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. […]
Retaining Ford and FCA assembly plants will bring some stability to Canada’s auto industry when it’s badly needed
TORONTO—There was an understandable—and huge—sigh of relief when both Ford Motor Co. and FCA announced they would convert their Ontario assembly plants to electric vehicle production. Following the shutdown of General Motors’ massive assembly complex in Oshawa last year, there were real fears that the GM closure would be followed by similar closures by Ford […]
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 […]
Governments have a legal and moral obligation to uphold the rights of all people, especially in global pandemic
Governments across the country have rightly been prioritizing resources and personnel to understand and eradicate COVID-19. We have been paying careful attention to how it spreads, who it impacts, and how we can eradicate it and recover from it. But the same people and communities facing the greatest impacts of COVID-19 also bear the disproportionate burden […]
Rempel-Garner’s motion deserves to pass, but NDP, Greens had reason to back Liberals on so-called ‘anti-corruption’ vote
Conservative MP Michelle Rempel-Garner’s call for an in-depth study of the government’s public health response to the pandemic should be passed by the House of Commons. MPs will vote on that motion on Monday. It is similar to what the Liberals were offering two weeks ago: to strike a special committee to study all government […]
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 […]
de Adder’s Take: 10-26-2020
