News That Matters To You

By Lawrence Zhang
Canada's pursuit of "digital sovereignty" distracts from the real need: Canadian companies integrating global technologies to boost productivity, says Lawrence Zhang, head of policy at the Information Technology & Innovation Foundation’s Centre for Canadian Innovation and Competitiveness. Prioritizing adoption, integration and effective use over domestic ownership will foster innovation and economic growth, he argues.

By Keith Belinko
Universities risk undermining graduate student employability, academic relevance and public trust in university education if faculty don't integrate AI literacy into the core curriculum, argues Keith Belinko with Doyletech Corporation. But over-reliance on AI tools may weaken learning and critical thinking, so faculty should adopt a coordinated set of actions that reflect both the opportunities and the risks created by AI, he says.

By Andrew Maxwell
Canada's innovation system suffers from a shortage of outcomes, not ideas, argues Andrew Maxwell, Bergeron Chair in Technology Entrepreneurship at York University. Maxwell points to a Canadian Science Policy Centre report, noting that a central innovation body is needed to convert research and talent into economic and social impact.

By Geoffrey Blanc
Canada's digital innovation and long-term competitiveness are at risk because sensitive data is stored under foreign jurisdiction, says Geoffrey Blanc, general manager of Quebec-based Cyberimpact. Blanc argues that building sovereign digital infrastructure and implementing a national data residency standard would strengthen the economy, protect privacy and foster trust in research and public institutions.

By Peter Josty
Insights into innovation-led growth from this year's Nobel Prize winners offer potential solutions for Canada's projected economic slowdown, says Peter Josty at The Centre for Innovation Studies. He notes that fostering competition, supporting science communication, and strengthening university-industry connections are key to boosting Canada's long-term growth.

By Peter MacKinnon
AI's rapid advancement poses a threat to democracy, enabling both manipulation through deepfakes and mass surveillance, warn Eli Fathi from Mindbridge Analytics and Peter MacKinnon from the University of Ottawa. Addressing this requires urgent safeguards and society-wide digital literacy campaigns to ensure AI empowers citizens rather than undermining democratic institutions, they say.

By Kendra MacDonald
Canada risks falling behind in the global ocean economy, warn Kendra MacDonald and Anya Waite, despite having the world's longest coastline. Investing in marine innovation and public-private partnerships can unlock clean growth and position Canada as a leader in sustainable ocean solutions.

By Roseann O'Reilly Runte
Nobel laureate Peter Howitt's work on "creative destruction" highlights capitalism's cycles of innovation and instability, emphasizing the need for lifelong learning and collaboration. Roseann O'Reilly Runte from Runte and Associates argues that, like Howitt, supporting education and innovation can address fears surrounding AI and ensure meaningful work in the future.

By Peter Josty
Canada leads the G7 in citizens with college or university credentials, yet artificial intelligence could significantly transform jobs held by highly educated workers. Peter Josty, executive director at The Centre for Innovation Studies, examines whether Canada is producing too many graduates in light of these shifts, noting that most graduate jobs will likely benefit from AI.