The BetaKit Podcast Channel

"You have just seen control of one of the most popular social media platforms in one of the most influential countries in the world switch from one foreign power relative to you to another." Canada and the US have both claimed national security concerns over TikTok. Our country's (unclear) response might not matter in the face of US-mandated corporate restructuring. As Grok's unchecked deepfake image generation on X raises thorny legal questions, Canada might not have the leverage to regulate. What is a middle power like Canada to do in the face of algorithmic media controlled by global superpowers (and their supporters)? CBC News senior reporter Anis Heydari joins to discuss. -- The BetaKit podcast is presented by Fasken Emerging Tech, supporting trailblazing startups, venture capital funds and acquirers of high-growth tech companies for over 30 years. If you're curious about the health of Canada's tech M&A scene, you've got to check out Exit InSights. It's a first-of-its-kind report from Fasken's Emerging Technology & Venture Capital Group that analyses private M&A activity among VC-backed and high-growth tech companies. You'll learn how buyers and sellers are maximizing value, minimizing risk, and navigating one of the most vibrant tech ecosystems out there. Download your free copy of the report. -- Related links: Court allows TikTok to continue operating in Canada, for now Grok's non-consensual sexual images highlight gaps in Canada's deepfake laws

Rade Kovacevic, Founder and CEO of PolarGrid, is tackling AI's latency issue by enhancing edge infrastructure for real-time experiences. He compares GenAI's evolution to the early web, highlighting the growing demand for speed. Rade discusses how traditional content delivery networks fall short for dynamic AI inference and focuses on optimizing chips, models, and networks. He believes natural voice interactions will drive the need for quicker AI, positioning PolarGrid as a leader in providing low-latency solutions for developers.

"The workweek will continue until morale improves." Jared Lindzon and Joe O'Connor's new book, Do More in Four: Why It's Time for a Shorter Workweek, argues that the future of work will feature more productive employees working fewer days. How is that supposed to happen when boomers still run the world, Gen Z is still Gen Z, and AI is coming for all of our jobs anyway? Let's dig in. -- Solve for X is back! The latest season of the MaRS podcast is exploring more world-changing ideas. Join journalist Manjula Selvarajah as she talks to the people behind the latest innovations in tech and science. Get a jump on the future. Listen to season 4 of Solve for X wherever you get your podcasts. -- The BetaKit Podcast is presented by CADSI: the national voice of Canada's defence, security, and emerging technology sectors, representing more than 1,000 companies from innovative SMBs to global primes. CADSI advocates for a resilient and sustainable defence and security sector by engaging government, shaping policy, and strengthening Canada's role with global partners. We create platforms that connect industry with decision-makers, foster collaboration, and reinforce Canada's position as a reliable partner in international security. Visit defenceandsecurity.ca to grow your defence business with CADSI.

"Maybe we will see the robots that we want in our lives in 2026. But be prepared: they will definitely be controlled by people in India with Xbox controllers." Robots, and IPOs, and AI, Oh My! Managing editor Sarah Rieger joins to ask the biggest tech questions of 2026, after evaluating which 2025 tech questions were definitively answered. Solve for X is back! The latest season of the MaRS podcast is exploring more world-changing ideas. Join journalist Manjula Selvarajah as she talks to the people behind the latest innovations in tech and science. Get a jump on the future. Listen to season 4 of Solve for X wherever you get your podcasts. -- The BetaKit Podcast is presented by QuickBooks on the Intuit platform, built to help Canadian businesses work smarter, more efficiently, and make confident decisions. QuickBooks on the Intuit platform is an all-in-one connected business solution that leverages the power of artificial intelligence and human expertise to simplify how you run and grow your business. From managing cash flow and payroll to delivering personalized, proactive insights leveraging the power of AI agents, QuickBooks helps you spend less time crunching numbers and more time growing your business. Visit quickbooks.intuit.ca to see how Intuit QuickBooks can help you outdo the work.

"2025 is the year that we committed to the bit, and all pretences went away." Special guest star Rob Kenedi (Decelerator) joins for The BetaKit Podcast's annual tradition: stuffing your holiday stocking with the biggest tech stories of 2025. Have a different take on tech this year? Let us know: podcast@betakit.com. Solve for X is back! The latest season of the MaRS podcast is exploring more world-changing ideas. Join journalist Manjula Selvarajah as she talks to the people behind the latest innovations in tech and science. Get a jump on the future. Listen to season 4 of Solve for X wherever you get your podcasts. -- The BetaKit Podcast is presented by QuickBooks on the Intuit platform, built to help Canadian businesses work smarter, more efficiently, and make confident decisions. QuickBooks on the Intuit platform is an all-in-one connected business solution that leverages the power of artificial intelligence and human expertise to simplify how you run and grow your business. From managing cash flow and payroll to delivering personalized, proactive insights leveraging the power of AI agents, QuickBooks helps you spend less time crunching numbers and more time growing your business. Visit quickbooks.intuit.ca to see how Intuit QuickBooks can help you outdo the work.

"Can you imagine a quarter—25 percent—of Canada isn't sure if they'll be employed next year? That is a wild statistic." Kevin Kliman, president of Canadian business at Employment Hero, joins to explain why Canada's workforce is underemployed and anxious about 2026. He also shares data indicating things are particularly bad for Gen Z, before offering tips on how they can make their mark in the modern workforce—with AI. Solve for X is back! The latest season of the MaRS podcast is exploring more world-changing ideas. Join journalist Manjula Selvarajah as she talks to the people behind the latest innovations in tech and science. Get a jump on the future. Listen to season 4 of Solve for X wherever you get your podcasts. -- The BetaKit Podcast is presented by QuickBooks on the Intuit platform, built to help Canadian businesses work smarter, more efficiently, and make confident decisions. QuickBooks on the Intuit platform is an all-in-one connected business solution that leverages the power of artificial intelligence and human expertise to simplify how you run and grow your business. From managing cash flow and payroll to delivering personalized, proactive insights leveraging the power of AI agents, QuickBooks helps you spend less time crunching numbers and more time growing your business. Visit quickbooks.intuit.ca to see how Intuit QuickBooks can help you outdo the work.

Michael Healey, a noted playwright and adaptor, joins to discuss his new play, Rogers v. Rogers, based on Alexandra Posadzki's reporting. He dives into the dramatic family dynamics of the Rogers empire, where ambition and corporate intrigue collide. Healey highlights the unique challenge of bringing Canadian corporate stories to the stage, emphasizing the scarcity of such narratives. He also shares insights about the absurdities of the business world, the role of public servants as unexpected heroes, and the implications of oligopoly in Canada's telecom market.

"It used to be that Silicon Valley was the kind of Mecca of the entrepreneur. What's happening is everyone has got the tools that used to be crowded in there. Now what we need to do is get the capital." Minister Evan Solomon sits down with C100 Executive Director Michael Buhr to discuss the country's future in AI and the feds' commitments to innovation. Recorded live on the BetaKit Keynote Stage at SAAS NORTH. The BetaKit Podcast is presented by QuickBooks on the Intuit platform, built to help Canadian businesses work smarter, more efficiently, and make confident decisions. QuickBooks on the Intuit platform is an all-in-one connected business solution that leverages the power of artificial intelligence and human expertise to simplify how you run and grow your business. From managing cash flow and payroll to delivering personalized, proactive insights leveraging the power of AI agents, QuickBooks helps you spend less time crunching numbers and more time growing your business. Visit quickbooks.intuit.ca to see how Intuit QuickBooks can help you outdo the work. Related links: What's in #Budget2025 for Canadian tech? Canadian tech sees #Budget2025 as "about-face" from last government's stance on business Is SaaS dead? Tech leaders debate whether it's time for requiem or rebirth

Shannon Bell, the Executive Vice-President and Chief Digital Officer at OpenText, discusses her strategic approach to implementing AI in one of Canada's largest tech firms. She emphasizes the importance of starting small and focusing on meaningful outcomes rather than flashy technology. Shannon shares insights on managing operational complexity, achieving a $1 billion efficiency goal, and reshaping job roles to meet evolving needs. She highlights the potential of AI to enhance productivity in Canada and the vital role of change management in tech adoption.

Nain Abdi, co-founder of Colair and former University of Waterloo student, shares his journey from a Canadian startup to the heart of Silicon Valley. He discusses the archaic hiring practices in tech and how Colair uses AI to assess candidates practically. Nain explains the opportunities that pulled him south, emphasizing the vibrant network in San Francisco compared to Canada's scene. He encourages young founders to experience the Valley's energy and bring those insights back home to enhance the Canadian tech ecosystem.