BrainTrainr: AI for Social Impact Podcast

🎤 On this episode of the “BrainTrainr: AI for Social Impact Podcast”, we welcome Lynnsey Chartrand to our conversation! As the Indigenous Projects Manager at Mila - Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute, Lynnsey is a trailblazer dedicated to weaving Indigenous Knowledges, voices, and perspectives into the rapidly evolving AI landscape. Her career spans policy innovation, Indigenous programming at McGill University, and a steadfast commitment to equal opportunities within Canada’s economic ecosystem 🇨🇦. Born and raised in Treaty 4 territory and proudly rooted in her Red River Métis heritage, Lynnsey brings both personal passion and professional expertise to her transformative work. 💡 In this episode, we explored: - The reciprocal relationship between Indigenous perspectives and AI innovation. - How reciprocity can reshape AI systems. - Why Indigenous values are vital to AI safety and responsible innovation. Lynnsey’s insights challenge us to reimagine technology as a tool for empowerment, guided by diverse perspectives and ethical frameworks. Catch this inspiring conversation to learn how AI can serve Indigenous communities and how Indigenous knowledge can enrich the global AI ecosystem. 🔗 Watch or listen on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gkZi52Kn 🔗 Watch or listen on Spotify: https://lnkd.in/g86EbKXb #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #IndigenousInnovation #ReciprocalAI #EthicalAI #IndigenousPerspectives #SocialImpact #Inclusion #LynnseyChartrand #Podcast #MilaQuebec #FutureOfTech Community Foundations of Canada | Fondations communautaires du Canada Alex Tveit Manuela Garzón ★Michelle Baldwin

🎙️On this episode of the “BrainTrainr: AI for Social Impact Podcast”, we are thrilled to feature Ceyda Yolgormez from Abundant Intelligences! As a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Indigenous Futures Foundation Research Cluster, Ceyda works at the intersection of technology, sociology, and human-machine relations. Her groundbreaking PhD research explores a sociology of machines—rethinking human-machine connections beyond control and instrumentality to emphasize creativity, play, and collaborative socialities. We discussed the concurrent themes of: - Joyful resistance in tech: how creativity and play open pathways to reimagine AI. - Empowerment through design: real-world examples of marginalized communities using tech as a tool for self-determination. - Inclusive innovation: strategies to transform technology spaces into empowering, human-centered environments. 💡 Ceyda’s insights challenge us to move beyond common-sense narratives about human-machine relations and consider who gets to decide the future of technology. Her perspective is a call to action for inclusivity, creativity, and community-led innovation in AI. Catch this inspiring conversation about rethinking tech, reclaiming power, and creating a more inclusive digital world 🌎. 🔗 Watch or listen on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gbN5A4vC 🔗 Watch or listen on Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gyUf_arZ #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #HumanMachineRelations #IndigenousFutures #SociologyOfMachines #InclusiveTech #EmpoweringCommunities #JoyfulResistance #EthicalAI #SocialInnovation #CeydaYolgormez #Podcast #FutureOfTech #AIInclusivity #TechForGood #CreativeAI Community Foundations of Canada | Fondations communautaires du Canada Alex Tveit Manuela Garzón ★Michelle Baldwin

🎧 On this episode of the “BrainTrainr: AI for Social Impact Podcast”, we are excited to have Renee Black as our guest! As the Founder & CEO of GoodBot, Renee Black is an influential advocate for ethical AI, digital rights, and combating disinformation. With an impressive track record that includes founding PeaceGeeks—a Canadian nonprofit focused on technology and humanitarian conflict response—Renee has been a trailblazer in addressing the societal challenges posed by emerging technologies. From her advanced studies in public and international affairs to her Google Impact Award recognition, Renee embodies a commitment to leveraging AI for social good. Her insights during our conversation were nothing short of transformative. In our conversation we discussed: - AI for Social Good: How AI can address complex societal challenges. - Ethical AI: Building tools that prioritize fairness and transparency. - Digital Literacy: Why equipping communities with AI knowledge is crucial in an evolving tech landscape. 💡 Renee shared actionable strategies to fight algorithmic bias, harness AI responsibly, and empower underserved communities. Her passion for creating inclusive, tech-driven solutions left us inspired to think bigger and act bolder. Catch the full conversation to hear Renee's journey as a changemaker, her vision for an AI-integrated future, and how we can shape a world where technology uplifts all. 🌎 🔗 Watch or listen on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gCM__t2B 🔗 Watch or listen on Spotify: https://lnkd.in/g7TBmDNk #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #EthicalAI #DigitalRights #Inclusion #SocialImpact #FutureOfWork #ReneeGoodbot #Podcast #Innovation #TechForGood #HumanCenteredDesign #AIInclusion #DigitalTransformation Community Foundations of Canada | Fondations communautaires du Canada Alex Tveit Manuela Garzón Tobi Kamoru ★Michelle Baldwin

🎙️ Excited to feature Jerrold McGrath on one of our latest episodes! As an artist, cultural theorist, and writer—and the driving force behind UKAI Projects—Jerrold challenges us to envision alternative futures in an age of rapid technological change, rising authoritarianism, and climate challenges. His work dives deep into rethinking ideologies by deconstructing and reassembling the cultural frameworks that shape our lives. From his roles at the Banff Centre and Artscape Launchpad to groundbreaking programs like the Algorithmic Culture project with the Goethe-Institut Toronto, Jerrold has consistently pushed the boundaries of how culture intersects with technology. He raises compelling questions about AI, urging us to consider who shapes these tools and whose values are embedded within them. 💡 We explored his concept of “making a home amidst ruins” and how local contexts can provide insights into larger societal shifts. Jerrold shared fascinating insights from his recent project in Iceland, where artists created immersive spaces embodying future collapses—a thought-provoking look at resilience and adaptation. Catch the full conversation to hear about his experiences, the intersections of art and AI, and how we can envision a future where diverse narratives coexist. 🔗 Watch or listen on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/g2irVWpC 🔗 Watch or listen on Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gMzfdz8n #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #CulturalTheory #ArtandAI #SocialImpact #JerroldMcGrath #Podcast #UKAIProjects #FutureOfWork #EmergingTechnologies #ArtInTheDigitalAge #DigitalTransformation #Inclusion #ClimateChange #Innovation #HumanCenteredDesign #EthicalAI #SocialInnovation #CulturalImpact #SustainableFuture #TechForGood #FutureThinking #Storytelling #CreativeEconomy #SystemsChange #LocalSolutions #GlobalChallenges #DigitalArt #ArtistCommunity #NewPerspectives #Imagination #TechPolicy #EthicsInAI #CommunityDriven #PowerOfArt #ChangeMakers #Collaboration #NarrativeBuilding #BeyondBoundaries Community Foundations of Canada | Fondations communautaires du Canada Alex Tveit Manuela Garzón Tobi Kamoru ★Michelle Baldwin

🚀 New Episode Alert! 🚀 Excited to share the latest episode of the BrainTrainr: AI for Social Impact Podcast, where we delve into transformative strategies for nonprofits with Tim Lockie, Founder of The Human Stack. Tim’s insights challenge traditional tech thinking and push for a people-first approach in nonprofit tech. 🎙️ Episode Highlights: In this conversation, Tim shares his vision on how AI and technology can be harnessed by nonprofits—without sacrificing affordability or losing the human touch. Key takeaways include: - The importance of focusing on the "human stack" just as much as the "tech stack" for nonprofits. - How structuring roles like “Information Systems Manager” can transform tech adoption within small to mid-sized nonprofits. - Why it’s critical for leaders to experience AI personally to break down silos and build cohesive tech strategies. - Practical, sustainable approaches to integrating AI for maximum impact. "Generative AI is so end-user focused; it’s one of the only technologies where an executive with no background can step in, put up a prompt, and get immediate value. But for organizations to benefit, leaders need to see its value personally. This can break down silos, help teams coordinate, and create shared tools that finally bring everyone onto the same page with tech." – Tim Lockie 🔍 Who is Tim Lockie? Tim is the visionary behind The Human Stack, a consultancy dedicated to empowering nonprofits with technology that is affordable, human-centered, and impactful. With years of experience in nonprofit tech and data systems, Tim champions the integration of technology in ways that support mission-driven organizations without overwhelming their resources. He is an advocate for roles and systems that help nonprofits work smarter, not harder. 🎧 Tune in now to be inspired by Tim’s approach to nonprofit tech and his vision for a balanced, people-first AI transformation in the sector. Listen/watch on Spotify: https://lnkd.in/ehCzsJGk Listen/watch on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/eXFpxaUj #AIforSocialImpact #NonprofitTech #ResponsibleAI #TechforGood #HumanStack #NonprofitInnovation #AITransformation #BrainTrainr #Podcast #AIIntegration #SocialImpact Community Foundations of Canada | Fondations communautaires du Canada ★Michelle Baldwin Alex Tveit Tobi Kamoru Manuela Garzón

🚀 New Episode Alert! 🚀 Excited to share the latest episode of the BrainTrainr: AI for Social Impact Podcast, where we dive deep into the future of AI, ethics, and social impact with none other than Elena Yunusov. 🎙️ Episode Highlights: In this conversation, we explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and the nonprofit sector. Elena shares her powerful insights on: - Why the social impact sector is best positioned to lead the responsible adoption of AI. - The urgent need for AI literacy and capacity building within nonprofits. - How AI can be a transformative tool for making society better, but only if we bring the sector along. - Learning from past mistakes in technology adoption (like social media) to ensure AI helps, not harms, society. "My main call to action has always been, the future needs us. This technology needs us. AI is developing in ways that require society’s input, like raising a child. We can’t just leave it to the wolves in the woods. We need to guide it to be engaging and helpful, to be the Superman it can be. We need to accelerate adoption, collaborate on frameworks, data policies, and use cases to move forward faster. The danger is not that we won't adopt it, but that we will be too slow." – Elena Yunusov 🔍 Who is Elena? Elena Yunusov is the Founder and Executive Director of the Human Feedback Foundation, fostering a more open, human-centered, and transparent future for AI. Her team also runs the popular LLM Reading Group on Discord with 1,200+ members, hosting top AI researchers from OpenAI, Cohere, Google DeepMind, and various universities. With an innovation-driven career spanning emerging technology, public sector, and journalism, Elena has held pivotal roles at Borealis AI, Highline Beta, and Shyft Network, and has worked with top organizations like RBC, AB InBev, Aviva, Intuit, Deloitte, and more. She has also been recognized among the ‘Top Women in Canadian Tech’ and nominated for the RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards. 🎧 Tune in now to get inspired by Elena’s journey and her vision for a more responsible and equitable AI-driven future! Listen/watch on Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gSjzFb_z Listen/watch on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gn-BsUJE #AIforSocialImpact #ResponsibleAI #TechforGood #NonprofitInnovation #AIethics #AIliteracy #SocialImpact #BrainTrainr #Podcast #AITransformation #ElenaYunusov Community Foundations of Canada | Fondations communautaires du Canada Alex Tveit Tobi Kamoru Manuela Garzón