Marketplace Tech Why Google’s “smart city” failed
Dec 4, 2024
In this discussion, Josh O’Kane, Globe and Mail reporter and author of "Sideways: The City Google Couldn’t Buy," dives into the ambitious yet failed Quayside project in Toronto. He reveals how public concerns over privacy and technology fueled its cancellation. O’Kane also explores the complex relationship between government and technology, emphasizing the need for proactive policies. The conversation highlights a shift from grand smart city ideas to smaller, community-focused initiatives, illustrating the evolving landscape of urban development.
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Google's Failed Smart City
- Sidewalk Labs, a Google sister company, aimed to create a tech-optimized smart city in Toronto called Quayside.
- The project, involving robotaxis and data collection, ultimately failed in 2020 before completion.
Tech and Societal Progress
- In 2017, there was a conflation of technological and societal progress, leading to enthusiasm for tech-driven projects.
- This was driven by an economic development strategy, with governments eager to partner with tech companies like Google and Facebook.
Privacy and Power Dynamics
- Initial concerns about the Sidewalk Labs project centered on privacy and data collection by a large tech company.
- The project highlighted the tension between public-private partnerships and the balance of power between entities.
