Uniting Data Science and Social Good, with DataKind co-founder Jake Porway
Release Date: 03/22/2024
The Farmer-to-Farmer Playbook, with Rikin Gandhi of Digital Green
Tech Matters
Inspired by astronauts and grounded in the realities of rural India, the founder of Digital Green shares a 15-year journey of using technology to support smallholder farmers. In this episode, we hear how a Microsoft Research project grew into a global nonprofit working with governments and NGOs, first by using low-cost farmer-to-farmer videos, and now by building AI-powered advisory tools in local languages. We dig into what actually works in the field, how costs dropped for farmers using Digital Green's tools, and why partnership, farmer agency, and careful tuning of AI models matter more...
info_outline![Helplines Reimagined, with Dee Luo and Nick Hurlburt of Aselo [added commentary] show art](https://assets.libsyn.com/content/196645315?height=50&width=50)
Helplines Reimagined, with Dee Luo and Nick Hurlburt of Aselo [added commentary]
Tech Matters
In this special episode, we revisit the origin story of Aselo, the open-source contact center platform transforming how child helplines operate around the world. Jim talks with Aselo’s leaders, Dee Luo and Nick Hurlburt, about modernizing helplines by integrating calls, texts, and social media to meet young people where they are. From global partnerships to the careful use of AI, this conversation offers a clear-eyed look at what it takes to build trustworthy, privacy-first technology for children in crisis. Full transcript: DEE LUO [Director of Product & Business...
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Decolonizing Drones, with Sonja Bretschart of WeRobotics
Tech Matters
What if drones weren’t symbols of surveillance and warfare, but everyday tools for local communities to protect forests, cities, and coastlines? Sonja Betschart is the co-founder of and the . Thanks to these organizations, drones, geospatial data, and AI are being put in the hands of local experts across the Global South. From mapping shark nurseries in the Seychelles to assessing landslides in Nepal and supporting farmers in Tanzania, Sonja explains how a small, global network is turning cutting-edge tech into practical, community-led solutions. Full transcript: ...
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Breaking the Silence: Helping Survivors of Assault with Tracy DeTomasi of Callisto
Tech Matters
CONTENT WARNING: This episode makes reference to sexual assault. In this episode, Jim speaks with , CEO of , a nonprofit using secure technology to connect survivors of sexual assault and expose serial perpetrators. Tracy, a licensed clinical social worker, explains how Callisto’s end-to-end encrypted platform lets survivors safely discover if their assailant has harmed others — and why confidentiality, trust, and survivor choice are at the core of its design. Full transcript: TRACY DE TOMASI (CEO) Tracy De Tomasi has over 20 years of...
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From Idea to Fruition: Accelerating Nonprofits, with Shannon Farley and Kevin Barenblat of Fast Forward
Tech Matters
What do you do when you have a great social impact idea but no experience with making it a reality? With all its risks, is Artificial Intelligence something that replaces human ingenuity or can it really be used to bring your idea to fruition? Delve into how takes a page from the iconic Y Combinator playbook to shake up the nonprofit scene. Entrepreneurial spirit meets social impact—discover the innovative accelerator model that's bridging startup culture with philanthropic goals. Full transcript: KEVIN BARENBLAT (Co-Founder & President) is an engineer...
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Introducing Season 3: Flipping the script from harmful tech to Tech For Good
Tech Matters
Welcome to our third season, featuring amazing guests: Shannon Farley and Kevin Barenblat of Fast Forward, Tracy De Tomasi of Callisto, Sonja Betschart of WeRobotics, Rikin Gandhi of Digital Green, Jono McKay of SameSame, and Debbie Rogers of Reach Digital Health. Tune into the biweekly Tech Matters podcast by following and subscribing on your favorite platform!
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Helplines Reimagined, with Dee Luo and Nick Hurlburt of Tech Matter's Aselo
Tech Matters
In this special episode of the Tech Matters Podcast, we dive into the inspiring story of , a groundbreaking contact center platform designed to empower child helplines worldwide. Aselo is revolutionizing how organizations provide counseling, resources, and care through modern, purpose-built technology. Join us as we explore the journey of Director of Product and Operations Dee Luo and Executive Director Nick Hurlburt, the visionary leaders behind Aselo, who share how they transitioned from the tech industry to building a social enterprise that’s making a global impact. Aselo is now...
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Season Two wrap-up: What We Heard and Where To Next
Tech Matters
In wrapping up Season Two, Jim extends his heartfelt gratitude to our devoted listeners and the extraordinary tech nonprofit leaders who've shared their impactful stories. Furthermore, this season wouldn't have been possible without the generous support of our major donors, including the , , the , and . Jim leaves us with a call to action: technologists and social sector workers alike are invited to pivot their skills towards meaningful impact. RATE, WRITE, SUBSCRIBE Be sure to leave us a rating on Spotify or a review on Apple Podcasts! Wicked problems require more...
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The Balcony and the Dance Floor: Jim's Journey Towards a Better Deal for Data
Tech Matters
For our final episode of season 2, this time it's Jim who sits on the other end. Our special guest host is his longtime mentee — and CEO of — . What led to the decision to prioritize social impact over the stereotypical Silicon Valley (attempt at) wealth for its own sake? Guided by Nithya's insightful questioning, Jim's narrative takes us through the early experiences that shaped his sense of empathy without ever losing his innate curiosity for science and technology. As they discuss the evolution of social entrepreneurship, the significance of data sovereignty, Jim...
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Mapping the Global Supply Chain, with Natalie Grillon of Open Supply Hub
Tech Matters
is more than just a database; it's a movement towards a more ethical and sustainable future. By crowdsourcing data and providing a unique identifier for facilities, they've created a system that benefits everyone from brands to auditors and even the workers themselves. Today's conversation covers the inception of Open Supply Hub and its evolution. Executive Director recounts her time in Uganda, working with an agricultural development company as part of a global fellowship with . This experience, coupled with her exposure to the aftermath of the heart-breaking , fueled her...
info_outline"What could the nonprofit sector do if every nonprofit had Google's engineering team?" (J. P.)
In this thought-provoking episode, we sat down with Jake Porway, the visionary co-founder of DataKind, to explore the transformative potential of harnessing data science for the nonprofit sector. Jake takes us through the journey of the organization from its early days of hackathons to its evolution into a beacon for long-term, impact-oriented projects.
Today, DataKind is made of many chapters worldwide, as data scientists and social workers meet to face challenges in their home countries. But we asked Jake about high-level issues as well — aspects he has put much thought into: Do nonprofits need their own data science teams? If not, what is the right model to leverage data science skills when the alternative is an incredibly high-paying job in the for-profit sector? Are organizations like DataKind suitable for generating products that scale or does their true value lie in creating a platform for much needed (and underfunded) Research and Development in the service of social impact?
This episode is a must-listen for anyone who is working in tech, and is looking for a way to put their skills towards something more than ad campaign optimization.
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Be sure to leave us a rating on Spotify or a review on Apple Podcasts!
Wicked problems require more than one line of thought — was there anything you agreed or disagreed with? Anything you'd like us to explore further? Write us a note at podcast@techmatters.org and follow us on LinkedIn!