Making Sense of AI

Activating AI with Purpose: Practical Classroom Strategies with Dr. Leanne Cameron

Welcome to the sixth episode of "Making Sense of AI," where host Jos Dirkx, World Economic Forum Tech Pioneer, best-selling author and AI founder, and Dr. Leanne Cameron, a prominent lobbyist for AI in education in Australia, delve into the practicalities of implementing AI strategies in the classroom. 

Dr. Cameron, proud of Australia's pioneering role in AI for education, shares her expert insights on how to transform theoretical AI concepts into actionable steps. In this episode, listeners will discover practical tools and real-world examples that demonstrate how AI can be effectively activated in schools. Dr. Cameron and Jos address the common challenges educators face when executing AI strategies and provide clear, actionable solutions to overcome them. They also highlight success stories from schools that have seamlessly integrated AI into their teaching methods, showcasing the tangible benefits for both teachers and students. 

Join us to explore how AI can revolutionize education and empower teachers and students alike, turning innovative ideas into reality.

Unplugging with Purpose: Greener Paths for AI

In this episode, Jos is joined by Mario Sgarrella, founder of Unpluggo, and Massimiliano Turazzini, an AI enthusiast and entrepreneur. Mario shares his journey from a marketing professional to an advocate for digital well-being, inspired by the birth of his son. He discusses the importance of digital minimalism, the benefits of unplugging, and the social and personal impacts of digital overload.

Massimiliano, on the other hand, brings a wealth of experience from the software and energy sectors. He explores his transition from software development to using AI in entrepreneurial ventures, emphasizing innovation in the energy industry. Massimiliano also highlights his current project, Greenride.it, which combines Italian bicycle tradition with IoT technology and AI to revolutionize mobility.

Together, Mario and Massimiliano provide a comprehensive look at how digital well-being and AI are shaping our future. They offer valuable insights into managing digital consumption, promoting healthier digital habits, and leveraging AI for business innovation. Join Jos Dirkx for an enlightening conversation that bridges the gap between digital wellness and cutting-edge technology, promising to inspire and inform listeners on navigating the complexities of the digital age.

AI for Good: Healthcare and Beyond

"We live in a time of hyper change, experiencing 100 years’ worth of progress in just ten years; it's an opportunity for all of us to shape the future rather than be mere passengers." – Neil Sahota

How can AI bring about transformative changes in healthcare and beyond? In this episode, Neil Sahota, leading voice in ethical AI applications, CEO ACSILabs, join host Jos Dirkx to explore the vast potential of AI for social good. Neil focuses on AI - from precision medicine to mental health support. Please note that the final part of this episode is in Dutch. In addition to the conversation with Neil, we share a snippet of our conversation with Douwe Kiela, CEO at Contextual AI and Adjunct professor at Stanford University. Douwe’s work centers on working with RAG as a deep tech tool for large scale enterprise transformation. 

𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:

> 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐞: AI is used to analyze vast amounts of data for early disease detection and personalized treatment plans, significantly improving patient outcomes.

> 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞: AI-driven solutions, like smart tablets in remote areas, provide basic healthcare services, bridging the gap where medical professionals are scarce.

> 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞: AI is leveraged to monitor daily health indicators, such as through smart toilets, to detect and address health issues before they become critical.

> 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐲: AI systems are capable of recognizing and responding to human emotions, offering support for mental health and reducing feelings of loneliness, particularly in elder care.

AI in Education and Inclusivity: A Global Perspective

How can AI drive positive change in education and beyond? In this special episode, insights from Irina Mirkina (AI strategist at UNICEF’s Office of Innovation) and Eve Logunova-Parker (Award-winning AI innovator, CEO of Evenness) are brought together. Along with Jos Dirkx, host of the podcast ‘Making Sense of AI’, we delve into the profound impact of AI on education and inclusivity.

Key Highlights ‘AI in Education and Inclusivity: A Global Perspective’

• Digital Accessibility: Design AI and metaverse experiences to be inclusive and accessible to all, including people with disabilities.
• Regulatory Compliance: Understand the European Accessibility Act and its implications for businesses and technology developers.
• Global Disparities: Address differences in AI application across various regions and emphasize the importance of localized AI systems.
• Children’s Rights and AI: Use AI to make education more accessible. Prioritize children’s perspectives in AI development to ensure AI systems respect privacy and promote inclusivity.
• Future of Education: Complement traditional education methods with immersive technologies to create new opportunities for interactive learning.

The Great Divide: Bridging AI Advancements and Educational Adoption

In this episode of "Making Sense of AI," join host Jos Dirkx and the visionary co-founder of Feedback Fruits, Ewoud de Kok, as they unveil the hidden barriers EdTech companies encounter when introducing cutting-edge technology to the education sector. Learn more about how to circumvent the startling resistance within public education institutions and the urgent need for seamless tech integration to empower educators and revolutionize learning.

Jos and Ewoud dive deep into the vital importance of autonomy and intrinsic motivation for teachers, revealing the astonishing gap between AI discussions and real-world tech adoption in education. They issue a powerful call to action for value-based solutions to cement leadership in educational technology.

Get ready to explore the world's differing paces of life and the staggering gap between technological advancements and psychological adaptation. Jos and Ewoud advocate for bold leadership and groundbreaking public-private collaborations, and discuss the need for a revolutionary shift from software as a service to innovation as a service to uphold public values.

Uncover how to leverage the critical role of education in sustaining democratic societies and learn more about the transformative potential of scalable, high-quality methods like the flipped classroom model. Join Ewoud and Jos as they spotlight the challenges of selling educational tech to institutions and the compelling need to showcase success stories to ignite change.

As part of the finale of this episode, Jos and Ewoud share their bold political ambitions to champion European and Western values, calling for clear agreements to drive innovation. Don't miss this opportunity to connect with them on LinkedIn and follow their pioneering work on the Trust Framework EU website, heralding a new era of collaboration and technological advancement. Tune in for a journey that promises to inspire and challenge your perspective on the future of education and AI!

From Bias to Balance: Navigating AI's Ethical Landscape

In this episode of "Making Sense of AI," host Jos Dirkx and guest Alix Rübsaam, a trailblazer in responsible AI research, take you on an enlightening journey into the world of AI ethics and its profound societal and cultural impacts. Learn about the evolution of data representation and its escalating influence on AI systems over the past decade.

Jos and Alix expose startling instances of bias in AI, from Amazon's controversial hiring algorithm to flawed facial recognition software. They emphasize the critical need for greater awareness and celebrate the significant strides made in combating these issues over the last five years.

Discover the urgency of standardized and transparent AI datasets when the conversation turns to the importance of AI labeling practices, similar to those used in the food industry. Discover the vital importance of critical thinking and education, revealing how users can become more discerning with AI technology. Hear intriguing examples, such as modifying speech patterns to interact with devices more effectively.

Jos and Alix unravel the global disparities in AI development, the looming risks of data homogenization, and the essential call for diverse realities in AI models.

Explore the transformative impact of technology on education and the necessity of teaching critical assessment of technological capabilities and limitations. In a powerful conclusion, Jos and Alix discuss the imperative of understanding AI's limitations and the crucial role of engineers in overcoming these challenges.