Socially Conscious AI

Drowning in 30,000+ AI tools and don't know where to start? Learn the purpose-driven framework that cuts through AI overwhelm and transforms it into unstoppable momentum. Product designer Valencio Cardoso shares his battle-tested approach for leveraging AI without losing your creative edge or burning out. In this episode of Socially Conscious AI, we tackle the #1 challenge facing professionals...

What if the plastic wrapper you toss today could become food for the soil tomorrow? Dr. Alysia Garmulewicz, Co-Founder of Materiom, is making this vision real through open-source biomaterial recipes and AI-powered discovery tools that are accelerating the shift from extractive plastics to regenerative materials. In this conversation, Alysia traces her journey from climate policy frustration to mat...

Planting trees is easy. Proving they survived five years later to pay the farmers who grew them? That requires a new kind of technology. Arti Dhar, co-founder of Farmers for Forests, reveals how open-source technology is exposing greenwashing and redirecting climate finance to 22,000+ rural Indian households who are actually doing the work. In this episode, we explore the intersection of environme...

Nearly 48 million Americans face workplace bullying, harassment, or discrimination—often with nowhere to turn. Jamie Alexis Fowler and Rajiv Puranik from Empower Work have created the first confidential crisis text line for workplace issues, combining AI technology with deeply human connection to support over 450,000 vulnerable workers. In this powerful conversation, discover how they're democ...

For every 1,400 undocumented people in the US, there's just one legal professional to help. Asylum seekers have 72 hours to navigate paperwork they can't read, in a language they don't speak, with no money for lawyers. What if AI could change that equation? Rodrigo Camarena, founder of Justicia Lab and director of the world's first AI innovation lab for immigration justice, is solving this crisis...

What if ending hunger in America is really just a data problem waiting to be solved? With 42 million Americans facing food assistance cuts in November 2025 and government support disappearing, one AI-powered nonprofit is proving that technology can restore dignity to those experiencing food insecurity. Discover how Samuel Cole, CTO of Lemon Tree Foods, is using Netflix-style recommendation algorit...

The world's next billion users are redefining AI's future, and they're not where Silicon Valley expects them to be. Discover why digital sovereignty matters more than profit margins, and how 90% of the world's youth are driving unprecedented tech optimism from the Global South. What You'll LearnCore Insights:• How digital sovereignty empowers communities to control AI developme...

What if the fastest way to responsible AI… is to slow down? World-renowned AI ethicist Di Le joins us to unravel the myth of “frictionless” AI. If you think making everything faster is safer, think again. Discover why intentional friction—those thoughtful speed bumps in design—are crucial for safe, ethical, and user-centered artificial intelligence. In this episode:The hidden dangers of rushing AI...

What happens when artificial intelligence makes critical decisions about your job, your healthcare, and your life – but no one can explain why? In this groundbreaking episode, we explore how ethical AI isn't just an academic concept, but a business imperative that could save your organization's reputation, legal standing, and bottom line. Join hosts Roman Bercot and Valencio Cardoso for an...

What Really Powers Artificial Intelligence? In this episode, we sit down with Krystal Kauffman—research fellow at the Distributed AI Research Institute (DAIR), former lead organizer at Turkopticon, and passionate data worker advocate—to reveal the tough truths and hidden stories behind the AI technology changing our world. If you use digital platforms, voice assistants, or social media, you owe a...

What if AI isn't the job-killer we fear, but the catalyst for unprecedented human flourishing? In this thought-provoking episode of Socially Conscious AI, we sit down with Justin Bean, tech executive, investor, and author of " What Could Go Right? Designing Our Ideal Future to Emerge From Continual Crises to a Thriving World " to explore how artificial intelligence could usher in an era of sustain...

In this retrospective episode of 'Socially Conscious AI,' we wrap up Season 1 by revisiting the invaluable insights from our amazing guests. This season, we've discussed the transformative potential of AI in ethics, mental health, education, and the environment. Join us as we reflect on the conversations, share our biggest takeaways, and explore themes like accessibility, sustainability, and the i...

Roman Bercot and Valencio Cardoso interview Duncan Mundell, the Head of Invent at AltaML. With over 25 years of experience in business technology and consulting, Duncan shares his journey from selling computers and dial-up internet to leading innovations in AI at AltaML. The conversation delves into responsible AI practices, the Coastal Resiliency Project, the importance of starting small with AI...

Matthew Yip, head of Product and Engineering at Benetech, explains how Benetech is revolutionizing accessible education through AI-powered tools like the Bookshare app. Explore the challenges and opportunities in developing inclusive educational technology, the role of digital textbooks, and customization to cater to diverse learning needs. Gain insights on the future of EdTech and the balance bet...

Laurie Smith, Head of Foresight Research at Nesta, explores the profound impact of emerging AI technologies on society. This episode revolves around Nesta's mission to leverage innovative solutions for health, childhood equality, and sustainable futures. Hosts Valencio Cardoso and Roman Bercot discuss the multidisciplinary approaches—such as data science and strategic foresight—used by Nesta's Dis...

Dr. Caleb Sponheim, a user experience specialist at Nielsen Norman Group and former computational neuroscientist, discusses the potential for AI to redistribute power and address social inequalities. He shares insights from his background in neuroscience and quantitative research, and how they apply to his current work in UX. The conversation explores the current state of AI applications in design...

Valencio Cardoso and Roman Bercot interview James Veraldi, CEO, and co-founder of Scenario. James discusses the growing problem of social isolation exacerbated by technology and how Scenario aims to address this by using AI and clinical visualization techniques for role-playing real-life challenges. With a career spanning roles at TikTok, Snapchat, and more, James shares insights into the ethical...

In this enlightening episode of Socially Conscious AI, hosts Valencio Cardoso and Roman Bercot discuss AI ethics with Dr. Kevin LaGrandeur, Director of Research for the Global AI Ethics Institute. Dr. LaGrandeur discusses the dangers of overhyping AI technologies, the essential precepts for responsible AI use, and the vital role of government regulation. With a rich academic background spanning mu...

In this episode of Socially Conscious AI, hosts Valencio Cardoso and Roman Bercot interview Amy Brown, the founder and CEO of Authenticx. Amy discusses how Authenticx leverages AI-driven conversational intelligence to help healthcare organizations understand and act on patient voices at scale. She shares the innovative approach of 'listening AI' in structuring unstructured data from custom...

Valencio Cardoso and Roman Bercot are joined by Di Le, an AI ethicist renowned for her work in responsible AI development. Di shares her journey from UX design in video games to conducting impactful research in robotics and AI ethics. She discusses the importance of human-centered AI, how to bridge the technological divide, and the pragmatic approach of responsible AI. They dive into the controver...

In this episode of Socially Conscious AI, hosts Valencio Cardoso and Roman Bercot welcome Andy Spezzatti, an entrepreneur, AI engineer, and CTO at Taltrics. Andy discusses his extensive experience with the AI for Good Foundation, which supports sustainable and social goals using advanced technologies. He highlights key projects like the SDG Data Catalog and the SDG Trend Scanner, detailing their i...