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

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 26:18 The Responsibility of Citizens in a Technological Society 26:30 The Surveillance Mechanism of Technology 27:05 The State of Privacy Legislation in Different Regions 28:23 Examples of Government Engagement with Technology 31:25 The Impact of Surveillance on Individual Privacy 31:50 The Manipulation of Personal Data and Image 32:21 The Erosion of Trust in Urban Spaces 33:18 The Concept of Smart City Mega Projects 37:04 The Future of Smart Cities 42:28 The Importance of Public Engagement in Smart Cities 48:07 The Role of Technology in Energy Systems 49:58 Conclusion: The Balance Between Positive and Negative Impacts of Technology +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Connect with John Lorinc: Twitter: John Lorinc (@JohnLorinc) / X (twitter.com) Books: John Lorinc | Coach House Books (chbooks.com) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Misha da Vinci is a futurologist, tech thinker, and writer. Connect with Misha: Newsletter: https://mishadavinci.substack.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/mishadavinci Website: https://www.mishadavinci.com/