Speaking/Teaching/Training
Leveraging years of strategic consulting and interdisciplinary research, I guide organizations in developing impactful, socially responsible, and sustainable initiatives in areas such as AI ethics, alternative economies, and e-commerce for social good. Through tailored programs, I foster deeper understanding and practical skills across diverse domains, from fostering collaborative communities like Zumbara to empowering women in e-commerce on platforms like eBay. My work emphasizes bridging technology with social impact, guiding clients in creating ethical, human-centered innovations that address today’s complex challenges. Some examples of my speaking and training topics include AI ethics and responsible innovation, alternative economic models, and human-centered design for social change.
Empowering Ethical AI: Training and Insights for Responsible Innovation
In my role as a trainer and speaker, I offer specialized courses and presentations covering essential topics in AI ethics, responsible AI, and foundational concepts in artificial intelligence. My training spans the history of AI, the distinctions between AI, machine learning, and algorithms, and the broader societal impact of these technologies. Through interactive sessions, I delve into critical areas like AI safety, ethical implications, bias in datasets, transparency, and human-machine consciousness. By combining technical insight with ethical considerations, I empower participants to engage with AI in ways that prioritize fairness, inclusion, and responsible innovation.
Ted Talk – Dream Time: Time Bank
In my TED Talk, I shared my journey from disillusionment in traditional corporate roles to founding Zumbara, a time-banking platform focused on exchanging skills and services through time instead of money. Through Zumbara, I wanted to create a community rooted in connection and mutual support, offering an alternative economy driven by trust and shared purpose. The experience highlighted the transformative power of collaboration, where sharing time and talents not only enriched others’ lives but also fostered a sense of fulfillment and authenticity in my own.
Campus Party, How Social Technologies Are Shaping the New World
At the Campus Party in Berlin event titled «How Social Technologies are Shaping the New World,» the concept of Timebanking 2.0 was presented within the broader context of the sharing economy. The talk focused on how timebanking, where people exchange services and knowledge using time as currency rather than money, fosters community building and collaboration. Various social technologies were highlighted as powerful tools that enable collective action and help create decentralized systems for sharing, cooperation, and collaboration. By using real-world examples like Couchsurfing, Kickstarter, and Zipcar, the session demonstrated how these platforms are changing behavior, eliminating intermediaries, and promoting peer-to-peer exchanges. The presentation emphasized how social technologies are driving a shift from simple sharing to more complex forms of collaboration and collectivism, ultimately shaping a future based on cooperation, innovation, and shared values.
Social Innovation Trainings
I have facilitated numerous trainings and workshops focused on social entrepreneurship and social innovation, guiding participants through the process of turning impactful ideas into actionable projects. These sessions covered topics such as designing sustainable business models, leveraging technology for social good, fostering collaboration, and addressing community needs through innovative solutions. My workshops were tailored for diverse groups, including aspiring entrepreneurs, established organizations, and grassroots movements, helping them develop the skills and mindset needed to drive social change. Through these experiences, I have supported the growth of socially-conscious initiatives that are making a real difference in their communities.
Google Big Tent Talk
In my Google Big Tent Talk, I explored the idea of how the internet reveals a more authentic human story than what we’ve traditionally been told. While mainstream narratives often paint human nature as inherently greedy and self-interested, I argued that the internet serves as a mirror, showing us a different truth: people naturally want to share, connect, and support one another. I also introduced Zumbara, a time-banking platform, as an example of how alternative economic systems can thrive when combined with social technology. Zumbara allows individuals to exchange services using time instead of money, fostering community and collaboration. I highlighted how Zumbara’s model has created the largest time-banking network in the world, underscoring that trust, relationships, and shared values are more important than money. The internet, I concluded, is a powerful tool for rediscovering human connections and rewriting our collective story based on generosity and cooperation.
Embracing Gift Economy through Zumbara: A Journey Beyond Money
In my talk, I shared the journey that led me to create Zumbara, a platform for exchanging services based on time rather than money. Zumbara fosters a culture of sharing where individuals exchange skills and talents, creating a network rooted in trust, support, and meaningful connections. This experience challenges traditional economic models, encouraging people to rethink value, prioritize collaboration, and discover new ways to contribute to their communities without financial dependency.
Alternative Economy Experiment
In this interview, I discuss the foundation and purpose of Zumbara, Turkey’s first time-banking platform, which offers an alternative economy based on time rather than money. We explore Zumbara’s evolution from a small community project into a network where users share services and talents to build trust and foster collaboration. Drawing on global inspirations, the platform emphasizes the value of community and reciprocity, challenging conventional economic structures while creating sustainable networks. This exchange promotes social bonds, mutual support, and the freedom to share passions and skills.
Today Is Tomorrow: Crafting a Meaningful Future Through Self-Discovery and Community Connection
In this presentation, I centered on the journey of self-discovery, personal responsibility, and the strength found in community support. I encouraged participants to connect with their inner wisdom, embrace self-exploration, and confidently steer their lives in meaningful directions. Through practical guidance and inspirational insights, I aimed to create a supportive environment that fostered trust and empowerment, inviting attendees to envision and actively step into a future shaped by intention and purpose.
UNDP Social Good Summit
I discussed the transformative role of social technologies in fostering collaboration and community-building, drawing from my experience with Zumbara, a time-banking platform that operates on the exchange of time instead of money. I explored how the internet has created a new ecosystem of sharing and cooperation, enabling people to connect, share services, and support one another. I also highlighted examples of similar platforms like Couchsurfing and Ushahidi that facilitate resource-sharing and problem-solving through collective action. Emphasizing the shift from online interactions to real-world impact, I pointed out that these technologies are helping to create a new value system rooted in generosity, cooperation, and solidarity.
Heinrich Böll Stiftung, Green Economy & Commons
In the «New Wave of Commons» panel, I discussed alternative economies, focusing on how timebanking and other sharing-based systems contribute to the larger commons movement. I highlighted Zumbara’s role in fostering a community where time, rather than money, is the currency, promoting trust, collaboration, and mutual support. The event itself brought together experts from various fields to explore how commons—shared resources like water, knowledge, and public spaces—can be reimagined and managed through cooperative systems. The discussions emphasized sustainable, community-driven approaches that challenge traditional capitalist models, fostering a future rooted in equity and collective stewardship.
Social Innovation in E-commerce: Enabling Women Entrepreneurs on eBay
I developed and delivered a comprehensive training program for women in Turkey to empower them to launch and grow their e-commerce businesses on eBay. This training included designing the entire process—from identifying key learning objectives to creating tailored, practical content that covered essential e-commerce skills, listing optimization, market analysis, and cross-border logistics. Through hands-on workshops and targeted guidance, I aimed to enhance participants’ digital literacy, boost confidence in online selling, and provide the tools necessary for sustainable success in global e-commerce markets.