Marco Pimentel

GUEST SUBMISSION: Artificial intelligence (AI) has an environmental paradox. On one hand, it can accelerate the solutions we need for a sustainable future, from decarbonizing grids to discovering the materials that power renewable technologies. On the other hand, training large AI models and running the data centres behind them consumes vast amounts of energy, creating new strains on electricity systems and emissions targets. The challenge isn’t how to slow AI down, it’s how to build it right.

Ethics have never been more vital to tech. Privacy, data security, bias, AI -- the tech industry must constantly question the potential impact of any new product. But what about the impact of the businesses themselves? With great power comes great responsibility. That’s the position the tech industry finds itself in, on the global stage and in the United States -- with huge societal influence. Tech is a in the US, making it the largest tech market in the world.

GUEST SUBMISSION: The federal government plans to reach net-zero by 2050, but who is responsible and can make it happen? There are many pathways to net-zero and Canada will have its unique one that will probably encompass a mix of government, corporates and citizen action. However, if Canada wants to deliver on its net-zero targets, it will have to support and enable its small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to be part of that journey.