AI Summit: Schedule
Plan your day. Attend insightful conversations, explore an interactive showcase or participate in a workshop.
Accessibility at this event: AI Summit Conversations will be presented with ASL interpreters and live captioning. For other supports, refer to the information below.
Toronto Public Library is committed to providing accessible and inclusive programming. If you identify as a person with a disability or a person who is Deaf, and require this information in an accessible format, or an accessibility accommodation to participate in our programs, please let us know as far in advance as possible, and we will do our best to meet your request. At least three weeks' notice is preferred. Phone 416-393-7099 or email accessibleservices@tpl.ca.
Conversations
Location: Bram & Bluma Appel Salon (2nd floor)
9:45 am-10 am
Welcome & Introductions
Land acknowledgement
Welcome remarks
Event emcee: Manjula Selvarajah, CBC Radio
10 am -10:45 am
Keynote: Building AI Literacy for Canada’s Future
Mike Murchison, Co-founder and CEO of Ada, explores what it will take to build AI literacy across Canada and why it matters now.
11 am-12 pm
From Research to Real-World Impact: AI in Canada
How does AI research translate into real-world impact? Join leaders from Toronto’s research and innovation ecosystem to discuss the talent, partnerships and infrastructure needed to turn AI breakthroughs into practical applications. Explore how Toronto’s network of research institutes, accelerators and innovation hubs are helping drive innovation and strengthening Canada’s AI leadership.
Featuring:
- Sean Caffrey, Acceleration Consortium
- David Fleet, Google DeepMind
- Kathryn Hume, Vector Institute
- Grace Lee Reynolds, MaRS Discovery District
Moderated by:
- Ivey Chiu, TELUS AI Accelerator
12:45-1:45 pm
Canada's AI Sovereignty
What does AI sovereignty mean for Canada, and how can the country build and maintain critical AI capabilities in an interconnected world? Panelists will explore AI sovereignty from public policy and governance perspectives, unpacking the different layers of the AI stack and considering which are most critical to strengthening Canada’s AI capacity.
Hear how Canada can balance innovation, global collaboration and technological independence, and what policy choices and partnerships are needed to build and sustain critical AI capabilities. The conversation will also examine how to ensure that AI systems are transparent and accountable.
Featuring:
- The Honourable Katherine Hay, Senate of Canada
- Sean Mullin, Munk School
- Jackson Leween Two Bears, Western University
Moderated by:
- Layla El Asri, RBC Borealis
2-2:30 pm
Public AI: Building a Balanced Canadian AI Ecosystem
Join Ana Serrano, President and Vice-Chancellor of OCAD University, to explore why public AI infrastructure matters, where it fits in Canada’s AI ecosystem, and the potential real-world applications and benefits for people and communities across the country. The conversation will also look at how to build a balanced Canadian AI ecosystem where public infrastructure and market-driven solutions reinforce one another.
Moderated by:
- Pam Ryan, TPL's Director of Service Development & Innovation
2:45-3:30 pm
Ask Me Anything: Advancing Public Trust and Public Good through AI
AI has the potential to improve healthcare, education, public services and expand economic opportunities, but concerns about privacy, bias, misinformation, transparency and accountability continue to shape public trust. Have your questions answered by leading experts in this interactive Ask Me Anything session. We'll explore how AI can create positive social impact while remaining innovative, trustworthy and accountable.
Questions must be submitted in advance. Submit your questions here.
Featuring:
- Shion Guha, University of Toronto
- Jacqueline Lu, Helpful Places
- Patricia Thaine, Limina AI
Moderated by:
- Pamela Robinson, Toronto Metropolitan University
3:45-4:30 pm
Closing Conversation: Realizing the Ambitions of Canada's AI Strategy
Canada’s AI Strategy envisions AI for all by fostering trust, expanding opportunity and building a more prosperous future. This fireside chat brings together leaders from government and academia to discuss how Canada can translate world-class AI research into economic and societal impact, promote responsible use, strengthen competitiveness and ensure the benefits of AI are widely shared.
Featuring:
- Fartash Haghani, City of Toronto
- Mary Wells, University of Waterloo
- Javier Ruiz-Soler, Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario
Moderated by:
- Moe Hosseini-Ara, TPL’s City Librarian and CEO
4:30-4:45 pm
Wrap-Up & Thank You
Final remarks
Workshop
Location: Activity Room (1st floor)
Please note that the workshop requires separate registration from general admission to the AI Summit.
Public AI: What Should We Build Together?
10 am-12 pm
What would AI look like if it were designed to serve the public, much like our libraries? This interactive workshop invites you to imagine AI as a public resource, one that is accessible to everyone, accountable to the people it serves and developed with the public interest in mind. Join us to share your experiences, imagine new possibilities and help shape a vision for Public AI in Canada.
Presented by OCAD University and DemocracyXChange.
Showcase
Location: Beeton Hall (1st floor)
Discover the latest AI innovations from Canadian organizations. Additional organizations to be added.
Acceleration Consortium
Based at the University of Toronto, the Acceleration Consortium (AC) is a global community of academia, industry, not-for-profits and government that is accelerating the discovery of materials needed for a sustainable future. The AC builds self-driving labs that use AI and automation to reduce the time and cost of bringing these materials to market. The AC also evaluates the economic, ethical and social dimensions of discovery, learning from Indigenous and community-based experts to guide our materials and technologies toward the benefit of society and the planet.
AI Ladies Lounge
AI Ladies Lounge is an inclusive community empowering women and non-binary individuals from technical and non-technical backgrounds to learn, share, build and grow in the AI space through hands-on events, collaboration and meaningful connections.
Information Privacy Commissioner of Ontario
The Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario (IPC) ensures that the privacy and access rights of Ontarians — and the laws behind those rights — are respected. The Commissioner is an officer of the Legislature who is appointed by, and reports to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, and is independent of the government of the day.
Northeastern University
Northeastern is a global research university and recognized leader in experiential lifelong learning. Its global university system connects communities and academic, government and industry partners, providing unique opportunities to think locally and act globally. The network serves as a dynamic platform for scaling ideas, talent and solutions across borders. Established in 2016, Northeastern's Toronto campus delivers graduate programs that reflect the needs of Canada's innovation economy.
Public AI Lab Canada
Public AI Lab Canada is the nation's adoption layer for AI. Its ambition is to connect sovereign compute and Canadian-governed data to practical, open-source tools that organizations can use, resulting in broader AI adoption, stronger Canadian capabilities and less dependence on foreign platforms. Led by OCAD University, with designers, researchers, technologists and cultural workers from 221A, Hypha Co-op, the Cultural Policy Hub at OCAD U, the Dais at TMU and Société des arts technologiques, Public AI Lab Canada will begin its work starting with the arts, culture and creative industries.
RoboHub
Waterloo RoboHub is the home of robotics at the University of Waterloo, bringing together all of the related technical, educational, research, services and experiences into one central group. With a state-of-the-art robotics facility, world-renowned team of researchers and staff, and globally unique fleet of fixed-base, rolling, walking and flying robots, RoboHub is where the future of robotics will be developed in Canada.
TELUS Wise
TELUS Wise® is a free digital literacy education program that offers informative workshops and resources to help people of all ages have a positive experience as digital citizens.
Vector Institute
Vector Institute transforms cutting-edge AI research into practical solutions that drive Canada’s economic growth and improve lives. As a globally-renowned AI research institute, they bridge the gap between academic discovery and industry adoption through partnerships with leading researchers, businesses and government organizations
Humans and the Machine:
Art, AI and the Space Between
The rise of AI has sparked interesting conversations about the value of art, the voice of artists and the process of creative work. Humans and the Machine is an exhibition exploring the evolving intersection of human imagination and AI, showcasing innovative artworks from our local creative community and inviting visitors to reflect on the core questions of contemporary art: Where does human intent end and machine agency begin?
Humans and the Machine is presented by Future Makers (City of Toronto, TMU, New Brains) and Human Feedback Foundation.