Finding the Balance: Environmental Realities, Data Sovereignty, and AI

How do you reform an entire education system without falling into the trap of hype, environmental neglect, or technological whiplash? New Brunswick Deputy Minister Ryan Donaghy joins us to pull back the curtain on Canada’s first province-wide AI initiative. From creating strict guardrails around data centers and cognitive offload to building a ground-up AI literacy framework, Ryan shares why true innovation isn't about moving fast and breaking things; it's about relationships, smart policy, and empowering educators to start small today. You can read a summary article of the conversation here.

Ryan Donaghy is a senior executive and systems thinker who has spent more than two decades navigating reform across New Brunswick's public sector serving as Deputy Minister in Environment, Local Government, and now Education. Under his leadership, New Brunswick became Canada's first province to embrace a system-wide, human-centered approach to AI integration. Beyond his work redesigning complex public systems, Ryan is a proud Moncton native, UNB alumnus, dad, ringette coach, and hockey referee—a combination that arguably provides the ultimate training in managing competing priorities. You can reach Ryan by email at [email protected]

Episode Resources

• The Brookings Institution Research A new direction for students in an AI world: Prosper, prepare, protect
• New Brunswick Curriculum

Want to know more?

You can check out our: WCDSB GenAI Guidelines, infographics, and Innovation website: https://innovate.wcdsb.ca/

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