About us
The future of AI isn’t just technical. It’s deeply human.
At Orange Gate Labs, we help people and organizations decode the sneaky charm and subtle deceptions of AI, so they can use it wisely, creatively, and with confidence. Our mission is simple: to empower both users and creators to build more trustworthy, human-centered AI experiences.
We create educational tools, workshops, and strategic insights that make AI more accessible, and more accountable. Our flagship initiative, Accidents in AI, explores the unintended (and sometimes hilarious) ways AI gets it wrong. It’s part public awareness, part practical toolkit.
Whether you're using AI in your own work or building it into products for others, we help you think critically and design for trust.
About Janneke
Hi, I’m Janneke Ritchie (say “Yonica”). I’m the founder of Orange Gate Labs and a master’s student at the University of Toronto, where I focus on deceptive patterns in generative AI and the human-AI trust relationship.
Before returning to school, I spent over 20 years consulting on digital transformation in the financial sector helping organizations and their people adapt to fast-changing technologies. Along the way, I built an innovation lab, led a design studio, and became a self-declared “robot momma,” creating concept interactions for robot coworkers and connected homes.
My work has always centered on one thing: helping people make sense of emerging tech and use it to live, work, and age with more clarity, connection, and confidence.
Curious about how GenAI can support your team, your tech, or your life? Want to build more trustworthy AI systems or just figure out whether you can believe what ChatGPT (or Gemini, or Claude) tells you? I’m always happy to connect.
Reach out if you’re exploring:
AI education or enablement for adults 40+
Trust and safety in AI-enabled products
Building a culture of digital confidence in your organization
Going back to school later in life (yes, it’s wild—and yes, it’s worth it)
Our Innovation Highlights
HestaHub
This project remains close to my heart. Showcased at Collision 2019, HestaHub was about envisioning how the home could be an interactive part of the social ecosystem to support aging in place.
Saffi
Our commitment to helping people adopt new technologies led us to create Saffi, concept Social Media Correspondent. Always ‘photo-ready’, Saffi was about enabling a positive first-touch experience with robots in the wild.
Elly
Bank of Montreal wanted to make a statement at Elevate. So we created a robot talent scout co-worker to generate buzz and drive interested tech talent to the BMO table.
I’m always happy to connect. Reach out if you’re exploring:
AI education or enablement for adults 40+
Trust and safety in AI-enabled products
Building a culture of digital confidence in your organization
Going back to school later in life (yes, it’s wild, and yes, it’s worth it)