Banner image for Power and Progess online event

Power and Progress: Rethinking Technology for the Common Good

June 4, 2024 | 9:30AM - 10:30AM
 | 
Online
Munk School

This event is over

This event will take place online.
Throughout history, technological advancements have played a pivotal role in societal development, yet their benefits have often been unevenly distributed. In his latest book, Power and Progress, co-authored with Simon Johnson, Daron Acemoglu, a prominent economist and author of the bestseller Why Nations Fail, embarks on a bold reinterpretation of economics and history, examining how technology shapes our world.
 
In this webinar, Professor Acemoglu will present his compelling analysis of a thousand years of technological progress and its societal impacts. From the agricultural advancements of the Middle Ages to the digital revolution of the present day, he will explore how these innovations have often served the interests of a select few while sidelining broader prosperity. Key themes of the webinar include:
 
  • How has the historical pattern of technology predominantly benefited the elite at the expense of the masses?
  • What impact do digital technologies and artificial intelligence have on modern economies and democracies?
  • What strategies can be employed to redirect technological innovation in order to empower and democratize society?
 
This webinar is an essential resource for policy makers, economists, historians, and anyone interested in the intersection of technology and society. It offers a unique perspective on redirecting the course of technological advancement towards a more equitable future. Professor Acemoglu's insights, grounded in extensive research and analysis, provide a roadmap for harnessing technological progress to benefit the majority.
 
Join us to gain a deeper understanding of the historical and contemporary role of technology in shaping our world and how we can steer its course towards a more inclusive and prosperous future.
 
Sponsors
This event is sponsored by the International Telecommunications Society. The academic host is the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy at the University of Toronto, and the corprate host is TELUS Communications.
 
 
Munk School

Speakers

headshot of Daron Acemoglu
Daron Acemoglu

Professor, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Shari Eli, photo by Calvin Thomas
Shari Eli

Moderator
Associate Professor, Munk School and Department of Economics, and Director, Undergraduate Program in Public Policy, Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy

Headshot of Peter Loewen
Peter Loewen

Welcome Remarks
Professor and Director, Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy

headshot of Stephen Schmidt, TELUS Communications
Stephen Schmidt

Opening Remarks
Vice-President, Telecom Policy & Chief Regulatory Legal Counsel, TELUS Communications