Strike careful balance when using AI, urge panelists at annual conference of Canadian Association of Journalists
A plenary discussion of the role of artificial intelligence in journalism kicked off the annual conference of the Canadian Association of Journalists June 12-13 at Carleton University. The event’s opening panel featured four speakers and was moderated by Nikita Roy, a journalist and Harvard-trained AI futurist. Themed as the “battle for information sovereignty,” the panel consisted of Lisa Hepfner, Liberal...
Local food businesses build community and profits with the help of social media
The Great Canadian Poutinerie sits in the heart of a kilometre-long commercial stretch of Bank Street in Ottawa’s Centretown. Mustard-yellow crossing signs along its bustling sidewalks match the restaurant’s retro storefront. A small black sign outside the entrance frames a cartoon of Patrick Morin, who recently went viral online for his General Tso -flavoured poutine — a testament to the...
AI and GLAM: Emerging tech is changing museums and libraries
Pressure to apply AI tools to museum and gallery work is making professionals worry about how to preserve information they’ve been entrusted to protect.
Can I Skate? Ottawa couple develops app tracking Rideau Canal ice conditions
Skating on the Rideau Canal Skateway was always a family affair for the Owens. Every February, Stephen and Leslie Owens would drive more than four hours from Caledon, Ont. to visit their son Tyler in Ottawa. The couple, their sister and their two sons would spend Family Day on the Canal. “That’s been a tradition since I arrived (in Ottawa),”...
Rideau Centre CAMP Cube experience helps business spread the word to customers
In mid-August, a large, mysterious cube appeared inside the Rideau Centre. Located next to Bento Sushi and tucked underneath an escalator, it attracted a line of curious mall-goers. Some had seen it on Instagram; others had not. Turns out the Cadillac Fairview (CF) CAMP Cube is a futuristic marketing tool that provides shoppers with a sci-fi gameshow experience. It will...
City Builder: Julia Elvidge is changing the investment world for women
Julia Elvidge, a prominent leader in Ottawa’s tech scene, co-founded SheBoot to enhance access to capital for women-led startups. With 30 years in high-tech, she’s known for addressing systemic investment issues and fostering diversity in the industry.
The “Bratification” of Kamala Harris: Gen Z at the intersection of internet culture and politics
Bright lime green, simple font, Charli XCX’s hit album “Brat” is everywhere these days. It’s even put its stamp on Democratic presidential candidate and current U.S. vice president Kamala Harris’ social media accounts. “Brat” is a dance-pop album defined by a gritty authenticity, capturing the vulnerability of the cool-girl aesthetic. But it’s more than the music. Charli herself says Brat...
Researchers say more regulation would help make technology accessible for seniors
Digitizing essential services creates a digital divide and that puts illiterate people in a disadvantageous situation.
Senior’s struggle to get a paper phone bill points to barriers for illiterate Canadians
Telecom companies lack protocols for dealing with illiterate seniors, leaving them vulnerable and exposed to abuse.
Reef concerns: Artificial materials a means to mitigate global collapse
With global warming accelerating the destruction of the world’s reefs, artificial reefs may act as a stopgap to help preserve marine life. From their early beginnings to more modern designs, conservation scientists break down the benefits and cons of these structures.
‘Challenges and opportunities:’ Carleton report shows how universities are trying to grapple with Artificial Intelligence
With over 50 per cent of university students in Canada using AI in their schoolwork, Carleton University is focusing on the benefits as well as the challenges of introducing AI into teaching and learning environments.
The ‘shoppertainment’ trap: As social media apps blur line between socializing and buying, the risks to users soar
Shopping online through social media platforms is expanding exponentially but it also carries serious risks, experts say.
Ottawa post-secondary schools explore new rules to combat ChatGPT cheating
Post-secondary institutions in Ottawa are wrestling with what to do about the potential power of ChatGPT, the artificial intelligence that may allow students to submit work not their own.
The code that broke the internet: The aftermath of the Rogers outage may force online companies to rethink how they do business
The Rogers internet outage has shaken the confidence of users.
Selfies with a mammoth: Ottawa museums test drive augmented reality as a way to grab visitors and viewers
Ottawa museums are looking to augmented and virtual reality to complement their exhibits.
Driven by nostalgia and pandemic angst, vinyl thrives in the digital age — could CDs be next?
Vinyl record sales are soaring driven by the interest on people under 34 years of age.
Federal affordable internet program welcomed but some worry about those left out
The federal government is set to announce a new affordable high-speed internet for low-income families and seniors, but some students feel left out due to narrow restrictions.
Ottawa app making food delivery more affordable for restaurants
The Ottawa app Getit Local is making food delivery more affordable for restaurants.
As pandemic took hold, some Ottawa craft artists turned hobbies into income
Ottawa locals have turned their craft hobbies into e-commerce businesses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The dark side of Instagram: Fake accounts and hacking in the pandemic era
Experts are warning social media users to be hyper-vigilant as hackers continue to disrupt the space.
Advocacy groups propose WiFi ‘mesh network’ pilot project to bridge digital divide, promote internet equity
Reports from local advocacy organizations say new community-based measures are needed to narrow the digital divide in Ottawa during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Phishing scams targeting Carleton students with fake offers of online work
Since May 2021, Carleton students kept receiving phishing emails in their cmail inbox. Carleton's ITS is making efforts to protect students from fraudsters.
Hub350 hoopla: New Kanata North tech project excites university, business partners on cusp of 5G revolution
Hub350 in Kanata aims to be a leading generator of synergies and innovation.
Crossing the digital divide: Affordability is key to connecting all Canadians to the Internet, advocates say
Drums and cheering could be heard outside Ottawa City Hall on Nov. 16 as ACORN members and other activists advocated for the recognition of internet access as a human right. As the world moves into a digital sphere, internet rights advocates say many people are being left behind in the transition. ACORN Ottawa led the rally at Marion Dewar Plaza,...
Rising gas prices, uncertain future for fossil fuels driving Canada’s trucking industry to electric alternatives
As fuel prices rise, Canada's trucking industry is moving to electric vehicles to save costs.
Blockchain, NFTs and the future of the metaverse: ‘Literally no limit’ as Facebook/Meta charts new course
The new era of digitization has opened up the possibility of the metaverse, and the rising popularity of NFTs is just the beginning.
‘The wardrobe of the metaverse’: Digital clothing could be the future of the fashion industry
In the new age of face and body filters, clothing may be next to dominate the virtual world.
Monitoring monarchs: New technique may contribute to conserving key breeding grounds in southern Ontario
Megan Reich travelled nearly 20,000 km collecting milkweed samples across the U.S. and Canada. Now Megan and her research team could contribute to saving the longest insect migration in North America.
Explainer: Brain-machine interfacing could change the way we interact with the world and with ourselves
Capital Current explains what brain-machine interfacing is and how it could change the way we interact with the world
First Person: Comparing daily interactions with technology in Canada and China
Capital Current compares the differences in daily interactions with technology in Canadian and Chinese societies.
A Toronto-based group find freedom and friendship on their e-rides
Toronto E-Riders find freedom and friendship online and on the streets.
Augmenting our reality: Ottawa ARt City is virtually painting the town
Ottawa ARt City is a digital visual arts festival that uses a locally developed app called Hidelight to allow people to see the artworks without entering galleries.
Capturing carbon: West Carleton high school grad hopes to use seawater to slow climate crisis
A recent graduate from West Carleton Secondary School has big plans for his project to remove carbon dioxide from the air and the oceans.
Rocket men: Unregulated space travel posing a threat to the fragile environment of the blue planet
Billionaires such as Richard Branson, are launching rockets into space without any form of governmental oversight. That's dangerous.
Fighting Zoom fatigue in this new digital era
With video conferencing on the rise during the COVID-19 pandemic, tech researchers race to find the solutions to newly imposed social downgrades.
Despite the rhetoric, Canada lags behind other countries in joining the digital world
As the collaboration between Big Tech and government in the U.S., moves ahead, Canada waits for it to begin.
Canada in a race to build the next best electric car battery
Tesla's batteries have positioned the company as an industry leader in the race to define the future of the auto industry and proven the need to develop and enhance battery technology.
Teens, tech and COVID-19: Finding the balance
Electronic media have been a lifeline for many workers and students through the COVID-19 pandemic but the increasing reliance on devices has many parents asking ‘how much is too much?’ In a recent study from the Chicago Children’s Hospital, 63 per cent of parents reported their teens were using social media platforms more than usual during the pandemic. Kim Highland,...
Love in the age of COVID: How the pandemic has revolutionized online dating
It was a dull, grey afternoon in April when Jordyn McDonald, 20, finally took the plunge and joined Tinder. She wasn’t even really looking for a date. After eight long weeks in lockdown in her Northern Ontario home of 8,500 people, she just felt unbearably lonely. “The isolation in my hometown was a super lonely experience and personally, it was...
Shopify shuts trend-setting workspace and Ottawa’s downtown real estate market is rattled to core
Shopify leads the retreat from Ottawa's office real estate market. How many will follow their lead?
ACORN campaign pushes for free internet for low-income Canadians during pandemic
ACORN has been campaigning for free internet for low income Canadians during the pandemic. Who is being impacted and what are some challenges to making this happen?
‘Do I pay the rent, do I take the internet?’ Protesters demand free online service
With the pandemic magnifying the need for internet access, ACORN Toronto rallies for Internet for All and the University of Toronto implements a new service to help students.
Internet providers see demand surge as Canadians hunker down over COVID-19
COIVD-19 is forcing Canadians to stay inside their homes leaving internet service providers with greater demand for their services.
5G explained: Ottawa stands to benefit from new fast wireless technology
As 5G networks are slowly being introduced, Ottawa is one of the few cities trying it out.
Silver lining: Teen robotics team wired to work on after competition scuttled by COVID-19
“The main takeaway of it all is what we learn,” he added, citing the team’s preparation along the way, including the thrill of past competitions. “It’s not really about competing or winning, but the experience that we get from it, and the fun — it’s actually a lot of fun doing all of it.”
Virtual reality helping stroke patients rehab
Virtual reality games and Motiview video technology are being to motivate stroke patients through their physical rehabilitation.
Face time the old way: New Ottawa dating app promotes real life interaction
To avoid swiping and long texting cycles, this new app plans dates for people who have never spoken to each other.
Glebe’s Community Centre’s carbon-reduction project hailed as example to others
The historic Glebe’s community centre is nearing the finish line of a project that the community hopes will reduce the building’s carbon footprint by half.
Despite his blindness, Mustafa Al-Humairi has always had faith in himself
Mustafa Al-Humairi explains that the use of technology has changed his life.
NGO’s new Ottawa chapter teaches kids the code to success
Black Boys Code wants to help young black boys and girls learn how to make their way into the technology industry.