Intended Consequences StrategyCorp

International events and geopolitical shifts have massive impacts on Canada. More than ever, governments and companies find themselves navigating uncertain geopolitical dynamics. To assess what this means in practice, we are joined by Arif Lalani, a Senior Advisor with StrategyCorp’s Geopolitical and International Business Advisory Practice. He shares his insight on what a declining western liberal democratic order concretely entails and why technology is now a form of hard power. We discuss how a changing geopolitical order impacts foreign policy and the way Canadian companies conduct business abroad.

Governments spend large sums of money on procurement every year. According to Global Affairs Canada, estimates show that government procurement represents between 13 and 20 per cent of a country’s gross domestic product.
Given the size of the budgets and the wide array of goods and services governments need, procurement is a big opportunity for potential suppliers. However, procurement processes are often complex and hard to navigate.
To explore the topic of federal procurement, we are joined by the President of AES Inc., Annie Randell, and Martin Rust, a Senior Advisor and a member of the StrategyCorp Procurement Solutions team. We explore why government procurement matters, the lifecycle of a process and how it could be improved. A member of Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation, Annie Randell also discusses the obstacles Indigenous-led organizations face when they partake in government procurement processes.
Later in the show, Julie Gonyou explains what makes municipal procurement unique and debunks common misconceptions. A former Chief Administrative Officer, Julie Gonyou is a Director at StrategyCorp and a member of the firm’s Procurement Solutions team.

The StrategyCorp Institute concludes its miniseries on artificial intelligence with an episode on AI in the municipal context. From building permit approvals to smart infrastructure to answering residents’ questions, there are many opportunities for municipalities to integrate AI-based solutions. 
However, with all the hype around AI, it can be difficult for local governments to cut through the noise and adequately consider the risks and challenges associated with the technology. Ensuring the social acceptability of AI among City Council, staff and residents is also essential.
The City of Burlington is at the forefront of safe and effective AI adoption. It provides a model for municipalities across Canada. Chad MacDonald, the Executive Director, Digital Service, and Chief Information Officer of Burlington joins us to discuss the City’s experience with artificial intelligence and what comes next in the municipal context.
You can catch up on the first two episodes of our miniseries on AI by clicking the links below:
Episode 81: Artificial Intelligence Regulation and Innovation in Canada
Episode 79: Artificial Intelligence Regulation Around the World

The StrategyCorp Institute continues its miniseries on artificial intelligence by looking at the Canadian context.
We discuss the Artificial Intelligence and Data Act in bill C-27 and the federal government’s overall approach to regulating AI. We also explore Canada’s leadership in AI, how companies are adopting the technology and whether it will lead to greater productivity.
Christelle Tessono and Viet Vu from The Dais at Toronto Metropolitan University join us for this timely conversation. 
Curious to also learn about how other countries are regulating AI? Listen to the first instalment  of our miniseries with the Director of the Center for Data Innovation Daniel Castro.  

Canada is undergoing a transformation in how we manage our waste. Transitioning to a circular economy that extends the life cycle of products and reduces waste can have significant environmental benefits. To be successful, this transition requires the right policies, investments and infrastructures. Individuals, businesses and governments ultimately all have a role to play. In this episode, StrategyCorp’s Elena Mantagaris and Fraser MacDonald provide their insight on the key dimensions of the circular economy. 
Read StrategyCorp's circular economy newsletter for more information on this topic: https://strategycorp.com/2024/02/strategycorp-february-newsletter-from-trash-to-cash/  

The launch of ChatGPT has forced organizations and institutions across the economy to ask themselves what generative AI means for them in terms of risks and opportunities. Governments and regulators find themselves asking similar questions. Artificial intelligence “going mainstream” because of ChatGPT accelerated regulatory efforts and shaped the policy and political conversation on AI.  
 The Director of the Center for Data Innovation Daniel Castro joins us on the podcast to discuss how countries around the world are going about regulating artificial intelligence and stimulating innovation. He provides his insight on the different approaches to AI in Europe, Asia and North America.