The BetaKit Podcast Channel

"If we don't get our AI ducks in a row at some point and we miss that boat to shore up our industries right now, it's not really going to matter what regulations we have on the table. Because we won't have control."
The federal government has released the results of its public consultation on AI, including over 30 submissions from Minister Solomon's AI task force. Former ISED senior policy advisor Jaxson Khan joins to discuss how the consultations might inform Canada's AI future, and why the task force was "remarkably consistent" in its diagnosis, but not its prescriptions.
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The BetaKit podcast is presented by Fasken Emerging Tech, supporting trailblazing startups, venture capital funds and acquirers of high-growth tech companies for over 30 years.
If you're curious about the health of Canada's tech M&A scene, you've got to check out Exit InSights. It's a first-of-its-kind report from Fasken's Emerging Technology & Venture Capital Group that analyses private M&A activity among VC-backed and high-growth tech companies. You'll learn how buyers and sellers are maximizing value, minimizing risk, and navigating one of the most vibrant tech ecosystems out there.
Download your free copy of the report.
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Related links:
Ottawa releases findings from AI task force and public consultation
We read every submission from Canada's AI task force: here's what they said
The real debates Canada's AI strategy must navigate
The year Canada realized it needs sovereign tech

"It's important for the success of Y Combinator to see people investing at a very, very early stage. And if it means, to keep them happy so that they're investing in YC companies, they will do what it takes."
Globally recognized tech accelerator Y Combinator will no longer directly invest in Canadian-domiciled startups. Is the change a huge blow to Canada, a big nothingburger, politically motivated, or perhaps simply "formalizing what's inevitable?"
Maverix Private Equity founder and managing partner John Ruffolo joins to discuss fuzzy data, "bullshit" narratives, and the real problems hampering Canadian tech.
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The BetaKit podcast is presented by Fasken Emerging Tech, supporting trailblazing startups, venture capital funds and acquirers of high-growth tech companies for over 30 years.
If you're curious about the health of Canada's tech M&A scene, you've got to check out Exit InSights. It's a first-of-its-kind report from Fasken's Emerging Technology & Venture Capital Group that analyses private M&A activity among VC-backed and high-growth tech companies. You'll learn how buyers and sellers are maximizing value, minimizing risk, and navigating one of the most vibrant tech ecosystems out there.
Download your free copy of the report.

"You have just seen control of one of the most popular social media platforms in one of the most influential countries in the world switch from one foreign power relative to you to another."
Canada and the US have both claimed national security concerns over TikTok. Our country's (unclear) response might not matter in the face of US-mandated corporate restructuring. As Grok's unchecked deepfake image generation on X raises thorny legal questions, Canada might not have the leverage to regulate.
What is a middle power like Canada to do in the face of algorithmic media controlled by global superpowers (and their supporters)? CBC News senior reporter Anis Heydari joins to discuss.
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The BetaKit podcast is presented by Fasken Emerging Tech, supporting trailblazing startups, venture capital funds and acquirers of high-growth tech companies for over 30 years.
If you're curious about the health of Canada's tech M&A scene, you've got to check out Exit InSights. It's a first-of-its-kind report from Fasken's Emerging Technology & Venture Capital Group that analyses private M&A activity among VC-backed and high-growth tech companies. You'll learn how buyers and sellers are maximizing value, minimizing risk, and navigating one of the most vibrant tech ecosystems out there.
Download your free copy of the report.
--
Related links:
Court allows TikTok to continue operating in Canada, for now
Grok's non-consensual sexual images highlight gaps in Canada's deepfake laws

"How do I create the 'wow' moment for my end user? And slowness never creates the wow moment."
PolarGrid founder and CEO Rade Kovacevic believes GenAI video and voice will be killer apps once they can function in real-time. Enabling real-time GenAI requires uncorking the inference bottleneck that the hyperscalers have helped build.
The BetaKit podcast is presented by Fasken Emerging Tech, supporting trailblazing startups, venture capital funds and acquirers of high-growth tech companies for over 30 years.
If you're curious about the health of Canada's tech M&A scene, you've got to check out Exit InSights. It's a first-of-its-kind report from Fasken's Emerging Technology & Venture Capital Group that analyses private M&A activity among VC-backed and high-growth tech companies. You'll learn how buyers and sellers are maximizing value, minimizing risk, and navigating one of the most vibrant tech ecosystems out there.
Download your free copy of the report.

"The workweek will continue until morale improves."
Jared Lindzon and Joe O'Connor's new book, Do More in Four: Why It's Time for a Shorter Workweek, argues that the future of work will feature more productive employees working fewer days. How is that supposed to happen when boomers still run the world, Gen Z is still Gen Z, and AI is coming for all of our jobs anyway? Let's dig in.
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Solve for X is back! The latest season of the MaRS podcast is exploring more world-changing ideas. Join journalist Manjula Selvarajah as she talks to the people behind the latest innovations in tech and science.
Get a jump on the future. Listen to season 4 of Solve for X wherever you get your podcasts.
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The BetaKit Podcast is presented by CADSI: the national voice of Canada's defence, security, and emerging technology sectors, representing more than 1,000 companies from innovative SMBs to global primes. 
CADSI advocates for a resilient and sustainable defence and security sector by engaging government, shaping policy, and strengthening Canada's role with global partners. We create platforms that connect industry with decision-makers, foster collaboration, and reinforce Canada's position as a reliable partner in international security.
Visit defenceandsecurity.ca to grow your defence business with CADSI.