In Episode 6 of Eh I, Matthew Johnson talks about the current age of AI with Ryan Oliver and Melissa Sariffodeen. He addresses the ethical issues and symptoms of broader changes in learning that teachers face today. He provides insights on AI implementation strategies vs. resistance or banning, and why it’s important to demystify AI for young learners. He makes a case for structured frameworks, such as "lateral reading", that can support education, build resilience against misinformation, and maintain human values like digital consent.

Matthew Johnson is the Director of Education for MediaSmarts, Canada's centre for digital and media literacy. He is the author of many of MediaSmarts' lessons, parent materials and interactive resources, a lead on MediaSmarts' Young Canadians in a Wireless World research project and the architect of MediaSmarts’ Use, Understand, Engage: Digital Literacy Framework for Canadian K-12 Schools. He has served on expert panels convened by the Canadian Pediatric Society, the Sexual Information and Education Council of Canada and the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario, among others.

Show Credits

Hosts: Ryan Oliver and Melissa Sariffodeen

Producer: Zac Miller

Editors: Zac Miller and Kyle Gordon

Original Composition: Warren Frank

In episode 5 of Eh I, Ryan and Melissa are joined by Dr. Jessica Rizk, who is a senior research associate for education and skill with Signal 49. Jessica talks about the transition from fear to optimism when leveraging AI as a learning tool in schools. The trio talk about prioritizing the learning process as opposed to the final product, and about how it’s important to define “AI literacy” for future workforce readiness.

Dr. Jessica Rizk is a Senior Research Associate at Signal49 Research, where she focuses on education, skills, and workforce development in the age of artificial intelligence. Her work explores how post-secondary institutions, educators, and learners are adapting to rapid technological change, with a particular emphasis on AI literacy and workforce readiness across Canada.

She is also a lecturer at the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University, where she teaches courses in education and sociology. With experience spanning both K–12 and post-secondary settings, she brings a systems-level perspective to her work. She holds a PhD in Sociology and is passionate about bridging research, policy, and practice to support a more inclusive and future-ready education system.

Show Credits

Hosts: Ryan Oliver, Melissa Sariffodeen

Producer: Zac Miller

Editors: Zac Miller, Kyle Gordon

Composition: Warren Frank

In Episode 4 of Eh I, Chris Kennedy, Superintendent of Schools/CEO at West Vancouver Schools, joins Ryan Oliver and Melissa Sariffodeen to discuss AI in schools, why structured guidelines and dedicated transition leadership is better than banning, how AI can support diverse learners, and maintaining human-centric education in the classroom.

One of the most progressive voices in BC education, Chris has been featured by Macleans Magazine as one of the 100 Young Canadians to Watch and his work has been featured in various local and national publications. He was recently named one of the Top 10 Canadian Newsmakers in Educational Technology.

Bridge to Pangnirtung by Elisapee Ishulutaq

Downtown Vancouver by Elisapee Ishulutaq

Show Credits

Hosts: Ryan Oliver, Melissa Sariffodeen

Producer: Zac Miller

Editors: Zac Miller, Kyle Gordon

Original Composition: Warren Frank