Innovation, security will decide if 2020 is a year of fear or hope
There has been considerable speculation recently as to what life may be like for Canadians as we head into 2020, and beyond. Amplified by the perceptual effects of a turning decade, a palpable amount of political turmoil in world capitals, and incessant threats to our personal information, many are feeling uneasy. To better theorize about […]
Leave politics out of decision about Huawei’s 5G future in Canada
For some time, I have noticed that Huawei’s 5G has been a hot topic of discussion in Canadian media recently. There are different opinions across Canada about whether Huawei should be allowed to participate in Canada’s 5G network construction or not. In my opinion, 5G development, utilization, and co-operation should not be politicized. Huawei is […]
Why Canada needs to take the plunge on AI
Canada has received acclaim around the world for supporting researchers, like Dr. Jeffery Hinton, who pioneered the deep learning approaches that have led to an explosion in artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. Accenture estimates AI has the potential to double economic growth rates by 2035, and in the private sector, we are witnessing tremendous adoption of […]
Active cyber measures: the latest double-edged sword
If somebody punched you in the face, you’d hit ‘em back, right? Really? What if your assailant was a professional boxer or a mixed martial arts champion? What if you had no idea of your opponent’s capabilities or real identity? Add in the possibility that something they do today could have catastrophic effects several weeks […]
The risks and rewards of offensive cyber operations
Bill C-59, among other things, enabled offensive cyber operations—attacks on others that take place from within cyberspace. This brings Canada in line with most of our Five Eyes partners, and many other nations. However, the freedom to carry out offensive cyber operations creates challenges. Offensive cyber operations have different properties from conventional (kinetic) weapons. They […]
Research will solidify Canada’s cannabis advantage
Researchers use milestones and anniversaries as opportunities to stop and reflect on their projects, take stock of accomplishments and identify what still needs to be done. So, as we pass the one-year anniversary of the Cannabis Act, let’s stop for a moment and do just that. Initial challenges around policy and regulation, industrial production, and […]
Cloud nein: Will the neuro-mash kill novels?
There’s a special sub-genre of technology writing that I like to think of as the Ativan of the new new journalism—the stuff that soothingly portrays boundary violating, privacy-invading, human rights abrogating technological innovation as cool and fun as opposed to creepy and horrifying. In the always-excellent FT Weekend last weekend, there was a piece headlined, […]
Universities play a crucial role in Canada’s competitiveness
TORONTO—Talent and innovation—and therefore universities—play a crucial role in Canada’s competitiveness. Canadian prosperity was built on the foundation of a rich stream of natural resources and commodities; and has been fostered by liberal trade policies. Recent international developments are complicating the global trade of goods and services. We need new competitive advantages to sustain and […]
AI, climate crises converging
LONDON, U.K.—Maybe we can get through the climate crisis without a global catastrophe, although that door is closing fast. Maybe we can cope with the huge loss of jobs caused by the revolution in robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) without a social and political calamity. But can we do both at the same time? We […]
PSAC head says avoiding Conservative government ‘No. 1’ election issue
The head of Canada’s largest federal public service union says the number one issue for the Public Service Alliance of Canada is “not to end up with another Conservative government” and to “get the NDP elected wherever we can.” “There’s no way we can have more of Stephen Harper, and that’s exactly what Andrew Scheer will […]
