Podcast: The IDEMS Podcast

Continuing their discussion on the future of AI, David and Kate explore how advances in large language models could enable a new generation of smaller, more specialised AI systems. They discuss why the next wave of innovation may come from building tools that are more efficient, focused, and responsive to real-world needs rather than simply…

David and Kate explore the historical divide between Symbolist and Connectionist approaches to AI, reflecting on how today’s dominant AI narratives emerged and what may have been lost along the way. They discuss the difference between expert systems built on structured human knowledge and data-driven learning systems based on neural networks, and consider the implications…

In the second part of their discussion, David and Kate reflect more deeply on the Earthkeepers versus AI Empires convening in Zambia, exploring the diverse perspectives and tensions that emerged during the event. They discuss questions of power, governance, indigenous knowledge, and technological futures, as well as the growing recognition that current AI trajectories are…

In the first of a two-part discussion, David and Kate reflect on a recent convening in Zambia that brought together activists, technologists, researchers, and civil society groups concerned with the impacts of AI infrastructure and large-scale data centres. They discuss the influence of Karen Hao’s book Empire of AI, the emergence of global resistance movements…

Lily and David discuss the challenges of working with rainfall and climate data, exploring ideas of data quality, data rescue, and data accreditation. They reflect on different sources of climate data—from weather stations and satellites to reanalysis products—and examine how these can be evaluated for specific applications such as agriculture. The conversation also highlights ongoing…

Lucie and David continue their discussion on Farmer Research Networks (FRNs), focusing on the idea of embedded scaling and its implications. They explore how scaling out, scaling up, and scaling deep each change the nature of the data and the research itself, and reflect on the challenge of designing systems where farmers collect and use…

Lucie and David discuss the origins and evolution of Farmer Research Networks (FRNs) within the work of the Global Collaboration for Resilient Food Systems. They explore how FRNs were conceived as a way to combine participatory research with large-scale data and reflect on ongoing debates around embedded scaling, participation, and the distinction between FRNs and…

Lily and David discuss recent work on the ePICSA system, focusing on the development of a structured summaries database to support climate information for agriculture. They explore how moving from file-based systems to a database approach creates new opportunities for versioning, quality control, decentralised workflows, and accreditation of climate products. The conversation also reflects on…

Santiago and David discuss how a specialised AI assistant is supporting their work authoring and reviewing STACK questions. They explore the balance between human expertise and AI support, reflecting on how the assistant improves efficiency, enhances question quality, and helps navigate complex documentation and legacy code. The conversation also highlights the broader potential of specialised…

Michele and David explore the ideas and design principles behind the Open App Builder, a system developed through IDEMS’ collaboration with Parenting for Lifelong Health (PLH). They discuss the challenges of creating flexible, reusable app infrastructures that support collaboration across technical and non-technical teams, and reflect on the long-term vision of enabling local organisations to…