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CANADA’S AI FUTURE

January 26 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

BUILDING A NATIONAL APPROACH TO AI

Amid the hype, how can AI help build a better Canada?

We’re already home to elite AI talent amid a global boom. And our innovation ecosystem is a major asset.

We now need to implement regulation and build AI tools we can trust – to deliver a better digital government and a more innovative economy.

This November in Ottawa, The Data Effect will examine how to build trusted guardrails to put AI to work, and explore the emerging global collaboration to manage this rapidly evolving technology.

Canada can lead the world in building a national approach to AI that drives human development.

THE DATA EFFECT SERIES

The Data Effect is a series of events focused on exploring the potential of data and artificial intelligence (AI) in various domains. The events highlight the importance of data sharing, collaboration, and innovation to drive advancements in healthcare, government services, and research.

THE DATA EFFECT OTTAWA FOCUS:

Best practices to implement responsible AI: How can Canada’s innovation community, government agencies and businesses implement AI ethically and sustainably – from inception – to improve industries, solve society’s problems and help governments and organizations serve Canadians better?

Building trust in AI: How can government, industry, and academia collaboratively shape AI policy to address risks, ensure accountability, and foster innovation?

AI Innovation in Canada: What are the major AI advancements in Canada? What are the priorities and challenges faced by leading organizations in AI?

Collaboration in the AI ecosystem: How can collaboration and better data infrastructure improve efficiency for the government and Canadian organizations?

AI diplomacy: How can Canada position itself as a leader in international collaboration efforts to set the ground for efficient regulations and tackle major challenges with the use of AI.

SPEAKERS WILL INCLUDE:

MARK SCHAAN

Senior Assistant Deputy Minister,
Strategy and Innovation Policy Sector,
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada,
Government of Canada

JONATHAN ROSENBLUTH

Director of Product,
Cohere

IMA OKONNY

Chief Data Officer,
Assistant Deputy Minister,
Employment and Social Development Canada

COLIN DEACON

Independent Senator for Nova Scotia,
Senate of Canada

CHRIS DAOUST

Head of Customer Engineering – Public Sector, Healthcare and Higher Education (Canada),
Google for Government

STEPHEN BURT

Chief Data Officer of Canada

FLORIAN MARTIN-BARITEAU

Associate Professor of Law and University Chair in Technology and Society,
University of Ottawa

SHINGAI MANJENGWA

Head of AI Education,
ChainML

KEVIN TUER

Chief Technology Officer,
Communitech

ANNA JAHN

Director of Public Policy and Learning,
A.I. for Humanity,
Mila

KEITH JANSA

CEO,
Digital Governance Council

CRAIG HANEY

Head of Ventures,
AtlaML

JOELLE PINEAU

Vice President AI Research,
Meta

ELAHEH SHABANI

AI Governance Specialist,
NuEnergy.ai

ERICA REN

Chief Data Officer,
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

FRED POPOWICH

Scientific Director, Big Data Hub,
Simon Fraser University

CHARELLE EVELYN

Managing Editor,
The Hill Times

MAITHILI “MAI” MAVINKURVE

Managing Partner,
Prosperity Global Services

CLAUDIA KRYWIAK

President & CEO,
Ontario Centre of Innovation

JOSEPHINE YAM

CEO & Co-Founder,
Skills4Good AI

DAVID REEVELY

Ottawa Correspondent,
The Logic

STEVE RENNIE

Director,
Data-Driven Technologies,
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

THE VENUE

Governor General Ballroom, Level 4
11 Colonel By Dr, Ottawa, ON K1N 9H4, Canada
Rest assured with our Commitment to Clean experience at The Westin Ottawa hotel. Our modern hotel is located in the Ottawa business district across from the Rideau Canal, an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our renowned Shore Club restaurant is a popular dining choice for hotel guests and Ottawa locals alike. Stay active during your visit to Canada with our hotel’s fitness offerings, including our indoor saltwater pool, our modern fitness center and our private squash courts.
Business Casual Attire (no athletic wear) is suggested.

THE EVENT AGENDA

8:00 AM

Arrival Coffee

8:30 AM

Welcome by conference MC Charelle Evelyn, Managing editor, The Hill Times

8:40 AM

Opening presentation: Inside look at Generative AI

Join this presentation as we explore the forefront of generative AI trends, uncovering its potential to impact knowledge-based industries.

  • Jonathan Rosenbluth, Director of Product, Cohere
9:00 AM

Panel Discussion: How AI can solve real-world problems

AI is transforming the way organizations work. How can it ethically be used to help organizations increase efficiency and productivity? Join our panel to explore actionable strategies to help Canadian organizations leverage the power of AI.

Panelists :

  • Elaheh ShabaniAI Governance Specialist, NuEnergy.ai 
  • Shingai ManjengwaHead of AI Education, ChainML
  • Joelle Pineau, VP AI research, Meta 
  • Moderator: Craig Haney, Head of Ventures, AltaML
9:35 AM

Presentation: Regulating and Supporting AI in Canada

  • Mark Schaan, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
9:50 AM

Presentation: How to bring together human and artificial intelligence to solve real-world problems?

This presentation explores how using an organization’s own data to train people on data driven methods and techniques can result in a collaborative approach to tackling challenges.

  • Fred Popowich, Scientific Director, Big Data Hub at Simon Fraser University
10:05 AM

Break

10:20 AM

Panel Discussion: Building a Stronger Digital Government with AI 

The responsible use of AI & Canada’s vast troves of data can provide the insights and efficiency of a modern government. But for that we need strong data protection and cybersecurity practices. But some steps should be taken to address biases and ensure fairness in AI systems? Join this panel to discuss the balance between AI growth and responsible governance.

Panelists:

  • Ima Okonny, Chief Data Officer, Assistant Deputy Minister, Employment and social development Canada
  • Stephen BurtChief Data Officer of Canada 
  • Steve Rennie, Director, Data-Driven Technologies, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
  • Moderator : Erica Ren, Chief Data Officer, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
10:55 AM

Presentation: How Gen AI Can Improve Government Services?

Generative AI has the potential to reshape the public sector and to improve services for citizens. Join us as we delve into challenges, opportunities and readiness for generative AI adoption in government.

  • Chris Daoust, Head of Customer Engineering – Public Sector, Healthcare and Higher Education (Canada)Google Cloud
11:15 AM

Break

11:30 AM

Table-side breakout discussions led by Communitech

Hosts: 

  • Josephine Yam, CEO & Co-Founder, Skills4Good AI
  • Craig HaneyHead of Ventures, AltaML
12:15 PM

Presentation: The Business Opportunity of Good AI

  • Kevin Tuer, Chief Technology Officer, Communitech
12:35 PM

Fireside chat: Canada’s Role in a Rapidly Evolving Global Landscape

A conversation between : 

  • Anna Jahn, Director of Public Policy and Learning, A.I. for Humanity, Mila
  • Florian Martin-Bariteau, Associate Professor of Law and University Chair in Technology and Society, University of Ottawa
  • Moderated by : David Reevely, Ottawa Correspondent, The Logic
1:00 PM

Panel Discussion: The Right Innovation Strategy for the Data Driven Economy

Canada is a global hub for innovation in tech and AI. How can strategy, tailored for the data driven economy help Canada stimulate investments in Canadian tech companies?

Panelists:

  • Senator Colin Deacon, Independent Senator for Nova Scotia, Senate of Canada
  • Keith JansaCEO, Digital Governance Council
  • Mai Mavinkurve, Managing Partner, Prosperity Global Services
  • Moderator: Claudia Krywiak, President & CEO, Ontario Centre of Innovation
1:30 PM

Closing comments and luncheon

ALL TIMES ET, SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Details

Date:
January 26
Time:
8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Venue

THE WESTIN OTTAWA
11 Colonel By Dr, Ottawa, ON K1N 9H4, Canada + Google Map