Innovating and leading in the new normal
Disruption is a term that pops up in almost every discussion about innovation. Yet in Canada, organizations typically reward predictability and control over disruptive innovation. From LinkedIn posts to virtual seminars, the focus of the conversation tends to be on how we can ‘manage’ disruption. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced disruption into our everyday existence. […]
Artificial intelligence will underpin Canadian innovation and global competitiveness
Data has been called the oil of the 21st century. And artificial intelligence (AI) platforms and tools are commonly described as the new refineries that will convert the data into value-added products, services and platforms. Globally, it is estimated that, by 2025, there will be over 450 exabytes of digital data generated every day—that’s equivalent […]
Time for a more inclusive innovation economy
TORONTO—Canada performs below its innovation potential. We have exceptionally well-educated and creative people producing world-class research and a handful of innovative and growing firms making a mark on the world stage. Yet, innovation and commercialization across the economy more widely are lacklustre. Canadian firms continue to falter on business spending on research and development, technology […]
Putting genomics data to work for all Canadians
We are living in the age of big data—a time where organizations are inundated by massive volumes of complex information daily and must find ways to make sense of it. For businesses, figuring out how to parse the onslaught of data can lead to growth and innovation opportunities. For governments, the goal is ensuring citizens’ […]
COVID-19 will accelerate automation, and we must embrace it
WATERLOO—Over the last decade, the rise of robotics and artificial intelligence has emerged as a critical topic of discussion. By some estimates, almost half of existing jobs could be automated within a generation. Not surprisingly, then, managing this future of work has become a primary concern among the public and policy-makers alike. In 2018, under its […]
Time to take out Canada’s innovation toolbox
The COVID-19 pandemic has required us to rethink business models, supply chains, and capacity to respond to disruption across every part of our lives. While we have largely found new ways to live and do business, economic recovery will require significantly more. This presents an opportunity to mobilize Canada’s underutilized innovation infrastructure. Since the 2015 […]
Cooperation between government, commercial telcos and non-profit providers can support connectivity and innovation in northern and Indigenous communities
EDMONTON—As people are increasingly working, studying, and accessing public services online, COVID-19 provides overwhelming evidence of the need for high-speed, affordable, adequate broadband as an essential service. It also provides opportunities to consider the ways that connectivity is developed and delivered in rural and remote regions—and, in doing do, allows us to explore innovative solutions […]
Three ways AI can substantially improve economic analyses
The recent boom in machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) techniques has shown their potential to revolutionize our societies, with noticeable advances in applied sciences (automation of transport, health, and interpersonal interaction). However, these powerful tools still have relatively low popularity in the social sciences. How can AI and ML be useful to a […]
We must foster collaboration to build back better
How can we emerge from this pandemic stronger and more resilient? This is a question Canadians in all sectors, including business, are asking. Today, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce will discuss how to re-ignite the economy at its annual general meeting. And at the Research Money conference last week, the private, public and academic sectors agreed on the […]
Innovation Policy Briefing
