscribe for more episodes!

What happens when artificial intelligence makes critical decisions about your job, your healthcare, and your life – but no one can explain why? In this groundbreaking episode, we explore how ethical AI isn't just an academic concept, but a business imperative that could save your organization's reputation, legal standing, and bottom line.Join hosts Roman Bercot and Valencio Cardoso for an eye-opening conversation with Dr. Reid Blackman, founder and CEO of Virtue Consultancy and author of the acclaimed book "Ethical Machines". As the expert who's guided NASA, the FBI, and Fortune 500 companies through AI's ethical minefields, Reid reveals why most corporate AI ethics principles are "bullshit" and shares the practical framework that turns AI's biggest risks into competitive advantages.🎯 What You'll Discover:• The AI Agent Crisis: Why the next generation of AI agents could create unprecedented ethical chaos – and how to prepare for systems that make decisions across dozens of databases and models simultaneously• Beyond Token Ethics: The shocking truth about why corporate AI principles fail and Reid's actionable framework that transforms vague values into concrete procedures that actually work• Cultural Bias at Scale: How AI systems from a handful of tech giants create a global monoculture – and practical strategies for developing culturally respectful AI without breaking the bank• The Philosophy-to-Practice Pipeline: Reid's fascinating journey from fireworks wholesaling professor to advising the Canadian government on AI regulations, and how deep philosophical thinking translates into boardroom-ready solutions• Government Gap Analysis: Why current regulations are failing to address the real-world complexity of AI deployment and what companies can do to stay ahead of the regulatory curve💡 Key Insights from This Episode:🔸 "Most companies have bullshit AI principles" – Reid explains why fairness, transparency, and accountability sound good but mean nothing without specific procedures🔸 The Foundation Model Fallacy – Why pointing responsibility only at OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft misses the downstream risks that companies actually face🔸 The Human-in-the-Loop Myth – How traditional oversight breaks down when AI agents process billions of data points across complex systems🔸 The 80/20 Ethics Rule – Reid's practical approach to managing AI risks when you can't possibly test every scenario🎧 Perfect For:✅ Business executives implementing AI systems✅ Technology leaders managing AI ethics programs✅ Policy makers working on AI governance✅ Anyone concerned about AI's societal impact✅ Philosophy enthusiasts interested in applied ethics📚 Resources Mentioned:• "Ethical Machines: Your Concise Guide to Totally Unbiased, Transparent, and Respectful AI" by Reid Blackman (Harvard Business Review Press)• Virtue Consultancy – AI ethical risk consulting• Ethical Machines Podcast – Reid's deep-dive discussions on AI ethics🔗 Connect with Dr. Reid Blackman:🌐 Website: reidblackman.com🌐 Company: virtueconsultants.com📧 Newsletter: reidblackman.substack.com🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/reid-blackman🎧 Podcast: Ethical Machines 🎙️ About Socially Conscious AI:We explore cutting-edge innovations transforming our world for the better, bringing you conversations with brilliant minds and ethical pioneers leveraging AI's power to address humanity's most important challenges. Join us as we navigate the intersection of technology, ethics, and social good.👥 Your Hosts: Roman Bercot & Valencio Cardoso tackle the big questions about AI's role in creating a better world, one conversation at a time.💬 Join the Conversation:What ethical AI challenges is your organization facing? Share your thoughts in the comments and let us know what topics you'd like us to explore next!🔔 Subscribe for more insights on ethical AI, responsible innovation, and the brilliant minds working to ensure technology serves humanity's best interests.

What Really Powers Artificial Intelligence? In this episode, we sit down with Krystal Kauffman—research fellow at the Distributed AI Research Institute (DAIR), former lead organizer at Turkopticon, and passionate data worker advocate—to reveal the tough truths and hidden stories behind the AI technology changing our world.If you use digital platforms, voice assistants, or social media, you owe a debt to the invisible data workers who filter our content, train our algorithms, and protect us—from the shadows. This episode uncovers their realities, celebrates their organizing, and gives you practical ways to make a difference. Join the movement for ethically conscious AI!Discover:• The personal journey that brought Krystal—from political campaigns and sudden illness to Mechanical Turk and global data worker organizing.• The often-invisible labor force powering modern AI: data annotators, content moderators, and gig workers worldwide.• First-hand accounts of exploitation, mental health toll, wage disparities, and shocking working conditions faced by data workers in countries like Kenya, Syria, Brazil, and Germany.• How the Data Workers’ Inquiry amplifies worker voices and supports community-led research to expose real conditions inside companies like Meta, Amazon, and major outsourcing firms.• The mounting movement for global data worker rights—including recent wins by the African Content Moderators Union and Data Labelers Association.• The urgent need for policy change, transparency, and mental health protections in digital labor.Key Chapters / Timestamps:• 0:00 Introduction & Krystal’s journey to gig work• 2:00 Life as a Mechanical Turk worker: health, pay, and invisible labor• 5:30 The impact of gig work on vulnerability and mental health• 7:30 Ethical dilemmas: Data annotation for governments and tech giants• 10:00 What really counts as “artificial intelligence”?• 12:10 Shocking stories from the Data Workers’ Inquiry project• 16:00 Why tech companies outsource—and how workers are fighting back• 18:20 What real transparency and fair pay would look like• 22:50 The case for legislative and systemic solutions• 23:45 The myth of full AI automation—why human labor won’t disappear• 25:55 Behind the scenes: What data work actually is, and the rise of worker-led organizing• 28:50 Building trust and organizing across borders (Turkopticon)• 30:53 The power of community-based research (Data Workers’ Inquiry & DAIR)• 33:40 Krystal’s takeaway for listeners: amplify worker voices, demand transparency, and never forget the people behind the techTake Action!• Elevate worker voices and demand transparency from tech companies.• Learn more and connect with organizations fighting for better digital labor standards: ◦ Krystal Kauffman: LinkedIn ◦ Data Workers’ Inquiry: data-workers.org ◦ UNI Global Union: uniglobalunion.org ◦ Data Labelers Association: datalabelers.org ◦ Distributed AI Research Institute (DAIR): dair-institute.org→ Like, comment, and subscribe for more true stories behind AI—and help us keep these vital voices in the conversation!Featured/Referenced:• Krystal Kauffman (DAIR, Turkopticon)• The Data Workers’ Inquiry: worldwide research by and for data workers• African Content Moderators Union, Data Labelers Association, UNI Global Union• DAIR Institute: worker-centered research for ethical AI development#Krystal Kauffman, #AI, #Data Workers, #Gig Work, #Exploitation, #Global Organizing, #Digital Labor, #Ethical AI, #Mental Health, #Transparency, #Labor Rights, #Turkopticon, #Data Workers Inquiry, #Community Research, #UNI Global Union, #Data Labelers Association, #DAIR Institute

What if AI isn't the job-killer we fear, but the catalyst for unprecedented human flourishing?

In this thought-provoking episode of Socially Conscious AI, we sit down with Justin Bean, tech executive, investor, and author of "What Could Go Right? Designing Our Ideal Future to Emerge From Continual Crises to a Thriving World" to explore how artificial intelligence could usher in an era of sustainable abundance rather than scarcity and fear.

🔥 Key Topics Covered:

🌱 Sustainable Abundance Framework• Why the choice between environmental protection and human prosperity is false• Moving beyond "degrowth" to sustainable abundance• The four quadrants: sustainable vs. unsustainable, scarcity vs. abundance

🤖 AI as an Empowerment Tool• How AI democratizes access to expertise and resources• Real-world examples: from SpaceX rockets to contract analysis• Why everyone becomes a "manager" of AI specialists

💼 Triple Bottom Line Business• People, planet, and profit working together• How sustainable practices reduce costs and risks• Building businesses that solve grand challenges

🚗 Practical AI Applications• Computer vision in transportation and smart cities• Material development and drug discovery• The future of autonomous vehicles

⚖️ Navigating AI's Challenges• Democratization vs. corporate control concerns• Privacy, data, and transparency in an AI-driven world• Preventing the "entertainment into oblivion" trap💡

Standout Quotes:"We're approaching this sort of singularity, and we're nearing the event horizon of AI being as capable as us in digital and physical worlds. How can those be our brothers and sisters that are helping us to achieve more in this world?"

🎯 This Episode Is Perfect For:• Entrepreneurs and business leaders• Sustainability advocates• AI enthusiasts and skeptics alike• Anyone curious about technology's role in solving global challenges• Parents concerned about AI's impact on future generations

📚 About Justin Bean:Tech executive and investor focusing on building a future of sustainable abundance. He's worked globally on smart cities, AI, sustainable industry, and transportation projects at both startups and Fortune 500 companies. Author of "What Could Go Right?" - a book that challenges us to envision positive futures rather than focusing solely on potential disasters. Connect with Justin: JustinCBean.com

🔔 Subscribe for more conversations with ethical AI pioneers who are harnessing technology's power to address humanity's greatest challenges.💬 What's your take? Are you optimistic or pessimistic about AI's role in our future? Share your thoughts in the comments!

#AI #SustainableAbundance #EthicalAI #Innovation #Sustainability #FutureOfWork #TechOptimism #ArtificialIntelligence #ClimateChange

In this retrospective episode of 'Socially Conscious AI,' we wrap up Season 1 by revisiting the invaluable insights from our amazing guests. This season, we've discussed the transformative potential of AI in ethics, mental health, education, and the environment. Join us as we reflect on the conversations, share our biggest takeaways, and explore themes like accessibility, sustainability, and the importance of ethical AI. Whether you're a long-time listener or new to the show, this episode is filled with thought-provoking discussions and ideas that have challenged and inspired us. Don't miss out on this comprehensive summary of our journey through Season 1, and get a glimpse of what's coming in Season 2!

Roman Bercot and Valencio Cardoso interview Duncan Mundell, the Head of Invent at AltaML. With over 25 years of experience in business technology and consulting, Duncan shares his journey from selling computers and dial-up internet to leading innovations in AI at AltaML. The conversation delves into responsible AI practices, the Coastal Resiliency Project, the importance of starting small with AI projects, and utilizing AI for impactful outcomes like disaster response and healthcare advancements. The episode highlights the ethical and inclusive approaches of AltaML and the significance of aligning AI projects with core values and business goals.

Matthew Yip, head of Product and Engineering at Benetech, explains how Benetech is revolutionizing accessible education through AI-powered tools like the Bookshare app. Explore the challenges and opportunities in developing inclusive educational technology, the role of digital textbooks, and customization to cater to diverse learning needs. Gain insights on the future of EdTech and the balance between rapid innovation and reliable accessibility solutions, driven by a passion for social impact. Subscribe for more conversations on AI trends and their social benefits.

Laurie Smith, Head of Foresight Research at Nesta, explores the profound impact of emerging AI technologies on society. This episode revolves around Nesta's mission to leverage innovative solutions for health, childhood equality, and sustainable futures. Hosts Valencio Cardoso and Roman Bercot discuss the multidisciplinary approaches—such as data science and strategic foresight—used by Nesta's Discovery Team to identify technology trends. Examples include AI applications in early childhood education and sustainable home heating in the UK.