Where does big ideas come from? Where are the big ideas around you?What problems are big ideas solving in today’s world? Where do people with big ideas meet?
On April 23 and 24, 2019, at the Edmonton Convention Centre in Edmonton, SingalarityU was hosted in Edmonton by SingularityU Canada.
SingularityU Canada is a pan-Canadian community of innovators using exponential technologies to resolve some of the world’s most pressing issues. In hopes of building a brighter, more abundant future, this collaborative platform empowers individuals and organizations to discover and develop breakthrough solutions using rapidly evolving technologies like artificial intelligence, robotics, and digital biology.
It was a two days full of inspiring talks, thought-provoking panel discussions, stimulating workshops, and fascinating demos. The 23 of April sessions ended with a reception at the Rossdale Power Plant, a unique Edmonton piece of industrial heritage in Alberta. Power was first generated on the site in 1902, when the city’s original, more flood-prone plant just upstream of the Low Level Bridge was abandoned. The EPCOR owned Rossdale plant was the only electrical facility in Edmonton until 1970, when it generated one quarter of Alberta’s power. The plant stopped producing electricity in 2008 and was decommissioned in 2011-12. The buildings that have been preserved on the site; a Low Pressure Plant and 2 pumphouses, are historically significant.
EPCOR CEO Stuart Lee told Diversity Magazine that that they will like the City to take over the historic building. Edmonton Councillor Ben Henderson told Diversity Magazine in a chat at the reception that the City is currently deliberating on a take over, pondering over potential uses and cost.
“…my goal here (SingularityU) is to connect, share ideas, and find solutions to problems,” Maura Armstrong from Telus World of Science, shared her delight with Diversity Magazine at the reception. Â
President and CEO of TELUS Spark in Calgary also shared her optimism with Diversity Magazine at the reception at the Rossdale Plant turned reception area.
A self-driving car test drive took place at the entrance of the pant.
