Courageous innovators must become champions of tech for good

An ethical approach to technological change is growing in Waterloo's innovation ecosystem. Faculty of Arts - Dr. Marcel O'Gorman is a University of Waterloo Research Chair and founder of the Critical Media Lab. Strategically located in the heart of Waterloo Region's tech hub, the lab is an interdisciplinary research initiative that explores the ethics and impact of technology on society and the human condition. With innovations happening at a rapid pace, technologies are often adopted before the full impact on culture and human behaviours is understood. We asked O'Gorman how we should lead technological transformation to ensure a safe and human-centred digital future. Opinion by Dr. O'Gorman The promise of tomorrow's tech has inspired the imagination of every generation. It is said that we shape technology, and thereafter it shapes us. It is an understatement then to say that the stakes of future tech innovation are very high. Now and in our future, we can't imagine our technological future without considering the broader social and environmental contexts of that future. Waterloo has been a champion of innovation for years, and we continue to lead the way in Canada and beyond. Now we have a unique opportunity to be a champion - an exemplar, even - of responsible innovation. A culture of responsible innovation needs to be rooted in sensitivity to human values, non-human stakeholders and a committed sense of care for the future. This is not just a technological challenge or a problem to solve. It's about persistently asking the right questions: What kind of world do we want to live in?