Where We Live

A Google engineer has claimed that the company’s artificial intelligence application is sentient, leaving many to wonder about the role of A-I in our lives.

Today, we explore the ethics of artificial intelligence, and what the future looks like for this complicated technology.

University of Toronto Professor Dr. Karina Vold, a philosopher of cognitive science and artificial intelligence joins us.

Do you notice AI in your life? It might be more present than you think.

GUESTS:

• Dr. Karina Vold - Professor at the University of Toronto’s Institute for History and Philosophy of Science and Technology
• Reid Blackman - Founder and CEO of Virtue, an AI ethics consultancy and author of the forthcoming book “Ethical Machines”

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“Imagine you’ve done everything right your entire life – studied hard, worked hard, maybe even graduated at the top of your class, only to suddenly face the threat of deportation to a country that you know nothing about, with a language that you may not even speak. That’s what gave rise to the DREAM Act. It says that if your parents brought you here as a child, if you've been here for five years, if you’re willing to go to college or serve in our military, you can one day earn your citizenship,” President Barack Obama

President Obama’s DREAM Act in 2012 offered protections to more than 611,000 undocumented immigrants to live in this country without fear of being deported.

But their dream of American citizenship has been deferred over and over again due to Congressional delays and court challenges over the legality of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals or DACA program

This hour on Where We Live, we look into DACA’s legal challenges and the ongoing efforts by the Worker and Immigrant Rights Advocacy Clinic at Yale to protect undocumented young immigrants. We also hear from one of the early DACA recipients in Connecticut, and from a Connecticut resident who is not eligible for the program.

Later, we talk about the economic impact of immigrants to the nation.

The Higher Ed Immigration Portal estimates that the federal tax contributions of DACA-eligible residents in Connecticut totals $39.6 million, and state and local tax contributions amount to $30 million.

According to the Migration Policy Institute, there were 3,360 DACA recipients in Connecticut as of Dec. 2021. There are an estimated 12,000 DACA-eligible individuals statewide.

GUESTS: 

Michael Wishnie: Founder of the Worker and Immigrant Rights Advocacy Clinic; and Professor, Yale Law School.

Carolina Bortoletto: Early DACA recipient and Co-founder, Connecticut Students for a Dream

Najely Clavijo: Undocumented immigrant who does not qualify for DACA

Fred Carstensen: Professor of Economics, University of Connecticut

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Through his art, Mohamad Hafez confronts preconceived notions of refugees and the "baggage" they may carry. He was recently the subject of an Oscars-shortlisted documentary, an intimate portrait of how Hafez's acclaimed UNPACKED series was informed by his own experience leaving Syria.

This hour, we visit Hafez at his studio, just above the location of his latest venture, Pistachio Cafe. Hear about why he opened this coffee shop and "cultural salon" in the heart of New Haven’s Westville neighborhood. Plus, hear how he has adapted his artwork into workshops with Connecticut schools; and preview an upcoming partnership with the Yale Peabody Museum.

"How do you tell these stories artistically? How do you tell that my family or the Syrian family or Iraqi family is worthy of attention?"

Hafez says he is "energized to make artwork that brings people together, that teaches them ever-so-gently about that other that they fear, about that other refugee that they think is uncivilized. There's nothing better than sharing humanity, sharing stories, sharing anecdotes about our lives. Because, you know, that's the human connection amongst all of us.

GUESTS:

• Mohamad Hafez: Artist; Architect; Owner, Pistachio Cafe

Cat Pastor contributed to this show which originally aired March 24.Where We Live is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode!

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Indian immigrant Indra Nooyi led PepsiCo as chairman and CEO for more than a decade, making her one of the most powerful women in corporate America.

Nooyi is also on the board of Amazon, a Dean's Advisory Council member at MIT's School of Engineering, and advisor on economic development to Gov. Ned Lamont. When the pandemic hit, she led the reopening committee with Dr. Albert Ko, who is the Raj and Indra Nooyi Professor of Public Health at the Yale School of Public Health.

This hour on Where We Live, Nooyi joins us to talk about her new book My Life in Full: Work, Family, and Our Future.

We learn how paid leave impacted her early career after the birth of her children, and after a horrific car crash. Paid leave also allowed her to care for both her parents – her father had cancer, and her mother became paralyzed from the neck down. It’s one of the reasons she now urges companies to provide the benefit of paid leave for workers today.

GUEST:

• Indra Nooyi: Former Chairman and CEO, PepsiCo. Author of My Life in Full: Work, Family, and Our Future

Cat Pastor contributed to this show which originally aired April 20.

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What’s your child’s experience playing sports? We want to hear from you.

Youth sports look much different than 10 and 20 years ago. With increasing costs and limited spots, fewer children are playing sports, and many aren’t getting enough physical activity.

Today, we explore who gets the privilege to play on a team.

We hear from Jon Solomon, Editorial Director for the Aspen Institute Sports and Society Program and we talk to a longtime coach in Hartford.

GUESTS:

• Jaqui Rabe Thomas - Hartford parent and journalist that covers children's issues
• Coach Harry Bellucci - Hartford Public High School
• Jon Solomon - Editorial Director for the Aspen Institute Sports and Society Program
• Steve Boyle - Executive Director of 2-4-1 Sports, a sports sampling program.

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If you or someone you know has struggled with substance use disorder, where would you go for help?

This hour on Where We Live, we look at the shortage of hospital beds for the treatment of substance use disorder. We’ll also discuss efforts to reduce repeat ER visits for overdose. And, Connecticut State Senator Dr. Saud Anwar highlights gaps in private insurance coverage and the need for payment reform, as well as the need for full compliance with a 2019 law.

We’ll hear from the head of an out-patient treatment clinic on the shortage of psychiatrists and clinicians required for Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT), and efforts by clinics to attract and retain healthcare personnel.

And, the executive director of Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital discusses overcrowding at the ER and longer wait times for hospital beds for pediatric patients in a mental health crisis.

If you or someone you know is seeking treatment for substance use disorder, call the local helpline 1-800-563-4086 to connect with resources.

If you or someone you know requires help for a child in a mental health crisis, call 2-1-1 for assistance and support.

GUESTS: 

• Dr. Saud Anwar: Connecticut State Senator (East Hartford, Ellington, East Windsor, South Windsor); Chair, Children's Committee and Acting Chair, Public Health Committee
• Sabrina Trocchi: CEO, Wheeler Clinic
• Cynthia Sparer: Executive Director, Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital

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Pedestrian deaths reached a 40-year high in 2021, according to a preliminary report from the Governors Highway Safety Association.

In Connecticut, pedestrian deaths have more than doubled since 2011. The State Department of Transportation says this due in part to larger and heavier vehicles on the road, and more reckless driving during the pandemic.

This hour, we talk to CTDOT and one town engineer about how driver safety, transportation planning and enforcement all play a part in prevention.

We also hear from a West Hartford resident who was struck by a car while crossing a crosswalk in 2017.

GUESTS:

• Stefanie Marco Lantz: Mixed Media Artist, KiNDSPiN Design; West Hartford Resident
• Greg Sommer: Town Engineer, West Hartford
• Garrett Eucalitto: Deputy Commissioner, Connecticut Department of Transportation

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Lifeguarding isn’t just a part time summer job; for many, it’s serious life saving work.

Today, we explore the lifeguard shortage nationwide and how it impacts residents in our state. Data show that drownings are on the rise.

We hear from the American Lifeguard Association about the need for more lifeguards, and better water competency.

Did you ever work as a lifeguard or have an encounter with a lifeguard? We want to hear from you.

Up first, we hear from a psychologist about Jennifer's Law and recognizing coercive control.

GUESTS:

• Dr. Christine Cocchiola - Doctor in Clinical Social Welfare and Licensed Clinical Social Worker
• Wyatt Werneth - Spokesmen for the American Lifeguard Association
• Valerie Stolfi Collins - Executive Director of Connecticut Recreation and Parks Association
• Bailey Dailey - Recreation Supervisor at Winding Trails and Co-chair of the aquatics section for CRPA

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The National Marine Fisheries Service says seaweed farming is the fastest-growing aquaculture in the U.S.

Suzie Flores and her husband Jay Douglass launched Stonington Kelp Co. in 2017, and now run one of the largest commercial kelp farms in Connecticut. Stonington Kelp Co. is also a "regenerative ocean farm."

Kelp helps to absorb carbon and nitrogen from the water as it grows, "resulting in a nutrient-dense super food that helps clean the ocean."

This hour, we hear from Flores as well as Connecticut Sea Grant's Anoushka Concepcion to discuss the benefits of growing sugar kelp, and sustainable fishing and farming in the Long Island Sound.

Concepcion helped develop a food safety guide for Connecticut seaweed, and is focused on the broader seaweed aquaculture industry.

Plus, the Shipwright’s Daughter is one restaurant using its buying power to push for sustainable fishing and farming. Executive Chef David Standridge will join us.

GUESTS:

• Anoushka Concepcion: Extension Educator in Marine Aquaculture, Connecticut Sea Grant and UConn Extension System
• Suzie Flores: Principal Owner, Stonington Kelp Co.
• David Standridge: Executive Chef, The Shipwright's Daughter Restaurant

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Beauty standards change with each generation, but today’s standards of beauty seem to be more unachievable than ever.

Today, we talk about how the beauty industry and its influencers are causing a rise in cosmetic surgeries.

Beauty reporter Jessica DeFino joins us. She writes the “Unpublishable," a beauty critical newsletter.

Think about the type of beauty products you consume. What influences you?

GUESTS:

• Jessica DeFino - Freelance Beauty Reporter and writer of the Unpublishable Newsletter
• Alka Menon - Assistant Professor of Sociology at Yale University

Our programming is made possible thanks to listeners like you. Please consider supporting this show and Connecticut Public with a donation today by visiting ctpublic.org/donate.

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