The Jason de Sousa Show

In this episode, we’re joined by Rob Stokes, Chairman of Faith Housing Alliance and Professor of Environment and Sustainability, to discuss some of today's most pressing social issues.

We begin with the housing crisis in Sydney and Melbourne, now among the world’s most expensive cities. Rob shares insights from his work on how we can address this growing challenge.

We’ll also take an in-depth look at the state of education in Australia. Despite significant investments, recent NAPLAN results reveal persistent disparities, with many students falling below the national standard. Rob will discuss the key challenges facing our education system and share his thoughts on how we can create a more equitable and effective system for all students.

We then explore Australia’s journey toward net-zero emissions and renewable energy. With rising power costs and massive infrastructure demands, Rob offers his take on whether we’re on the right path.

Tune in for a deep dive into these critical issues with Rob Stokes.

In this episode of the Smarter Cities Podcast, Dr. Helena Pacitti, an Associate Lecturer at UNSW with a PhD in behavioural neuroscience, discusses the impact of AI on education. As concerns about the effects of social media on mental health and cognitive development continue to grow, Jason de Sousa and Dr. Pacitti raises important questions about the role of AI in enhancing or harming learning. We explore how we can identify and combat fake news online, and what we need to do to ensure that AI is built in a way that contributes positively to education.

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Tim de Sousa, Senior Director Technology (Privacy | Information Governance | Emerging Tech). Tim joined Smarter Cities to delve into data, privacy, and misinformation. He discusses the potential consequences of the importance of data, data for the sake of data, and the consequences of it falling into the wrong hands. Listen and subscribe at Spotify here: https://lnkd.in/fJq96sk Listen and subscribe at Apple Podcasts here: https://lnkd.in/fRBYnZf You Tube: https://lnkd.in/g8rFxGf E-mail us at [email protected]

Can artificial intelligence represent the solution for fostering more robust, efficient, and just economies and societies? Kelly Brough, Head of Applied Intelligence Australia New Zealand at Accenture, contends that beneath the surface lies a multifaceted landscape. Kelly delves into diverse AI applications, its potential as a remedy, and the pragmatic considerations involving regulatory frameworks. Listen and subscribe at Spotify here: https://lnkd.in/fJq96sk Listen and subscribe at Apple Podcasts here: https://lnkd.in/fRBYnZf You Tube: https://youtu.be/_Hk1L5RxczA  E-mail us at [email protected]

Maddy Proud is Co-Captain of the NSW Swifts netball team, represents Australia in national netball and is the author of the children's story series "Grace on the Court". Maddy joined Smarter Cities to discuss why sport is so important to the development of children and communities and what it is like to play sport at the highest levels. Listen and subscribe at Spotify here: https://lnkd.in/fJq96sk Listen and subscribe at Apple Podcasts here: https://lnkd.in/fRBYnZf You Tube: https://lnkd.in/g8rFxGf E-mail us at [email protected]

Tim Williams is a passionate advocate and expert in designing, procuring and delivering better cities.

Originally from the UK, Tim was a founding member of the Blair Government’s Prime Minister’s delivery unit, which drove significant policy reforms to British Government services, and served as special adviser on urban development, city strategy and housing to successive UK ministers. From there, he advised both national and regional authorities on the development and regeneration of East London, ensuring the UK achieved a lasting dividend from its investment in the 2012 London Olympics.

Since arriving Australia since 2010, Tim has continued his advocacy for better cities across senior public facing roles, including the Committee for Sydney, and serves as a Cities advocate for Grimshaw Architects among many other roles.

As Australian cities face rising populations, continued infrastructure development needs and an aspiration for our nation to step up as a senior middle power economy in the world, how should we move forward in meeting these challenges?

Tim Williams joined Smarter Cities to debate this question.

Smarter Cities with Jason de Sousa is produced by (the wonderful): - Erin Brown - Lily Tran - Alex Herbert - Jack Duffin

Listen and subscribe to the Smarter Cities Podcast 

at Spotify here: https://lnkd.in/fJq96sk

at Apple Podcasts here: https://lnkd.in/fRBYnZf

at You Tube here: https://lnkd.in/g8rFxGf

E-mail us at [email protected]

As the world faces rising energy costs and global inflationary pressures, the case for Net Zero by 2050 might be under question. However, Russell Fortmeyer, Woods Baggot’s Global Head of Sustainability, argues the business case has never been stronger.

Visiting Australia from California, Russell joined Smarter Cities to argue the case.

Smarter Cities Podcast

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Listen and subscribe at Apple Podcasts here: https://lnkd.in/fRBYnZf

You Tube: https://lnkd.in/g8rFxGf

E-mail us at [email protected]

How do business improvement districts (BIDs) create better cities? Jace Tyrrell is an expert on building them and is also the inaugural CEO of Australia’s very first Business Improvement District – the New Sydney Waterfront Company.

He joined Smarter Cities to explain why a BID is right for Sydney. Catch the Smarter Cities Podcast at: Listen and subscribe at Spotify here: https://lnkd.in/fJq96sk Listen and subscribe at Apple Podcasts here: https://lnkd.in/fRBYnZf You Tube: https://lnkd.in/g8rFxGf E-mail us at [email protected]

Sarah Kay, Global Client lead at architecture firm Woods Bagot, joins Smarter Cities to talk about the business of architecture in changing cities and what is like to run an architecture practice with a global reach. Catch the Smarter Cities Podcast at: Listen and subscribe at Spotify here: https://lnkd.in/fJq96sk Listen and subscribe at Apple Podcasts here: https://lnkd.in/fRBYnZf You Tube: https://lnkd.in/g8rFxGf E-mail us at [email protected]