True North

AI promises an exciting future. The upside is massive. It has the potential to help us solve the most obnoxious problems plaguing humanity. We could see giant leaps forward in medicine, manufacturing, transportation, biotech, agriculture, government, and on and on. No more crappy jobs. Maybe we’ll even get those flying cars we were promised.

But we have concerns.

It’s not killer robots that scare us, though that is terrifying. We’re afraid of AI nobody understands making life and death decisions for us. We’re afraid of economy-destroying, human value-displacing tech, controlled by a handful of people with all-too-human motives. We are afraid that, if there is a bug -- because there are always bugs -- we won’t be able patch it before it’s too late.

Can we take a minute to talk this through?

11:15 - Welcome - John Kelleher

11:20 - Marylin Ma: The True Story of AI is Still Being Written
Intelligence is a loaded word. It can represent different meanings to different people. Is our progress towards building intelligent robots as far along as we think? The answer depends on what you define as intelligent. This talk explores where AI development currently stands and ways we can direct our efforts in the near term to maximize benefit to mankind.

11:25 - Joseph Fung: Working Among the Machines
A whopping 80% of companies plan to use automated service technologies by 2020 — how do we do this in a way that machines help us, not replace us? AI and Machine Learning technology can be leveraged for continuous learning and developing a higher skill set to reach our full potential. Performing faster, more efficient, and better. The future of work requires changing the focus of your work.  Make AI work for (not against) you and become better at being human.

11:45 - Suzanne Gildert: Ultra-Human-Like Robots - Bringing Science Fiction to Life
Throughout the entirety of human history, we have always dreamed about - and been captivated by - the idea of creating machines that are like us. Human-like robots have appeared in endless science fiction movies, in both utopian and - more often - dystopian narratives.

Recent advancements in hardware technologies such as improved sensors, batteries, actuators and 3D printing are allowing us to realise the dream of building human-like robots. Meanwhile, advancements in machine learning and AI are enabling the minds of such robots to become increasingly human-like.

Over the next couple of decades we will have to begin considering the rights and responsibilities of highly intelligent, sentient robot life. In this talk, Suzanne Gildert, Founder and CEO of Sanctuary.ai and SingularityU Canada Faculty describes how machines that look, move, feel and think like us may soon emerge, and what the social, economic and ethical implications of these breakthroughs might be.

12:20 - Ali Asaria: The Role of Human Workers in a Post Automation, Post AI World
In this talk, Tulip CEO Ali Asaria will discuss how the rise of automation and AI will disrupt labour on scale and pace unlike any productive technology in history. He will discuss the challenges for the economy, but also the opportunities for humanity. Ali will also outline practical considerations for technologists and leaders to ensure that the use of automation and AI in the workforce helps human values rise to the top.

12:35 - Marcel O'Gorman: AI Beyond Ethics
Discussions about the ethics of Artificial Intelligence can only go so far, given that it is impossible to predict the outcomes of AI applications. O'Gorman will discuss why it is necessary to integrate other non-technical disciplines besides ethics at the R&D level of AI, not only to mitigate risk, but also to ensure that AI is applied in ways that have a positive impact on the human condition and on the planet that sustains us.

12:50  - Francois Gand: Unlocking Communication with AI
What happens when a human being loses the ability to communicate or even compute on a daily basis? What can AI do to assist? What are the benefits, implications and consequences of AI playing a stronger role in the healthcare industry?  This session will explore very concept of human limitations and where the machine potentially becomes essential to one's life.

12:55 - Closing Remarks - John Kelleher

We’ve all got a supercomputer in our pockets, yet so many business and government processes are impeded by entrenched, obsolete technologies and administrative models. At the same time, some tech has moved ahead of our society’s ability to integrate it with our values and ideals.

How is ‘fake news’ even a thing? Trust and truth are in short supply. Faith in institutions is low. Government can’t keep up, but where else do we look for solutions when market outcomes don’t reflect our values?

The good news is that we don’t have to reinvent the wheel. We don’t have a tech problem, we have an implementation problem. A people problem. We have the tech to energize old institutions and give them a much-needed shot of transparency. The truth still matters; big tech just needs a reminder. Let’s give it to them.

1:30 - Marianne Harrison: Welcome

1:35 - Scott Totzke: Breaking (and Strengthening) Digital Trust: Quantum’s Effect on Cybersecurity
The quantum race is on. Tech giants and nation-states are investing billions of dollars in developing the world’s first large-scale quantum computer with the expectation that they’ll be able to solve some of today’s most pressing problems.
But with great possibilities comes an even more significant threat: A powerful enough quantum computer can break the very foundation of digital trust that we rely on every day to securely connect; whether that’s between people or between devices, such as in the Internet of Things (IoT) and connected cars.
In this T-Minus 5 presentation, cybersecurity expert Scott Totzke, CEO & Co-founder of ISARA Corporation, explores quantum’s effect on current security measures, the quantum-safe solution that’s ready today and how Canada's Quantum Valley is leading the way to create technologies that will seamlessly transition and strengthen the security ecosystem before the threat is realized.

1:40 - Hillary Hartley: Tech for Public Good
Digital makes government more accessible, bends the cost curve and creates better outcomes for individuals, organizations and society at large. Join Ontario's first Chief Digital Officer, Hillary Hartley, as she shares her reflections on designing and delivering simpler, faster, better services with people, across a people-first public organization, serving an increasingly diverse and digital population of almost 14 million individuals across the province.

Key topics covered will include recruiting talented, creative technologists and designers to serve the public good, and introducing user-centred design practices, open standards and digital leadership skills to bring about positive change for the public sector and the people of Ontario.
 
2:00 - Ted Livingston and  Russell Verbeeten: How cryptocurrency can help our inequality problem, Moderated by Rita Trichur
In today’s digital world, we have an online economy where people provide value to each other, but they aren’t compensated for it. Ordinary folks generate thousands of likes, retweets and vast data troves from browsing and searching, and yet all the money goes to deep-pocketed third parties.

Decentralization can solve this problem because cryptocurrency is about more than the Bitcoin bubble. Cryptocurrency can facilitate the exchange of value in the digital world, while bringing together a broad group of participants to create an ecosystem of digital services that prioritizes consumer experience and choice. The session is a dialogue between Kik CEO Ted Livingston, who recently launch the cryptocurrency, Kin, and cryptocurrency expert, Russell Verbeeten.

2:20 - Craig Silverman: The Golden Age of Media Manipulation
Every digital product or service can be gamed or exploited, and this is especially true of today’s media and information.

Whether it’s Russian trolls trying to create division in a democracy, marketers scheming to get the best reviews for their product, or criminals using a self-publishing platform to launder money, our media environment is more open to manipulation than ever before.

Craig Silverman, the reporter who brought fake news to the world’s attention, exposes the secrets of how this manipulation is being done online, and why entrepreneurs and technologists must plan for how their products could be used and abused.

2:50 - Neil Desai and Jad Saliba: Coding Alone – The Erosion of Social Capital Online and How We Can Revive It
The Internet has been a force for so much good for so many.  But it has also been a conduit for crime and despair. Money misappropriated through cybercrime makes headlines. We’re starting to learn more about how our trust is eroding online. What about the loss of innocence, is that next?
Jad Saliba and Neil Desai of Magnet Forensics will highlight how the perverse use of online platforms, marketplaces and other technologies have inadvertently contributed to the harm of vulnerable populations like children, immigrants, seniors and those suffering from mental illness.  They will provide their analysis on the erosion of social capital online and how its destabilizing our fundamental democratic values, specifically the rule of law, leaving lawmakers with little choice in the future but to lay down innovation-stifling digital red tape.        

Not to worry, they are glass half-full types and have ideas as to how leaders of technology companies can contribute to safer communities online while building-up their own social capital.

3:10 - Marianne Harrison: Closing Remarks

As tech companies grow and create wealth in their communities, how can we ensure that we mitigate any potential negative effects of that growth? This is a moderated discussion is about transit and transportation, housing and affordability, culture and fun, and community building. Participants from Waterloo Region government, arts communities, social services sectors, education, business and tech will chart a path toward managing economic growth with clear plan. Seize this opportunity to have your voice heard!

We’ve now reached the feel good part of the story. The dragons have been slayed, and peace has returned to the world. Ok, that’s not true, but there is good news.

There are engineers and entrepreneurs who are using their fancy credentials, big brains and creative energy to, you know, help people. Solve some important problems. Stop needless suffering. Maybe there were enough people working on tracking everything you do online so someone can sell you more stuff. Anyway, there are people who saw some real human problems and said, ‘Somebody should do something about that.’ Then they got to work. These are their stories.

10:45 - Carol Leaman: Welcome

10:50 - Mallory Greene: T-Minus 5
T MINUS-5 is a concise, powerful crystallization of one of the themes of True North 2018 from an individual at the leading edge of the discussion

10:55 - Loren Padelford: How Technology is making entrepreneurship accessible to everyone
Entrepreneurs are the engine that drives our economy and our society. But for the past 10 years entrepreneurship has been in decline. Today, technology is leading a resurgence in entrepreneurship by levelling the playing field, providing everyone the tools, access and economics once reserved only for the largest companies in the world.  For anyone who thought they couldn’t start their own business,  Shopify is bending the learning and cost curve down, making it easier than ever to start and grow you a business. From helping to source products, to setting up an online store to sell them, Shopify and technology has made the complex simple and cost effective.

11:15 - Anne Connelly and Sonny Kohli: Abundance for All: When and How? - Moderated by Krista Pawley 
Tech is changing every aspect of society, including how we tackle some of our most persistent problems: food security, water, shelter, access to energy, education, healthcare. How can we recognize the practical possibilities for revolutionary technologies to drive meaningful impacts for billions of people around the world?

Blockchain consultant Anne Connelly and Dr. Sonny Kohli, physician and founder of medtech innovator, Cloud DX, will explore the ways that transformational technologies can be used to tackle the world's biggest challenges today, and create abundance for all in the future. This inspiring discussion will be moderated by Krista Pawley from SingularityU.

11:45 - Richard Yim: The Battle of Tech for Social Good
When Demine Robotics CEO Richard Yim ventured into the world of landmine clearance, he met with some resistance to his tech solution for this global social problem. NGOs and governments are the main players in this space, and investment in technology is not their traditional choice for solving long-term core issues. Sometimes, donors also place restrictions on the use of their contributions, preferring solutions that produce quick, clear results.

Today, Demine Robotics is officially endorsed and supported by the governments of Cambodia and Canada as well as a number of landmine clearance NGOs. Richard will share his journey to change the hearts and minds of leaders in the NGO and government world.

12:00 - Closing Remarks

As you read this, there’s a middle-aged white dude on a stage in front of a big screen somewhere, announcing the next product that’s going to change the world. (Spoiler: It won’t change the world for most people).

Humanity is a glorious scatter plot of gender, age, ethnicity, socioeconomic status and life experience. So, let’s define the problem. Too often, when tech companies look out at the world to decide what they are going to disrupt next, they see it from the perspective of that guy on the stage. Most of humanity is left out. Almost all of it is left out.

The good thing is that all of us are still here, ready to share our experiences and perspectives. Ready to make better tech. Ready to solve better problems. Make some room.

12:30 - The Honourable Bardish Chagger: Welcome

12:35 - Mary Pat Hinton: Go all in and commit
There are five areas Mary Pat Hinton focuses on during the hiring process. The result is that Emmetros has attracted and retained a diverse team of difference makers, which is almost 100% led by women. She calls them “Commitment & the 4 Ins.”

12:40 - SHAD Network: Deep Inclusion Panel - Moderated by Tim Jackson
Everybody’s talking about inclusion – and that’s a good thing. But if inclusion is going to be about more than photo-ops and catchphrases, we have to be real about the challenges of genuine, deep inclusion. Meaningful gender, economic, regional and philosophical diversity are easy to talk about but tough to achieve in any organization – even in entrepreneurial settings where diversity is widely known to be an engine for creativity.

SHAD is an enrichment and entrepreneurship program for high school aged youth established in 1980 and based in Waterloo, Ontario. This fireside chat session, facilitated by entrepreneur and business leader Tim Jackson, will include four SHAD Fellows - Alex Bouchard, Yesenia Cheekinew, Joseph Tafese and Steven Wang - whose stories show why it’s critical to get inclusion right.

1:10 - Michael Denham: Diversity - The best strategy for building world-class businesses
Fostering diversity is not only the right thing to do morally, it is also the best thing to do from a business perspective. There is overwhelming evidence that embracing diversity correlates with higher revenues, profits and market value.

Join Michael Denham, President and CEO of BDC – the only Canadian bank devoted exclusively to entrepreneurs – as he speaks about why we need to decisively incorporate diversity and inclusion in our businesses for the benefit of our entrepreneurs and our economy. He will highlight inspiring stories showcasing diversity, as well as what BDC is doing to foster a diverse and inclusive entrepreneurial landscape in Canada.

1:25 - Jeannette Stock and Taylor Bond: Taking Pride in Canadian Tech: LGBTQ+ Inclusion as a Global Opportunity
Canada has an opportunity to become a world leader in LGBTQ+ inclusion in tech, and make that part of our unfair advantage.  If founders and leaders make decisions with LGBTQ+ folks in mind and at the table, we’ll build better products, better teams and better companies. We also can be an example to the rest of the world in yet another way. But first, we’ve got to do the work.
Join Jeanette Stock and Taylor Bond, who lead Venture Out, an organization that connects LGBTQ+ people in tech to career opportunities, role models and each other. They’ll share lessons learned from building LGBTQ+ communities in tech and their hopes for the future of inclusion in tech.

1:40 - Mallorie Brodie (T-Minus 5): Bringing Modern Tech to Traditional Industries
T MINUS-5 is a concise, powerful crystallization of one of the themes of True North 2018 from an individual at the leading edge of the discussion.

1:45 - The Honourable Bardish Chagger: Closing remarks