Digital Disruption and the New Democracy

Digital Disruption and the New Democracy
Tech addiction and surveillance capitalism: The battleground that is reshaping politics and polarising society

We have reached an inflection point in the ongoing dilemma of tech, disruption and its impact on society, economies, and democracy. With the birth of surveillance capitalism and the lucrative business model of “free”, our attention has become the currency. We are no longer customers, but sets of raw data to be mined and sold. Humanity faces algorithms designed to capture our attention and provide the same buzz of gambling, or promote extreme or false messages because engagement correlates with emotion.

What does this mean for society? What does this mean for the economy? What does it mean for democracy?

Can we have "democracy at the click of a mouse"? Or is the dream of a digital democratic utopia dead? From Fake News to Truth-o-Meters, technology can operate as both a positive and a negative force on global democracy and is a growing influence on election cycles around the world. Can these forces co-exist or is one side in the ascendant? Can government policy and how we behave as a society serve to minimise the negative impacts and accelerate positive change? Or is it simply a case of the genie being out of the bottle and we are witnessing the ensuing free-for-all, with all of the good, the bad and the ugly that comes with it.

Join us for an engaging and interactive session with the extraordinary Dr Anita Sands

Drinks, nibbles and networking from 5:30pm, keynote starts at 6pm sharp.

Dr. Anita Sands is a global technology and business leader, public speaker and advocate for the advancement of women. She currently serves on the board of three Silicon Valley public companies - Symantec Corporation, Service Now, and Pure Storage, and is a board director at private companies, ThoughtWorks and AppBus. She is also an active advisory board member at Docusign, Accompany and Box.

Anita earned both her Ph.D. in Atomic and Molecular Physics and bachelor's degree in Physics & Applied Math from Queen's University Belfast, and a Masters in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh where she was a Fulbright Scholar.

Prior to her latest career pivot into technology, Anita spent a decade in the financial services sector, specialising in enterprise transformation and technology led innovation. She was the youngest ever Senior Vice President at the Royal Bank of Canada where she served as the Head of Innovation and Process Design. At the age of 33, she was appointed as Chief Operating Officer, and subsequently as Head of Change Leadership, for UBS Wealth Management Americas, responsible for technology, operations and corporate services.

Anita has been honoured on many occasions for her contribution to technology leadership and the advancement of women. She holds a diploma in piano from the London School of Music, and has travelled to all seven continents, including an expedition to Antarctica. Anita is a former all-Ireland public speaking champion and a frequent commentator on digital transformation and women’s leadership.