New NAFTA deal gets it right on digital trade
Canada has quickly become a leader in digital innovations. Our federal government has, in the last few years, launched superclusters across the country, with the goal of transforming our innovation economy. We are leading the world in the development of artificial intelligence, with research hubs in Montreal and Waterloo, among other cities. And we are […]
We need a different kind of growth agenda
TORONTO—With much fanfare last June, Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains launched national consultations on policies to help Canada succeed in the digital transformation of society and the economy. The consultations were closed last October, but since then there has been silence. What was learned in these nationwide consultations is not being shared. My own efforts to […]
Reframing Canada’s global AI leadership: a realistic path to the top
All signs point to artificial intelligence (AI) being key to the new economy and perhaps even the 21st century as a whole. But in the world of policy, AI is an abused term that is subject to misinterpretation and political posturing, not to mention real confusion. In Canada, many decision-makers and commentators seem to agree that […]
In the global race for AI, how do we ensure we’re creating a better world?
There is a new gold rush. In the same way that early prospectors raced to stake their claims to extract wealth from the ground, companies are rushing to patent aspects of artificial intelligence (AI) so that they can extract wealth from algorithms and data. This time, however, it is not just about money—though that is […]
Superclusters move toward first projects as Bains says innovation program ‘kicking into high gear’
Canada’s five “superclusters” will spend 2019 getting their not-for-profit entities set up and rolling out their first projects meant to boost sector-wide productivity and collaboration under the Liberal government’s cornerstone innovation program. The federal government reached funding agreements with the five winners of its Innovation Superclusters Initiative last November and December, hashing out what portion […]
What happens to people in the age of AI?
Artificial intelligence (AI) and related emerging technologies will drastically change our society over the next couple of decades. Not only will automated systems soon take over jobs such as truck driving and manufacturing, they will eventually disrupt employment everywhere else, too. The current headlong rush to automate will create some employment in selected sectors, such […]
RCMP inundated by cybercrime reports, with little success in prosecution, committee hears
The House Public Safety Committee recently launched a study into cybercrime in the Canadian financial sector, and chair John McKay says he expects it will do “useful work” in exposing the depth of the problem in Canada, with the Canadian security establishment itself still coming “to grips with the all-pervasive nature of the threat.” Already, […]
Why global standards necessary in field of artificial intelligence
This era is plagued with clichés about supporting our entrepreneurial ecosystems, elevating success, and harnessing local talent so they can exceed on the world stage. But what does this all mean? How do we translate these ambitious statements into action that will result in our local companies becoming leaders in the global marketplace? The answer is standards. […]
Canada’s agriculture system on the cusp of a circular revolution
The Canadian agri-food system is one of our best-kept secrets. It is one of our largest employers and is responsible for tens of billions of dollars in exports. It is an engine of economic growth and it means most Canadians spend only 10 per cent of their income on food. The food system also is […]
MPs, Senators say cybersecurity training should happen, but disagree on making it mandatory
In the wake of the recent hacking of Parliamentarians’ social media accounts, some are saying there should be more training to better guard against cyber threats. But that training shouldn’t be mandatory, especially for the older demographic, if upkeep is delegated to younger staffers, say some Parliamentarians. It’s important to get MPs and staff to […]
