TechSequences

Today’s journalists use sophisticated tools to scrape, analyze, and visualize complex datasets, transforming investigative reporting across fields like political corruption and climate change. Yet this technological evolution comes at a critical moment when major tech platforms are scaling back fact-checking, making data-driven journalism even more crucial to maintaining public trust. From “Democracy Dies in Darkness” to “Riveting storytelling for all of America,” the recent shift in Washington Post’s mission indicates that journalism may be at a critical crossroad.

Join us for a conversation with Alexander Howard, digital governance expert, democracy advocate at Demand Progress, and deputy director at the Sunlight Foundation. How can we ensure rigorous reporting in an era of rapid content production? What standards should govern AI journalism? And can journalistic integrity survive as tech platforms retreat from fact-checking?

Hosted by: Alexa Raad and Leslie Daigle.

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The views and opinions expressed in this program are our own and may not reflect the views or positions of our employers.

Despite a $145.5 billion investment in pharmaceutical R&D in 2023, US Federal Drug Administration novel drug approvals remain stagnant at around 43 annually, according to recent findings from Deloitte’s 14th Annual Pharmaceutical Innovation Report. The complexity of modern diseases, combined with rising development costs and regulatory requirements, demands a fundamental transformation in how we approach pharmaceutical R&D. 

Join us for a discussion with Dr. Brendan Frey, Professor at the University of Toronto, Deep Genomics founder, and Vector Institute co-founder, to explore how AI and tech-sector approaches like open source collaboration and shared data platforms can reverse this productivity paradox.

Hosted by: Alexa Raad and Leslie Daigle.

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The views and opinions expressed in this program are our own and may not reflect the views or positions of our employers.

In recent years, Internet-enabled wearable devices have emerged as powerful tools for monitoring and managing personal health, promising to revolutionize healthcare delivery. As these technologies have become more affordable and user-friendly, their adoption has skyrocketed – in 2022 alone, over 492 million wearable devices were shipped globally. This proliferation of wearables is poised to shift the paradigm from reactive treatment to proactive health management and precision medicine. As we stand on the brink of this wearable revolution, how can we understand the potential impact of these devices on medicine and healthcare? 

Join us for a conversation with Michael Snyder — the Stanford W. Ascherman Professor, chair of genetics, and director of genomics and personalized medicine at Stanford University.

Hosted by: Alexa Raad and Leslie Daigle.

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The views and opinions expressed in this program are our own and may not reflect the views or positions of our employers.

As Americans reflect on our own recent presidential election, the rest of the world faces a critical challenge: navigating elections in an era of increasingly sophisticated artificial intelligence. From chatbots providing misleading voting information to deep fake videos of candidates, AI is transforming the landscape of electoral integrity in ways we’re only beginning to understand.

Please join us for a conversation with Dr. Alondra Nelson, Harold F. Linder Professor at the Institute for Advanced Study, and a distinguished senior fellow at the Center for American Progress on the role of AI in election information and integrity.

Hosted by: Alexa Raad and Leslie Daigle.

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The views and opinions expressed in this program are our own and may not reflect the views or positions of our employers.

While industrial and vertical farming have become commonplace in many parts of the world, these advanced techniques are not widely implemented in Africa, where the largest food deficit is expected. This even though Africa has the land and the climate that is suited to growing virtually anything. There is now a growing chorus of academics, technologists, companies as well as charitable organizations who are extolling the virtues of cutting edge technology such as blockchain to revolutionize agriculture.

Join us for a conversation with Professor Forouzan Golshani, Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors and a Lifetime Fellow of IEEE, as we discuss how leveraging technologies such as blockchain can serve as a powerful tool for farmers to barter goods and services, secure certifications, obtain loans, and even access additional income through carbon credit programs.

Hosted by: Alexa Raad and Leslie Daigle.

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The views and opinions expressed in this program are our own and may not reflect the views or positions of our employers.

In the quest to revolutionize medicine, our bodies are becoming living laboratories. By 2030, it’s estimated that bioprinting could address up to 20% of the organ transplant waiting list globally. These groundbreaking technologies are set to generate custom, patient-specific organs – potentially saving thousands of lives each year. As we transition into an era of on-demand, tailored organ creation, critical questions emerge.

Join us for a conversation with Dr. Mark Skylar-Scott, a pioneering researcher in bioprinting technology, and Assistant Professor of Bioengineering at Stanford University, on how bioprinting could transform the landscape of organ transplantation and potential consequences for healthcare and equitable access.

Hosted by: Alexa Raad and Leslie Daigle.

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The views and opinions expressed in this program are our own and may not reflect the views or positions of our employers.

In the race to the future, our cars are becoming supercomputers on wheels. By 2025, it’s estimated that 70% of light-duty vehicles and trucks globally will be connected to the internet. These rolling data centers are set to generate a staggering amount of information – up to 25 gigabytes per hour for automated vehicles. As we transition into an increasingly interconnected automotive ecosystem critical questions emerge.

Join us for a conversation with Berkeley law professor James Dempsey and Professor Andrew Grotto of Stanford: who should control the vast amounts of data generated by our vehicles? And how can we balance the benefits of connectivity with the need for robust security, privacy, innovation and competition?

Hosted by: Alexa Raad and Leslie Daigle.

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The views and opinions expressed in this program are our own and may not reflect the views or positions of our employers.

With the dawn of AI, more and more applications that we rely on for work or play are being augmented by generative AI. According to Gartner, 55% of organizations have implemented or are piloting generative AI solutions. This rapid uptake is driven by the promise of increased efficiency and innovation. However, this also brings significant challenges, particularly concerning data quality and privacy. For example, the US Congress recently banned the use of Microsoft Copilot for its staff, citing risks of data leaks. Gartner also advises caution, warning that AI tools’ ability to access and manipulate unprotected content could lead to sensitive information being exposed both internally and externally.

Join us for a conversation with Alastair Paterson, a serial cyber-security entrepreneur and co-founder and CEO of Harmonic Security.

Hosted by: Alexa Raad and Leslie Daigle.

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The views and opinions expressed in this program are our own and may not reflect the views or positions of our employers.

If you have ever come across a story that resonated with you because it sounded authentic, only to find out later that it was not true, you have experienced the paradox of “authenticity” versus “facticity”.  In fact, in the post truth digital age, authenticity is less about factual accuracy and more about emotional resonance. Algorithms, often perceived as objective and neutral, actually shape and influence our perceptions of authenticity, identity, and truth. This concept is particularly relevant in today’s media landscape, where “fake news,” embellished personal stories, and various forms of misinformation can often feel authentic despite being factually incorrect.

Join us for a conversation with Dr. Wendy Hui Kyong Chun and  Dr. Ioana B. Jucan to understand the relationship between algorithms and authenticity in the digital age, and the implications of living in a world where our perceptions of truth are constantly being manipulated.

Hosted by: Alexa Raad and Leslie Daigle.

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The views and opinions expressed in this program are our own and may not reflect the views or positions of our employers.

The introduction of the internet, a pivotal event in the Third Industrial Revolution, was shaped by crucial design and policy decisions made by early internet pioneers. Decisions such as adopting packet-switching for ARPANET, developing TCP/IP, and creating HTML and HTTP were fundamental in building the modern Internet. These choices enabled efficient data transmission, standardized communication, and facilitated the exponential growth of online connectivity. However, these decisions also had unintended consequences, including security vulnerabilities and the spread of misinformation.

Join us for a conversation with Scott Bradner and Scott Shackelford, authors of the book Forks in the Digital Road: Key Decisions in the History of the Internet about these early decisions, their profound impact, and potential lessons for the future.

Hosted by: Alexa Raad and Leslie Daigle.

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The views and opinions expressed in this program are our own and may not reflect the views or positions of our employers.