Questions About Privacy

The annual survey of students of MSci 442 consistently ranks privacy as the topic or most concern, amongst those covered in the course. This is a view that is widely held in the general population. There is debate over the level public awareness of the data that is collected as people are online and of …

Questions About Big Tech

In the beginning, when the big technology companies first began providing the services that are such an important part of most of our lives, much of the public viewed them positively, believing they mostly acted with good intent. Research indicates that over the past several years, that opinion has changed and there is now significant …

Questions About Jobs and the Economy

While the overall economy has been relatively strong in recent years, it faces serious challenges. The distribution of wealth has become more polarised (there is a larger gap between rich and poor). Some people have become significantly wealthier while many others have had stagnant or declining living standards. Some sectors of the economy have declined, …

Questions About Artificial Intelligence

The objective of artificial intelligence is to have computers able to do more things that are only possible by humans today. Artificial General Intelligence is computing capability that is at the same level as humans. This has not yet been achieved and it is expected that it would provide high levels of utility. While artificial …

Questions About Cities

The cities that most of the world’s population live in today are being impacted by information technology in a range of areas, leading many to believe that they will be very different in the future than they are today. There are many opportunities for information technology to be applied in ways that will be of …

Questions About How We Think

There is a vigorous debate about the impact that information technology has on mental wellness and our mental characteristics. Some argue that the internet has seriously negative consequences and that there needs to be regulation to mitigate this, while others argue that the impact is largely beneficial, and that calls for regulation will reduce the …

Questions About Developing Countries

The lives of people in developing countries remain a cause of great concern and the gap between vaccination levels of populations of rich and poor countries are appalling evidence of this. In recent years there has been hope and pessimism about the impact that information technology can have on this division. Opinions are varied – …

Questions About Globalisation

Globalisation is the increasing international integration of our world, which includes increased trade in goods and services, movement of people and sharing of cultures. Information technology has accelerated globalisation by enabling easier global communication and collaboration to manage the production and movement of goods and services, and enabling people to access global culture and employment. …

Questions About Democracy

The impact that information technology is having on democracy extends into many areas and has caused US President Joe Biden to argue that the future of democracy is uncertain and requires action to continue as the fundamental principle in the governance of most developed nations. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1VE0vfvfyY Some Canadian citizens voiced their thoughts about democracy in …

Digital Change in Durham Region – Teresa Shaver

Technological change, accelerated by Covid-19 is impacting all Canadian communities and those in most parts of the world. In this interview, Teresa Shaver, Executive Director of the Business Advisory Centre Durham, discusses the changes that have been taking place in her community, how Covid-19 has affected these changes and how the BACD is helping local …