16 episodes
Tech Matters Jim Fruchterman
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- Technology
In a landscape where the tech industry's reputation often precedes it, veteran social entrepreneur and Tech for Good pioneer Jim Fruchterman, along with many extraordinary change-makers, have been rewriting the narrative by using their tech skills to build a better world and drive positive social change.
Through in-depth interviews unveiling the workings of some of the most transformative social impact organizations, you'll discover how individuals have harnessed the power of technology to confront the world's most pressing challenges. Prepare for a wealth of insights about how to enter the Tech for Good field, best ideation practices, effective exit strategies, ethical use of data, funding wisdom, and more.
Whether you're part of a nonprofit, the tech sphere, government sector, or at the helm of social change, our podcast is your compass to ensure that, when designing software, you're putting people first.
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Hosted by Jim Fruchterman. Production: Gabriele Sha. Sound Engineering: Phil Kadet.
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Mapping the Global Supply Chain, with Natalie Grillon of Open Supply Hub
Open Supply Hub 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 Natalie Grillon recounts her time in Uganda, working with an agricultural development company as part of a global fellowship with Acumen. This experience, coupled with her exposure to the aftermath of the heart-breaking Rana Plaza collapse, fueled her determination to make a change. She realized the powerlessness of consumers and farmers alike within the opaque supply chain and set out to empower them with the data they deserved.
Open Supply Hub is at the forefront of a revolution; its impact ranges from remedying worker's rights violations to facilitating collaborations that lead to better standards and reduced emissions.
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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! -
Bridging the Education Gap: Talking Points' Heejae Lim on Tech-Driven Family Engagement
Dive into the heart of social tech innovation with Heejae Lim, the trailblazing founder and CEO of TalkingPoints. Heejae recounts the inception of her groundbreaking app, which stands out as a rare success story in a sea of well-intentioned but often ineffective educational apps. TalkingPoints isn't just another tool in the edtech arsenal; it's a game-changer, using AI to bridge language gaps, fostering meaningful connections between teachers and non-English-speaking parents, and ultimately improving educational outcomes for students—particularly those from underserved communities.
This episode is an inspiration for anyone looking to leverage technology for impact, offering a masterclass in designing with purpose, scaling with intention, and measuring real-world effects. Whether you're an aspiring social entrepreneur or a seasoned tech enthusiast, Heejae's story is a testament to the transformative potential of tech when aligned with a deep understanding of community needs.
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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! -
Uniting Data Science and Social Good, with DataKind co-founder Jake Porway
"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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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! -
Exposing Global Corruption: Tech For Investigative Journalism, with Drew Sullivan of OCCRP
"It takes a network to fight a network" (D. S.)
In the labyrinth of global corruption and organized crime, a beacon of truth shines through the data-driven work of the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP). This episode takes a deep dive with co-founder Drew Sullivan as he shares the story behind the most comprehensive database on international corruption.
By aggregating billions of data points, from public records to leaked documents, OCCRP empowers journalists worldwide to uncover the intricate networks of criminal activity. But the journey wasn't simple. Drew recounts the organic evolution into a robust, open-source platform that serves as an indispensable resource for investigative journalism.
The conversation also explores the critical role of a tech-savvy vision within nonprofits, the necessity of a mission-driven CTO, and the importance of building an ecosystem rather than an empire. As OCCRP continues to lay the groundwork for a more transparent world, their work stands as a testament to the transformative power of technology when aligned with unwavering dedication to the public interest.
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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! -
Fortifying Truth in the Age of Deepfakes: Lessons from Yvette Alberdingk Thijm, ex-Director of Witness
“Seeing is no longer believing. You need to fortify the truth.” (Y.A.T.)
Generative AI, deepfakes… we’ve known the risks for a while, but the dangers feel ever closer given the amazing advancements of orgs like OpenAI. Meanwhile, human rights activists have faced these risks for years (think of doctored videos, misleading evidence, or the total absence of context).
Witness was ahead of its time by giving people tools to document human rights violations (departing from conventional notions of “acquiring data”) and prioritizing authenticity, personal security, and safety, particularly through its focus on human rights use cases. This issue of authenticity is a major one: Despite the ongoing challenge of combating weaponized misinformation and disinformation, organizations like Witness have been navigating all the complexities of trust - trusting the source, but also trusting those who are making the tools to document the truth, especially across cultural and social barriers.
Yvette is an advisor/consultant/board member, and previously Executive Director of Witness, with decades of experience leading org design and ecosystem thinking at the intersection of human rights, video, and technology. Tune in to hear about how she has been addressing the issue of trust and authenticity in media!
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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! -
Part 2 - Overcoming the Market (Failure), with Owen Barder of PxD
Picking up where we left off with Owen Barder, Jim digs deeper into how tech enters the discussion, in particular what Precision Development has been doing to tackle major sustainable agriculture challenges in developing countries. Key topics: When to do AB testing (à la Facebook) vs. a full-blown Randomized Control Trial (the typical government approach); the fact that data helps flag a problem, but you still need to dig deeper to understand exactly what that problem is; and the fact that farmers today, especially in developing countries, are operating under more uncertainty than they need to.
> Transcript on website
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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!