ABCtech #41 12JUN15 The impact of emerging technologies – Be Careful What You Wish For

ABCtech #41 12JUN15 The impact of emerging technologies – Be Careful What You Wish For

In the 20th century, science and engineering converged gifting us extraordinary advances in public health with surging growth in 3rd world countries.  In more developed countries, time-saving devices relieved homemakers of domestic drudgery. The participation rate of women in the workforce soared and family income with it. Hints of revolutions that lie in the 21st century are becoming clearer – by the day …

Emerging technologies like mercury on the loose, continue to find their way into every aspect of our “busy” lives. New infoTech apps appear daily for sensing – and learning, what we need, want, desire. Drones, robots, apps are promoted as our next best friends and aides – possibly even our substitutes.

The emergence of machines programmed to sense and learn are converting data to information to knowledge as aides – or alternates, for decision making. Machine learning and the “internet of everything” represent a significant challenge to anyone – particularly the professions, foundational to the knowledge economy.

Machine learning may prove to be as disruptive a technology as any we have ever experienced and along with it, serve as a boon to the new industry of cyber-security.

But change doesn’t end there. We are witnessing on a global scale, the politicization of cleanTech drien by climate change and the merging of energy and  environ-mental interests. Sharp battle lines are being drawn worldwide between protectors of the status quo in “carbon for energy” production and proponents of a non-carbon future ala wind, solar and ultimately nuclear.

And as if this wasn’t enough, consider the promise of bioTech. Canadians are well aware that Gordie Howe received his second treatment of cell therapy, elevating the hope of anyone with a degenerative disease – or faced with aging!

Where does this all lead? Science and engineering continue at an ever increasing rate to disrupt the status quo – elevating “individual” interests and undermining “public” interests. Age-old public systems, professions, and institutions are challenged. The pressures  to learn and regulate, adapt and transition are enormous!

We are reminded: lead, follow, or get out of the way … a new economy responding to  personal interests is evolving before our very eyes. – Esir Pretne

JUNE SCHEDULE

Thursday, June 17th – UBER CANADA – stirring debate re public vs private interests on how a simple app designed for rider convenience is disrupting the status quo. FOR MORE

Monday, June 29th – MOONLIGHT IN THE MEADOWS – creativity & convergence. ABCtech’s renown, all-industry networking BBQ – featuring bistros and beverages, lite entertainment and networking. For those engaged in “creating the new Alberta economy”, in the lush meadows of the Region’s river valley, among the shadows of a June full-moon arising. FOR MORE

For Clarity 
In 2005 the Alberta Council of Technologies was established out of concern that Alberta’s economy was vulnerable to crude shocks and needed a credible voice to champion the role of emerging technologies for diversifying Alberta’s economy. Over the last 10 years we have hosted dozens of events and hundreds of articles – contributing to a huge surge of interest in the role technologies are playing in our society and serving to clarify our role – and yours, in “creating Alberta’s new economy”. – Thank you!