Designing a Humane Future

What if the future of technology was designed with empathy at its core? In Episode 9 of the Designing a Humane Future podcast, we explore how social media and artificial intelligence are reshaping our lives—and how young people, ethical innovators, and inclusive design practices are showing us a better way forward. From Minecraft servers built for neurodiverse youth to AI systems that know when to hand off to a human, this two-part episode dives into the systems we build—and the future we want to shape. Listen now to discover how we can transform powerful technologies into tools for care, connection, and collective well-being. __ Learn more about the experts interviewed this episode by visiting the following links (in order of appearance): Kara Brisson-Boivin Director of Research, MediaSmarts https://mediasmarts.ca/ Dr. Skye Barbic
 Associate Professor, Department of Occupational Science and Occupation Therapy, 
University of British Columbia (UBC) https://osot.ubc.ca/our-research/our-faculty/skye-barbic/ Stuart Duncan Founder, Autcraft https://www.autcraft.com/ Kevin Tuer Chief Technology Officer, Communitech https://www.communitech.ca/ Fion Lee-Madan Technical Co-Founder, COO, Fairly AI https://www.fairly.ai/ Brian Ritchie
 Founder & CEO, kama.ai https://kama.ai/

What if the future of technology was designed with empathy at its core? In Episode 9 of the Designing a Humane Future podcast, we explore how social media and artificial intelligence are reshaping our lives—and how young people, ethical innovators, and inclusive design practices are showing us a better way forward. From Minecraft servers built for neurodiverse youth to AI systems that know when to hand off to a human, this two-part episode dives into the systems we build—and the future we want to shape. Listen now to discover how we can transform powerful technologies into tools for care, connection, and collective well-being. __ Learn more about the experts interviewed this episode by visiting the following links (in order of appearance): Kara Brisson-Boivin Director of Research, MediaSmarts https://mediasmarts.ca/ Dr. Skye Barbic
 Associate Professor, Department of Occupational Science and Occupation Therapy, 
University of British Columbia (UBC) https://osot.ubc.ca/our-research/our-faculty/skye-barbic/ Stuart Duncan Founder, Autcraft https://www.autcraft.com/ Kevin Tuer Chief Technology Officer, Communitech https://www.communitech.ca/ Fion Lee-Madan Technical Co-Founder, COO, Fairly AI https://www.fairly.ai/ Brian Ritchie
 Founder & CEO, kama.ai https://kama.ai/

This is a two-part ­episode that examines housing as a right with a focus on housing the middle and creating affordable, sustainable housing for middle-income households. In both parts, we’ll learn more about what led us to the housing crisis we are now facing in Canada and explore the efforts to ensure there is enough housing for all. Learn more about the experts interviewed this episode by visiting the following links (in order of appearance): Andrea Nemtin Chief Executive Officer, Social Innovation Canada Mitchell Cohen President & CEO, The Daniels Corporation Tim Ross Executive Director, Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada Joshua Barndt Executive Director, The Neighbourhood Land Trust Graham Haines Project Manager, Housing Policy, City Planning Division, City of Toronto Marc Soberano Founder & Executive Director, Building Up

This is a two-part ­episode that examines housing as a right with a focus on housing the middle and creating affordable, sustainable housing for middle-income households. In both parts, we’ll learn more about what led us to the housing crisis we are now facing in Canada and explore the efforts to ensure there is enough housing for all. Learn more about the experts interviewed this episode by visiting the following links (in order of appearance): Andrea Nemtin Chief Executive Officer, Social Innovation Canada Mitchell Cohen President & CEO, The Daniels Corporation Tim Ross Executive Director, Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada Joshua Barndt Executive Director, The Neighbourhood Land Trust Graham Haines Project Manager, Housing Policy, City Planning Division, City of Toronto Marc Soberano Founder & Executive Director, Building Up

This is a two-part ­episode that examines climate change and our current economic model. In part one, we’ll learn more about two of the industries that are some of the biggest contributors to greenhouse gases in Canada, and the shifts underway within these sectors to not only reduce emissions but to move towards net zero. In part two, we’ll focus on greening the grid. We will look at how microgrids are part of building more local, climate-resilient energy infrastructure, and how these locally scaled smart grids can provide opportunities for community-owned and -produced power as well as Indigenous energy sovereignty. Learn more about the experts interviewed this episode by visiting the following links (in order of appearance): Brent Preston Farmer, The New Farm, https://thenewfarm.ca/ Director, Farmers for Climate Solutions, https://farmersforclimatesolutions.ca/ President, Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario, https://efao.ca/ Emma Jarratt Executive Editor, Electric Autonomy Canada https://electricautonomy.ca/ Dr. Christina Hoicka Canada Research Chair in Urban Planning for Climate Change Associate Professor, Geography and Civil Engineering, University of Victoria https://www.socialexergy.com/ Dr. Vidya Vankayala Director, Smart Microgrid Applied Research Team (SMART) British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) https://www.bcit.ca/applied-research/smart-microgrid/ Mary Warner Co-Executive Director, Finance & Operations, TREC Renewable Energy Co-op https://www.trec.on.ca/ Chris Henderson Founding Executive Director, Indigenous Clean Energy (ICE) Social Enterprise https://indigenouscleanenergy.com/

This is a two-part ­episode that examines climate change and our current economic model. In part one, we’ll learn more about two of the industries that are some of the biggest contributors to greenhouse gases in Canada, and the shifts underway within these sectors to not only reduce emissions but to move towards net zero. In part two, we’ll focus on greening the grid. We will look at how microgrids are part of building more local, climate-resilient energy infrastructure, and how these locally scaled smart grids can provide opportunities for community-owned and -produced power as well as Indigenous energy sovereignty. Learn more about the experts interviewed this episode by visiting the following links (in order of appearance): Brent Preston Farmer, The New Farm, https://thenewfarm.ca/ Director, Farmers for Climate Solutions, https://farmersforclimatesolutions.ca/ President, Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario, https://efao.ca/ Emma Jarratt Executive Editor, Electric Autonomy Canada https://electricautonomy.ca/ Dr. Christina Hoicka Canada Research Chair in Urban Planning for Climate Change Associate Professor, Geography and Civil Engineering, University of Victoria https://www.socialexergy.com/ Dr. Vidya Vankayala Director, Smart Microgrid Applied Research Team (SMART) British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) https://www.bcit.ca/applied-research/smart-microgrid/ Mary Warner Co-Executive Director, Finance & Operations, TREC Renewable Energy Co-op https://www.trec.on.ca/ Chris Henderson Founding Executive Director, Indigenous Clean Energy (ICE) Social Enterprise https://indigenouscleanenergy.com/

This two-part ­episode examines the body of research on women, leadership, and systemic barriers that remain for women to reach parity with men. The aim is to find a working definition and understanding of how feminine leadership can help us tackle the looming issues of economic and social justice, and climate change that lie ahead. You will hear from stakeholders and emerging leaders engaged in the work of championing more inclusive and equitable leadership. Learn more about those interviewed by visiting the following links (in order of appearance): Stephanie Kwan Foresight Lead, Trends and Implications Section, Canada Revenue Agency Graduate, Strategic Foresight and Innovation Graduate Program, OCAD University http://openresearch.ocadu.ca/id/eprint/3402/1/Kwan_Stephanie_2021_MDes_SFI_MRP.pdf Laurissa Barnes-Roberts Service Design Lead, Government of British Columbia Graduate, Strategic Foresight and Innovation Graduate Program, OCAD University https://www.laurissa.me/mrp-research-study Patricia Graduate, Strategic Foresight and Innovation Graduate Program, OCAD University Angie Fleming Data Humanist, Coeuraj Graduate, Strategic Foresight and Innovation Graduate Program, OCAD University https://openresearch.ocadu.ca/id/eprint/3768/1/Fleming_Angie_2022_MDes_SFI_MRP.pdf Karen Campbell Director, Community Initiatives & Policy, Canadian Women's Foundation https://canadianwomen.org/ Steph Jeremie Project Director, In Good Company, YWCA Canada https://igcompany.ca/ Barb Wallace Executive Director, Girls Inc. of York Region https://girlsincyork.org/ Sarika Sinha Program Teaching Staff, Feminist Leadership For Justice, Equity and Ecology Program, Coady Institute, St. Francis Xavier University https://coady.stfx.ca/feminist-leadership-for-justice-equity-and-ecology/  

This two-part ­episode examines the body of research on women, leadership, and systemic barriers that remain for women to reach parity with men. The aim is to find a working definition and understanding of how feminine leadership can help us tackle the looming issues of economic and social justice, and climate change that lie ahead. You will hear from stakeholders and emerging leaders engaged in the work of championing more inclusive and equitable leadership. Learn more about those interviewed by visiting the following links (in order of appearance): Stephanie Kwan Foresight Lead, Trends and Implications Section, Canada Revenue Agency Graduate, Strategic Foresight and Innovation Graduate Program, OCAD University http://openresearch.ocadu.ca/id/eprint/3402/1/Kwan_Stephanie_2021_MDes_SFI_MRP.pdf Laurissa Barnes-Roberts Service Design Lead, Government of British Columbia Graduate, Strategic Foresight and Innovation Graduate Program, OCAD University https://www.laurissa.me/mrp-research-study Patricia Graduate, Strategic Foresight and Innovation Graduate Program, OCAD University Angie Fleming Data Humanist, Coeuraj Graduate, Strategic Foresight and Innovation Graduate Program, OCAD University https://openresearch.ocadu.ca/id/eprint/3768/1/Fleming_Angie_2022_MDes_SFI_MRP.pdf Karen Campbell Director, Community Initiatives & Policy, Canadian Women's Foundation https://canadianwomen.org/ Steph Jeremie Project Director, In Good Company, YWCA Canada https://igcompany.ca/ Barb Wallace Executive Director, Girls Inc. of York Region https://girlsincyork.org/ Sarika Sinha Program Teaching Staff, Feminist Leadership For Justice, Equity and Ecology Program, Coady Institute, St. Francis Xavier University https://coady.stfx.ca/feminist-leadership-for-justice-equity-and-ecology/  

This episode of the Designing a Humane Future podcast is dedicated to small businesses - to exploring the future of our Main Street shops and understanding ways to ensure they can continue to be part of our communities and our lives now and looking ahead. In this episode, we explore possible future trends and learn from those involved in running and championing small business every day. We’ll look at the challenges facing small businesses and some of the solutions that are helping them to navigate the uncertainties now and that can allow them to thrive into the future. Learn more about those interviewed by visiting the following links (in order of appearance): Judy Morgan
 Judy Morgan Consulting

 https://www.linkedin.com/in/judy-morgan-7b47992 Anita Agrawal 
 Co-author, “Out of Control”, Commercial Rent Report, February 2022 https://betterwayalliance.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/BWA_Out-of-Control_-Why-Small-Businesses-Need-Urgent-Action-on-the-Commercial-Rent-Crisis.pdf CEO, Best Bargains Jewellery https://bbjw.com/ Aaron Binder
 Director, Better Way Alliance https://betterwayalliance.ca/ Chief Experience Officer, Segway Ontario https://segwayofontario.com/ Chief Experience Officer, Go Tours Canada https://www.gotourscanada.com/ John Kiru Executive Director, Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas https://www.toronto-bia.com/

In this two-part episode, the focus is the future of work. In part one, we’ll explore how technology and the economic impacts of the pandemic are shaping jobs now and the opportunities in the future. You’ll hear from experts who help us unpack the current trends we are seeing in the labour market. In part two, we will focus on universal basic income as an innovation that can address uncertainties in the labour market and ensure everyone has the basics they need to live. We’ll look at the impact of Ontario’s Basic Income Pilot and learn about how a proposed basic income plan can contribute to the Canadian economy. The episode explores ways to build a post-pandemic economy that centres on making work more equitable, inclusive, and dignified. Learn more about those interviewed by visiting the following links (in order of appearance): Creig Lamb Co-Founder & Principal, Shift Insights https://www.shiftinsights.ca/ Floyd Marinescu Executive Director, UBI Works CEO and Co-founder, C4Media https://www.ubiworks.ca/ Anjum Sultana Fellow, Public Policy Forum Contributor, “Skills for the Post-Pandemic World: Scoping Report” Co-Author, “A Feminist Recovery Plan for Canada” https://www.anjumsultana.com/ Jessie Golem Entrepreneur, professional writer, photographer, pianist, and activist Creator, Humans of Basic Income portrait series https://www.jessiegolem.com/ Wayne Lewchuk Professor, School of Labour Studies, Department of Economics, McMaster University Co-author, “Southern Ontario’s Basic Income Experience” report https://socialsciences.mcmaster.ca/people/lewchuk-wayne