The grftf Podcast

Ep 9 | The Rise of Smart Cities and How to Get Ready — John Lorinc

Feb 14, 2024

50:35

Misha chats with Canadian journalist and author, John Lorinc about the evolving concept of smart cities. He highlights how the continual urbanization of the world, with technology being central to this transformation, has led to this concept gaining relevance. His book, 'Dream State: Smart Cities, Technology, and the Pursuit of Urban Utopias', which won the 2022 Writer's Trust Balsillie Prize, explores this technology revolution in cities. The interview covers his journey as a mathematician and journalist and touches upon key topics such as sensors, smart city technology, and surveillance in public spaces. Lorinc discusses examples of smart city mega-projects that are underway in various parts of the globe and shares his perspective on the pros and cons of smart cities. He also emphasizes the need for active public engagement in shaping city landscapes, safeguarding privacy and human rights in an era of technological advancements. Towards the end, he illustrates the positive potential of smart city tech, such as smart grids contributing to green electricity transformations.

00:00 Introduction to Urbanization and Smart Cities

00:32 Meet the Expert: John Lorinc

01:48 The Journey from Math to Urban Affairs

04:18 The Importance of Cities in the 21st Century

07:11 The Role of Technology in Urbanization

09:36 Understanding Smart Cities and Their Impact

16:58 The Role of AI and Machine Learning in Smart Cities

20:15 Privacy and Surveillance Concerns in Smart Cities

24:06 The Impact of Technology on Privacy

24:36 The Role of Legislators and Regulators in Technology

25:15 The Gap Between Technology and Government

25:22 The Inadequacy of Government Understanding of Technology