The Root & STEM Podcast

How does artificial intelligence learn and in turn, how can AI change the way we learn? In this episode of the Root & STEM podcast, Jessa Gamble, an author and science writer, and Briana Brownell, an entrepreneur, discuss how we can identify the learning patterns of AI and what that means for technology innovations in the future. They go over the highs and lows of AI use, in addition to the ways in which AI can break down barriers that can exist for communities with limited access to technological systems or products.

How can research into ringed seals and environmental changes provide a better understanding of climate change? Enooyaq Sudlovenick, currently a Ph.D. student, explores research focused on marine mammals and Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit. In this episode, Enooyaq discusses her research of the ringed seal and how she considers both Western knowledge and Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit in her approach to research.

How is AI already integrated into our daily lives and how will it continue to grow?In this episode of the Root & STEM podcast, Caroline Sinders, a machine-learning researcher and artist, as well as the founder of Convocation Design + Research, discusses the opportunities and functionality capabilities of AI for the advancement of both technology and art in our world.

Can AI help bridge the gap between responsive, sufficient healthcare and those living in rural and remote communities? The increased presence of portable medical and robotic devices might be able to show us how.In this episode of the Root & STEM podcast, John Stewart, digital producer and host, sits down with Dr. Ivar Mendez, a neurosurgeon who is the current head of surgery at the University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine. Dr. Mendez explains how AI is transforming the opportunity and accessibility afforded to those living in rural and remote areas, especially those in Indigenous communities, and the possibilities for global growth.

As AI technology becomes more and more prevalent in data collection, researchers are learning how to employ and train AI algorithms in a way that helps further the research surrounding whale calls.In this episode of the Root & STEM podcast, Sofia Osborne, a writer and audio producer based in B.C., explores both the progress and the challenges that come along with the use of AI technology. In her chat with scientists and researchers currently in the field, Sofia explains how the option to develop and train algorithms to detect and identify different whale calls could yield significant progress for scientists working with acoustic-based research.

With Big Tech increasing the collection and analysis of data, clarifying the rules and ethics around who owns, manages, and uses that data is essential.Robyn Rowe, a scholar in the Interdisciplinary Rural and Northern Health program at Laurentian University joins us on this episode of the Root & STEM podcast to discuss Indigenous Data Sovereignty, how “data” has a different meaning for Indigenous communities, and how the CARE Principles for Indigenous Data Governance offer a roadmap for fair and ethical data collection and usage.

Online gaming not only provides important social connection, it’s also an engaging new tool for educators to consider, even those who aren’t gamers. In this episode of Root & STEM, we chat with game developers and designers about the benefits gaming can offer learners and teachers, including their potential as creative, powerful tools to further education, collaboration and play. Featuring: Lindsey Tropf, Chris Crowell, and John and Brenda Romero.

 Teachers have faced a turbulent year, forced to consider how technology could be used to keep learners safe and engaged in education during a pandemic. The first episode of Root & STEM explores how educators from diverse geographies are responding to the pandemic, whether it’s online or in the classroom.This episode features in-depth conversation with Emma Houston in Pelly Crossing, Yukon, as well as Kandice Cross and Wendy Wright in Ontario, all discussing how they are navigating education with heart and head during the pandemic. 

Software updates can do wonderful things: Protect against emerging security risks, improve your software and battery performance, fix software problems and make your device run more smoothly.

Encryption is a process that makes data inaccessible to anyone who doesn't have the right key. Encryption is already used in many of the tech products and tools we use today, and forms the basis of security for everything from online shopping and banking, to your messages and browsing.

If your device happens to be damaged, compromised, lost or stolen, having a copy of your files on hand will help you get back up and running quickly and easily. Backup software can also help you restore previous versions of files in case you delete or damage them accidentally. Software updates can do wonderful things: Protect against emerging security risks, improve your software and battery performance, fix software problems and make your device run more smoothly.

By now, most people know what a password is. A password is a secret code that you make up, usually with a combination of letters and numbers. It allows you to access your online accounts, such as email or banking. But when it comes to online safety, do you know how to choose passwords that will keep attackers at bay?

A web browser is an application that can take you anywhere on the internet. Simply put, it gets information from other places, and displays it on your device. The best browsers can do things to keep your information relatively private: They can stop or warn you before you visit unsecured or unencrypted websites. They can also be automatically updated to keep your browsing safer.

Two-factor authentication is an added layer of security used when logging into your accounts, such as email. It’s where access to your online accounts require not just a password but an additional, one-time code, sent to a device you trust, like your phone) as a way of verifying that it is you, and not someone else, trying to access your account. That way, if someone discovers your password, two-factor authentication will prevent them from logging into your account. Learners will be guided through the process to set up this layer of security.

Ransomware is malicious software that uses encryption to lock you out of your computer and make your files inaccessible. The attacker usually demands payment, and in return, promises to give you back access to your files. Learn about how to help prevent this and the resources available to you if you are ever a victim of a ransomware or malware attack.

The more you engage and interact on the internet, the higher the chances that your privacy and safety could be violated. Learners will explore how someone could gain access to your email account, read your emails, or send emails in your name. How your emails could be read by the email service provider itself.

Self-guided Security Check Ups are simple things you can do with software you already have that can make a big difference to your safety online.

Software updates can do wonderful things: protect against emerging security risks, improve your software and battery performance, fix software problems and make your device run more smoothly.

Self-guided Security Check Ups are simple things you can do with software you already have that can make a big difference to your safety online.

Encryption is a process that makes data inaccessible to anyone who doesn't have the right key. Encryption is already used in many of the tech products and tools we use today, and forms the basis of security for everything from online shopping and banking, to your messages and browsing.

If your device happens to be damaged, compromised, lost or stolen, having a copy of your files on hand will help you get back up and running quickly and easily. Backup software can also help you restore previous versions of files in case you delete or damage them accidentally.

By now, most people know what a password is. A password is a secret code that you make up, usually with a combination of letters and numbers. It allows you to access your online accounts, such as email or banking. But when it comes to online safety, do you know how to choose passwords that will keep attackers at bay?

A web browser is an application that can take you anywhere on the internet. Simply put, it gets information from other places, and displays it on your device. The best browsers can do things to keep your information relatively private: They can stop or warn you before you visit unsecured or unencrypted websites. They can also be automatically updated to keep your browsing safer.

The more you engage and interact on the internet, the higher the chances that your privacy and safety could be violated. Learners will explore how someone could gain access to your email account, read your emails, or send emails in your name. How your emails could be read by the email service provider itself.

Two-factor authentication is an added layer of security used when logging into your accounts, such as email. It’s where access to your online accounts require not just a password but an additional, one-time code, sent to a device you trust, like your phone) as a way of verifying that it is you, and not someone else, trying to access your account. That way, if someone discovers your password, two factor authentication will prevent them from logging to your account. Learners will be guided through the process to set up this layer of security.

Ransomware is malicious software that uses encryption to lock you out of your computer and make your files inaccessible. The attacker usually demands payment, and in return, promises to give you back access to your files. Learn about how to help prevent this and the resources available to you if you are ever a victim of a ransomware or malware attack.

Learn how to help prevent an online attacker from getting your information, and accessing your accounts. Phishing is one of the most common types of online scams, and can happen to anyone. There are five simple tips the average computer user can keep in mind to spot, and thwart these phishing emails.