The Rundown

Geoffrey Hinton, the "Godfather of AI," recently left Google warning of the dangers posed by AI. And thousands of AI researchers have signed an open letter calling for a six-month pause on AI development, which raises the sci-fi-like question: Does AI pose an existential threat to humanity? And from the printing press to the steam engine and the internet, is this technological moment any different than those in the past?

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Using an earlier version of ChatGPT researchers were able to translate the private thoughts of human subjects by analyzing brain scans, including what they were seeing while watching a silent film. How is this possible? What does this growing ability to decode brain activity mean for understanding mental illness? And what are the ethical implications of being able to read minds? For insight, we welcome Marcel Just, a pioneer of this research.

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In late April, the Haliburton Highlands Health Services announced it was cancelling emergency services in Minden and consolidating with the Haliburton hospital, approximately 30 minutes away. The closure is effective June 1.
A grassroots group has formed and this week presented more than 16,000 signatures in support of reversing the decision to Queen's Park. To discuss why this measure is concerning residents of the rural town with population of 7,000 that swells during the summer cottage season, we welcome Patrick Porzuczek, spokesperson for Save Minden Ontario Emergency Room, and Dr. Alan Drummond, physician and emergency medicine advocate with the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians.

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Loneliness isn't just unpleasant. It turns out it's also bad for your health and for social cohesion. What may have been a taboo topic prior to the pandemic is now higher on the list of social issues to solve. For some insight, we welcome Pete Bombaci, founder and executive director of the not-for-profit GenWell Project, that aims to be a Canadian-led, global human connection movement;
David Kepes, CEO of CompanionLink, a registered charity that connects isolated people, particularly seniors, with volunteers for social connection; Miriam Amdur, founder of the 52 Friends Project, which is on a mission to reduce the stigma around loneliness and prioritize friendship; and Steve Joordens, professor of psychology at the University of Toronto Scarborough.

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Canada is well known for being sanctuary to 30,000 American slaves, desperate to reach the end of the Underground Railroad, north of their border. Much is also said of the tens of thousands of Canadians who donned blue uniforms and enlisted with Lincoln's Union army during the American Civil War. But, leading members of this country's political, media, business, and religious elite were conspiring to help the South win. This took the form of harbouring spies, financial assistance, terrorism, and even welcoming Lincoln's would-be assassin John Wilkes Booth. Julian Sher discusses his latest book, "The North Star: Canada and the Civil War Plots Against Lincoln."

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Ontario Minister of Education Stephen Lecce, joins Steve Paikin to discuss Bill 98, the Better Schools and Student Outcomes Act, and what it means for the education system.

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The Ontario government has introduced Bill 98, the Better Schools and Student Outcomes Act, which gives the ministry more power over school boards. Mike Ramsay, school trustee for Waterloo Region District School Board and Cathy Abraham, president of Ontario Public School Boards' Association, join Steve Paikin to give their response to the bill.

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In Ontario eduction, we want to reward students who work hard in their spare time to develop other skills such as playing a musical instrument, joining the choir, or becoming good dancers. But we also want to ensure that all kids, regardless of their circumstances, get a chance to experience those enriching activities, too. Can that be done? Can we have both merit and equity in public education?

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The coronation of King Charles III creates a new historical point for the British monarchy. To discuss the significance of the weekend's ceremonial and traditional events, we welcome Jennifer Robson, author of a novel "Coronation Year," set against the backdrop of Queen Elizabeth's 1953 inauguration.

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As high inflation sends record numbers of Ontarians to food banks, we look at the history of charitable organizations in Canada and their purpose today. How did places originally intended for temporary aid in the 1980s become permanent staples for those in need and increasingly the working poor? Experts examine where the responsibility for tackling food poverty should lie, when it comes to governments, charities, corporations, and citizens.

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