The AmberMac Show

Timothy Caulfield is the Canadian Research Chair in Health Law & Policy at the University of Alberta. He joins me to talk about why misinformation is an imminent threat, especially during COVID-19. We also discuss why so many people believe conspiracy theories and how #ScienceUpFirst wants to change that. Plus, I share some words of wisdom from Arnold Schwarzenegger on Facebook.

Dr. Samir Sinha is the Director of Geriatrics at Sinai Health in Toronto. He joins me to talk about why thousands of residents of long-term care are dying during COVID-19. Plus, why for-profit homes are faring worse and how years of neglect is leading to chaos. I also attend a LTC protest and speak with Dr. Vivian Stamatopoulos about what's happening inside these homes. Spoiler alert: too often, care is not top-of-mind.

Dr. Isaac Bogoch is an infectious disease physician who you have probably seen on the nightly news. In today’s episode, we discuss how vaccines are made, why we should trust them, and what to do about social media misinformation. Plus, in today's essay, I share why we might want to remember the early days of the Internet to guide us through 2021.

Dr. Rumman Chowdhury is one of the Top 10 Most Influential AI Experts on Twitter (Information Week), and the CEO and founder of Parity. In today’s episode, we discuss what we should fear about the future of automation and what skills are necessary to survive. Plus, I share my thoughts on the acceleration of AI during COVID-19 and why we should demand algorithmic transparency from today’s big tech players.

Amy Morin is a bestselling author on mental strength. From her sailboat in the Florida Keys, she joins me to discuss her self-care path and what not to do along the way. To further dive into this topic, certified emotional intelligence and neuro-life coach Karlyn Percil shares why self-care isn’t selfish, and how our online and offline friends play a critical role in our success.

Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau and COVID Alert Advisory Co-Chair Jean-Francois Gagne join me to discuss how the country’s exposure notification app can help us protect ourselves  - and each other - during this second wave of COVID-19. We explain how this technology works, why it’s safe, and where it’s available.

Download the COVID Alert App here:

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19/covid-alert.html

Alex Kantrowitz, the author of Always Day One and host of the Big Technology Podcast, joins me to discuss why algorithms are a lot like junk food without the regulation. To further discuss the societal impact of artificial intelligence systems, AI Now Institute Co-founder Meredith Whittaker shares what we need to know about built-in bias and discrimination.

Higher education futurist Bryan Alexander on pandemic problems on campus and K-12 strategist Dwayne Matthews on why COVID-19 is accelerating the future of learning.

Connect with our guests.

• Bryan Alexander on Twitter 
• Dwayne Matthews on Twitter

Connect with AmberMac on Twitter

Each episode, the AmberMac show unpacks technology PLUS. The PLUS is everything from politics to education, algorithms to AI, misinformation to marketing, and everything in between. Technology reporter and author AmberMac is your guide on this journey, along with diverse voices, global thinkers, and a thoughtful essay to move us all forward - together.