Navigating Rupture is cohosted by the University of Waterloo and the Balsillie School of International Affairs.
This event is a follow-up to last year’s CEO Challenge, where nearly 200 leaders from business, government and academia came together to examine how our Region should respond to the profound geopolitical and economic shifts affecting Canada. Improving productivity gains was identified as a key challenge. Since that time, we have launched the Waterloo Region AI Coalition together with Communitech and 17 other community partners to support firms and organisations in adopting AI and digital innovation tools to improve their productivity.
The urgency of this work has only intensified. Prime Minister Mark Carney recently spoke of a “rupture” in the global order in his Davos address and called on Canada to rethink trade, investment and security in an increasingly volatile world. These challenges and opportunities are deeply relevant for Waterloo Region.
On April 7, we will reconvene to discuss these issues through the lens of technological disruption and geopolitical uncertainty. We will once again welcome Balsillie Fellow Hamza Abdulbasit, who will join us in person to share insights on the new geopolitical reality from his perspective in Washington D.C.
The event will include a moderated discussion with attendees, focused on opportunities for our Region across AI, advanced manufacturing, quantum, defense and health innovation, followed by a networking reception and refreshments.
