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Listen "Ep 39: The Harsh Truth About Digital Access: Why Thousands of Students Are Locked Out of the AI Era"
Episode Synopsis
Australia is racing ahead with AI, but not everyone is getting a fair start. In this episode of The AI Grapple Podcast, Kate vanderVoort sits down with Doug Taylor to unpack the reality facing young people who are being pushed further to the edges of opportunity because they can’t get online.
Doug leads The Smith Family, one of Australia’s most trusted charities supporting students from low-income backgrounds. He brings a clear view of what digital access really looks like on the ground, why the divide is widening, and how AI could strengthen or break the pathways young Australians rely on.
Across this conversation, Kate and Doug explore the true cost of digital exclusion, the pressure on families, and the tough choices schools, parents and organisations are facing as AI sweeps through education, work and daily life. Doug also opens up about the leadership approach needed to guide teams through rapid change while protecting the people who rely on them most.
What We Cover in This Episode
How digital exclusion is affecting young Australians right now
Why AI literacy is becoming essential for future jobs
The impact on students who lack a device or stable internet at home
What The Smith Family is doing to close the gap, including AI-enabled tutoring
How frontline workers are using digital assistants to support families
The privacy, safety and bias risks organisations need to plan for
Why trust, empathy and human judgement still matter in AI-enabled work
Doug’s hopes for a future where AI helps reduce inequality rather than deepen it
Why This Conversation Matters
Digital access is no longer optional. It shapes education, work and connection, and its absence cuts young people off from the very tools they need to build their future. As marketers, business leaders and technologists move quickly to adopt AI, Doug’s message is a vital reminder: progress only counts if it includes everyone.
This episode gives you a grounded look at the real issues behind AI adoption and a strong sense of the responsibility we share in ensuring technology lifts people up rather than locking them out.
About Doug Taylor
Doug Taylor is the CEO of The Smith Family, a 103-year-old organisation working to break the cycle of educational inequality in Australia. He brings decades of experience in the not-for-profit sector and is a national voice on digital access, education and community wellbeing.
Links and Resources
Support The Smith Family’s Christmas Appeal: thesmithfamily.com.au
Connect with Doug on LinkedIn
Follow Kate on LinkedIn for updates and AI training
Join the free AI Success Lab for more AI updates and skills
Listen and Subscribe
If you enjoy the episode, share it with someone working in education, technology or community impact. Your support helps more people join the conversation about building an AI-enabled future that works for everyone.
Doug leads The Smith Family, one of Australia’s most trusted charities supporting students from low-income backgrounds. He brings a clear view of what digital access really looks like on the ground, why the divide is widening, and how AI could strengthen or break the pathways young Australians rely on.
Across this conversation, Kate and Doug explore the true cost of digital exclusion, the pressure on families, and the tough choices schools, parents and organisations are facing as AI sweeps through education, work and daily life. Doug also opens up about the leadership approach needed to guide teams through rapid change while protecting the people who rely on them most.
What We Cover in This Episode
How digital exclusion is affecting young Australians right now
Why AI literacy is becoming essential for future jobs
The impact on students who lack a device or stable internet at home
What The Smith Family is doing to close the gap, including AI-enabled tutoring
How frontline workers are using digital assistants to support families
The privacy, safety and bias risks organisations need to plan for
Why trust, empathy and human judgement still matter in AI-enabled work
Doug’s hopes for a future where AI helps reduce inequality rather than deepen it
Why This Conversation Matters
Digital access is no longer optional. It shapes education, work and connection, and its absence cuts young people off from the very tools they need to build their future. As marketers, business leaders and technologists move quickly to adopt AI, Doug’s message is a vital reminder: progress only counts if it includes everyone.
This episode gives you a grounded look at the real issues behind AI adoption and a strong sense of the responsibility we share in ensuring technology lifts people up rather than locking them out.
About Doug Taylor
Doug Taylor is the CEO of The Smith Family, a 103-year-old organisation working to break the cycle of educational inequality in Australia. He brings decades of experience in the not-for-profit sector and is a national voice on digital access, education and community wellbeing.
Links and Resources
Support The Smith Family’s Christmas Appeal: thesmithfamily.com.au
Connect with Doug on LinkedIn
Follow Kate on LinkedIn for updates and AI training
Join the free AI Success Lab for more AI updates and skills
Listen and Subscribe
If you enjoy the episode, share it with someone working in education, technology or community impact. Your support helps more people join the conversation about building an AI-enabled future that works for everyone.
More episodes of the podcast The AI Grapple
Ep 40: From Fear to Confidence: Guiding Teams Through AI Adoption with Leadership Expert Neil Tunnah
08/12/2025
Ep 38: Can We Trust AI? How We Shape Technology Before It Shapes Us with Darren Menachemson
25/11/2025
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