The Lixar Podcast: Recent Episodes
Lixar I.T.
A few weeks ago, Lixar participated in the NASA Space Apps challenge, an international hackathon where teams engage with NASA’s free and open data to address real-world problems on Earth and in space. Working at Dalhousie University in Halifax, each team had 48 hours to review the data, come up with a creative idea, and transform that data into something stellar.
We interviewed some participants who had some standout solutions to real-world problems. First we talk to a team that came up with an ingenious solution to map and clean up microplastics in our oceans. Then, we talk to someone who used suborbital data to create an interactive experience to educate users on the effects of climate change.
We want to give a special thanks to our friends at Dalhousie university for collaborating on the first ever east coast space apps challenge - and of course a shout out to the bright young minds who dream of using data to change the world.
In this episode of the Lixar podcast we talk about a solution we've been working on with Sierra Wireless and Microsoft.
In this episode, Bill Syrros, CEO of Lixar is in studio to discuss music, AI, and how technology can inform the creative process. It's a fascinating discussion and a great precursor to HPX.
Join Lixar experts as they discuss why Data Visualization is a must-have when undertaking any data project. In this episode of the Lixar Podcast, we talk about how data viz has changed in the past few years. We also discuss why design is the key to understanding your data and adopting data-driven practices within your organization.
In this episode, we talk to Jessica Pancoe, Manager of Eastern Ontario, Community Fundraising and Corporate Development at Kids Help Phone. We learn a little more about Kids Help Phone and why the Walk So Kids Can Talk event is so important. We also chat about some of the technology and applied AI that makes it possible for the volunteers at Kids Help Phone to help youth in crisis.
Today on the Lixar Podcast, we’re continuing our series on the strength of the Ottawa tech scene. In our last episode we talked to Grant Courville of Blackberry/QNX, who stressed the importance of building a local pool of tech talent and inspiring youth to become passionate about STEM fields. We have in our studio someone who does just that - Christopher Kitzen, the Director General of the Canada Aviation and Space Museum. Inspiring today’s youth is his focus every day - through the museums he directs, and through some exciting initiatives he’ll tell you about in this podcast. We’re going to talk about museum curation in the digital age, and how the approach to engage youth is becoming more inclusive and experiential.
In this engaging episode of the Lixar Podcast, we talk with Grant Courville, VP of Product Management and Strategy at BlackBerry QNX, BlackBerry. We chat about Ottawa's reputation as a hub for innovation, how BlackBerry QNX is helping to drive that ingenuity, and the partners that make it all possible. We delve into some of the exciting Autonomous Vehicle work that's going on in the Nation's Capital, and where it could go in the future.
We also touch on the importance of attracting and retaining top talent, and fostering a passion for the sciences in today's youth.
This episode is the first in a short series showcasing the strength of Ottawa’s science and tech scene. We want to highlight some of our partners and contemporaries in our own backyard - starting with our partners at BlackBerry QNX.
Lixar is a proudly Canadian company, with our headquarters based in Ottawa. Once nicknamed the silicon valley of the north, Ottawa is home to a bustling tech scene full of some of the world’s top talent.
In this podcast, Lixar experts discuss the factors that businesses leveraging IoT need to address before they’re ready to implement applied AI solutions. We talk building blocks, business cases, and a few short-term steps that can set you up for success down the road.
IoT and AI are here to stay. The manufacturing industry alone is set to see some of the greatest potential impacts from IoT use— as much as $3.7T per year with the value coming from productivity improvements. 15% of enterprises are using AI as of today, but 31% are expected to add it by 2019. While IoT and AI are still relatively new ideas, 83% of the most aggressive adopters of AI and cognitive technologies have said that their companies have already achieved substantial benefits
Artificial Intelligence is the perfect companion to IoT. The droves of data produced by IoT is optimal to train Machine Learning and AI models. So, what do you have to consider to leverage your IoT and take the first step into the world of AI?
In this edition of the Lixar Podcast, we bring a Lixar expert into the studio to talk about an exciting event: Microsoft's Future Now, taking place in Toronto on March 20th. We chat with Sherif Messiha, who gives insight on why the event is set to be one of the premier AI-focused events of the year. We talk real-world AI adoption, dig into some recent use-cases, and give you a little glimpse of what's going on at the Lixar booth during the event.
In this Podcast, we'll cover some key terms, the best approach, data storage, and more. If you're looking at leveraging data for your organization, drop us a line at data@lixar.com.
Data plumbing provides a way for your company to manage, process, and store data efficiently so that it can be easily accessed and used to improve your company’s processes and organization. By having a well structured plumbing system, your company can increase business efficiency and productivity, reduce costs, and provide actionable insights promptly, with data to back-up your decision-making.
This week we’re continuing our series on the hottest of topics - Artificial Intelligence. In this week's episode, we have two Lixar experts coming in to discuss AI and the Government of Canada. We’ll chat about some of Lixar’s work in that sphere as well as well as how we could see widespread adoption of the technology.
In this episode we take a look at another one of our Lixar Community Partners. The Kids Help Phone and Lixar have partnered for a number of years to help provide essential support for youth in crisis. The charitable organization provides free online and telephone counselling to kids in need via a toll-free number and a myriad of other services, and it’s one we’re very proud to support. We chat with Jessica Pancoe, Manager of Eastern Ontario, Community Fundraising and Corporate Development at Kids Help Phone. about the organization, some of the tech that goes into providing this service, and what you can do to get involved.
In this exciting episode of the Lixar Podcast, we sit down with John Weigelt, National Technology Officer and AI expert at Microsoft Canada. We're joined by Jim Provost, lead data scientist at Lixar, to unpack what AI truly means for our society and how we can work together to see it used responsibly.
We tackle some misinformed speculation around AI, highlight what people need to pay attention to, lay out principles of ethical AI, and outline what people can do to participate in the conversation.
We’re sitting down with Jon Bartlett, founder and director of the Megaphono music festival and conference.
In this episode, we focus on one of our longstanding Lixar community partners: The Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa. We’ll chat with Executive Director Colleen Mooney about the organization itself, it’s impact on Ottawa-area youth, and what you can do to get involved. The BGCO is an organization that helps youth in marginalized communities, and one that we’re proud to support.
In this very special episode of The Lixar Podcast, we sit down with Lixar CEO Bill Syrros to get his take on the recently concluded technology showcase. We cover electrification, flying cars, VR, and how technology is starting to blend seamlessly with everyday life. We also talk AI and some of the applications we think could change the world.
In this special episode of the Lixar Podcast, we talk to Hamed Faghfoury - one of our contacts on the ground at last week's NAIAS and Automobili-d conferences in Detroit. NAIAS and Automobili-d give a glimpse into new and exciting auto tech being rolled out in the coming year, and we're happy to bring you this preview first-hand. In our conversation, Hamed takes us through the auto tech trends he saw, with a focus on AI and ML in autonomous vehicles and auto manufacturing.
In this podcast, we sit down with one of our Lixar community partners - Maddy Mackenzie, someone who embodies some of the values we hold here at Lixar.
Here at Lixar we do a lot of work with automotive partners including data discovery workshops - that is, working with their team to analyze the data on hand and put it to actionable use; we believe in starting small and thinking big, so for companies who have a lot of data but aren't yet sure of it's best use we offer a two week assessment to get them on the path for data-driven success.
We also offer an IoT accelerator package - for those in the auto manufacturing industry who want to take their IoT implementation to the next level by leveraging cloud computing, Machine Learning, and AI.
If you want to chat in person, connect with Anthony and Paul at CES, the world's gathering place for all those who thrive on the business of consumer technologies. CES takes place from January 8th - 11th.
We sit with Bryan Lord of Teesnap to talk golf tech, digital transformation in the industry, user experience, and full-steam-ahead development cycles.
About four years ago, we engaged with Bryan and his team to provide full-stack development services for the burgeoning Teesnap platform, from backend infrastructure to UI/UX and more. Now, with development and adoption of Teesnap well underway, we're excited to chat with Bryan about how he sees technology transforming the golf industry in the coming years.
In this podcast, we bring on special guest Greg Dashwood, Product Lead Internet of Things & Advanced Analytics at Microsoft Canada. In a fascinating conversation with Lixar's very own Sherif Messiha, we talk high-level trends, examine IIoT in industry and manufacturing, and look at best practices and real-world implementations. We also cover what companies can do to drive adoption within their own organization.
In this podcast, Lixar experts discuss the factors that businesses leveraging IoT need to address before they're ready to implement applied AI solutions. We talk building blocks, business cases, and a few short-term steps that can set you up for success down the road.
The widespread use of smart-devices creates opportunities for a more direct integration of the world around us into computer-based systems. This can result in unprecedented efficiency and economic benefits. The key is ensuring this data is processed and acted upon quickly.