On November 14, the Bell Centre was packed for President Barack Obama’s second appearance before the Chamber. Over 12,300 people from every background, including 2,500 young people and many representatives of the Montréal business community, gathered to hear President Obama discuss the future of democracy, climate change, and artificial intelligence. The discussion was moderated by Jean-François Gagné, president, CEO, and co-founder of Element AI.
Les conférenciers ont abordé plusieurs thèmes, mettant à contribution leurs différents points de vue et expertises : implantation dans l’écosystème local, innovation, labs ouverts et inclusivité, création de valeur, transformation numérique, électrification des transports, fintech et intelligence artificielle.
November 14, 2019
12,300 participants
A look back at the highlights – 7 quotes from President Barack Obama
Youth and democracy
"This generation coming up behind us, they are incredibly sophisticated, incredibly idealistic, innovative, comfortable with diversity and welcoming of new ideas. When you spend time with them, you are inspired and energized."
"It's not a given, history does not just go forward, it also goes backward. But it should give us hope. We have solved big problems in the past... The question then becomes what can each of us do to continue pushing that boulder up the hill and further the causes we believe in."
Climate change
“It seems hard for governments to take fast, concrete action on climate change, because its impact is unclear. This is why it is important for voters to pressure elected officials to take it seriously.”
“For young people, the moral urgency conveyed by the energy and strength of Greta [Thunberg] is primal. But we need to discuss the challenges and consequences on people’s lives to create a coalition around solutions, which are often complex.”
“A country like Canada, which feels the effects of climate change on its natural resources, can be a leader on this issue and serve as a role model for leaders of the largest countries.”
Artificial intelligence
“How can we promote innovation without creating disparities between the people who benefit from it? We need to be able to use these technologies to increase life expectancy universally, regardless of income or social status.”
“The good news is that if we explore it in the right way, automatic learning can be applied to all sorts of problems and can revolutionize any industry.”
Sources :
A Conversation with President Barack Obama is part of the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal’s Bell International Leaders series. The event was presented in association with evenko conferences and in partnership with Le Devoir, the Montreal Gazette, Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, Saputo and Société de développement Angus.