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.
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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