The Tech Humanist Show

What truly separates successful AI adoption from mere “execution theater”? In this episode host Kate O’Neill sits down with AI transformation leader Deepika Chopra to explore the critical—and often overlooked—dimension of human readiness in AI adoption. Drawing from her experience leading major AI and digital initiatives at Fortune 500 companies and startups alike, Deepika Chopra breaks down...

How can technology and indigenous wisdom come together to help humanity solve the climate crisis? In this episode, Kate O’Neill sits down with Tullio Andrade, chief strategist for COP30, as Brazil prepares to host the first UN climate conference in the Amazon. Dive into a dynamic conversation about the intersection of digital innovation, indigenous knowledge, and global climate action. Learn...

What’s at stake when our personal data becomes a tool of power? In this episode, Dr. Carissa Véliz explores how privacy shapes democracy, technology, and our day-to-day lives—asking what ethical guardrails are needed as AI and digital surveillance expand. Topics Covered: The primal importance of privacy Personal data as a toxic asset Privacy as a collective good Examples of data re-identification...

What if one of the world’s most game-changing tech products—Amazon Alexa—started with a plan so ambitious, it nearly involved building a real-life Star Trek holodeck? In this episode of the Tech Humanist Show, host Kate O’Neill dives deep with Edward Crump, the cofounder and co-inventor of Amazon Alexa, to uncover the untold origin story behind Alexa, how voice technology leapt from science fictio...

What if the words we use to describe AI are misleading us—and even shaping how we regulate, trust, and collaborate with technology itself? In this revelatory episode of the Tech Humanist Show, host Kate O’Neill sits down with Anna Mills and Nate Angell, co-authors of a provocative new paper arguing that the term “AI hallucination” may be doing more harm than good. Together, they explore why “mirag...

What if one-third of the world’s internet users are actually children—children whose data is being harvested, who are being exposed to manipulation, and whose classrooms are now testing grounds for unproven tech? In this eye-opening episode of the Tech Humanist Show, host Kate O’Neill sits down with Leanda Barrington-Leach, a leading advocate and spokesperson for children’s rights in the digital r...

What if trust was the secret ingredient to thriving in the age of AI? In this eye-opening episode of The Tech Humanist Show, host Kate O’Neill sits down with Stephen M. R. Covey, celebrated author of Trust & Inspire and The Speed of Trust , to reveal how trust is at the heart of successful leadership in today’s technology-driven world. Covey shares powerful personal stories—including a f...

Are you ready to rethink how AI shapes our human experience? On this episode of the Tech Humanist Show, we’re diving into a captivating conversation with Maria Luciana Axente, a leader in AI ethics and responsible technology. What if AI’s rush for dominance is overshadowing crucial aspects of humanity and ethics? Get ready to explore this and much more. In this episode, Maria shares he...

What if the real danger of AI isn’t bad code or rogue bots—but our own willingness to mistake simulated intelligence for true understanding? In this essential episode of the Tech Humanist Show, host Kate O’Neill welcomes Hamilton Mann—digital innovator, business instructor, and author of Artificial Integrity —to tackle the urgent question: How can we build AI systems that are not only smart, but a...

What if everything you think you know about civic engagement is stuck in the past—and the real power lies in everyday actions between elections, not just in the voting booth or the halls of government? In this revealing episode of The Tech Humanist Show, host Kate O’Neill sits down with Mila Atmos—creator of the Future Hindsight podcast—to explore how technology, culture, and ordinary people are r...

In this episode of The Tech Humanist Show on Lou Diamond, join host Kate O'Neill and guest Bärí Williams as they explore the intersections of technology, diversity, and AI's impact on the workplace. Bärí shares insights from her book "Seeing Yet Unseen" and reveals experiences building Meta's supplier diversity program. Discover the challenges and hope for black and brown workers in the age of inn...

In this insightful episode of The Tech Humanist Show, host Kate O’Neill welcomes Wendy Smith, the Dana J. Johnson Professor of Management at the University of Delaware. Wendy is an expert in strategic paradoxes and brings a wealth of knowledge from her groundbreaking work and acclaimed book, “BOTH/AND Thinking.” Wendy dives deep into the pitfalls of “either/or” thinki...

In this enlightening episode of The Tech Humanist Show, host Kate O’Neill dives deep into a thought-provoking conversation with Greg Epstein, the humanist chaplain at Harvard and MIT, and a New York Times best-selling author. Known for his impactful role as the Twitter chaplain during the pandemic, Greg now channels his passions through LinkedIn and his personal website, gregmepstein.com. Jo...

In this engaging episode of The Tech Humanist Show, host Kate O’Neill sits down with the multifaceted Casey Erin Clark, co-founder of Vital Voice Training, to explore the profound connections between voice, human communication, and technology. With AI and voice technologies becoming increasingly prevalent, Casey shares her unique perspective on how these developments impact our understanding...

Renowned AI ethicist and philosopher, Ravit Dotan joins host Kate O’Neill as they dive deep into the world of artificial intelligence and ethics. The conversation covers the significant changes in public perception of AI, sparked by direct interaction and the influence of sci-fi-like misconceptions. Dotan addresses the ethical pitfalls of large language models, including the rise of deepfake...

Kate O’Neill is joined by Cortney Harding— a visionary leader in virtual and augmented reality (VR and AR), founder, and CEO of Friends with Holograms. Together, they explore how immersive technologies are transforming human experiences and the innovative projects that Harding’s agency has spearheaded. Cortney shares insights into Friends with Holograms’ award-winning work, inclu...

In this insightful episode of The Tech Humanist Show, host Kate O’Neill sits down with Noah Giansiracusa, an associate professor of mathematics at Bentley University and visiting scholar at Harvard, to unravel the fascinating interplay between mathematics, social media algorithms, and their impact on society. Noah dives into his journey, which began during the pandemic, sparking his transiti...

When we talk about the metaverse as we imagine it taking shape, we don’t always have the vocabulary to describe how we should be able to navigate it safely and enjoyably. Join host Kate O’Neill on The Tech Humanist Show as she engages in an enlightening conversation with technology critic and industry analyst Sara M. Watson. In this episode, Sara delves into the intricate relationship...

In this compelling episode of The Tech Humanist Show, host Kate O’Neill sits down with Dr. Joel Mier, former head of marketing at Netflix, to explore the complex intersection of data, empathy, and customer-centricity in business. The conversation opens with a deep dive into the challenges of quantifying empathetic understanding and the importance of tying data analysis to emotional connectio...

In this riveting episode of The Tech Humanist Show, Kate O’Neill sits down with Aimee’ Killeen and Chuck Greely, two pivotal figures in the water sector, to explore the confluence of technology, environmental science, and water management. Aimee’ Killeen, President of the Water Environment Federation (WEF) and COO of Providence Engineering and Environmental Group, shares her pers...

In this episode of The Tech Humanist Show, we welcome Yanis Varoufakis, an economist, politician, author, and former Minister of Finance in Greece. Known for his insightful critique on the state of capitalism, Yanis opens up important dialogues that challenge our contemporary understanding of the economy. Our discussion centers around his new book, “Technofeudalism: What Killed Capitalism,&#...

Cities are like test beds for how data and tech can empower citizen experience. So it’s interesting to consider leading a growing city as someone with a background in technology. In this episode, Kate talks with her old friend Freddie O’Connell about his run for mayor of Nashville, and about how data and technology figures into the way he thinks about governance and citizen experience....

Dive deep with us into the world of mining, sustainability, and the delicate balance between economic needs, environmental responsibility, and future potential. Our interview with Dana Bennett, president of the Nevada Mining Association, sheds light on the complex landscape of the mining industry, in Nevada but also globally, and its implications for communities and technology. As we explore topic...

Women figure heavily into the tech humanist story. So for International Women’s Day — and to kick off our new season, Season 3! — we’re celebrating with an episode highlighting just a few of the brilliant women tech and futurist thinkers who’ve been guests on our show: Vanessa Mason, Dr. Safiya Noble, Giselle Mota, and Dr. Oluwakemi Olurinola. They’ve all made significant c...

It’s the end of the year, which means we’re all starting to wrap up our work years and turn our attention to other things… like Spotify Unwrapped! As fun as Spotify Unwrapped is (and it is—I share some of my own Spotify data in the episode), it speaks to the fact that we’re all slowly willing to accept more and more tech companies gathering huge amounts of data on all of us...