Eh I

Originally built to help socially anxious students practice real-time conversation, Talk Lab has grown into a tool for oral assessment. In this episode of Eh I Podcast, Dr. Steve Joordens, professor of psychology, and Dr. Brian Harrington, professor of computer science, both at the University of Toronto Scarborough, join Ryan Oliver and Melissa Sariffodeen to discuss how AI is forcing a rethink of how we assess learning. Steve and Brian share results from a study of 1,800 students who were interviewed by AI about their work, and explain why the experience left students intrigued rather than revolted.The conversation covers why multiple choice and essays no longer hold up, and how a “try till you fly” model replaces pass/fail with “try again,” keeping the bar high while lowering the stakes of AI error. Steve and Brian also address skepticism from educators, make the case for AI taking over assessment so teachers can focus on teaching, and look ahead to what K-12 applications could mean for inclusion and accessibility. They close with an invitation to join a community of practice, supported by Dell Technologies and C21 Canada, for educators who want to try this approach at no cost.Show CreditsHost(s): Ryan Oliver and Melissa SariffodeenProducer: Zac MillerEditors: Zac Miller and Kyle GordonOriginal Composition: Warren Frank

In this episode of Eh I Podcast, Heidi Siwak, AI lead at I-Think and experienced Ontario educator, joins Ryan Oliver and Melissa Sariffodeen to discuss what it takes to integrate artificial intelligence into education responsibly. Drawing on over 25 years of classroom experience and her background as architect of I-Think’s Artificial Intelligence Challenge, Heidi shares how over 5,000 students and teachers are using empathy-based problem-solving frameworks developed at the Rotman School of Management to address complex real-world challenges in schools.Heidi discusses the shift from concerns over cheating to the deeper risks of "cognitive surrender," where AI removes necessary educational friction at the expense of student learning. She highlights how maintaining cognitive sovereignty requires leaning into tension, examining data privacy and representation bias, and leveraging practical AI tools like customized teaching agents without sacrificing critical inquiry. Ultimately, she emphasizes that AI must be rooted in human-centered learning, fostering student agency, trust, and co-learning across education systems.Show CreditsHosts: Ryan Oliver, Melissa SariffodeenProducer: Zac MillerEditors: Zac Miller, Kyle GordonOriginal Composition: Warren Frank

In this episode of Eh I Podcast, Rob Hole, founder of Octopus Creative and the self-proclaimed Canadian AI Guy, joins Ryan Oliver and Melissa Sariffodeen to talk about what it takes to adopt AI without getting overwhelmed. Drawing on more than two decades of business building for the web and nearly 5 years of helping chambers, nonprofits, and small businesses put AI to work, he makes the case for looking at your own processes first and treating "Shiny Object Syndrome" as the real risk.Rob shares how organizations are using AI in creative ways, like an "AI Boardroom" that lets you stress-test an idea before it reaches the real board, and why knowing where your data is handled matters just as much as what a tool can do. He also reflects on raising kids in an AI world, rethinking essays and assessment in schools, and the rise of agentic AI, including the Slack-based "digital doppelganger" his team adopted almost overnight. Above all, he argues that AI's greatest promise is freeing us up to do the most human work: connecting with each other.Show CreditsHosts: Ryan Oliver and Melissa SariffodeenProducer: Zac MillerEditor(s): Zac Miller, Kyle GordonOriginal Composition: Warren Frank

In this episode, Dr. Lisa Anne Floyd joins Ryan Oliver and Melissa Sariffodeen to discuss the evolution of computer science in the classroom and the new frontier of AI in education. Drawing on her extensive background as a high school teacher, researcher, and professor at Wilfrid Laurier University, she explains the critical shift from "learning to code" to "coding to learn." Dr. Floyd offers practical insights into how building machine learning models can help students understand human bias and makes a compelling case for preserving the "productive struggle" of the learning process. From the implementation of coding in kindergarten to the ethical concerns of "psychological warfare" in social media engagement, she provides a visionary look at how technology can be used to foster curiosity and meet individual student needs.Lisa Anne Floyd is an assistant professor at Wilfrid Laurier University teaching both mathematics and science/science and technology education courses in the BEd program. She holds a PhD from Western University, focusing on coding in Teacher Education. Her current research interests are within K-12 STEM and teacher education. She has worked with over 20 school districts in Ontario and beyond supporting educators with integrating coding into their mathematics and science classes in K-9 through professional development.Show CreditsHosts: Ryan Oliver and Melissa SariffodeenProducer: Zac MillerEditors: Zac Miller, Kyle GordonOriginal Composition: Warren Frank

In this episode of Eh I, Ryan Oliver and Melissa Sariffodeen are joined by Indra Kubicek, the CEO of Digital Moment. Indra discusses the shift her organization took, changing their name from Kids Code Jeunesse to Digital Moment, and transitioning their focus on coding to essential digital skills in coding and AI. They talk about the complex psychological impact and social implications AI is having on youth, talking briefly about the rapid development of non-human relationships, and the importance of investing in critical thinking skills to prepare the next generation for a changing workforce.A dynamic and forward-thinking leader, Indra Kubicek is passionate about fostering a more inclusive digital world, ensuring that diverse voices shape the future of technological innovation. She believes that empowering the next generation with digital skills is essential for tackling the most pressing global and local challenges. Indra is also a strong advocate for including youth in critical discussions about the ethical use of artificial intelligence as we enter the AI era.