The Moosa Slobodian Network

Hello there The Moosa Slobodian Network friends,

We had a fantastic chat with Samuel Proulx on this afternoon’s show. Have a listen at the following link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0PiML1ljGAOtgSk2mD7Txw

Show Notes

Show Introduction: Aliasgar Moosa and Macara Slobodian welcomed listeners to The Ali and Macara Show on Friday, July 31st, introducing their guest, tech analyst Samuel Proulx (00:00:00).

• iOS VoiceOver Pronunciation: Samuel Proulx noted that the latest iOS beta broke the pronunciation of their last name in Siri, an issue they had experienced and fixed previously in iOS 26 (00:01:11).
• Computing Preferences: Samuel Proulx explained that they use Windows and NVDA for professional tinkering, while preferring iOS and VoiceOver for reliable daily usage; they observed that Android screen readers occasionally suffer from crashes or permission issues that make them less reliable for emergency situations (00:02:13).
• Software Quality and AI: Samuel Proulx argued that AI is increasing the speed of software development faster than quality assurance teams can manage, leading to long-standing bugs across both sighted and blind user experiences (00:04:30).
• Automated Regression Testing: Samuel Proulx emphasized the necessity for developers to implement automated regression testing to prevent new updates from breaking existing accessibility features, noting that currently, apps often deteriorate over time because such automation is not yet a standard practice (00:06:49).
• Future of Development Workflows: Samuel Proulx predicted that software stability might decrease temporarily as companies adapt to AI-assisted coding, comparing this shift to the early days of open-source adoption (00:12:39).
• Defining AI: Samuel Proulx urged the community to differentiate between various forms of technology, arguing that equating optical character recognition and text-to-speech with cloud-based large language models leads to unnecessary fear and misuse (00:14:55) (00:22:03).
• AI Privacy Concerns: Samuel Proulx warned against using cloud-based AI tools for sensitive tasks like scanning bank statements or medical pill bottles, as this exposes private data to third parties; they suggested that running AI locally is a safer alternative for privacy (00:16:03) (00:19:38).
• Risk and Error Complacency: Samuel Proulx discussed “error complacency,” cautioning that users should not blindly trust AI for high-stakes decisions, as AI can be wrong and cause harm, such as suggesting incorrect medical dosing (00:18:19).
• Societal Contract and Ethics: Samuel Proulx compared the current chaotic state of AI adoption to the early days of Napster, suggesting that society needs 10 to 15 years to establish a social contract regarding ethical AI usage, privacy, and the prevention of misuse by bad actors (00:25:18).
• Management Awareness: Samuel Proulx and Aliasgar Moosa discussed how business leaders often lack sufficient knowledge to identify what constitutes AI or to assess its risks, which complicates organizational adoption and oversight (00:27:28).
• The Decision to Automate: Samuel Proulx noted that while AI makes it possible to automate many tasks, such as agenda creation, humans should choose to perform some tasks manually to ensure higher quality and more thoughtful preparation (00:29:30).
• Barriers and Technical Elitism: Samuel Proulx expressed frustration with the elitism prevalent among technically adept blind individuals, noting that society currently requires advanced technical skills for access, which marginalizes those without such training (00:31:34) (00:35:04).
• Accessibility Training: Aliasgar Moosa and Macara Slobodian highlighted their efforts to help users gain skills through weekly tutorials, acknowledging that learning technology later in life presents unique challenges (00:32:45) (00:38:52).
• Shifting Interface Expectations: Samuel Proulx advocated for reducing elitism regarding interface complexity, suggesting that the community should embrace simplified interfaces for users who cannot or do not wish to memorize hundreds of hotkeys (00:36:16).
• AI Impact on Learning: Aliasgar Moosa, Macara Slobodian, and Samuel Proulx debated whether AI will help or hinder accessibility; they noted that while AI might simplify tasks, it could discourage users from learning fundamental skills, similar to how reliance on Siri or dictation can discourage typing (00:40:20).
• Input Method Preferences: Aliasgar Moosa and Samuel Proulx discussed personal preferences for input methods, including the use of Bluetooth keyboards versus touch screens and Braille screen input, noting that personal technical aptitude often dictates these choices (00:41:20).
• Blue Jays Roster Outlook: Samuel Proulx predicted that players such as Gausman, Varsho, and Springer might be traded by the deadline due to the team’s poor performance and salary concerns (00:45:14).
• Radio Broadcasting Quality: Samuel Proulx critiqued the decline in quality of sports radio, arguing that broadcasters treat audio as a “second-class citizen” by simulcasting TV audio instead of producing audio-first content (00:46:18) (00:51:43).
• Accessibility “Ghettos”: Samuel Proulx criticized the practice of isolating high-quality accessibility features, such as audio description, into separate apps like the FIFA audio description app, arguing this practice reduces overall accessibility and convenience for all listeners (00:48:38).
• Broadcasting Personnel Changes: Samuel Proulx and Aliasgar Moosa expressed dissatisfaction with the current Blue Jays broadcast booth, noting that they miss former commentators like Wagner and Wilner and find current coverage lacking in depth compared to past years (00:52:48).
• Upcoming Schedule: Aliasgar Moosa and Macara Slobodian outlined upcoming content, including guests Becky Coles on August 4th, Rod Mawhood on August 6th, and Linda Steel on August 14th, as well as a books panel discussing “Living Disability: Building Accessible Futures for Everybody”. (00:55:34).
• Upcoming Programming Schedule: The hosts discussed upcoming show content, noting that specific material is edited by Emily MacRae. Macara Slobodian announced a show scheduled for Sunday, August 2, 2026, at 3:30 p.m. Eastern featuring a title by M. J. Arlidge. Additionally, Macara Slobodian confirmed that Carrie Morales is scheduled to appear on a future show on Monday, August 10 (00:58:26).
• Professional History with Carrie Morales: Samuel Proulx shared a lighthearted anecdote regarding their history with Carrie Morales, explaining that they previously communicated indirectly through podcast appearances by “responding” to comments heard in other episodes (00:58:26). Samuel Proulx noted having worked closely with Carrie Morales at Fable and expressed an interest in pursuing future professional collaborations with them (00:59:21).
• Online Presence and Contact Information: Samuel Proulx provided details on how listeners can connect with them online. For professional inquiries, Samuel Proulx directed listeners to their LinkedIn profile, which the hosts have previously linked in their own professional posts. For more casual or humorous content, Samuel Proulx recommended their personal blog, stuff.interfree.ca, as well as their presence on Mastodon and the Fediverse. Samuel Proulx noted that they recently shared a humorous advertisement featuring a singing auto parts vendor on Mastodon, which they described as content that brings them joy (01:00:15).
• Google Image Description API Blog Post: Samuel Proulx discussed a forthcoming blog post regarding the image description APIs found in Google Chrome. Samuel Proulx stated that they have been collaborating with a contact at Google to provide information on optimizing accessible image descriptions, though the publication is currently pending finalization on the partner’s end (01:01:46).
• Future Collaboration on Audiobooks: Macara Slobodian and Samuel Proulx agreed to coordinate a future meeting to discuss audiobooks. Samuel Proulx mentioned a preference for lighthearted or “popcorn” style reads, such as “Dungeon Crawler Carl,” and expressed interest in debating the distinction between full-cast audiobooks and audio dramas during that future discussion (01:02:43).
• Network Promotion: Aliasgar Moosa concluded the meeting by directing the audience to the Moosa Slobodian Network website, where listeners can find information about the network’s programming and sign up for email updates regarding show and network news (01:03:27).

Find Sam’s Blog at the following link: https://stuff.interfree.ca/

Follow The ali and Macara Show!

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/ali-and-macaras-books/id1811035840

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3e793B9NQSVRR1xlWHHQGW?si=PlflfoyxT8uxcKNMq55QlA

iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-ali-and-macaras-books-279614865/

Audible: https://www.audible.ca/pd/B0F6M459LL?source_code=ASSORAP0511160006&share_location=podcast_show_detail

Tunein: https://tunein.com/podcasts/Arts–Culture-Podcasts/Ali-and-Macaras-Books-p4639147/?topicId=488388095

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@thealiandmacarashow

Like the Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578954341446

Follow us on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/themoosaslobodiannetwork.ca

Would you like to join the Moosa Slobodian Network Whatsapp Community? Fill out the form located at the follow link, and tell us you are interested! https://themoosaslobodiannetwork.ca/join-the-moosa-slobodian-network-whatsapp-community/

Looking for tips and tricks on using your favourite devices? Check out Techstravaganza: http://www.techstravaganza.ca