Tech Matters

The Farmer-to-Farmer Playbook, with Rikin Gandhi of Digital Green

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 than flashy tech. Full transcript: https://techmatters.org/the-farmer-to-farmer-playbook-with-rikin-gandhi-of-digital-green RIKIN GANDHI [Co-Founder & CEO] Rikin was trianed in computer science and aerospace engineering at Carnegie Mellon University and MIT. After working for Oracle and Microsoft Research, he co-founded the non-profit Digital Green in 2008, using digital technology for agricultural extension in South Asia and Africa. RATE, LIKE, SUBSCRIBE If you like what you hear, leave us a 5 star rating on your favorite platform. STAY IN TOUCH Write us a note at podcast@techmatters.org or follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tech-matters/

Helplines Reimagined, with Dee Luo and Nick Hurlburt of Aselo [added commentary]

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: https://techmatters.org/helplines-reimagined-dee-luo-nick-hurlburt-aselo/ DEE LUO [Director of Product & Business Operations] Dee has worked in Product Management building SaaS business software at Yext, a New York-based technology company, and has worked on pro bono projects for international social enterprises. She's been a fellow of the MovingWorlds Institute and joined Tech Matters in 2020 to lead product management for Aselo. NICK HURLBURT [Executive Director] Nick began his career developing early AI software at Amazon, and later managed software teams at Sift. He spent six years in conflict relief in Burma and South Sudan, capturing human rights, migration, and multi-sector program data. He joined Tech Matters in 2019 and now leads the technology development for the Aselo helpline project. RATE, LIKE, SUBSCRIBE If you like what you hear, leave us a 5 star rating on your favorite platform. STAY IN TOUCH Write us a note at podcast@techmatters.org or follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tech-matters/

Decolonizing Drones, with Sonja Bretschart of WeRobotics

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 WeRobotics and the Flying Labs Network. 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: https://techmatters.org/decolonizing-drones-sonja-bretschart-werobotics-flyinglabs SONJA BETSCHART [Co-founder & Co-Pilot] Sonja holds Master's degrees in Marketing and SME Management, and is trained in Design Thinking, Principled Negotiation, and Project Management. She received the 2024 Women in Tech Europe Award for Global Leadership and has been recognized as one of Switzerland's 100 Digital Shapers in multiple years, before being inducted into their Hall of Fame in 2022. RATE, LIKE, SUBSCRIBE If you like what you hear, leave us a 5 star rating on Spotify or a review on Apple Podcasts. STAY IN TOUCH Write us a note at podcast@techmatters.org or follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tech-matters/

Breaking the Silence: Helping Survivors of Assault with Tracy DeTomasi of Callisto

CONTENT WARNING: This episode makes reference to sexual assault. In this episode, Jim speaks with Tracy DeTomasi, CEO of Callisto, 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: https://techmatters.org/callisto-helping-assault-survivors TRACY DE TOMASI (CEO) Tracy De Tomasi has over 20 years of experience in leadership with deep expertise in gender-based violence, having developed trauma-informed programs, changed domestic violence laws in the U.S., and led global projects supporting survivors. She has helped organizations design technology-driven tools for prevention and education, from mobile apps and safety devices to VR trainings on DEI and anti-harassment. RATE, LIKE, SUBSCRIBE If you like what you hear, give us a like, rating or review on any platform! STAY IN TOUCH Write us a note at podcast@techmatters.org or follow us on LinkedIn.

From Idea to Fruition: Accelerating Nonprofits, with Shannon Farley and Kevin Barenblat of Fast Forward

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 Fast Forward 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: https://techmatters.org/fastforward-accelerating-tech-nonprofits KEVIN BARENBLAT (Co-Founder & President) Kevin is an engineer turned social innovator. He has helped over 100 founders use technology to tackle global challenges. He also writes the AI for Humanity newsletter and contributes to the Stanford Social Innovation Review. SHANNON FARLEY (Co-Founder & Executive Director) Before co-founding the accelerator, Shannon launched Spark, a network for women's organizations, and helped start the W. Haywood Burns Institute for racial equity in juvenile justice. Shannon brings sharp focus, creativity, and a passion for human-centered innovation. RATE, LIKE, SUBSCRIBE If you like what you hear, give us a like, rating or review on any platform! STAY IN TOUCH Write us a note at podcast@techmatters.org or follow us on LinkedIn.