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ABCtech #58 07FEB16 The ABCtech As An “Honest Broker”
We are also an "honest broker", meaning we care about the social and economic disruptive impact of these technologies. We advocate for both the development of a supportive ecosystem/ biosphere for inn
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ABCtech #58 07FEB16 The ABCtech As An “Honest Broker”
EVENTS … continued
April 12th & 13th – Banff
Smart City Symposium
Contact us HERE for information on speaking and sponsorship opportunities!”
June 21st – Edmonton
“Moonlight in the Meadows”
ABCtech’s AGM/BBQ
Contact us HERE re Hospitality Suites
Phone (780)990-5874 or TF 1(866)241-7535
The Alberta Council of Technologies Society is more that just a catalyst for innovation and the commercialization of emerging technologies. We are also an “honest broker”, meaning we care about the social and economic disruptive impact of these technologies.
We advocate for both the development of a supportive ecosystem/ biosphere for innovation AND we promote a frank discussion of the pros and cons for informing the public about emerging technologies. In that respect we are simultaneously both a market maker and breaker. Our discussions – events, salons and “seances; newsletters, programs and policy papers, are intended to draw “informed” attention to what is needed to adopt OR NOT new technologies.
A recent case in point was our recent co-hosting of a reception with the Alberta Enterprise Group (AEG) in Edmonton about Uber. The reception served as an opportunity for our network and that of AEG to: 1) meet one another – of value in itself, 2) receive a presentation about Uber, and 3) discuss its implications. We can’t help but think that such a session helped prepare Edmonton for what was to follow. A very predictable and often heated – but well informed, public and political debate about the pros and cons, who would benefit and who would have to adjust to legalizing Uber services in Edmonton.
The debate – so typical when change is triggered by a new technology, was focused by Edmonton’s City Council on what we value: democracy – open, free, orderly debate; competition of ideas, services, and institutions; markets – for advancing innovation. City Council – listened, debated and adopted a policy/position that accepted Uber with some conditions in the interest of easing the impact on those who were championing the status quo. They took a balanced but progressive perspective – the first City to do so in Canada!
If you or your organization are confronted by change, driven by an emerging technology, know you are not alone. Know too that we can help. Emerging technologies and their commercialization is what both excites AND concerns us. We offer information and events to foment orderly, informed discussion and an advanced assessment of emerging technologies AND their implications. That is what LEADERSHIP is all about, that is our MISSION.
No one and no family, no organization and no profession, no government and no industry, can ignore the profound implications of these emerging technologies on what we value. Nor can we afford to deny or blindly adopt them.
Consider:
- The “internet of things” – offering to “sense” and learn about our every behaviour in the interest of anticipating our every need.
- The “personalization” of health care, where new technologies capitalize on the capacity of the body to “heal itself”, improving the quality and extension of life itself.
- “Re-engineering” of our grains, forests, organics in the interest of revolutionizing their sources of supply, cost and improved nutrition.
- Introducing safer “nuclear fission” and soon “fusion” energy with no carbon footprint, displacing usage of carbon for energy, reversing climate change and overhauling today’s energy industry.
- “Hi-speed” and “automated” transportation for passengers and cargo, displacing roadways and railways, transforming the design of where we live and work – through an ever expanding looping, connector networks.
- Analytics and machine learning – for improved service and automated decision making where machines learn to outperform people safely, timely, and more accurately.
Science fiction? Hardly. The plethora of research institutions, investment capital and current economic turmoil are driving the call for innovation throughout the globe. So beware – change is coming and it will be profound, shaking the very fundamental values that we have come to accept as given; democracy, public respect, the sanctity of life, and a pace of living, already so fast as to challenge our capacity (and interest) to be informed, to learn, to engage, to care.
Are we ready? Are governments, industry, people ready? Are they “open minded”, informed, ready for debate? Or are we so bombarded with information, so confused as to be tuned out? Can we even pay attention long enough to understand, or do we just go with the flow – reading at best the headlines? Just reacting to change. Are we too numb to learn, explore or even read? Are we too trusting or already just too damn busy to get involved?
Are “political correctness”, “no spanking”, “the welfare state”, incessant whining and “in your face” media and the growing influence of special interests, all symptoms of a numbing of personal responsibility. “Yes” is evident, as new technologies offer to further help, want your trust, and own us. Caution!
– Esir Pretne, MEMBER, Alberta Council of Technolgies Society
Alberta Technology Industry Directory
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SURVEY UNDERWAY
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Part-time sales & marketing for technology, manufacturing, education & medical science start-ups and SME’s since 1987. ABCtech member.
EVENTS
March 2 & 3rd – Edmonton and Calgary
Western Business Outlook 2016
Wednesday March 2
The Westin Edmonton.
Thursday March 3
The Westin Calgary
March 10th & 11th- Banff
Launching “Alberta by Design”
A Socio-Economic Forum for Applying Your Ideas and Creating A Preferred Future for Alberta
