The Maclean's Idea Summit: Year Ahead

For its third iteration, the Maclean’s Ideas Summit returns on Wednesday, February 28, creating space for influential thinkers and leaders to share insight into some of the most pressing issues facing Canadians today.

This year, StartWell’s Event Studio on West Queen West – along with our partners Uber Canada, Microsoft Canada, Amazon Canada, and Fitzrovia – will set the stage for an intellectual journey, as a roster of accomplished speakers welcome guests for an evening of compelling conversation. We’ll explore hot-button topics such as artificial intelligence, revolutionary innovations, and the ever-evolving tapestry of societal progress in Canada.

Join the ultimate authority on Canada's intellectual pulse as Maclean’s celebrates the game-changing ideas propelling the nation forward. Here’s a closer look at what’s in store:

Maclean’s First Person Fireside Chat: Canada’s AI Future

John Weigelt, the national technology officer at Microsoft Canada will kick things off with a short Fireside Chat about Canada’s AI future. How will AI improve the lives of Canadians in the year ahead? And what are the risks citizens should prepare for when it comes to this brand new technology. 

Keynote Address: The Future of the City
Mayor Olivia Chow will kick-off the 2024 Maclean’s Ideas Summit with a warm welcome and keynote address on the future of Toronto. Topline issues include what we can expect from our city in 2024, and whether or not we should feel optimistic about what comes next.

A Marquee Panel 

For the evening’s main event, five (5) visionary thinkers across five unique industries will step onto the Ideas Summit stage for a dynamic conversation about the future state of Canada. In conversation with Maclean’s publisher Jason Maghanoy, the panel will aim to generate both curiosity and understanding on topics such as the future of urban mobility, AI’s impact on cities, public health preparedness, and the future of Canadian culture.

Featured Speakers

• Clement Virgo, a leading Canadian film director
• Phil De Luna, chief carbon scientist and head of engineering, Deep Sky
• Laura Miller, public policy and communications leader, Uber Canada
• Dr. Teresa M. Chan, founding dean of TMU's School of Medicine and vice-president, medical affairs
• Magda Grace,  head of Prime Video, Canada, Australia and New Zealand

EVENT DETAILS

• Date: Wednesday, February 28, 2024
• Time: 6:00pm - 9:00pm ET 
• Location: StartWell - The Event Studio, 230 Niagara Street
• What: Thought leadership followed by a networking afterparty; Wine and canapés will be served.
• Cost: General Admission is $50 per person, (plus service charges and HST)