Balsillie School

The BEI OnDemand modules in Digital Policy Innovation are now 𝗟𝗜𝗩𝗘.

𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝗶𝗻 𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘄.
balsillieinstitute.ca/on-demand-mo...

Opinion: Why Canada should make a bid to host the United Nations headquarters The United States has lost any moral claim it had to play host to the UN’s headquarters as it withdraws from internationalism

My latest. www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...

Universal: Renewing Human Rights in a Fractured World - Balsillie School of International Affairs 🔵 Public event Featuring Alex Neve

Looking forward to speaking at the
@balsillieschool.bsky.social on November 27th about universal human rights & the way ahead.

If you are going to be in the Kitchener/Waterloo area, hope you can join us. It's free, registration details below.

OnDemand Modules - Balsillie Executive Institute Research-informed modules that prepare current and future public policy, private sector, industry, and not-for-profit leaders to operate and lead in the digital world.

Launching Jan 12, 2026: BEI OnDemand — Digital Policy Innovation

Eight self-paced modules designed for professionals, policymakers & entrepreneurs navigating the digital economy.

Option available: Executive Certificate in Digital Policy Innovation for those seeking a micro-credential.

Canada’s and South Korea’s AI Strategies on Diverging Trajectories This case study provides a comparative perspective on two AI governance approaches and their outcomes. Case study by James W. Hinton and Fabrice Blais-Savoie

Canada and South Korea take divergent paths on IP policy—and it’s reshaping their AI futures. Explore how openness vs. patent focus impacts innovation and global AI strategy.

Access the case study: balsilliecases.ca/case-study/i...

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.

Critical Minerals, Geopolitics and National Security - Masterclass This masterclass explores Canada’s role in the global race for critical minerals amid U.S.-China tensions and the urgent push for green energy and technological sovereignty. Instructor: Wesley Wark.

Join the BEI for a 3-hour online masterclass led by national security expert Dr. Wesley Wark.

𝗦𝗲𝗽 𝟮𝟮, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 | 𝟵𝗔𝗠–𝟭𝟮𝗣𝗠 𝗘𝗧 | 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰

Seats are limited — register now: balsillieinstitute.ca/courses/mast...

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.

We are proud to share that BSIA Director Professor Ann Fitz-Gerald will be speaking at Georgia Institute of Technology's Foundations of AI Seminar Series on September 8.

Learn more and Register: foundationsofai.github.io

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

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.

We explored digital transparency, AI’s impact on labour and geopolitics, and the regulatory dilemmas posed by frontier technologies—from geoengineering to space governance.

Week Two of the Tech Governance Summer School brought together leading voices to examine how emerging technologies are reshaping governance, policy, and global systems. A week of deep insight, critical questions, and collaborative learning.

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.

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.

Day 7 of the Technology Governance Summer School focused on tech, policies & power. Here are the highlights from today’s sessions:

Today’s ideas remind us that innovation isn’t just about what we build: it’s about what we as a society choose to value and how we choose to govern.

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.

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.

Innovation, Intangibles & Sustainability — Key insights from today’s sessions ⬇️

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.

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.

The first day of week 2 of the Technology Governance Summer School explored digital policy, transparency, and the future of work.

Highlights below:

Week 1 set the tone: bold ideas, real-world cases, and a clear call for smarter tech governance. We look forward to the conversations and lessons learned during week 2!