Technological Futures

Dr. Mary Wells is the dean of the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Waterloo. An accomplished materials engineer, she chaired the Ontario Network of Women in Engineering from 2013 to 2018.

Wells is a founding member of the Trust in Research Undertaken in Science and Technology scholarly network. We asked her how we can strengthen trust in science and technology to positively advance society.

Opinion by Dr. Wells

Since our founding in 1957, the University of Waterloo has sought to uncover solutions to the most pressing, complex challenges facing humanity and our planet. As these challenges evolve, we are evolving too.

Dr. Ming Li  
Professor, Faculty of Mathematics  
> Cheriton School of Computer Science 
> Canada Research Chair in Bioinformatics 
> Founder, Bioinformatics Solutions Inc.  

Cancer is the leading cause of death in Canada. According to the Canadian Cancer Society, an estimated 230,000 people are diagnosed with cancer every year.  

Jason Amri (BCS in progress)
Student, Faculty of Mathematics
> Co-founder, 3cycle
> GreenHouse
> Velocity

In recent years, 3D printing has become a manufacturing resource used in small to large-scale projects from prototyping products to 3D-printed houses.  

Jonathan Fugelsang
Professor, Faculty of Arts

In an era of rapidly spread information, distinguishing between what’s meaningful and profound and what’s misleading nonsense has never been more vital to a productive society.

The University of Waterloo, in collaboration with the Perimeter Institute, hosted the TRuST Scholarly Network’s Conversations on Artificial Intelligence (AI), a dynamic and engaging discussion that delved into the societal impact of AI. The event was also supported by the Waterloo AI Institute, which is dedicated to developing human-centered AI for social good, fostering trust with industry partners, and scaling responsible solutions to enhance lives.