What does the future of technology look like? To find out, we asked 30 digital equity advocates from across Canada to make educated predictions about universal internet access and internet affordability, digital skills adoption and other elements of digital equity.
Recorded in 2022 to mark the 30th year of NCF's founding on September 29, 1992, these videos form a digital time capsule. The predictions were public the first year after they were posted and are now locked until the year they predict, in five-year increments from 2027-2052.
Here's a compilation video to whet your appetite:
We also have (un-locked) digital equity perspective videos on the state of the internet, technology and digital equity in 2022. Check them out here: www.ncf.ca/digitalequityperspectives
These videos reflection the time they were recorded — during the lockdowns of COVID-19 video calls like these became a common way to work, attend school, and stay in touch with friends and family. The video and sound quality reflect the strength of the available internet connections during the interview and how it was recorded, as well as the contributors' job titles and opinions at the time of recording.
Thank you to all those who contributed their perspectives and predictions: we won't hold it against you if you're wrong (or if you're right!)
Thanks to Samaia Aidroos, funded by the Canada Summer Jobs program, and Andrew Martey Asare for interviewing these folks from a range of sectors and disciplines. And thanks to Hot Shoe Productions, a local social enterprise, for editing all the videos.
For NCF, digital equity includes the understanding that the digital divide disproportionately affects those already facing other systemic barriers, including people living on low incomes, people with disabilities, seniors, Black people, Indigenous people and people of colour, and those living in under-served rural and remote communities.
Systemic barriers require systemic solutions. We are proud of NCF's work since 1992 and look forward to another 30 years, helping build a future that ensures digital equity, where everyone has access to affordable, high-quality internet, they have the skills to use, while feeling safe online.
Predictions for 2027
Locked until 2027
Chris Cope NCF Board
Locked until 2027
Luc LaLande Rideau-Rockcliffe Community Resource Centre (Ward 13)
Locked until 2027
John Lawford Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC)
Locked until 2027
Ray Noyes ACORN Ottawa
Locked until 2027
Zeina Osman The International Development and Relief Foundation
Locked until 2027
Shelley Robinson NCF Staff
Locked until 2027
Bianca Wylie Tech Reset Canada
Predictions for 2032
Locked until 2032
Nour Abdelaal TMU Leadership Lab
Locked until 2032
Eyra Abraham Lisnen
Locked until 2032
Natalie Campbell Internet Society
Locked until 2032
Cory Doctorow Writer
Locked until 2032
Rhea Doolan First Nations Technology Council
Locked until 2032
Michael Geist University of Ottawa, Faculty of Law
Locked until 2032
Maureen James Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA)
Locked until 2032
Theresa Kavanagh Councillor - Bay Ward
Locked until 2032
Andrew Martey Asare NCF Staff
Locked until 2032
Michel Mersereau Faculty of Information, University of Toronto
Locked until 2032
Chandra Pasma MPP Ottawa-West Nepean
Locked until 2032
Madeleine Redfern CanArctic Inuit Networks
Locked until 2032
David Ricottone Ottawa Community Housing
Locked until 2032
Yuka Sai Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC)
Locked until 2032
Ken Sanderson Teach for Canada
Locked until 2032
Andrew Sullivan Internet Society
Locked until 2032
Mark Surman Mozilla Foundation
Locked until 2032
Anita Vandenbeld MP Ottawa West - Nepean
Predictions for 2037
Locked until 2037
Tas Damen Connected Canadians
Locked until 2037
Anis Hanna NCF Board
Locked until 2037
Erin Knight Open Media
Locked until 2037
Vivek Krishnamurthy CIPPIC - The Samuelson Glushko Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic
Locked until 2037
Prof. Tracey Lauriault Carleton University - School of Journalism and Communication
Locked until 2037
John Lawford Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC)
Locked until 2037
Zeina Osman The International Development and Relief Foundation
Predictions for 2042
Locked until 2042
Chris Cope NCF Board
Locked until 2042
Rhea Doolan First Nations Technology Council
Locked until 2042
Maureen James Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA)
Locked until 2042
Luc LaLande Rideau-Rockcliffe Community Resource Centre (Ward 13)
Locked until 2042
Chandra Pasma MPP Ottawa-West Nepean
Locked until 2042
Yuka Sai Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC)
Locked until 2042
Bianca Wylie Tech Reset Canada
Predictions for 2047
Locked until 2047
Eyra Abraham Lisnen
Locked until 2047
Michael Geist University of Ottawa, Faculty of Law
Locked until 2047
Vivek Krishnamurthy CIPPIC - The Samuelson Glushko Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic
Locked until 2047
Prof. Tracey Lauriault Carleton University - School of Journalism and Communication
