I’ve got good news and bad news. The bad news is: we’re not getting any younger. The good news is: we’re not going away anytime soon, either, as life expectancy for Canadians is higher than ever before! At least, I think that’s good news—check back with me in 2050 and let’s see how we all feel about it. Globally, we’ve hit astoundingly high population numbers for people aged 65+, exceeding a threshold of 672 million...
We’re halfway into 2020, and still trying to navigate the uncertainties of a COVID-19 world. This is no less true for businesses and industries, as new developments necessitate immediate operational changes and unprecedented levels of flexibility in order to keep the doors open and the lights on. The human impact of this pandemic – both in terms of customers and employees – has been a particularly complex and urgent problem to contend with. The Real...
Simple Home Technology Upgrades It’s an excellent time to be alive if you’re an early adopter of technology; it’s slightly less excellent if you’re a well-meaning-but-late-anyway adopter (like myself). The breakneck pace of technological innovation can easily leave you behind the curve, with new startups, apps, and devices appearing on an almost daily basis. Trying to catch up to the pack can be daunting and expensive even if you’re willing to get with the times....
The future is now-ish, if you’re brave enough for it. With Alexa, Google, and Siri becoming household names, we’re right on the cusp of living in futuristic spaces that are equal parts habitation and technological wonder. However, it remains to be seen whether all this emergent technology will elevate us to a shining utopia, or leave us trapped in a Black Mirror episode. Here are a few incredible technological developments popping up on the horizon,...
It’s been a few weeks since working from home became the norm, as opposed to the exception. Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchen counters—any available spaces, really—have become improvised offices, unless you already had a home office set up. Self-isolation measures have been something of a stress-test for remote workplace setups, as you scramble to use your home technology and devices for a full day’s work. However, the same devices are likely also fulfilling secondary roles in...
Online activity has increased dramatically over the last month as more and more people are using the internet to conduct business, shop for groceries, and stay in touch with family and friends. Now more than ever internet privacy is pressing concern. The issue of security online is a complex issue at best and an absolute mess at worst. So what’s the bottom line— does online privacy exist? Well… no, not really. Privacy in the digital...
The real estate industry is primed for the deployment of robotic and cognitive automation (R&CA) technology, an innovation that has made it possible to improve administrative functions in a variety of capacities. While categorized together, robotic automation and cognitive automation are actually two distinct approaches towards automation with their own respective potential and limitations. How does robotic and cognitive automation work? Robotics process automation (RPA) utilizes frameworks and “if/then” conditions to efficiently complete repetitive tasks...
Insurtech, short for insurance technology, is a new wave of disruptive innovation in the insurance industry. In the same way that “fintechs” changed the landscape of the finance sector, insurtechs have positioned themselves as alternatives to conventional options for consumers. Consequently, they’re poised to be a growing challenge, threat, or opportunity for established firms in the years ahead. How do insurtechs work, exactly? Insurtechs have begun to operate at almost every level of the insurance...
All of us are living with tremendous amounts of stress, especially right now, and it’s not good for our health. According to an article by Global News from 2018, 73% of all working adults aged 20 to 64 experience at least some level of stress. That’s a worrying percentage, especially given the numerous negative effects of stress and the fact that’s it’s contagious! The good news is: it’s a fixable problem. As it turns out,...
On October 30, the Bank of Canada reported that it will continue to hold its policy interest rate (otherwise known as its “overnight interest rate”) at 1.75%—the same rate we’ve had since October 2018. The implications of this announcement are worth exploring, but here’s the quick and dirty conclusion: Canada is in “Keep Calm and Carry On” mode. How does the Bank of Canada’s rate affect everyone? There are eight fixed dates every year when...
