Deep Learning Dialogues

In this episode of Deep Learning Dialogues, Jasmine Zhang, a PhD student at the University of Waterloo, discusses how digital media and AI companions impact the well-being of children, caregivers, and families. The conversation covers practical strategies for parents and educators, the role of trusted adults, digital literacy, and the challenges and opportunities of AI in mental health and educati...

Join us as Dr. Kelsey Leonard explores the groundbreaking concept of granting personhood to rivers and lakes, and discusses how Indigenous data sovereignty can transform water rights in the age of AI. Discover how traditional knowledge, legal innovation, and technology intersect to address water justice, protect Indigenous communities, and shape the future of global water governance.  Please...

This episode of Deep Learning Dialogues explores how AI can empower young changemakers to address global sustainability challenges through the UN Sustainable Development Goals framework. Dr. Henrik von Wehrden and Jorge Gustavo Rodrigues Aboytes from Leuphana University share research showing that AI applications favour technical SDGs over social justice goals, creating important gaps in how techn...

Join us for season 3! We have an incredible lineup of guests to look forward to. Be sure to subscribe or follow Deep Learning Dialogues in your favourite podcast player. Want to know more? You can check out our: WCDSB GenAI Guidelines, infographics, and Innovation website:  https://innovate.wcdsb.ca/ Feedback? You can ask your questions or give us  feedback on the show here  Want to...

Join Whitney and Katrina as they reflect on an incredible Season 2 of Deep Learning Dialogues! After 50 episodes exploring the intersection of AI and education, our hosts turn the tables and interview each other about their biggest takeaways, favourite moments, and the insights that continue to shape their thinking. From Dr. Jean Clinton's reminder that "love builds brains" to Emmanuel Duplàa's ch...

In this episode, we sit down with Andrew Bieronski, Growth Lead for Canada at Wayground (formerly Quizizz), to explore how this innovative EdTech platform is revolutionizing K-12 education through AI-powered tools that truly serve both educators and learners. As a former secondary teacher turned EdTech advocate, Andrew shares insights into Wayground's recent rebranding, their groundbreaking accomm...

In this episode, we explore the groundbreaking " Empowering Learners for the Age of AI: An AI Literacy Framework for Primary and Secondary Education " with Veronica Ellis, a molecular biologist turned educator at TeachAI. Veronica shares her journey from studying bacteria to developing global AI curriculum, sparked by her experience teaching during the COVID pandemic when technology inequities bec...

Join us for an enlightening conversation with Dean Shareski, educator, author, and passionate advocate for meaningful learning in schools. Dean challenges common misconceptions about AI in education, arguing that technology's true value isn't just in saving time—it's in enhancing clarity and strengthening the human connections that drive learning. We explore why relationships between students and...

In this illuminating episode of Deep Learning Dialogues, we explore how educators can transform assessment practices in the age of AI. Our guest Michelle Sengara shares a powerful framework for "harmonized intelligence" that balances subject matter expertise with technical skills and human connection. Discover why assessment should be the first educational lever we consider—not the last—and how AI...

In this thought-provoking episode of Deep Learning Dialogues, we welcome Dr. Maria Vamvalis, an educator and researcher with over 20 years of experience in climate justice and transformative learning. She reveals the hidden environmental costs of AI—from carbon emissions to water consumption—and challenges us to reimagine our relationship with technology. Moving beyond a framework of speed, scale,...

Join us as we welcome Dr. Keri Ewart for a conversation on AI in education. Dr. Ewart explores the intersection of AI, cultural responsiveness, and literacy, offering practical strategies for educators. Discover the difference between macro and micro prompting, learn about the CREATE framework for culturally responsive AI use, and gain insights on developing AI literacy skills for both teachers an...

Dive into the ethical dimensions of AI in Catholic education with Lewis Poché from the University of Notre Dame's Alliance for Catholic Education. This episode unpacks how Catholic social teachings provide a framework for evaluating AI tools, reveals the hidden environmental and human costs of AI development, and offers practical approaches to fostering AI literacy among students. Poché introduces...

In this thought-provoking episode, renowned child psychiatrist Dr. Jean Clinton explores the delicate balance between technology and human connection in education. Dr. Clinton shares insights on how relationships serve as essential "nourishment" for developing brains and offers practical guidance for educators navigating AI integration in classrooms. From the developmental progression of critical...

In this special one-year anniversary episode, we sit down with renowned education expert Dr. Michael Fullan to explore how artificial intelligence is creating an unprecedented opportunity for educational transformation. Dr. Fullan, recipient of the Order of Canada and former Dean of the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, shares his vision for "systemness" - a revolutionary approach to edu...

In this illuminating episode, we sit down with Emmanuel Duplàa from the University of Ottawa, who challenges us to rethink what we know about teaching and learning in the age of AI. Moving beyond the traditional classroom model, Professor Dupla shares his revolutionary perspective on why joy isn't just beneficial for learning—it's essential. From discussing how to embrace chaos in the classroom to...

Join us for this conversation with Dr. Alec Couros, Professor of Educational Technology and Media at the University of Regina, as we explore the transformative intersection of AI and education. Drawing from his three-decade journey from English teacher to educational technology expert, Dr. Couros provides thoughtful insights into how AI can enhance rather than replace human teaching. The episode f...

In this episode of Deep Learning Dialogues, we sit down with Dr. Bonnie Schmidt, founder and president of Let's Talk Science, to explore the intersection of AI and education. With over 30 years of experience transforming STEM education in Canada, Dr. Schmidt shares valuable insights on how educational technology has evolved from basic equipment to sophisticated AI tools that can reshape thinking i...

In this episode of Deep Learning Dialogues, we welcome back Dr. Mark J. Daley, Western University's Chief AI Officer and NSERC Scholar in Residence, to explore the intersection of AI, education policy, and classroom practice. From breaking down Ontario's Bill 194 to reimagining assessment in an AI-enhanced world, we examine how today's decisions are shaping tomorrow's education landscape. Join us...

In this episode of Deep Learning Dialogues, we explore the innovative I-Think AI Challenge Kit with educator and coach Heidi Siwak. Learn how this unique program is empowering students to become critical thinkers and ethical users of artificial intelligence. From developing comprehensive AI challenge kits to facilitating student-led solutions for educational challenges, Heidi shares insights into...

Originally aired on the McMaster University 'AI Dialogues' podcast, this episode features host Stephanie Verkoeyen in conversation with Whitney and Katrina, who share their firsthand experiences implementing generative AI at the Waterloo Catholic District School Board (WCDSB). Drawing from their work in K-12 education, they offer insights into how students and teachers are actively embracing GenAI...

In this crossover episode, Deep Learning Dialogues welcomes Stephanie Verkoeyen, educational developer at McMaster University and host of the AI Dialogues podcast, to discuss how post-secondary institutions are adapting to the rapid rise of generative AI technologies. The conversation explores evolving assessment strategies, challenges of AI plagiarism detection, the importance of fostering fundam...

We welcome back Dr. Kari Weaver for Part 2 of our exploration of the The Artificial Intelligence Disclosure (AID) Framework . Building on last week's introduction, we delve into practical applications for K-12 classrooms, focusing on how teachers can adapt these principles for different grade levels. Dr. Kari Weaver shares actionable strategies for implementing AI transparency in teaching and asse...

Join Dr. Kari Weaver from the University of Waterloo as she introduces The Artificial Intelligence Disclosure (AID) Framework , a groundbreaking approach to disclosing AI use in academic work. In this first episode, Dr. Weaver discusses why traditional citations fall short in our AI-enabled world and how her framework provides much-needed structure for transparent AI attribution in education and r...

In this episode, education expert Chris Bronke explores how generative artificial intelligence can enhance Universal Design for Learning (UDL) practices in today's classrooms. Bronke, a consultant with Novak Education and former educator, shares practical insights on using GenAI as a planning partner to create more accessible learning environments for students. From breaking down assessment barrie...

In this thought-provoking episode, we speak with Dr. Clara Colombatto from the University of Waterloo about her groundbreaking 2024 study on public perceptions of AI consciousness. The discussion reveals surprising findings that 67% of Americans attribute some level of consciousness to large language models like ChatGPT, with frequent users more likely to view these tools as having subjective expe...