The Data Effect Ottawa:
Canada’s AI Future
November 2, 2023 The Westin Ottawa | 8:30 am - 1:30 pm (ET)
PRESENTED BY
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.
WITH SUPPORT FROM INDUSTRY PARTNERS:
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 & GUESTS
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
11 Colonel By Dr, Ottawa, ON K1N 9H4, Canada
PROGRAM
Arrival Coffee
Welcome by conference MC Charelle Evelyn, Managing editor, The Hill Times
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
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 Shabani, AI Governance Specialist, NuEnergy.ai
- Shingai Manjengwa, Head of AI Education, ChainML
- Joelle Pineau, VP AI research, Meta
- Moderator: Craig Haney, Head of Ventures, AltaML
Presentation: Regulating and Supporting AI in Canada
- Mark Schaan, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
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
Break
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 Burt, Chief 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
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
Break
Table-side breakout discussions led by Communitech
Hosts:
- Josephine Yam, CEO & Co-Founder, Skills4Good AI
- Craig Haney, Head of Ventures, AltaML
Presentation: The Business Opportunity of Good AI
- Kevin Tuer, Chief Technology Officer, Communitech
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
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 Jansa, CEO, Digital Governance Council
- Mai Mavinkurve, Managing Partner, Prosperity Global Services
- Moderator: Claudia Krywiak, President & CEO, Ontario Centre of Innovation
Closing comments and luncheon