Balsillie School
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The Balsillie School of International Affairs (BSIA) is a centre for advanced research and teaching in a global network of scholars, students and policy makers.
https://balsillieschool.ca/
https://balsillieschool.ca/
We were honoured to welcome BSIA Fellow Diana Fox Carney to the Balsillie School for her keynote to commence The TRANSFORM Project Symposium.
Thank you again, Diana, for taking time to share your deep insights, breadth of experience, and vibrant energy with the community.
Thank you again, Diana, for taking time to share your deep insights, breadth of experience, and vibrant energy with the community.
September 18, 2025 at 7:30 PM
We were honoured to welcome BSIA Fellow Diana Fox Carney to the Balsillie School for her keynote to commence The TRANSFORM Project Symposium.
Thank you again, Diana, for taking time to share your deep insights, breadth of experience, and vibrant energy with the community.
Thank you again, Diana, for taking time to share your deep insights, breadth of experience, and vibrant energy with the community.
How can emerging technologies shape global migration policy?
This year’s Policy Challenge explored bold ideas for tech-driven migration governance. Thanks to our teams, judges, and partners for making it all possible.
Read the 2025 anthology to see how student teams tackled the future of policy.
This year’s Policy Challenge explored bold ideas for tech-driven migration governance. Thanks to our teams, judges, and partners for making it all possible.
Read the 2025 anthology to see how student teams tackled the future of policy.
September 8, 2025 at 3:04 PM
How can emerging technologies shape global migration policy?
This year’s Policy Challenge explored bold ideas for tech-driven migration governance. Thanks to our teams, judges, and partners for making it all possible.
Read the 2025 anthology to see how student teams tackled the future of policy.
This year’s Policy Challenge explored bold ideas for tech-driven migration governance. Thanks to our teams, judges, and partners for making it all possible.
Read the 2025 anthology to see how student teams tackled the future of policy.
Looking to develop your knowledge and skill sets to operate in an AI world? The Balsillie Executive Institute offers executive courses, masterclasses and online module on a range of AI-related issues.
For more information on BEI courses and programs, visit balsillieinstitute.ca
For more information on BEI courses and programs, visit balsillieinstitute.ca
August 29, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Looking to develop your knowledge and skill sets to operate in an AI world? The Balsillie Executive Institute offers executive courses, masterclasses and online module on a range of AI-related issues.
For more information on BEI courses and programs, visit balsillieinstitute.ca
For more information on BEI courses and programs, visit balsillieinstitute.ca
We’re grateful to our guest speakers and students whose expertise and curiosity made this week so impactful. Your engagement continues to shape this program into a space for rigorous dialogue and forward-thinking innovation.
August 22, 2025 at 2:52 PM
We’re grateful to our guest speakers and students whose expertise and curiosity made this week so impactful. Your engagement continues to shape this program into a space for rigorous dialogue and forward-thinking innovation.
Sessions tackled the rise of intangible economies, the economics of sustainability, and the ethical complexities of digital health and consent. These aren’t future concerns—they’re today’s policy challenges.
August 22, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Sessions tackled the rise of intangible economies, the economics of sustainability, and the ethical complexities of digital health and consent. These aren’t future concerns—they’re today’s policy challenges.
We explored digital transparency, AI’s impact on labour and geopolitics, and the regulatory dilemmas posed by frontier technologies—from geoengineering to space governance.
August 22, 2025 at 2:52 PM
We explored digital transparency, AI’s impact on labour and geopolitics, and the regulatory dilemmas posed by frontier technologies—from geoengineering to space governance.
Instructor Branka Marijan explored the rise of autonomous weapons, military AI, and robotics. She warned that innovation is outpacing governance—transparency, accountability, and ethics must catch up to ensure responsible use of defence technologies.
August 20, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Instructor Branka Marijan explored the rise of autonomous weapons, military AI, and robotics. She warned that innovation is outpacing governance—transparency, accountability, and ethics must catch up to ensure responsible use of defence technologies.
Instructor Alexander Lanoszka cautioned that hype around emerging tech—AI, cyber, quantum—can distort national security priorities. The challenge, he argued, is separating strategic value from speculative noise to ensure policy is grounded in real capability.
August 20, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Instructor Alexander Lanoszka cautioned that hype around emerging tech—AI, cyber, quantum—can distort national security priorities. The challenge, he argued, is separating strategic value from speculative noise to ensure policy is grounded in real capability.
Instructor Jenna Hennebry emphasized that tech in migration governance isn’t neutral: “AI deployment risks deepening the digital divide and entrenching power asymmetries between states.” Without proactive, rights-based policy, bias and surveillance may reinforce existing inequities.
August 20, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Instructor Jenna Hennebry emphasized that tech in migration governance isn’t neutral: “AI deployment risks deepening the digital divide and entrenching power asymmetries between states.” Without proactive, rights-based policy, bias and surveillance may reinforce existing inequities.
“Climate warning risk is the driving force for change,” said Instructor Jatin Nathwani, emphaszing: energy systems must evolve, and fast. This isn’t just a technical fix—it’s a global challenge that demands vision, cooperation, and bold policy.
August 20, 2025 at 8:13 PM
“Climate warning risk is the driving force for change,” said Instructor Jatin Nathwani, emphaszing: energy systems must evolve, and fast. This isn’t just a technical fix—it’s a global challenge that demands vision, cooperation, and bold policy.
Water innovation is about more than infrastructure—it’s about policy, equity, and long-term economics. Instructor Dustin Garrick’s case studies show how sustainable systems can be both environmentally sound and economically viable.
August 19, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Water innovation is about more than infrastructure—it’s about policy, equity, and long-term economics. Instructor Dustin Garrick’s case studies show how sustainable systems can be both environmentally sound and economically viable.
Instructor Neil Craik explored geoengineering-based solutions to climate change. From carbon removal to solar radiation management, these technologies raise urgent questions about governance, equity, and long-term risk.
August 19, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Instructor Neil Craik explored geoengineering-based solutions to climate change. From carbon removal to solar radiation management, these technologies raise urgent questions about governance, equity, and long-term risk.
Apple ranked among the most valuable brands of 2024. Why? Instructor Bruce McConomy explained: brand value is about what you could sell it for—or the cash flow it generates. Intangibles like brand equity, IP, and data are quietly reshaping how we measure success.
August 19, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Apple ranked among the most valuable brands of 2024. Why? Instructor Bruce McConomy explained: brand value is about what you could sell it for—or the cash flow it generates. Intangibles like brand equity, IP, and data are quietly reshaping how we measure success.
Innovation needs more than ideas—it needs strategic capital. Instructor Artie Ng shared how financing models shape the trajectory of tech breakthroughs. Timing, partnerships, and purpose-driven investment are the real game changers.
August 19, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Innovation needs more than ideas—it needs strategic capital. Instructor Artie Ng shared how financing models shape the trajectory of tech breakthroughs. Timing, partnerships, and purpose-driven investment are the real game changers.
Joel Blit presented on The Coming AI Revolution and its Impact on the Future of Work, outlining key trends in automation, productivity, and the need for proactive workforce development strategies.
August 18, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Joel Blit presented on The Coming AI Revolution and its Impact on the Future of Work, outlining key trends in automation, productivity, and the need for proactive workforce development strategies.
Matt Malone discussed Government Transparency Frameworks in the Digital Age, highlighting the importance of balancing public access with information integrity.
August 18, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Matt Malone discussed Government Transparency Frameworks in the Digital Age, highlighting the importance of balancing public access with information integrity.
Professor Ann Fitz-Gerald opened the week with a session on Policy Development in a Digital Era, emphasizing the need for adaptive, inclusive, and responsive policy frameworks in the face of rapid technological change.
August 18, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Professor Ann Fitz-Gerald opened the week with a session on Policy Development in a Digital Era, emphasizing the need for adaptive, inclusive, and responsive policy frameworks in the face of rapid technological change.
Barry Appleton then laid out the foundations of Digital Governance Frameworks, and how to build resilient, forward-looking systems to manage digital transformation. We wrapped with a global lens: the India Algorithm Case Study.
August 15, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Barry Appleton then laid out the foundations of Digital Governance Frameworks, and how to build resilient, forward-looking systems to manage digital transformation. We wrapped with a global lens: the India Algorithm Case Study.
James W. Hinton followed with a look at the legal implications of this shift. Using Shopify as a case study, he highlighted how competition in the ecommerce space is increasingly shaped by platform governance and intellectual property strategy.
August 15, 2025 at 2:07 PM
James W. Hinton followed with a look at the legal implications of this shift. Using Shopify as a case study, he highlighted how competition in the ecommerce space is increasingly shaped by platform governance and intellectual property strategy.
Dan Ciuriak began with a session on the Intangibles Economy—how value creation is shifting from physical assets to data, IP, and networks.
August 15, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Dan Ciuriak began with a session on the Intangibles Economy—how value creation is shifting from physical assets to data, IP, and networks.
Day 3 shifted to hands-on AI:
→ How AI tech works and how to use AI tools, led by Dmytro Chumachenko
→ Governance, trust, and participatory approaches to AI with Susan Aaronson, including a case study: Can AI help gather public opinion and build consensus?
→ How AI tech works and how to use AI tools, led by Dmytro Chumachenko
→ Governance, trust, and participatory approaches to AI with Susan Aaronson, including a case study: Can AI help gather public opinion and build consensus?
August 13, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Day 3 shifted to hands-on AI:
→ How AI tech works and how to use AI tools, led by Dmytro Chumachenko
→ Governance, trust, and participatory approaches to AI with Susan Aaronson, including a case study: Can AI help gather public opinion and build consensus?
→ How AI tech works and how to use AI tools, led by Dmytro Chumachenko
→ Governance, trust, and participatory approaches to AI with Susan Aaronson, including a case study: Can AI help gather public opinion and build consensus?
Day 2 of TGSS, students learned:
→ Computer security and privacy with Florian Kerschbaum
→ Real-world cybersecurity practice from J. Paul Haynes, COO & President of eSentire
→ The history of AI with Mark Humphries
→ Law, ethics, and trust in AI healthcare with Maura Grossman
→ Computer security and privacy with Florian Kerschbaum
→ Real-world cybersecurity practice from J. Paul Haynes, COO & President of eSentire
→ The history of AI with Mark Humphries
→ Law, ethics, and trust in AI healthcare with Maura Grossman
August 13, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Day 2 of TGSS, students learned:
→ Computer security and privacy with Florian Kerschbaum
→ Real-world cybersecurity practice from J. Paul Haynes, COO & President of eSentire
→ The history of AI with Mark Humphries
→ Law, ethics, and trust in AI healthcare with Maura Grossman
→ Computer security and privacy with Florian Kerschbaum
→ Real-world cybersecurity practice from J. Paul Haynes, COO & President of eSentire
→ The history of AI with Mark Humphries
→ Law, ethics, and trust in AI healthcare with Maura Grossman
In the last session of the day, RANOVUS CEO Hamid Arabzadeh shares insight on the current trends in the semi-conductor and chip industry: "A lot has changed in this system since last year - it's dynamic."
August 11, 2025 at 8:06 PM
In the last session of the day, RANOVUS CEO Hamid Arabzadeh shares insight on the current trends in the semi-conductor and chip industry: "A lot has changed in this system since last year - it's dynamic."
Looking into Large Language Models (LLM), Instructor Pascal Poupart discusses the automation/replacement of industry: "Knowledge workers until recently have had nothing to worry about, but with Agentic AI we are now automating much of the knowledge industry as well. This is happening as we speak."
August 11, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Looking into Large Language Models (LLM), Instructor Pascal Poupart discusses the automation/replacement of industry: "Knowledge workers until recently have had nothing to worry about, but with Agentic AI we are now automating much of the knowledge industry as well. This is happening as we speak."
An introduction to Data Science and Data Analytics from Tamer Ozsu: "Data science deployments never happen in a vacuum; they always happen in a political context and that context is important."
August 11, 2025 at 8:06 PM
An introduction to Data Science and Data Analytics from Tamer Ozsu: "Data science deployments never happen in a vacuum; they always happen in a political context and that context is important."