FWD50

#FWD50 2023 has officially wrapped! 🥳👏🏻

We've closed this edition of the world's leading digital conference with engaging talks by government leaders from Canada and Abu Dhabi, a professor from Columbia University (Alexis Wichowski), an online workshop with Ramy Nassar, an in-person workshop with Code for Canada and the popular 'Mentor Meetups'!

Just arrived in Ottawa, where emerging tech was immediately top of mind at the airport & will continue to be at the @fwd50conf, where I’ll be all week. If you’re in town & want to connect about the present & future of digital democracy & open governance, please reach out! #fwd50

In digital, we pay a transformation tax.
That's it. that's the tweet #fwd50

And most importantly, a huge thank you to all our attendees from all over the world who have tuned into the conference both in-person and online! We appreciate the support and we cannot wait for the next edition of #FWD50 where we will continue to strive to answer our fundamental question: How can we use technology to make society better for all?

“It's about not being scared about doing things a bit differently. It's a time to do things differently. Explore partnerships with people that are unlike you, which is where we make progress by having diverse views around the table.” Dr. Marie-Ange Gravel #fwd50

"We need to pull back and look at the system in which delivery operates. How do we change that larger narrative?" @pahlkadot at #fwd50

"To increase state capacity and to build software together." Tamara Srzentić on forming the Rebel Alliance collaboration between countries #fwd50 @fwd50

“As long as it comes from a place of mutual respect, that has to be the starting point. These relationships take time, and they're built on iteration. They may not have worked well the first time but you can keep trying. It's a continuous process, not a final destination. Peace, friendship, and respect.” Brad Greyeyes-Brant #fwd50

Watching @acroll kick off @fwd50conf.

From QR codes for agenda & real-time translation to livestreams, it’s the best melding of online platform with offline conferencing I’ve seen.

Hybrid is REALLY hard, but these technologies help humans to bridge both space & time

#fwd50

“The stovepipes are very, very real, and firmly cemented in place. If the whole of government is supposed to be working on Reconciliation, it often doesn't feel that way.” Brad Greyeyes-Brant #fwd50

Day 2 at #FWD50 2023 and we're bringing more incredible content for all our in-person and virtual attendees!

Kicked off the morning with another keynote by our Content Chair and Founder @acroll, following up with presentations by Tom Loosemore (Partner, Public Digital), Aaron Reich (CTO, Avanade), Mirko Kleiner (Lean-Agile Procurement Alliance), Martha Edwards (Service Designer, BC Public Service), Peter Near (Field CTO, VMware), and Catherine Luelo, the CIO of the Government of Canada!

“Put pressure on your governments to better teach about the realities and truths of First Nations people. We're only looking at it in academia, not in grade school or high school. That has to change.” Dr. Morgan Kahentonni Phillips #fwd50

In Toronto for a couple of days ahead of #fwd50 in Ottawa - staying in the oh so hipster Ace Hotel 🇨🇦

“I think it's absolutely insane that large models, whatever it is – I think it's insane that the data that it's being trained on is not, at a minimum, being recognized. And the fact that this seems impossible is a lie. A lie by OpenAI and large companies that have nothing but interest to make sure that those systems remain closed, so they can train on whatever they want. It's fundamentally important that AI be attributable.” Sean Power #fwd50

“What we live every day is, capacity issues. Sometimes the speed of trust is also affected by the threshold of humans having a level of capacity. The constant fight to prioritize this work. There are multiple reasons why things take time, and the least of which is willingness.” Sean Power #fwd50

“Trust is built by doing what you say you're going to do. It's built by delivery. Make things tight, achievable, hit your dates and hit your budgets.” Catherine Luelo #fwd50

How do know if your leaders are ready for the radical how? ”If they can accept that you can't design things upfront. Choose your leaders carefully. Go where the hamsters are friendly.” @tomski #fwd50

Good to be back at #FWD50, where @acroll made a convincing argument that modularity is THE key strategy to mitigating complexity at scale — the headache of modern governments everywhere trying to deliver online.
Also, reminding me of Simon+ “satisficing”: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbert_A._Simon

@lchski loving all the gardening I'm seeing in my thread. Wish I was there 🌱
https://digital.canada.ca/2021/04/07/exploring-the-conditions-for-digital-service-delivery/

#FWD50

"We are exceptional – exceptional! – at analysis. We need to get better at delivery." Xiaopu Fung #fwd50