Technological Futures

University of Waterloo researchers have made a key breakthrough in developing next-generation batteries that are made using magnesium instead of lithium.

When the idea to create batteries using magnesium was first shared in a seminal academic paper in 2000, that novel design didn’t provide enough voltage to compete with lithium-ion batteries, which are predominantly used in the marketplace. Magnesium is much more abundant and less costly than lithium, which would help further sustainable energy storage.

The University of Waterloo is strengthening its leadership in artificial intelligence (AI) education with two initiatives: an open online AI literacy course for its community and a Waterloo.AI workshop on generative AI in K-12 education. Together, these initiatives highlight the University’s commitment to fostering responsible AI knowledge and shaping a future where AI is thoughtfully understood and applied across all levels of education and society.

A Velocity health-tech startup focused on improving health-care communication has announced an exciting new partnership with Grand River Hospital (GRH) to address communication challenges within the hospital’s Renal Program. This collaboration — a pre-commercialization project spanning three months — will leverage MedInclude’s artificial intelligence (AI) platform to enhance patient engagement and streamline interactions between health-care providers and patients. 

The University of Waterloo held its annual Tech Horizons Executive Forum on Tuesday, offering leaders from business to academia exclusive insights into the disruptive forces shaping technology, business strategy and global transformation. 

Held at the CIBC Square auditorium in Toronto, the sold-out event drew hundreds of executives for a dynamic lineup of panel discussions and keynotes. The sessions focused on navigating global and geopolitical uncertainties and tackling the challenges of adopting and implementing artificial intelligence (AI) through a distinctly Canadian lens. 

Velocity, the entrepreneurship center of the University of Waterloo — the number one school in Canada for entrepreneurs — has announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with The Blockchain Center in Abu Dhabi.

Most older adults prefer to age in their homes and stay active in their communities. For many, malnutrition will derail those plans due to involuntary weight loss, micronutrient deficiencies and frailty. These conditions don’t just impact quality of life, they frequently necessitate a transition to living in a long-term care facility.  

An interdisciplinary research team from the University of Waterloo is building systems that mimic the human brain to improve the power efficiency and performance of artificial neural networks like those used in autonomous vehicle (AV) technology.  

Following an extensive search process, the University of Waterloo, St. Mary’s General Hospital and Grand River Hospital are pleased to announce Danina Kapetanovic as the first Vice President, Innovation and Chief Health Innovation Officer, starting on January 13, 2025.

Karim S. Karim (BASc '99, PhD '03) is the associate vice-president of Commercialization and Entrepreneurship at the University of Waterloo and a professor of electrical and computer engineering. With a distinguished career that includes co-founding the Waterloo medical imaging spin-off KA Imaging, Karim highlights the University’s impact and vision behind its Innovation Arena.