In this paper, Daniel Araya and Meg King explore the development of military-specific capabilities in the context of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. Building on Canadian defence policy, the paper outlines the military applications of AI and the resources needed to manage next-generation military operations, including multilateral engagement and technology governance.
To conduct disinformation in a wired world requires a degree of sophistication, fluidity and cleverness that the Russians have been unable to demonstrate in the current conflict, writes Wesley Wark in this piece first published in the Hill Times. The Ukrainian government’s message is getting out to its people and Russian disinformation is being effectively countered.
With the eyes of the world on Russia’s air, land and sea attacks on Ukraine, and the latter’s determined resistance, another front is opening up in the war, one poised to grow in sophistication and strategic importance as the conflict unfolds: cyberwarfare. As Branka Marijan argues, although warnings of “cyber doom” have been rightly criticized as exaggerated, it would be a mistake to underestimate the very real risks of damage from cyberattacks by and in response to Russia.
For years, experts have been saying that the next war will be fought in cyberspace, warning of a “cyber Pearl Harbor” that would melt down government systems, cripple critical infrastructure and plunge modern militaries and societies into darkness. It hasn’t happened in Ukraine. Yet, as Rafal Rohozinski writes in this article first published by the National Post, cyber may be a decisive factor in bringing about an end to the war in Ukraine and prevent it from becoming a global catastrophe.
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, Marie Lamensch describes and celebrates some of the work being done by women around the world who have taken matters into their own hands to combat online gender-based violence in its many forms. We can count on these activists and women-led civic tech organizations to demand more action from developers and decision makers but, Lamensch writes, they shouldn’t have to wage this battle alone.
Last week the Province of Ontario announced the launch of its new agency, Intellectual Property Ontario, and named Karima Bawa as its chair. Our congratulations to Karima on her appointment! CIGI will also be contributing to this initiative through its Foundations of IP Strategy massive online open course.
CIGI is also pleased to share the news that we are now an associate member of the International Economic Association, an organization dedicated to promoting mutual understanding among economists around the world. You can learn more about the IEA here.
Big Tech host Taylor Owen welcomed Johann Hari last week to talk about the distraction crisis. It’s become common knowledge that our devices distract us, but research shows our attention has been deteriorating for decades now — long before the advent of digital technology. The author of Stolen Focus explains why modern life is eroding our capacity to think deeply, and what that means for our ability to solve society’s most pressing challenges.
Late in January, Crisis Text Line ended its data-sharing relationship with a for-profit spinoff called Loris.ai, following reporting by Politico that brought years of questions simmering around the suicide hotline to a boil. Exploring the ethical complexities, Sean Martin McDonald says it all comes back to a really simple question: How did the board of directors of a non-profit emergency mental health service justify using their users’ data to launch start-ups?
Stephanie Carvin writes that what made the Ottawa “freedom convoy” protest and occupation unique in the Canadian context is the impact generated by hundreds of thousands of online users who sought to participate, facilitate or disrupt the movement. Trucks may have been the tool, but low-level cyber actions (broadly understood) have been the lifeblood of the convoy movement.
Mar. 24 – 8:25 a.m. EDT (UTC–04:00): CIGI and the Canadian Intellectual Property Office will be hosting a full-day virtual gathering to disseminate intellectual property research from leading experts to further innovation and inform policy. The day begins with a keynote address by Ruth Okediji, CIGI senior fellow, professor of law at Harvard University and co-director of the Berkman Klein Center.
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