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 […]
CyberWoman.ca project looks at narrowing the gender gap in cyber defence
For generations, women were discouraged from considering the skilled trades as career or vocational options. Subtly or not-so-subtly, they were guided away from jobs that required physical strength or endurance. While these attitudes are changing, they have effectively left many women out of high-demand skilled trades like welding, plumbing, carpentry or automotive repair. In the […]
Sajjan says progress made to diversify Canadian military, but work must continue
Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan says the Canadian military is “making progress” when it comes to recruiting women, something his government and senior military leaders have emphasized as part of a new defence policy. Mr. Sajjan (Vancouver South, B.C.), who was a speaker at the Halifax International Security Forum last weekend, said in an email Q&A interview […]
