Technology–personal and otherwise–that’s changing our future.
- A Human-Centered Future March 24, 2025
Can we work in tandem with AI to craft a future world in which we’ll want to live?
Futurist, AI ethicist. anthropologist and educator Dr. Lollie Mancey says we can–and must.
The infusion of artificial intelligence, into all sectors, is inevitable, she continues.
“We can’t just shut our eyes to it and say, ‘it’s not going to happen. It’s already happened,” she says.
“And actually there are some amazing, incredible benefits, as well as some not-so-good things, coming.”
A proactive approach
As Programme Director at University College Dublin’s Innovation Academy, Dr. Mancey’s expertise is based on her experience in multiple areas.
In addition to her background in anthropology, she is an entrepreneur who has. so far, founded and directed three businesses. She is a broadcaster, whose most recent work included co-hosting RTE’s “Futureville Ireland” and her radio show on Dublin South FM. Dr. Mancey also hosts a podcast, “An Entrepreneur Like You”, on Spotify.
An award-winning storyteller and keynote speaker, Dr. Mancey likes to challenge her listeners to explore new ideas–and specifically, to imagine the ways they can have “a place at the table” as artificial intelligence evolves into all aspects and industries of the future. Her research and exploration of the challenges of AI focuses on the ethics of its use, for a human-centered approach to a rapidly-changing world.
Dr. Mancey talked about her background, some of her research in AI and the directions she recommends everyone take, to stay proactive and collaborative with artificial intelligence in education and the future workplace.
On this edition of Over Coffee® we cover:
- The learning journey that led to her current career;
- Some of the current factors that could have a negative effect as AI permeates all sectors;
- Ways to prepare for the future workplace, to give everyone a voice amid the spread of AI;
- Some of the benefits of AI for the educational sector and future workplace;
- One of her favorite experience, learning from her students, in a collaborative, as opposed to traditional, “lecture” approach to learning;
- How arts-oriented people can stay “the human in the loop”;
- How educators could reach students who may not currently have access to technology;
- Some of Dr. Mancey’s favorite current resources;
- Some of the “fun tricks” she uses, in her own interactions with AI;
- One of her more surprising interactions, during her research, with her “AI companion”;
- An intriguing fact about the way we start our days and how those first actions of the day can affect our creativity!;
- How to get past “imposter syndrome” with AI;
- Where “robot rights” might come in, in the future.
- Leadership – in Space and on Earth March 17, 2025
This post and podcast are not, in any way, shape or form, affiliated with, nor endorsed by, NASA. We are NOT employed by NASA. We just think this is very cool stuff, during an exciting time to be alive!
(Photo courtesy of NASA Johnson Space Center.) In honor of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10’s successful flight to the ISS, this week we’re reposting our 2024 interview with NASA Astronaut and retired U.S. Navy Captain Stephen G. Bowen.
As the world watches the activities of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10 what is life like, aboard the International Space Station?
NASA Astronaut and retired U.S. Navy Captain Stephen G. Bowen can certainly answer that question.
Steve has flown four separate missions aboard the International Space Station. Most recently, he served as commander aboard NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6 mission to the ISS, in 2023. Over the course of his career, he has conducted 10 spacewalks. In all, he’s logged a cumulative total of 227 days in space.
(Photo courtesy of NASA Johnson Space Center.) Team lessons on leadership
And the best part of it, he says, is getting to work with his fellow astronauts towards the goals of each mission.
“There is no better feeling you’ll have in life, than achieving something or succeeding as a team,” he says.
In fact, those achievements included rebuilding parts of the ISS!
Steve says that his first three flights on the International Space Station included bringing up the galley for the U.S. side, a module for the Russian side and a new stowage module for equipment.
In addition, Steve and his crew members were involved in some very exciting research projects, from around the world, that could have some exciting implications for medical science in the future.
“What we learn on orbit really informs how we understand the world,” he explains.
In this interview, recorded in early 2024, Steve talked about his background, offered a look at life aboard the International Space Station and explained some of the ways astronauts’ work in space can improve life on Earth.
On this edition of Over Coffee® we cover:
- Steve’s recollections of his growing-up years, which led to his becoming a submarine officer, and ultimately an astronaut;
- What it’s like to launch to the ISS;
- What the realities are, of serving as commander of a NASA spaceflight (as opposed to the way this role is portrayed in movies and television);
- One of the best leadership lessons Steve has learned, both from working aboard the ISS and from his fourteen years in the Submarine Force;
- What living aboard the ISS was like for Steve, in quarters he had helped to rebuild previously;
- One fun, playful experience the crew had aboard the International Space Station!;
- A closer look at the research experiments in which Steve and the crew were engaged aboard the ISS;
- What some of this work could mean to the medical profession, in the future;
- What’s involved, when guest vehicles arrive at, and depart from, the International Space Station;
- One of his favorite ways in which he was able to use his creativity as a problem solver in space;
- One “not-according-to-script” moment he and his fellow astronauts had to troubleshoot during a spacewalk;
- How astronauts deal with the motion sickness that can come with space travel (and with returning to gravity!);
- Resources Steve would recommend, and his advice to aspiring astronauts.
- Space, Dreams and Artemis March 3, 2025
This post and podcast are not, in any way, shape or form, affiliated with, nor endorsed by, NASA. We are not employed by, or otherwise connected with, NASA. We just find this very exciting stuff!
(Photo courtesy of NASA, and used with permission. Photographer: Bill Stafford. ) In honor of Anne C. McClain’s return to space with NASA’s Crew-10 mission, this week we’re reposting our 2023 interview with her about her career and achieving her dreams. Safe journey to Anne and her crew, and we’ll be watching and cheering!
NASA’s Space-X Crew-10 mission, has a targeted launch time of 7:48 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, March 12th, according to NASA’s website.
“It was a dream ever since I was little,” says NASA Astronaut and U.S. Army Colonel Anne C. McClain, of her space career.
On March 12th, 2025, she’s scheduled to experience the next chapter of that dream.
As the SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket and Dragon spacecraft launch from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center, Anne will be serving as commander of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10 mission to the International Space Station.
However, that’s only one exciting aspect of her assignment.
Far-reaching vision
Anne is one of eighteen astronauts selected for training for NASA’s Artemis missions. Along with her colleagues, she is preparing, for NASA’s return to the Moon and their ultimate goals: to establish a lunar outpost and prepare for human missions to Mars.
And there are no blueprints for the groundbreaking missions. Consequently, Anne and her colleagues are discovering what equipment and procedures will be needed for Artemis–which is very different from preparing to fly aboard the ISS.
“It’s not just about training for space; it’s figuring out what you need, to train for space,” she explains.
The Crew-10 mission will be Anne’s second spaceflight.
December, 2018, marked Anne’s first launch, as flight engineer for ISS Missions 58 and 59. During her six months aboard the International Space Station, she served as the lead on two spacewalks.
Her journey to the stars
On the way to her ultimate goal of becoming an astronaut, Anne garnered numerous professional accomplishments and accolades.
Commissioned as an Army officer in 2002, she is a Master Army Aviator and Experimental Test Pilot. Her flight experience includes more than 2,000 hours in 20 different types of aircraft. Her professional honors include the Dennis Hart Mahan Memorial Award for excellence in Aeronautical Engineering, as well as Honorary Doctorates of Engineering from both the University of Bath and the University of Bristol.
And her NASA experience includes serving as an Instructor Astronaut in three different areas: Robotics, EVA, and CAPCOM.
During our 2023 conversation about her career and her spaceflight preparations, Anne shared, not only her story, but a great “blueprint” for anyone who would like to achieve their dreams.
On this edition of Over Coffee® we cover:
- How Anne first became inspired to become an astronaut;
- The factor that enabled her to reach her “impractical” dream;
- Her process, in achieving her goal;
- Her favorite aspects of being a NASA astronaut;
- What daily life is like, aboard the International Space Station;
- The types of risk mitigation that especially apply to the Artemis missions;
- Some of the considerations of CAPCOM, or training of the Capsule Communicator;
- A closer look at some of the technology in use;
- Anne’s favorite story from her experiences, so far, in preparation for Artemis;
- What’s involved in choosing space suits for the Moon!