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Thought leaders gather for Waterloo Innovation Summit
From September 13 to 15, the University of Waterloo will host “Hacking the Future,” the 2017 Waterloo Innovation Summit, which promises to be a global forum on disruptive technology. Hundreds of business, government and academic leaders from around the world will descend on Canada’s leading technology ecosystem to explore the trends that are driving global innovation.
The fifth annual Waterloo Innovation Summit is a sold-out affair.
“With technology driving change at a rapid pace, it’s becoming increasingly important for business, government and academic leaders to work together to prepare for what is coming and capitalize on our many strengths,” says President Feridun Hamdullahpur. “Whether it is AI, quantum technology or cybersecurity, summit attendees will engage with other leaders on when and how to harness these disruptive technologies.”
The co-chairs of the summit are broadcaster and author Amanda Lang and Toronto-based entrepreneur Michael Serbinis. Vancouver futurist Nikolas Badminton is the summit’s strategic coordinator.
The summit’s three days are packed with keynote talks, interactive workshops and panel discussions on:
- Corporate disruption
- Adaptation through reinvention
- Robotics and artificial intelligence
- Our rapidly shifting geopolitical climate
- Cyber-security
- The talent imperative
Keynote speakers include:
- Amber Case, cyborg anthropologist and Fellow, Harvard University's Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society;
- Jared Cohen, founder of Google Ideas, President of Jigsaw;
- JB Straubel, co-founder and Chief Technical Officer, Tesla, Inc.
The keynote addresses and panel discussions are being supported by a number of additional events including an innovation ecosystem tour, networking breaks, luncheons, receptions, dinners, and pitch competitions.
“Hacking the Future” focuses on forward-thinking, provocative discussions with 300 corporate, government and academic leaders from across Canada and around the world, including attendees from Japan, China, the United States, New Zealand, and Portugal.
The diverse audience will be keen to learn about disruptive trends facing the world today, adaptation strategies to succeed in these environments, and the overall innovation landscape of tomorrow.
Attendees will hear from representatives from some of the world’s most forward-thinking companies, including Tesla, Dyson, Microsoft, Jigsaw, Kik and Whitespace at luluemon athletica.
Follow along on social media with the hashtag #WINS17 and check the Waterloo Innovation Summit website for real-time updates and recaps of the signature events. You can also download the official WINS17 app from the App Store, Google Play, or from CrowdCompass.
The Waterloo Innovation Summit is presented in partnership with industry leaders from Waterloo Region and across Canada, including Communitech, the Lazaridis Institute for the Management of Technology Enterprises, SAP, Blackberry, Waterloo EDC, the City of Waterloo, the City of Kitchener, the City of Cambridge, the Region of Waterloo, HATCH, and BDC.
Hacking the future at Waterloo
This is the latest post on President Feridun Hamdullahpur's blog.
Waterloo is a magnet for innovators and disruptors.
So, it is no surprise that tomorrow our University will welcome a diverse group of business leaders to our Waterloo Innovation Summit.
Our fantastic speakers will lead discussions about “hacking the future,” starting with our Co-Chairs, business journalist Amanda Lang and serial entrepreneur Michael Serbinis.
The impressive line-up includes world leaders in fields like artificial intelligence, quantum, entertainment and cryptocurrency.
Thought leaders from around the world come to the Waterloo Innovation Summit because this is a place where great minds come to address problems in unconventional ways.
The theme “hacking the future” is appropriate because the Summit addresses big challenges for which there are no obvious answers.
How will humans interact with machines driven by artificial intelligence?
What will drive mass usage of cryptocurrency?
Can cybersecurity keep us safe?
These are just a few of the many issues being addressed over the next two days.
Status quo answers simply do not exist for questions like this.
This conference has an impact on the world because, like our University, it is innovative, interdisciplinary and international in scope. As people meet, they are connecting with other great minds that have different perspectives, in a way that pushes the boundaries of knowledge.
That’s our way of advancing learning.
It’s no wonder that Waterloo continually attracts innovators, disrupters and people that always strive to make a difference.
If you are reading this, I’m guessing that you are one of those people.
So I must leave you with one question.
How will you hack the future?
WIS begins with ecosystem tour, opening reception
Today, the Waterloo Innovation Summit will orient its attendees with a guided tour that features exclusive access to world-class companies, incubators, and research hubs in Waterloo Region, including:
- Google Canada's research & development headquarters in downtown Kitchener;
- the Velocity Garage — the world’s largest free startup incubator; and
- the Communitech Hub.
Closer to campus, the tour will feature stops at the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, the Accelerator Centre, and the Sedra Student Design Centre in Engineering 5.
The tour will also visit SAP Labs — SAP Waterloo, a key research and development center for the world’s leading enterprise application provider and home to SAP Canada’s 1st AppHaus — a creative, cross-collaboration incubator that drives greenfield co-innovations in partnership with our field, customers, and leading academic institutions.
“Innovation is vital to Canadian competitiveness,” says Cam Vidler, vice president of industry and innovation at the Business Council of Canada and summit attendee. “This signature innovation event in Canada’s start-up centre is a great way to keep track of the latest developments and meet key players.”
The tour runs from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The opening reception takes place at the Lazaridis Institute for the Management of Technology Enterprises located at Wilfrid Laurier University beginning at 6:00 p.m. This reception at Lazaridis Hall includes summit delegates and local dignitaries.
Tomorrow morning, delegates and presenters will convene for a breakfast in the School of Accounting and Finance atrium before heading to the Humanities Theatre for the summit's first day of events. Check the Waterloo Innovation Summit website for more information about the event agenda.
Sign up for the Further Education Boot Camp
Mark your calendars! The Centre for Career Action (CCA) will be hosting its annual Further Education Boot Camp event on Saturday, September 30 from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. in the William M. Tatham Centre (TC). This conference-style workshop day will help students and alumni decide whether a health-related career is right for them. Attendees will hear directly from professionals about:
- Health-related careers
- Medical School
- Optometry
- Pharmacy
- Rehabilitation Sciences
This is a unique chance to learn about each field. Career Advisors will also share specific advice about application requirements for health-related professional and graduate programs.
Attendees can view the full-day’s schedule and register today. Schedules are customizable and workshops are available throughout the day. Please note that attendees must register for each individual session that they plan to attend.
For more information about further education workshops or to book individual appointments, please visit the Centre for Career Action.
See you there!
Wednesday's notes
Reunion 2017 is fast approaching, and in celebration of the University's 60thAnniversary, Alumni Relations and the University of Waterloo will be hosting a 60th Anniversary Reunion Concert featuring indigenous DJ crew A Tribe Called Red at the Physical Activities Complex on Friday, September 29.
The Juno Award-winning, and Polaris Music Prize nominated electronic music trio advocates for inclusivity, empathy and acceptance amongst all races and genders. Tickets for this concert are on sale now for only $20. This is an all ages event. I.D. is required for alcohol purchase. Please purchase your tickets online or at the campus bookstore.
Employers on campus next week hosting employer information sessions include Accedo, DRW, PepsiCo Beverages, Tesla, Desjardins Insurance, Capital One – Business, Yext, Citi Canada Technology Services, Datadog, Bank of Canada, Cisco Meraki, Travelers, Goldman Sachs, Loblaw Digital (Marketing and Trading), A Thinking Ape, Cockroach Labs, Veeva Systems, IBM Canada, Sun Life Financial (Actuarial), Loblaw Digital (Technology), Economical Insurance, Amazon, Munich Re, Flipp, Capco, TransCanada, Pacific Life Re, Manulife Financial (Advanced Analytics/Data Science), GroupBy Inc., Government of Ontario: Ontario Internship Program and Revolut Ltd. Visit the employer information sessions calendar for more details.