The Waterloo Symposium on Technology & Society aims to educate Canadians on the societal challenges and opportunities created by technological innovation in four primary areas: artificial intelligence, robotics, big data and social media.
Whether it is in the economic, security or political spheres, rapid technological change is transforming our society, and this change will only accelerate in the years ahead. This symposium series aims to stimulate much needed debate on how the public and private sectors can maximize the benefits of this technological revolution to drive prosperity, democracy and good governance, while mitigating its most adverse effects, such as social dislocation, wealth inequality and diminishing trust in public institutions. Some of the world's most renowned thinkers on technology and society will be featured in the series, which will run throughout 2019.
The series is being organized by the Centre for Security Governance, a Kitchener-based international affairs think tank, and sponsored by EXEL Research Inc. It will be held at one of Canada's premier schools for international public policy, the Balsillie School of International Affairs, situated in one of the country's premier tech hubs, the Waterloo Region.
The first symposium of the series will be held on April 16, 2019 and will feature the renowned futurist and technology writer Martin Ford. He is the founder of a Silicon Valley-based software development firm and the author of the New York Times best seller, “Rise of the Robots: Technology and the Threat of a Jobless Future”. Martin’s keynote address, titled “Disruptive Technology: Do Robots Want Your Job”, explores the ways in which AI and automation (aka, "robots") are outpacing humans in a range of sectors, from education to law, agriculture to healthcare, and beyond. It offers a realistic view of what the future of work will look like.
The event, which will feature a keynote lecture, panel discussion and reception, is open to the general public. Tickets can be acquired online at: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/
The event details are as follows:
Date: April 16, 2019
Time: 7:00pm - 10:00pm
Location: Balsillie School of International Affairs
67 Erb St W, Waterloo, ON N2L 6C2
CONTACT:
Dr. Mark Sedra, Executive Director, CSG
Tel: +1-226-241-8744,
Email: msedra@secgovcentre.org
