Episode 6: Are We Outsourcing Ourselves to AI?
Artificial intelligence is changing almost every aspect of human life: what we can do, what we think and what we know about ourselves. In this episode of Making Strides, President Cathy Bruce walks with Dr. Martina Orlandi, assistant professor of Artificial Intelligence at Trent University Durham GTA, to explore the ethics of AI applications and the ways in which peoples’ use of AI are shedding light on what’s missing in society. Together, they discuss how we find satisfaction in effort and how Dr. Orlandi’s research is uncovering the implications of AI on human identity and reasoning. Can AI truly help us think better, or does outsourcing our mental tasks put us at risk of losing what makes us human?
Featured Expert
Dr. Martina Orlandi
Assistant Professor of Artificial Intelligence
Dr. Martina Orlandi is an assistant professor of Artificial Intelligence at Trent University Durham GTA. Her research explores the ethical dimensions of emerging technologies, examining how automation challenges human creativity and purpose. At Trent, she brings an interdisciplinary approach that connects philosophy, communication, and technology – helping students navigate AI’s social and moral implications while developing the skills to shape its future responsibly.
Contributions to Canada’s AI Conversation
Trent researchers are helping shape how AI is understood, developed, and used in Canada. Dr. Martina Orlandi explores the philosophy of AI and its implications for meaningful work in a changing world, while Dr. Scott Henderson writes in Innovation News Network about Trent Durham’s role in shaping ethical, people-centred innovation by building a talent pipeline as AI industries grow across the region. Through research, partnerships, and public dialogue, Trent is contributing to a deeper understanding of AI’s societal impact.
Evaluating AI in Education
Faculty at Trent are rethinking how AI fits in higher education. Dr. Karleen Pendleton Jiménez argues in the Toronto Star that by thoughtfully integrating AI into classrooms, universities can inspire curiosity, teach responsible use, and help students explore new forms of expression and analysis in their academic work. Dr. Wenying Feng emphasizes the need for strong ethical and technical foundations. These conversations are creating a learning environment at Trent that has students learning how to use AI and how to lead with insight and responsibility.
How Trent is Preparing for the AI Era
Through its Provost’s AI Working Group, Trent University is assessing opportunities and challenges related to AI across teaching, research, and administration. The working group’s mandate includes exploring ethical guidelines, building campus-wide capacity, and identifying investments that align with Trent’s strategic priorities and long-term vision for innovation. By fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing across disciplines, these efforts ensure Trent remains proactive and prepared as AI continues to reshape higher education and the world of work.
Featured Programs
Trent Durham GTA is home to two Artificial Intelligence programs, a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Arts in AI, a first-of-its-kind in Canada. The B.Sc. program teaches students technical skills related to data, automation, and intelligent systems, while the B.A. focuses on teaching students the ethical and moral questions that drive decision-making and application of these systems. The humanities approach to studying artificial intelligence is also woven into a variety of Trent programs, including Computer Science, Business Administration, and Logistics & Supply Chain Management, helping students develop a strong understanding of the social implications of new technology and the critical thinking skills for applying AI across sectors.
Trent’s M.Sc. in Applied Modelling & Quantitative Methods is a graduate-level program that, like the undergraduate programs, combines critical thinking with career-ready skills for success in the AI-enabled economy.
