The Rundown Studio presents Embedded. This is a podcast series that explores the impact of AI on all aspects of communications. Communications practitioners, journalists and public relations executives are facing new challenges, and are navigating them in real time, at high speed. This podcast seeks to hold insightful and informative conversations with thought leaders in their fields.
How are they thinking about the new communications terrain? What are the challenges and opportunities ahead? This timely original series ensures issues around inclusivity, ethics and responsible AI are at the heart of the conversation. Host, Zain Verjee, a former CNN anchor and current communications specialist, will invite guests to take part in a compelling conversation focused on the mindsets, skillsets and professional tools needed to excel in fast changing industries.
Season 1
TechCabal Crossover: Building African AI From the Ground Up
30 minutesAn Embedded x TechCabal crossover. Our host, Zain spoke to two African entrepreneurs whose startups are doing incredible things with AI on the continent. Megan Yates from Zindi and Clinton Oduor from Amini share their insights into how AI is solving local problems, from supporting smallholder farmers to building data ecosystems that support innovation and learning. Building AI in Africa won't be easy, and in this episode we discuss what needs to be done around data protection, AI regulation, and skilling up.
ListenUbuntu AI: African Philosophy Meets Artificial Intelligence
29 minutes
Zain Verjee sits down with Wakanyi Hoffman, Storyteller and Indigenous Knowledge Scholar, to explore a much needed crossover: Ubuntu ethics and Artificial Intelligence. In this episode we deep dive into the continent's rich storytelling traditions and how we can embed the values and concept of Ubuntu to provide an ethical framework for building AI systems. One in which indigenous communities can take ownership of their own stories. Through the lens of Ubuntu ethics, they discuss how indigenous knowledge systems could provide the ethical framework needed for truly inclusive AI development, particularly in Africa. The conversation reveals practical approaches to incorporating African values and storytelling traditions into AI systems while addressing crucial questions about data sovereignty and digital colonization.
ListenEthics by Design: Building Equitable AI Systems
30 minutes
For this episode of Embedded Zain is joined by Rashida Richardson, a law and technology policy expert and Senior Counsel at MasterCard, where they discuss some of the ways AI systems reflect racial and cultural biases we see in society. Rashida also shares some of the policy interventions, governance, and training needed to tackle challenges like "dirty data" that we see in AI development, and gives her insights on how you can ensure responsible use. The conversation also explores the current legal landscape around AI, and specifically its implications when it comes to civil rights. Some really great insights here you don't want to miss, give it a listen!
ListenReshaping Work: AI's Revolution in Skills & Opportunity
27 minutes
On this episode of Embedded, Zain is joined by Aneesh Raman, LinkedIn's Chief Economic Opportunity Officer, for a discussion about the future of work in the AI era. He discusses the trends he's been witnessing since the AI boom and breaks down some of the skills and qualities that will be most valuable for employers in an AI economy. How can AI be leveraged to create more efficient and personalised systems to match opportunity more effecttively with with skills? What will the impact of AI be on jobs? And how can we create a more equitable work environment, addressing existing biases and lowering barriers to entrepreneurship for marginalised groups? We tackle the crunchy questions on Embedded.
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