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Innovation For All - Diversity in Tech and Business

Innovation For All - Diversity in Tech and Business

By Innovation For All

Innovation for All explores how diversity and inclusion are impacted by innovation and technology. Long form interviews with experts in tech, design, AI, and business.

Is Facebook really a monopoly? How can remote work get more diversity in tech? What’s in the terms of service we usually ignore? How can we build inclusive, human-centered AI?

Host Sheana Ahlqvist created Innovation For All to help technologists and entrepreneurs make more inclusive products and businesses and think more critically about the societal impact of their work.
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From homeless to fashion-tech entrepreneur: Cassie Betts

Innovation For All - Diversity in Tech and BusinessApr 03, 2019

00:00
52:33
How McDonald's empowered black America (but it's complicated) with Dr. Marcia Chatelain
May 13, 202058:52
Invisible women: data bias in a world designed for men with Caroline Criado Perez
Apr 15, 202001:02:07
It's illegal for Uber workers to strike. Marshall Steinbaum explains why. (Really though, WHY?)
Apr 01, 202001:03:30
Be My Eyes: Mobile micro-volunteering for the blind with Hans Wiberg
Mar 18, 202042:08
Google and Facebook are monopolies. Does it matter? feat. Sally Hubbard
Mar 04, 202001:03:21
Placing the Displaced: Running a Refugee Staffing Company with Chris Chancey

Placing the Displaced: Running a Refugee Staffing Company with Chris Chancey

Chris Chancey is the founder of Amplio Recruiting, a company that helps companies hire people from the refugee and immigrant communities. How does Chris help refute and calm the fears potential employers? How does he ensure that vulnerable people aren’t being taken advantage of? And what has made his business so successful? Find out with Sheana in this episode of Innovation for All Podcast.

In this episode you will learn:

  • How Chris started Amplio Recruiting and why?
  • What were some of the challenges in starting the business?
  • How are companies vetted to ensure that the refugees are protected?
  • What are the assumptions about the refugee community and are they true?
  • What are the challenges with finding opportunities for women refugees?
  • What is Amplio Ventures?
  • What are some of the success stories?
  • How has this work in diversity and inclusion influenced Chris’ personal views?

Learn more about Amplio Recruiting at https://ampliorecruiting.com/. Get shownotes for this and every episode at innovationforallcast.com or find us on Twitter @inforallpodcast.

Feb 19, 202001:04:36
The dangers of period-tracking apps feat. Maggie Delano
Feb 05, 202052:44
How to battle racism with Janet Stovall
Jan 22, 202001:06:38
What should change in 2020? My favorite guests return.
Jan 08, 202018:52
Start fresh. How Propel and the Fresh EBT app is battling poverty.
Jan 01, 202001:07:22
What Tech Gets Wrong about Appalachia feat. Dr. Sherry Hamby
Dec 25, 201901:13:23
When bad data leads to social injustice, featuring David Robinson

When bad data leads to social injustice, featuring David Robinson

Can AI really change the world? Or are its developing algorithms formalizing social injustice? When these highly-technical systems derive patterns from existing datasets, their models can perpetuate past mistakes.

In this episode of the Innovation For All Podcast, Sheana Ahlqvist discusses with David Robinson the threats of social bias and discrimination becoming embedded in Artificial Intelligence.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:
  • What is the role of technological advances in shaping society?
  • What is the difference between Machine Learning vs. Artificial Intelligence?
  • Social Justice Implications of Technology
  • What are the limitations of finding patterns in previous data?
  • How does should government regulate new, highly technical systems?
  • The need for more resources and more thoughtfulness in regulating data
  • Examples of data-driven issues in the private sector.
  • Removing skepticism of regulatory agencies in examining data models.
  • Authorities should remember that there are limits to what AI models can do.

David is the co-founder of Upturn and currently a Visiting Scientist at the AI Policy and Practice Initiative in Cornell’s College of Computing and Information Science. David touches on how government regulatory agencies should examine new AI models and systems, especially as the technology continues to creep its way into our day-to-day lives. David discusses the importance of “ground truthing.” David emphasizes looking at a technology’s capabilities and limits before deciding on whether decision makers should implement it.

Get shownotes for this an every episode at innovationforallcast.com or find us on Twitter @inforallpodcast.

Original air date: 12/26/18

Dec 19, 201901:05:25
Teenage Sexting Behaviors with Jeff Temple

Teenage Sexting Behaviors with Jeff Temple

Dec 11, 201955:47
Open access for academic research with Erica Stone

Open access for academic research with Erica Stone

Erica Stone works at the intersection of writing, teaching, and community organizing. Through collaborative projects, she creates opportunities for scholars, students, and community members to engage in conversations and civic problem-solving with the hope of building a more equitable and participatory democracy. As a researcher, Erica is passionate about making academic scholarship free and accessible. In her 2016 TED talk, she critiques the academic publishing industry, urging academics to engage with popular media and include communities in their research. Erica is a doctoral candidate in the Technical Communication and Rhetoric program at Texas Tech University. Her research centers on public engagement in composition classrooms and academics’ role in their surrounding communities.

In this episode you will learn:

  • The reality of who has access to academic research
  • Erica’s experience during her TEDx audition process
  • What engaging in academia means beyond teaching
  • What the publication process looks like from start to finish for academic research
  • The cost of academic subscriptions
  • The concerns Erica has about popular culture publications translating academic research
  • How different TED chapters and franchises operate
  • How academics are trained to make things complicated and how that impacts public understanding
  • The historical reasoning for tenure and complications of tenure today
  • How to include open access publications to count toward tenure
  • Resources for democratizing and translating research
  • How for-profit companies are hopping on the idea of open access research


Get shownotes for this an every episode at innovationforallcast.com or find us on Twitter @inforallpodcast.

Nov 27, 201944:02
Starting a business at age 66 with Paul Tasner

Starting a business at age 66 with Paul Tasner

Paul Tasner, Co-founder and CEO of PulpWorks and more recently, Co-founder of Sort, has more than 40 years of operations experience. He has held leadership positions in ventures ranging from start-up to Fortune 100. For the past decade, his focus has been on sustainability. Paul’s corporate affiliations include The Clorox Company, Clif Bar, Method Products, and Hepagen Vaccines. He has authored numerous papers and presentations on supply chain sustainability and currently lectures on this subject in the MBA Programs at San Francisco State University and Golden Gate University as well as the Packaging Engineering Department at San Jose State University. He holds a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from the New Jersey Institute of Technology and a Ph.D. in Mathematics from Boston University.

In this episode you will learn:

  • How PulpWorks manufactures packaging for consumer goods using fiber waste
  • The story of Paul Tasner starting his first business at age 66
  • The perks of being your own boss as an entrepreneur
  • The specific challenges PulpWorks faces in securing new customers
  • How to pursue investors in the competitive city of San Francisco
  • Critical questions to consider for people nearing retirement that want to start a business
  • How recycling is an answer but not the answer
  • Why Paul is envious of the millennial mindset
  • How rejecting plastic can make a difference
  • What Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is and how EPR regulations could impact society
  • Paul’s new tech-based recycling business

Get shownotes for this an every episode at innovationforallcast.com or find us on Twitter @inforallpodcast.

Nov 20, 201954:09
 Voice Recognition for Kids with Kaveh Azartash of KidSense.ai

Voice Recognition for Kids with Kaveh Azartash of KidSense.ai

Kaveh Azartash holds a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from University of California, Irvine with a focus on Vision Science. Kaveh's career has been focused on innovating software applications in the neuroscience and now artificial intelligence domain. He co-founded KidSense.ai in 2015 after realizing children are unable to effectively communicate with the technology around them through voice.
In this episode you will learn:

The story of how KidSense.ai was started
Kaveh's professional and academic background
The key components of voice recognition software for kids
How AIs can recognize changes in kids' speech patterns over time
How KidSense.ai's model can be applied to other challenges in voice recognition, like speech impediments or non-native English speakers
How KidSense.ai maintains privacy and data security
The data collection process required to develop complex AI models that mature overtime
Both the acoustic and language components that are behind a voice recognition software
Why these new AI technologies are considered valuable
The future business goals of KidSense.ai

Get shownotes for this an every episode at innovationforallcast.com or find us on Twitter @inforallpodcast.
Nov 06, 201949:12
Investing in Rural America with Allen Smart
Oct 23, 201947:37
Invisible women: data bias
In a world designed for men with Caroline Criado Perez
Oct 19, 201901:02:07
Technology changes our social interactions. Why? with Alex Wolf
Oct 16, 201955:13
Teaching kids how to interact with the Internet, feat. Diana Graber

Teaching kids how to interact with the Internet, feat. Diana Graber

What is digital literacy and why is it important for our kids to learn these skills? Founder of Cybercivics.com and Cyberwise.org, Diana Graber, joins the show to discuss theses topics and more. Diana is the author of “Raising Humans in a Digital World: Helping Kids Build a Healthy Relationship with Technology.” In this episode of Innovation for All Podcast, we take a look at Diana’s book and the Cyber Civics course she developed for schools.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:

How the Cyber Civics course came to be.
What is Digital Literacy?
What the Cyber Civics curriculum looks like and why it is important
Does the Internet really make new problems?
Relationships and development online
What to find in the book not covered in the podcast

Get shownotes for this an every episode at innovationforallcast.com or find us on Twitter @inforallpodcast.
Oct 02, 201959:03
Giving women more fertility options with Anne Hogarty, CEO of Extend Fertility
Sep 18, 201948:58
Placing the Displaced: Running a Refugee Staffing Company with Chris Chancey

Placing the Displaced: Running a Refugee Staffing Company with Chris Chancey

Chris Chancey is the founder of Amplio Recruiting, a company that helps companies hire people from the refugee and immigrant communities. How does Chris help refute and calm the fears potential employers? How does he ensure that vulnerable people aren’t being taken advantage of? And what has made his business so successful? Find out with Sheana in this episode of Innovation for All Podcast.

In this episode you will learn:

  • How Chris started Amplio Recruiting and why?
  • What were some of the challenges in starting the business?
  • How are companies vetted to ensure that the refugees are protected?
  • What are the assumptions about the refugee community and are they true?
  • What are the challenges with finding opportunities for women refugees?
  • What is Amplio Ventures?
  • What are some of the success stories?
  • How has this work in diversity and inclusion influenced Chris’ personal views?

Learn more about Amplio Recruiting at https://ampliorecruiting.com/. Get shownotes for this and every episode at innovationforallcast.com or find us on Twitter @inforallpodcast.


Sep 11, 201901:04:36
How Propel and the Fresh EBT app are battling poverty with CEO Jimmy Chen
Aug 21, 201901:07:22
Take a seat: helping women of color advance their careers with Minda Harts
Aug 07, 201948:28
Is "intuition" a dirty word at work? with Kara Dake
Jul 24, 201901:14:12
It's illegal for Uber workers to strike. Marshall Steinbaum explains why. (Really though, WHY?)
Jul 10, 201901:03:30
What’s in those terms of service we agree to? Featuring Nate Beard
Jul 03, 201958:12
The hiring process wasn't built for women. Katharine Zaleski of PowerToFly is changing that.
Jun 19, 201948:23
What does human-centered AI even mean? A very meta conversation with Josh Lovejoy.
Jun 12, 201901:15:44
Making Products Inclusive, the Google Way feat. Reena Jana
May 29, 201954:08
The 80/20 rule hurts everything from education to self-driving cars with Jutta Treviranus
May 15, 201901:08:50
VR-training against sexual harassment is not a gimmick, feat. Morgan Mercer of Vantage Point

VR-training against sexual harassment is not a gimmick, feat. Morgan Mercer of Vantage Point

Learn how Vantage Point is using VR to reduce sexual harassment at work through way, way better training. In this episode of Innovation For All, Sheana Ahlqvist speaks with Morgan Mercer, founder and CEO of Vantage Point. In this episode, you’ll learn: How Vantage Point leverages the benefits VR to combat sexual harassment; Examples of subtle & aggressive sexual harassment situations in the workplace; Why they take a bystander approach to training; Morgan (@themorganmercer) is product-enthusiast and idealist who founded the Virtual Reality immersive training company Vantage Point in 2017. Prior to founding Vantage Point, she concurrently served as the Head of Digital for an e-commerce startup and an Analyst for a digital agency where she has worked on high-profile contracts focused on attitude change and behavior change within the domain of complex social issues. Get shownotes for this and every episode at innovationforallcast.com. (Original Airdate: 11/30/18) Do you support Innovation For All? Help others find us easily by reviewing us on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcasting platform.  Season 2 of Innovation For All will return May 29th, 2019!
May 01, 201901:00:07
How Meal Delivery Apps are Killing Your Favorite Restaurants feat. Chris Webb, CEO of ChowNow
Apr 10, 201901:00:15
From homeless to fashion-tech entrepreneur: Cassie Betts

From homeless to fashion-tech entrepreneur: Cassie Betts

Cassie Betts is the founder of District2.Co, a technology company that connects brands/designers with factories to streamline the manufacturing process, and Made In South LA (MISLA),  

a DevShop Academy. Hear how Cassie went from being homeless to being called “The Woman Turning South LA into Startup Land” by Forbes. 

You'll hear 

  • How she went from coding her first computer game at 9 to being homeless at 19, and how she turned that all around. 
  • How do you help protect the poor from being displaced through gentrification? 
  • Why more money should be spent on technology bootcamps instead of other diversity initiatives.

Note: This episode uses includes explicit language and includes some difficult topics about Cassie’s past that may be uncomfortable for some listeners. Please use your discretion.

Do you enjoy Innovation For All? Help others find us easily by rating and reviewing us on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcasting platform. 

Apr 03, 201952:33
What would ethical data practices look like? Feat. Amanda McGlothlin
Mar 20, 201946:56
How can technology help close early education gaps? feat. Cyrena Chih
Mar 06, 201946:20
Why FinTech is failing the poor with Wendy De La Rosa of the Common Cents Lab

Why FinTech is failing the poor with Wendy De La Rosa of the Common Cents Lab

How can FinTech leverage behavioral economics to help people become more financially secure? Sheana Ahlqvist talks to Wendy De La Rosa, co-founder of Common Cents Lab, a research lab that launches and tests products to help low-to-moderate-income Americans.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL HEAR:
  • What kinds of Fintech products and apps effectively help people budget and save.
  • How certain Fintech apps could be hurting more than helping those below the poverty line.
  • Why lots of common features are ineffective and undermine our interest in savings.
  • Tricks from behavioural economics that anyone can use to get their spending habits in order.
  • How the needs of those in poverty are drastically different and what product managers can do to fit their unique needs.
  • Specific ways to remove friction around SNAP benefits, tax refunds and loan repayments to help people in poverty get ahead.
  • Frequency Budgets vs. Financial Budgets
  • What dark patterns are and how they apply to Fintech products.
  • How “round-ups” can help people save money in the long term.
  • How temptation plays a major role in how people deal with their money.

Sheana and Wendy also talk about the Stanford course Designing AI to Cultivate Human Well Being.

LINKS: OTHERS MENTIONED:
  • Tech Crunch
  • Forbes
  • 30 Under 30 Forbes
  • PBS News
  • MetLife Foundation
  • Uber
  • Lyft
  • SNAP Benefits
  • Ford
  • Amanda McLaughlin
  • Jennifer Aaker
  • Fei Fei Li
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Stanford University
  • Katy Milkman
Feb 20, 201901:03:44
Stereotyping Appalachia: What tech gets wrong feat. Sherry Hamby

Stereotyping Appalachia: What tech gets wrong feat. Sherry Hamby

People in Appalachia are skeptical and cautious about technology. Dr. Sherry Hamby believes understanding how they think can be useful for living in a tech-centric world.

Dr. Sherry Hamby is a Research Professor of Psychology at the University of the South and Director of the Life Paths Appalachian Research Center, She’s best known for her work in violence measurement, poly-victimization, and resilience.  

Feb 06, 201901:13:23
What did you change your mind about in 2018? Answers on AI, data, work, and more.
Jan 30, 201928:57
Is Netflix a tech company or a media company? Amanda Lotz explains why it matters.
Jan 23, 201901:00:37
 No one taught us how to work. Jake Kahana wants to change that with Caveday.

No one taught us how to work. Jake Kahana wants to change that with Caveday.

Technology can better serve humanity. In this episode of the Innovation For All Podcast, Sheana Ahlqvist speaks with Jake Kahana, founder of Bettvr With Age and Caveday. Jake shares these two projects that look very different on the surface. In fact, they are united by a common goal, to demonstrate the social impact of technology. Discover how Virtual reality (VR) can be therapeutic for seniors, why the typical 9-5 work day is a complete fallacy, and how to manage remote teams effectively. You’ll enjoy this episode if you are interested in VR or modernizing the workplace. 

IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL HEAR: 

  • The difference between a social impact agency and cost marketing agency 
  • The challenges in producing and distributing VR films 2 significant limitations for senior citizens: mobility and finances 
  • The Impact of Bettvr With Age Physical and mental therapy using VR 
  • What is Caveday? 
  • How to improve your relationship to work 
  • The dangers of overwork 
  • How to communicate with a remote team 
  • How important is establishing rules around communication, scheduling and productivity inside a team 
  • 3 Things you need when you work – accountability, motivation, and support 
  • Resources your team can use to increase productivity 

Undoubtedly, technology isn’t just for the young. It is for all ages – even seniors. This is what Jake is proving to exhibit in his Bettvr with Age project where he produces VR films for senior citizens. Seniors can still experience places and activities that their old age won’t permit them to do and visit through VR. We also discuss the science of productivity. 

Through Caveday, Jake and his team are able to organize pieces of training for individuals and companies on how to do deep work since no one taught us how to work. There are ways you can improve your relationship to work to be productive and also avoid overworking. Jake identifies specific resources you can use to support your team’s productivity and happiness.

Full shownotes available at innovationforallcast.com.

Jan 09, 201901:01:40
When bad data leads to social injustice, feat. David Robinson

When bad data leads to social injustice, feat. David Robinson

Can AI really change the world? Or are its developing algorithms formalizing social injustice? When these highly-technical systems derive patterns from existing datasets, their models can perpetuate past mistakes.

In this episode of the Innovation For All Podcast, Sheana Ahlqvist discusses with David Robinson the threats of social bias and discrimination becoming embedded in Artificial Intelligence.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:

  • What is the role of technological advances in shaping society?
  • What is the difference between Machine Learning vs. Artificial Intelligence?
  • Social Justice Implications of Technology
  • What are the limitations of finding patterns in previous data?
  • How does should government regulate new, highly technical systems?
  • The need for more resources and more thoughtfulness in regulating data
  • Examples of data-driven issues in the private sector.
  • Removing skepticism of regulatory agencies in examining data models.
  • Authorities should remember that there are limits to what AI models can do.

David is the co-founder of Upturn and currently a Visiting Scientist at the AI Policy and Practice Initiative in Cornell's College of Computing and Information Science. David touches on how government regulatory agencies should examine new AI models and systems, especially as the technology continues to creep its way into our day-to-day lives. David discusses the importance of “ground truthing.” David emphasizes looking at a technology’s capabilities and limits before deciding on whether decision makers should implement it.

LINKS

OTHERS MENTIONED

  • Cornell University
  • Hannah Sassaman
  • Christan Salazar Volkmann
  • Human Rights Data Analysis Group

CONNECT WITH DAVID

Learn more at innovationforallcast.com 

If you enjoy this episode on AI and ethics, you might also enjoy WHEN ARE “FAIR” ALGORITHMS BETTER THAN ACCURATE ONES?

Dec 26, 201801:05:25
Facebook can do more for working parents feat. Eliza Khuner

Facebook can do more for working parents feat. Eliza Khuner

Dec 12, 201801:04:13
VR-training against sexual harassment is not a gimmick, feat. Morgan Mercer of Vantage Point

VR-training against sexual harassment is not a gimmick, feat. Morgan Mercer of Vantage Point

Learn how Vantage Point is using VR to reduce sexual harassment at work through way, way better training. In this episode of Innovation For All, Sheana Ahlqvist speaks with Morgan Mercer, founder and CEO of Vantage Point. In this episode, you’ll learn: How Vantage Point leverages the benefits VR to combat sexual harassment; Examples of subtle & aggressive sexual harassment situations in the workplace; Why they take a bystander approach to training; Morgan (@themorganmercer) is product-enthusiast and idealist who founded the Virtual Reality immersive training company Vantage Point in 2017. Prior to founding Vantage Point, she concurrently served as the Head of Digital for an e-commerce startup and an Analyst for a digital agency where she has worked on high-profile contracts focused on attitude change and behavior change within the domain of complex social issues. Learn more at innovationforallcast.com.
Nov 30, 201801:00:07
Google and Facebook are monopolies. Does it matter? feat. Sally Hubbard
Nov 14, 201801:03:12
Be brave, get paid: How women can earn more $ through negotiation - Kathlyn Hart

Be brave, get paid: How women can earn more $ through negotiation - Kathlyn Hart

Does the thought of negotiating terrify you? It could be costing you tens of thousands of dollars. In this episode of Innovation For All, Sheana speaks with Kathlyn Hart, salary negotiation coach and founder of the Be Brave Get Paid salary boot camp for millennial women.
Oct 31, 201801:08:48
When Are "Fair" Algorithms Better Than Accurate Ones? with Osonde Osoba
Oct 24, 201856:31
Black Hair is Big (Business) feat. Delali Kpodzo

Black Hair is Big (Business) feat. Delali Kpodzo

In today’s episode of the Innovation For All Podcast, we’re joined by Delali Kpodzo, the Co-Founder of We Are Onyx, a popular beauty destination for Black women and women of color. We dive into her entrepreneurial journey, why women of color need specific personal care solutions, and the state of the current beauty market.
Discover how a hair salon mishap led Delali to start We Are Onyx, which has reached more than $2 million in sales. Delali thinks that’s just the beginning in a vastly untapped market.
Oct 11, 201847:05
Voting with your wallet, entrepreneur-style

Voting with your wallet, entrepreneur-style

How can conscious consumers help women-owned businesses? Stella McShera explains why she launched equallet (@equallet), a local search-platform to help you connect with Women-Owned Businesses. Discover how equallet supports the growth of every female founder, consumer, or investor, and helps bridge the gender gap in business.

We also discuss how her experience as a mixed-race person has varied from place to place, and how that ultimately led her to get a science degree.
Oct 03, 201833:14
The 80/20 rule hurts everything from education to self-driving cars with Jutta Treviranus

The 80/20 rule hurts everything from education to self-driving cars with Jutta Treviranus

In this episode of Innovation for All, host Sheana Ahlqvist talks to Dr. Jutta Treviranus, Director of the Inclusive Design Research Centre at OCAD University in Toronto. Dr. Treviranus explains how traditional approaches to business, design practices, and research can results in suboptimal or unfair systems. They discuss what inclusive design is, why it is so important, and how we can design systems that accommodate everyone. Dr. Treviranus also reimagines the future of education. They cover her efforts to incorporate inclusivity into the current change-resistant educational system, her “Unlearning and Questioning” course, and her most recent project: developing a lab school for inclusive life-long learning. YOU’LL LEARN: • How to use AR to combine real data with simulated data to create and experience new, imagined futures • What is the Pareto Principle (80/20 Principle)? • What are the real world consequences of ignoring the “20%”? • What is the Cobra Effect?

Sep 26, 201801:08:50