Waterloo, long recognized as a tech hub, is set to host a week-long event aimed at showcasing the city’s tech advancements in engaging ways to the local community. Waterloo Tech Week is scheduled from September 8 to 11 and will feature a series of panels, demonstrations, and meetups over four days. The event will seamlessly transition into the 12th annual Hack the North event, which will incorporate a gamification element this year.
Jasmine Jiang, one of the event’s organizers, revealed that a total of 40 events have been meticulously planned across various venues in the city. The objective, according to Jiang, is to provide a platform for community members to participate, network, and delve into diverse topics that they may not have had access to before.
The agenda includes a wide range of discussions such as “Speed Friending with Tech,” “Crafting Your Career as a Product Designer,” “Future of Software in the AI Era,” “Internship Insights,” “Alumni Experiences,” “Government Funding Strategies,” and a “Bitcoin Fireside Chat” featuring the chief technology officer of Atomic Finance, sponsored by the Wilfrid Laurier Bitcoin Club.
Jiang highlighted the significance of the Bitcoin fireside chat, emphasizing its technical focus on Bitcoin-related subjects for enthusiasts in the field. Matt Black, a UW alumni and expert in the domain, will lead the discussion, offering valuable insights into the topic.
In addition to talks and panels, the event will include a city-wide treasure hunt through a dedicated app, a networking happy hour named “Brewed Connections,” a chess bot competition, a startup contest, and a networking lunch for student entrepreneurs. Daily discussions on artificial intelligence (AI) will cover topics such as AI ethics and the evolving role of engineers in shaping AI-generated code.
While most events are free of charge, interested individuals are required to register via the Waterloo Tech Week website to secure their spots.