Category Archives: science policy

Canadian Science Policy Centre (CSPC) upcoming May 21, 2025 online panel: Navigating Geopolitical Shifts: Canada’s Innovation Strategy for Agriculture and Agrifood Sector

This May 10, 2025 article by Salma Ibrahim for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) news online website illustrates the timeliness of the upcoming Agriculture and Agrifood Sector panel, Note: Links have been removed,

As Canada’s reliance on U.S. produce hits the spotlight, one Ontario farmer has a pitch: locally grown, year-round produce, grown by artificial intelligence and automation. 

In a sprawling two-hectare greenhouse, partially tucked inside a wooden red barn in King City, Ont., an animated Jay Willmot, farmer and entrepreneur, shared his vision. 

“From sowing and seeding, all the way through to harvest and packing, no one touches this crop,” he said in front of rows and rows of lettuce shoots. 

Instead, multimillion-dollar AI and machinery does the work; the whirring and clicking of conveyor belts, hooks and levers, fills the space that was once part of his family’s horse farm.

Willmot built his business, Haven Greens, to tackle the Canadian winter and a laundry list of obstacles that farmers face — from high labour costs to unpredictable weather. He’s not alone; federal and provincial governments have offered incentives to encourage automation. 

Some experts do urge caution though — saying widespread adoption could have unintended consequences.

Even before trade tensions pushed Canada’s dependence on U.S. produce back into the spotlight, there was a push to incentivize agricultural technology, to make Canada more self-sufficient. 

In Ontario, for example, the government dished out $547,720 in 2021 to Great Lakes Greenhouses Inc, an operation in the heart of Leamington, Ont. — dubbed North America’s greenhouse capital for having the highest density of greenhouses on the continent. The cash was to help the company pilot an artificial intelligence system that would “allow greenhouse operators to remotely grow cucumbers and eggplant crops, reducing in-person contact,” a provincial press release reads.

B.C. also has an On-Farm Technology Adoption Program, offering cost-sharing funding for labour-saving tech like autonomous weeders, harvesters and sorters.

The country is heavily reliant on temporary foreign workers for farm labour. Nearly half of the people working in Canada’s agriculture sector were employed on a seasonal basis in 2022, according to Statistics Canada. It is a gap that Willmot believes automation can fill. 

I have not done justice to Ibrahim’s May 10, 2025 article, so, if you have the time, I recommend reading it in its entirety as it provides some insight into Canada’s current situation vis-à-vis agriculture and the pros and cons of new agricultural technology.

Getting back to the upcoming panel, here’s more from a May 8, 2025 Canadian Science Policy Centre (CSPC) newsletter (received via email),

Panel on May 21 [2025]: Navigating Geopolitical Shifts: Canada’s Innovation Strategy for Agriculture and Agrifood Sector

The global agrifood sector is facing a period of unprecedented transformation, driven by shifting geopolitical landscapes, evolving trade relationships, climate pressures, and the growing influence of digital technologies. These forces are redefining how food is produced, processed, and moved across borders—bringing both significant risks and new opportunities for industry and governments alike.

Register Here

There are more details from the Navigating Geopolitical Shifts: Canada’s Innovation Strategy for Agriculture and Agrifood Sector event page,

Geopolitical shifts are transforming industries worldwide, and Canada is no exception. Canadian businesses and innovation ecosystems face new pressures to adapt in order to stay competitive​ in light of emerging trade disputes and other local and global challenges. 

The goal is to stimulate dialogue on innovation challenges and opportunities in the agriculture and agrifood sector under changing conditions and to explore how Canadian industry and innovation policy can adapt to strengthen Canada’s competitive standing and safeguard our citizens’ well-being. 

Each panel will bring together sector insiders and broader science, technology, and innovation (STI) stakeholders, ensuring a mix of perspectives. CSPC will publish a final report synthesizing the insights from the panel discussion. There is a planned symposium for the first morning of the conference that will further discuss the challenges and opportunities that present across all sectors.

Moderated by: Senator Mary Robinson

Prince Edward Islander, Senator

A proud Prince Edward Islander, Senator Mary Robinson was appointed to the Senate in January 2024.  Coming from a 6th generation family farm operation, she has been a strong voice for industry at the provincial, national, and global levels.  She was the first female Chair of the Canadian Agricultural Human Resources Council, the first female President of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, and vice president of the World Farmers’ Organisation. In 2021, she was named one of the Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Atlantic Canada by the Atlantic Business Magazine.

Joe Dales

Cofounder and Partner of RHA Ventures Inc.

Joe Dales has gained 35+ years of agriculture industry experience beginning his career in sales, marketing and management, working with leading companies such as Pfizer, Cyanamid Crop Protection (BASF) and NK Syngenta Seeds (Ciba Seeds).

In 1997, he co-founded with his wife Sandra, www.AgCareers.com, one of the first ag business websites on the internet and in 1998, he co-founded Farms.com, where he helped grow the business for 20 years. In 2019, he co-founded RHA Ventures Inc. and leads their value adding investments in the agriculture and food innovation and start-up sector. RHA (www.RHA.Ventures) has made more than 35 investments and continues to support entrepreneurs with hands on, experienced business mentoring.

Joe has been involved in successfully launching over 40 agri tech innovations ranging from crop protection products (Pursuit, Odyssey), seed varieties, herbicide tolerant canola, biologicals (HiStick), start up companies like Farms.com and AgCareers.com and a range of innovative products and services. He is passionate about bringing innovation to agriculture and helping farmers improve productivity.

Joe has gained extensive corporate governance board experience with several companies such as Canterra Seeds, Vive Crop Protection, Haggerty AgRobotics and as the Chair of the Board of Governors for the Western Fair Association. He has been a supporter of CAMA his whole career.   Joe has an Honours BSc in Chemistry from Western University and a Masters in Business Administration from Wilfrid Laurier University.

Ian Affleck

Vice-President, Plant Biotechnology [CropLife Canada]

Ian Affleck is the vice-president of plant biotechnology for CropLife Canada. In this role, Ian works with domestic and international agricultural stakeholders and governments on the development of policies, regulations, and science related to plant biotechnology. Prior to joining CropLife Canada, Ian worked at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency for 10 years, where his work focused on the regulation of novel plants and new varieties. He holds a bachelor of science in agriculture from the Nova Scotia Agricultural College, concentrating on agronomy and pest management. He also holds a master’s degree in agriculture from the University of Guelph, specializing in horticulture and plant breeding and has been involved in agriculture from an early age, having grown up on a potato farm in Bedeque, Prince Edward Island.

Kathleen Sullivan

Vice President, Government and Industry Relations, Maple Leaf Foods

She brings to the role 30 years of government, advocacy, trade, and food sector experience. This includes senior leadership positions at several industry organizations, including Food and Beverage Canada, the Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance, the Animal Nutrition Association of Canada, and Restaurants Canada. She also spent three years as a senior policy advisor in the Ontario government, including to the Minister of Education and in the Cabinet Office. 

Ms. Sullivan has a deep understanding of how business is affected by policy and regulatory frameworks and has been a key industry advisor on domestic food laws and on agri-food trade policy. She has also served as a senior industry lobbyist in major Canadian trade negotiations and trade missions.

Rodney Bierhuizen

President, Sunrise Greenhouses Ltd.

Rodney Bierhuizen is the owner and General Manager of Sunrise Greenhouses in Vineland, Ontario. Founded by his parents in 1982, a few years after immigrating from the Netherlands, Sunrise Greenhouses is a second-generation farm that has grown to operate four locations across Niagara, with over 1 million square feet of production. The company specializes in potted plants for retail markets and young plants for other producers across Canada and the U.S.

A key differentiator for Sunrise Greenhouses is its exclusive product lines, with in-house breeding and development of unique plant genetics that are licensed worldwide. Sunrise also has an inhouse automation firm- BOLD Robotics that supplies automation solutions to the agricultural sector.

Rodney is actively involved in the horticulture industry and agricultural advocacy. He currently serves as:

*Member of the Niagara Region Agricultural Action Committee and Vineland Research and Innovation Stakeholder Advisory Council

*President of Flower Canada Ontario

*Director on the Canadian Ornamental Horticulture Association, Niagara Greenhouse Growers, and Greenhouse Growers Alliance of Lincoln

Dr. Steven R. Webb

CEO, Global Institute for Food Security

Steven joined the Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS) as Chief Executive Officer in 2019, following a 23-year career with Corteva Agriscience (formerly Dow AgroSciences) in Indiana, United States. At GIFS, he has led the transformation of the institute to an agri-food connector and innovation catalyst, delivering valuable programs, technologies and services to scale up and accelerate R&D, deliver greater impact for Canada’s agri-food sector and enhance its global competitiveness.

His most recent role at Corteva was Research and Development Director of External Technology, where he led many research collaborations with private sector companies, research institutes and universities around the world.

Tiffany Stephenson

CMO, Protein Industries Canada

As CMO, Tiffany is responsible for member engagement, brand management and strategic communications to support Protein Industries Canada in their goals of growing the value-added processing sector in Western Canada, with a focus on creating plant-protein based products and co-products. With more than 15 years marketing, communication and stakeholder engagement experience in Canada’s agriculture and food industry, Tiffany is a proud advocate for the sector.

Chuck Baresich

President and Founder of Haggerty AgRobotics and Haggerty Creek

[no bio]

Details

Date: May 21 [2025]

Time: 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm EDT …

Website: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_zMacQvISQ3CmpgeP9zlhFA

Venue

Zoom

Organizer

Canadian Science Policy Centre
Email info@sciencepolicy.ca

There you have it.

Canadian Science Policy Centre (CSPC): Meet the SMP (Science meets Parliament) 2025 Delegates

This is not a public event from the Canadian Science Policy Centre (CSPC) but rather an update of a September 20, 2024 posting where applications were announced for two of their SMP programmes, one in British Columbia and the other in Ontario.

Here’s the latest about the delegates for the two provincial SMP programmes from a CSPC April 17, 2025 briefing (received via email),

CSPC is pleased to introduce the delegates of the second iteration of Science Meets Parliament – BC and the delegates of the inaugural round of Science Meets Parliament – ON. Delegates are currently participating in training sessions. The Science Meets Parliament Program for BC has been set for April 28-29, 2025, and Ontario for May 13-14, 2025. For more information, click here for SMP-BC and click here for SMP-ON

.An influential initiative, Science Meets Parliament (SMP) connects Canada’s scientific community with policymakers, offering researchers a unique opportunity to engage with provincial parliamentarians, understand policymaking, and develop crucial science-policy communication skills.  

Expanding to Ontario in 2025 and continuing to succeed in BC, SMP programs rely solely on registration fees and sponsorship. By sponsoring an SMP program, you not only support early-career researchers and strengthen the bridge between science and policy, but also gain unique exposure among provincial decision-makers. 

There are some charts on the CSPC’s SMP-BC 2025 Delegates Selected webpage but they didn’t mention a few things. For example, there were 25 academics from four universities (Simon Fraser University, the University of British Columbia [Okanagan and Vancouver campuses], University of Northern British Columbia, and the University of Victoria) who met BC legislators. I won’t go into details as to which scientist represented which area of science but there was a greater range of interests represented that I’d expected.

nursing

social justice and mental health

quantum computing

wildlife research

air pollution

solar energy

optoelectronics

imaging

psychology

chemistry

coastal systems engineering

physics (one of the researchers works on a project at the Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland)

bacterial inflammation

etc.

If memory serves, this is the second time the SMP programme has been run in BC

By contrast, the Ontario universities are individually represented in a pie chart on the CSPC’s SMP-ON 2025 Delegates Selected webpage where 29 academics will be going to meet Ontario legislators on May 13-14, 2025. This is the the first time in Ontario. As for the areas of expertise represented,

teacher education for science educators

pediatric audiology

technology, law, ethics

psychology of well-being with a focus on e.g., sociopolitical unrest, income inequality, and terrorism

scientific study of science (meta science)

economics

game design

psychology (tobacco and alcohol use)

public health statistics

business behaviour

radiation induced material damage (corrosion from ionizing radiation)

systems software for world’s largest supercomputers and clouds

behaviour-centric cybersecurity

user experience design (UX) & social justice & community engagement

biomembrane research

computational research applied to forensic technology and sciences

learning sciences and emerging technologies

biophysics

applied psychology and developmental disabilities

criminology and justice

environmental pollution

climate change

advanced materials

energy

Congratulations to the successful applicants!

Canadian Science Policy Centre (CSPC) May 7, 2025 panel: Screen Time and the Developing Brain: Research, Benefits, Risks, and Policy

An April 17, 2025 Canadian Science Policy Centre (CSPC) briefing (received via email) included this unusually (for them) terse announcement,

Upcoming Virtual Panels – April 25 and May 7 [2025]

The goal of this panel is to discuss the impacts of digital technology, or screen time, on children and youth and the policy opportunities to address these impacts.

To read more about the panel, click here.

Register (for free) Here

I found a poster on the CSPC’s ‘Screen time’ event page,

I also found this on the CSPC’s ‘Screen time’ event page,

Details

Date: May 7 [2025]

Time:

11:30 am – 1:00 pm EDT

Event Category: Virtual Session

Website: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_iWOcxpLCQBKIhoK4_fWsTQ

Venue

Zoom

Description / Abstract:

The goal of this panel is to discuss the impacts of digital technology, or screen time, on children and youth and the policy opportunities to address these impacts. More specifically, the panel will explore the following questions:

  • What does research tell us about the effects of screen time on the developing brain?
  • What are the benefits and what are the risks?
  • How can we preserve the benefits and minimize the risks?
  • Have we reached a threshold of understanding of this topic to inform policy?

Panelists will address these questions at different levels: neuroscience, psychology, technology, policy, and lived experience (youth).

[Moderator and Panelists]

Moderated by: Dr. Franco Vaccarino

Board Director, Brain Canada Foundation

See Bio

Dr. Patricia Conrod

Professor, Psychiatry and Canada Research Chair, Preventative Mental Health and Addiction; Research Chair in Social and Community Pediatrics, Université de Montréal / CHU Sainte-Justine

See Bio

Dr. Munmun De Choudhury

Associate Professor, School of Interactive Computing, Georgia Institute of Technology

See Bio

Dr. Sara Grimes

Professor, Wolfe Chair in Scientific and Technological Literacy, Department of Art History and Communication Studies, McGill University

See Bio

Dr. Emma Duerden

Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair, Neuroscience and Learning Disorders – Applied Psychology, Western University

See Bio

Dr. Michelle Ponti

Paediatrician, Child and Parent Resource Institute, London ON

See Bio

Vidhi Desai

Student, University of Calgary

See Bio

For those of us on the west coast, that’s an 8;30 am start next Wednesday.

Canadian Science Policy Centre (CSPC) April 25, 2025 panel: Innovating for a Digital Future: Navigating Economic Shifts and Global Challenges

An April 17, 2025 Canadian Science Policy Centre (CSPC) notice (received via email) announced an upcoming Zoom panel discussion, “Innovating for a Digital Future: Navigating Economic Shifts and Global Challenges,”

Upcoming Virtual Panels – April 25 [2025 and May 7 [More about the May 7, 2025 panel in a future posting]

The global economy is at a crossroads, shaped by profound shifts in economic structures, evolving geopolitical dynamics, and the relentless advancement of digital technologies. How can governments and businesses adapt to the acceleration of digital transformation while ensuring economic stability, security, and a shared digital future?

To read more about the panel, click here.
Register (for free) Here

I gather this event is being jointly hosted by the CSPC and the Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC). Here’s more from the CSPC “Innovating for a Digital Future: Navigating Economic Shifts and Global Challenges” event page,

The Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC) is a neutral, not-for-profit national centre of expertise with the mission of strengthening Canada’s digital advantage in the global economy. For over 30 years, and with a team of 100 experts, we have delivered forward-looking research, practical policy advice, and capacity building solutions for individuals and businesses. Our goal is to ensure that technology is utilized to drive economic growth and innovation and that Canada’s workforce remains competitive on a global scale.

Abstract:

The global economy is at a crossroads, shaped by profound shifts in economic structures, evolving geopolitical dynamics, and the relentless advancement of digital technologies. From artificial intelligence and quantum computing to Digital IDs, blockchain and cybersecurity, these innovations are redefining industries, altering labour markets, and transforming the way nations compete and collaborate. This virtual panel will bring together industry leaders and key policymakers from Canada and Europe to explore the challenges and opportunities presented by this changing landscape and discuss issues including:

  • How can governments and businesses adapt to the acceleration of digital transformation while ensuring economic stability, security, and a shared digital future?
  • What policies and frameworks are needed to foster innovation, enhance global trade, and build resilient economies in the face of uncertainty?

Through an insightful discussion, this session will examine strategies to harness digital advancements for sustainable growth, strengthen transnational cooperation, and ensure that the evolving global paradigm works for all. Join us as we shape the future of the digital economy and define pathways for shared prosperity in an interconnected world.

Details

Date: Apr 25 Time:

12:00 pm – 1:30 pm EDT Event Categories: Innovation Virtual Series, Virtual Session

Website: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_pD-jjWR3Tqilw42bKHqEVw

Venue

Zoom

Organizer

Canadian Science Policy Centre Email info@sciencepolicy.ca

Moderated by: Namir Anani

President and CEO, ICTC

Ivette Vera Perez

CEO, Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries

Soumen Roy

Executive Director and Country Head – Canada, Tata Consultancy Services

Anne-Marie Thompson

Vice-President of Research Grants & Scholarships, NSERC [Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada]

John Weigelt

National Technology Officer, Microsoft Canada

I found out a little more about the ICTC, from their Who we are/ICTC’s history webpage,

Our Story

Our journey began in 1992 as the Software Human Resources Council, a vital player in a network of sector councils supported by the Government of Canada’s Sectoral Council Program. In 2006, we recognized our potential to shape Canada’s digital destiny on a global scale. We underwent a significant transformation, becoming an independent, national, non-profit centre of expertise and renamed to the Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC).

Rooted in government-backed origins, we now extend our reach to every province, supporting policymakers, driving practical research, and innovating solutions for the workforce and businesses.

I cannot find any kind of annual report, which might give an indication of how the ICTC is funded. Is it strictly ‘fee for services’, government or foundation funding, or a combination of some kind? It’s always interesting to know where the money is coming from.

Submit panel proposals for November 19 – 21 2025 Canadian Science Policy Conference in Ottawa, Ontario

The current deadline for panel proposals is April 17, 2025 (deadline extended to May 2, 2025 [as of April 10, 2025 CSPC notice]) and now for some details: the 2025 Canadian Science Policy Conference (2025 CSPC) is being held from November 19 – 21, 2025 in Ottawa, Ontario at the Westin Hotel.

From the 2025 CSPC Theme and Topic webpage,

Toward a resilient future for Canada: Mobilizing science, knowledge and innovation

Track 1: Policy and Governance for a Resilient STI [science, technology, and innovation] Ecosystem

(Focus: Exploring how to build a resilient STI ecosystem)

  • The National STI ecosystem: Strategic priorities and emerging frontiers
  • The science system architecture: Revisioning the landscape
  • Intergovernmental coordination in STI: Aligning federal, provincial, territorial, municipal and Indigenous policies
  • Restructuring relationships between governments, academia, business, civil society and Indigenous communities
  • Role of Indigenous knowledge as a key pillar for policy-making
  • Mission-driven research: Strategic framing to address societal challenges

Track 2: Science, Society and Public Engagement in STI

(Focus: Exploring the role of civic organizations and the public in shaping research priorities, trust in science, and knowledge-sharing)

  • Harnessing the public interest to inform research and innovation
  • Public trust and engagement in science in a polarized world
  • The role of science in a multilingual world
  • Inclusivity and diversity as drivers of an effective STI system

Track 3: Industry Leadership and Economic Growth

(Focus: Exploring how to boost commercialization, business innovation and economic growth)

  • An industrial policy for Canada: Tackling the productivity challenge
  • Building an agile innovation ecosystem: Lessons from the past; plans for the future
  • Strategies for scaling up and commercializing Canadian innovations
  • Transforming IP and regulatory regimes to advance Canadian innovation
  • Opportunities to align R&D and strategic defense initiatives

Track 4: Science Diplomacy and Geopolitical Shifts

(Focus: Exploring opportunities to advance international STI collaboration and impact)

  • Strategic research partnerships with allies: Canada’s role in international innovation networks
  • Navigating international STI agreements
  • Building pathways to global markets and diversified trade through Canadian innovation
  • Science diplomacy to strengthen Canada’s global influence and impact

Track 5: Next Generation, Talent Development

(Focus: Exploring development of the next generation of STI)

  • Socio-economic impacts of capping targets on international students
  • Strategies to upskill Canada’s innovation workforce in high-demand areas
  • Equipping researchers and policy leaders with the skills to shape the future Canadian policies.
  • Facilitating career transitions and talent development in a dynamic environment

Track 6: Addressing Grand Challenges and Emerging Risks

(Focus: Exploring Canada’s approach to grand challenges; strengthening Canada’s resilience)

Balancing the ethics and benefits of emerging technologies

Science, knowledge and innovation for Arctic resilience, sovereignty and security

Mitigating risks and developing adaptive strategies (e.g., pandemics, climate change, wildfires, floods)

Innovating for Canada’s 21st century healthcare system and healthcare policies

Capitalizing on Canada’s natural resources including: energy, agri-food, critical minerals, water:

AI, quantum computing, and cybersecurity as tools for national security

Energy transition and security in a geopolitical context

From the 2025 CSPC panel proposal criteria webpage, Note: A link has been removed,

The CSPC Program Committee will evaluate and rank panel proposals based on the following criteria:

Panel Selection Criteria & Ranking

Proposals will be ranked based on five key criteria:

Panel Proposals (full description of criteria is below)

  1. Quality of the proposed session (30%)
  2. Action and solution-oriented focus (20%)
  3. Innovative and Interactive Panel Format (20%)
  4. Diversity of Panelists (15%)
  5. Quality of Speakers & Moderator (15%)

Full Description of Criteria

  1. Quality of the Proposed Session (30%)
    • Demonstrates a deep understanding of the issue
    • Provides a clear, compelling description of the panel topic and its novelty, importance, and impact
    • Aligns with CSPC 2025 overarching theme, tracks and topics
  2. Action & Solution-Oriented Focus (20%)
    • Prioritizes solutions, forward-looking discussions, and actionable outcomes rather than reiterating the status quo
    • Incorporates follow-ups, calls to action, or policy change discussions
  3. Innovative and Interactive Panel Format (20%) (Check Panel Format Options)
    • Encourages creative and engaging formats beyond traditional panel discussions
    • Balances expert insights and audience engagement, ensuring an inclusive, thought-provoking experience (i.e., leaving enough time for Q&A)
    • Use of polls for audience engagement is encouraged.
  4. Diversity of Panelists (15%)
    • Gender and Equity Representation: Ensures gender diversity and includes underrepresented and equity-deserving groups.
    • Sectoral Diversity: Must feature panelists from at least two different sectors (government, academia, business, non-profit, media).
    • Geographical Representation: Requires representation from at least two different provinces/territories in Canada or international.
    • Diversity of Perspectives: Must include panelists with varied viewpoints and expertise.
    • Preference for a mixed combination of established experts and emerging voices, including younger speakers
    • No more than two individuals (including both panelists and the moderator) from the same organization
      • Single-sector panels are permitted only in exceptional cases (e.g., panels of government science advisors or industry-specific panels)
  5. Quality of Speakers & Moderator (15%)
    • Panelists should have strong expertise, experience, and relevance to the panel topic
    • Panelists with the ability to garner public attention
    • The moderator’s role is crucial:
      • Must be experienced and engaging, facilitating discussion and audience interaction
      • Should have subject matter expertise and familiarity with panelists
      • Ability to manage time effectively and ensure a dynamic conversation

Tip: Encourage first-time CSPC speakers – A small bonus could be given for panels that introduce new voices to CSPC discussions.

NEW: Ted-Talks or Project Updates (10 min talks, of which 2 min for Q&A)

This year, CSPC features a new style of short and impactful sessions. These 8 min sessions must be either a Ted-Talk style, one speaker, with no slide presentation, or updates and follow-up on a previously presented project at CSPC.

  • Importance: Addresses a timely and relevant issue in science, technology, innovation, and knowledge (STIK) policy (35%)
  • Novelty: Introduces new ideas, emerging trends, or breakthrough discussions not previously explored at CSPC (35%)
  • Insightfulness: Provides original analysis, valuable perspectives, or a fresh approach to a topic (30%)

Note: If CSPC receives multiple submissions covering similar themes, submissions may be grouped into a Symposium format to allow for a more structured and in-depth discussion.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (EDIA)

CSPC is committed to EDIA principles and strongly encourages the inclusion of:

  • Indigenous perspectives and leadership in science, technology, innovation, and knowledge (STIK) policy
  • Women and underrepresented groups in STIK

Important Notes:

CSPC may request panelist adjustments if diversity or quality criteria are not met.

No fee is required to submit a panel proposal.

Panelists will have a discounted registration rate.

CSPC does not cover speakers’ travel and accommodation costs.

Panelists’ confirmation is not required at the time of submission but must be finalized within three weeks of acceptance.

Panel Formats

To foster stronger interactivity, CSPC 2025 encourages varied and engaging panel formats.

Why Prioritize Interactive Formats?

CSPC aims to create a dynamic and engaging conference experience. Interactive formats encourage:

  • Deeper discussions beyond traditional presentations
  • Greater audience participation and diverse viewpoints
  • More impactful and memorable sessions

Preferred Panel Formats (Higher Ranking)

The following formats (not in order of preference) will receive higher format scoring (criteria No. 3) as they encourage novel and interactive formats:

  1. Interactive Format (80 min session, e.g., Fishbowl)
    • Engages both panelists and audience members in a highly interactive manner
    • The proposal must specify the format and engagement plan
  2. Innovative Format (80 min, e.g., Lightning Round, Pecha Kucha, World Café)
    • Engages audience members in a non-traditional panel form
    • The proposal must specify format and creative components
  3. Debate (80 min)
    • Features structured opposing arguments on a critical issue among two individuals or two groups (max four)
    • The proposal must define key opposing viewpoints
  4. Workshop (Learning Session) (80 min)
    • Designed to extensively engage the audience in group learning, education, and/or planning activities
  5. Fireside Chat or Interviews (60 min)
    • A moderated discussion in a conversational, storytelling format
    • Focuses on thought leadership and insights, followed by audience Q&A

Tip: Consider adding a blended format option – Some sessions could integrate multiple elements (e.g., a debate followed by an audience discussion).

Standard Panel Formats (Still Eligible, Lower Ranking for Format Criteria)

The following formats are permitted but will not receive the highest ranking for interactivity (Criteria No. 3):

  1. Standard Panel Discussion (80 min)
    • Traditional format with expert panelists discussing a topic
    • Presentations cannot exceed 50 minutes; at least 30 minutes must be allocated for Q&A or audience activities
  2. Green Paper Discussion (80 min)
    • Based on a consultation document that seeks input on an existing or developing policy
    • Encourages policy-oriented discussion and feedback
  3. Case Study (60 min)
    • Presents a detailed analysis of a particular issue or real-world example
    • Explores lessons learned and best practices

Ted-Talks or Project Updates

  1. TED-Talk Style (10 min total: 8 min talk + 2 min Q&A)
    • Solo speaker presenting a compelling idea, breakthrough insight, or thought-provoking concept with NO slides
    • Must be engaging and impactful, similar to a TED Talk
  2. Project Update (10 min total: 8 min talk + 2 min Q&A)
    • Designed for those who previously presented a project at CSPC to provide updates and follow-ups
    • Focuses on concise, high-impact updates with practical takeaways

* Note: The session durations provided are for reference. CSPC may suggest adjustments based on scheduling considerations and available session slots.

Lest you forget,

Call for panel Proposals is now open

The deadline for proposal submissions is April 17, 2025 (deadline extended to May 2, 2025 [as of April 10, 2025 CSPC notice]) at midnight local time.

Proposal Submission Form

Good luck!

Rémi Quirion has an opinion about US-Canada science and about science diplomacy

Rémi Quirion is chief scientist of the province of Québec, Canada, chief executive officer of Fonds de recherche du Québec (FRQ), and president of the International Network for Governmental Science Advice (INGSA), Auckland, New Zealand. His March 13, 2025 editorial about science, collaboration, and US-Canada relations in light of Mr. Donald Trump’s constant assaults against Canadian sovereignty was published in the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Science magazine, Note: A link has been removed,

A partnership can be demanding, and as with any couple, can have good days and bad. The United States–Canada relationship is most definitely having a bad one. It’s difficult to fully comprehend all the dimensions of the current threats to one of the world’s strongest, longest, and multifaceted alliances. From contemptuous musings on annexation to a tariff war that could wreak economic havoc on both sides of the border, the insults and aggravations are stoking uncertainty about a relationship that has flourished for decades. …

The number one partner for Canadian science is by far the United States. For the past 5 years, 27% of all Canadian scientific publications were coauthored with American colleagues (according to a Canadian bibliometric database and the Web of Science). And the reverse is true as well. Canadian scientists are prominent international partners of American scientists in published research. Long-standing major programs between the two countries include joint research projects on the Great Lakes, the Arctic, space, health (including global public health), climate monitoring, artificial intelligence (AI), subatomic physics, and data sharing. Despite the uncertainty around tariffs, active partnerships have recently been reconfirmed and even extended between federal funding organizations in both countries. These include interactions between the US National Science Foundation and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada as well as Canada’s Social Science and Humanities Research Council. Such efforts are also strong at the regional level. For instance, research between Massachusetts and Québec focuses on climate change, biotechnology, and transportation, an alliance rooted in enduring cultural links.

… For decades, graduate students in Canada have continued training in the United States as postdoctoral fellows, and some have chosen to stay and forge fruitful collaborations with scientists in Canada. … American fellows coming to Canada to pursue their studies are not as numerous but are particularly interested in AI, quantum computing, clean energy, and environmental studies as well as the life sciences. Considering the current situation, it may be tempting for Canada to use the opportunity to lure both younger and well-established Canadian scientists back to Canada. Indeed, Canada is already receiving inquiries in that regard. …

On both sides of the border, additional collaboration should focus on building capacity to advise elected officials and high-level policy-makers on scientific issues. Going further, the International Network for Governmental Science Advice (INGSA) and its 130 member countries, of which I am chair, aim to take on this challenge globally with three chapters in the Global South (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Port Louis, Mauritius) as well as new European (Oxford, United Kingdom) and North American (Montreal, Canada) chapters that will be inaugurated over the next 2 years. A major objective is to increase the ability to offer advice not only at the national level but also to subregional and local officials who often must make critical decisions under emergency conditions.

Strengthening science diplomacy is more urgent than ever in North America and around the world. The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS, the publisher of Science) and the United Kingdom’s Royal Society have just released an updated framework on this topic as did the European Commission. In Québec, the Fonds de recherche du Québec launched a program this year to create new chairs in science diplomacy that will cultivate a network of experts across scientific disciplines throughout the province. The intent is to leverage the network to establish strong international science and policy partnerships.

Canada now has a new prime minister in place, and with the stability of US-Canada relations at stake, scientific partnerships should be upheld by the leaders of both nations. …

Here’s a link and a citation,

Uphold US-Canada science by Rémi Quirion. Science 13 Mar 2025 Vol 387, Issue 6739 p. 1127 DOI: 10.1126/science.adx2966

This editorial appears to be open access.

US science no longer no. 1

Not mentioned in Quirion’s editorial is the anxiety that the American scientific community appears to be suffering from. The days when US science led the world have either come to an end or will shortly depending on what opinion piece you’re reading. What’s not in question is that the days when US science dominated the world scene are over as this January 21, 2022 article by Jeffrey Mervis for the AAAS’s Science Insider makes clear,

A new data-rich report by the National Science Foundation (NSF) confirms China has overtaken the United States as the world’s leader in several key scientific metrics, including the overall number of papers published and patents awarded. U.S. scientists also have serious competition from foreign researchers in certain fields, it finds.

That loss of hegemony raises an important question for U.S. policymakers and the country’s research community, according to NSF’s oversight body, the National Science Board (NSB). “Since across-the-board leadership in [science and engineering] is no longer a possibility, what then should our goals be?” NSB asks in a policy brief that accompanies this year’s Science and Engineering Indicators, NSF’s biennial assessment of global research, which was released this week. (NSF has converted a single gargantuan volume into nine thematic reports, summarized in The State of U.S. Science and Engineering 2022.)

“It would be the height of hubris to think that [the United States] would lead in everything,” Phillips [Julia Phillips, an applied physicist who chairs the NSB committee that oversees Indicators] says. “So, I think the most important thing is for the United States to decide where it cannot be No. 2.”

At the top of her priorities is sustaining the federal government’s financial support of fundamental science. “If we lead in basic research, then we’re still in a really good position,” she says. But the government’s “record over the last decades does not give me a lot of cause for hope.” For example, Phillips says she is not optimistic that Congress will approve pending legislation that envisions a much larger NSF over the next 5 years, or a 2022 appropriations bill that would give NSF a lot more money right away.

Falling behind

[Note: The graphic which illustrates the statistics more clearly has not been reproduced here.]

The United States trailed China in contributing to the growth in global research spending over the past 2 decades. China 29% United States 23% South Korea& Japan 9% Other Asia 7% Other 14% European Union 17% Contribution to global R&D growth (Graphic) K. Franklin/Science; (Data) The State of U.S. Science and Engineering 2022/National Science Foundation

Canadians certainly. know a thing or two about not being no. 1 and maybe we could offer some advice on how to deal with that reality.

In the meantime, the US looks more and more frantic as it attempts to come to terms with its new status both scientifically and in every other way.

A March 2025 update from the Canadian Science Policy Centre (CSPC)

Earlier this week on March 5, 2025 I received (via email) a weekly newsletter from the Canadian Science Policy Centre (CSPC). This first excerpt is focused on the upcoming French language editorial and virtual panel,

[Challenges and Opportunities: Scientific Research and Publication in French in Canada [editorial series]

To mark March 20th, the Day of Francophonie, CSPC is excited to announce the launch of its first editorial series in French, celebrating the value of the French language in scientific research in Canada.

The CSPC Commité des francophiles invites you to submit editorials and share your reflections on the challenges and opportunities for conducting and publishing scientific research in French in Canada. We also encourage you to explore potential solutions to enhance the mobilization of scientific knowledge in French. Click the button below to submit an editorial; the deadline is next week, March 12, 2025!

Submit an Editorial

[Strengthening Science Diplomacy in French – A Strategic Asset for Canada virtual panel]

*Please note that this panel will be held in French only.

In a rapidly evolving global landscape, science diplomacy in French is a key tool for Canada and Québec to build international partnerships, drive innovation, and promote multilingual research collaboration. This panel will explore the role of Francophone scientific networks, international collaborations, and Canada’s bilingual advantage in strengthening its diplomatic ties. More speakers will be confirmed soon! Click the button below to register for the upcoming panel.

Register Here

Here are the rest of my selections from the March 5, 2025 CSPC weekly newsletter,

National Conversation on Canada’s Innovation Strategy 

We are pleased to announce the next phase of this project, exploring how geopolitical uncertainties will impact Canada’s Innovation Strategy. 
 
Add your voice to the conversation by:

  • Sharing your insights in an opinion piece for one of our innovation editorial series. These online series will make up a special digital edition of the CSPC Magazine (submissions will open in March 2025)
  • Participating in sector-based virtual panel series (April – October 2025)
  • Attending the in-person Innovation Strategy Symposium at the 17th Canadian Science Policy Conference (Nov. 19, 2025, at the Westin Hotel, Ottawa) 

We invite you to participate and be part of these important conversations. More information regarding these activities will be shared in the coming weeks. For more information on the project, please visit our website.

National Conversation on Canada’s Innovation Strategy

New SciPol Digest Episode Now Available:
Funding the Future: Canada’s Investment in Research During Critical Times

A new episode of SciPol Digest, Funding the Future: Canada’s Investment in Research During Critical Times, is now available. In it, we analyze last year’s transformative student budget—its impact is still resonating today. Join our experts as they explore how recent changes in funding for students and researchers are shaping the future of education and student life in Canada.
 
Click the button below to listen to the podcast.

SciPol Digest Podcast

Meet the SMP 2025 Delegates and Sponsorship Opportunities!

CSPC is pleased to introduce the delegates of the second iteration of Science Meets Parliament – BC and the delegates of the inaugural round of Science Meets Parliament – ON. Delegates are currently participating in training sessions. The Science Meets Parliament Program for BC has been set for April 28-29, 2025, and Ontario for May 13-14, 2025. For more information, click here for SMP-BC and click here for SMP-ON.

An influential initiative, Science Meets Parliament (SMP) connects Canada’s scientific community with policymakers, offering researchers a unique opportunity to engage with provincial parliamentarians, understand policymaking, and develop crucial science-policy communication skills.  

Happy International Women’s Day!

At CSPC, we celebrate the strength in every story: the experiences, leadership, and dedication of the incredible women across our volunteers, staff, and broader CSPC network. Their knowledge and skills are essential to our success.

Happy International Women’s Day to our champions!

There you have it.

Canadian Science Policy Centre and its February 26, 2025 online event: Maintaining trust in published scientific research

This is old news and it’s an excuse to take a walk down memory lane. First, a February 6, 2025 Canadian Science Policy Centre (CSPC) notice (received via email) contained an event announcement,

Reports of research fraud and mass retractions have combined with populist distrust of expertise to contribute to widespread mistrust of scientific research. This session, composed of panelists with backgrounds in research, ethics, and publishing, will explore some of the many ways that allies within the research ecosystem can rebuild readers’ trust in science, including readers in within [sic] the research community itself, policymakers, and the public. Key topics will include research fraud, ethics education, peer review, open science practices, and research assessment reform.

Click the button below to register for the panel!

Register Now

I’ve occasionally written about problematic science research with the most extraordinary case I can recall being that of Paolo Macchiarini. Like a lot of other people, he fooled me. Once I realized that his work was deeply problematic, I started digging. The results can be seen in my April 19. 2016 postings (part one) and (part two). I also provided an update in my December 31, 2023 posting, where I note consequences for Macchiarini under the ‘A long time coming, a nanomedicine comeuppance’ subhead and provide more details under the ‘Other players in the Macchiarini story’ subhead.

Getting back to the panel on February 26, 2025, the event description seemed more focused on how problems with scientific research have fused with current ‘populist’ mistrust of science rather than on scientific malfeasance per se.

I have more details from the CSPC’s Maintaining trust in published scientific research event page,

Details

Date: Feb 26

Time: 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm EST

Event Category: Virtual Session

Website: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_JALnFZSlS6yTCfRO_p-asg

Venue

Zoom

Email: info@sciencepolicy.ca

Here’s more about the panel,

David Moher is a clinical epidemiologist, and Senior Scientist at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, where he directs the Centre for Journalology (publication science). He is also a full Professor of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa and full Professor, Institute of Health Policy, Management & Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto. Professor Moher spends his time trying to help improve academic scholarship.

Panelist: Natasha McDonald

Natasha McDonald is responsible for advancing the system of peer review at Canadian Science Publishing to yield a more inclusive, transparent, and rigorous research output. She is passionate about Open Science and is a proponent of challenging long-held narratives in scientific publishing that have led to the underrepresentation of researchers from a number of communities and regions. Before moving into scholarly publishing, she held a career as a researcher in the field of marine biogeochemistry. She currently serves as a Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI) UN SDG [sustainable development goals] Publishers Compact Fellow.

Sarah Elaine Eaton is a professor and research chair at the Werklund School of Education at the University of Calgary (Canada). Dr. Eaton leads transdisciplinary research teams focused on integrity and ethics in educational contexts. Dr. Eaton also holds a concurrent appointment as an Honorary Associate Professor, Deakin University, Australia.

Juan Pablo Alperin is an associate professor in the School of Publishing, scientific director of the Public Knowledge Project, and the co-director of the Scholarly Communications Lab at Simon Fraser University, Canada. He is a multi-disciplinary scholar who uses a combination of computational techniques and traditional qualitative methods to investigate ways of raising the scientific quality, global impact, and public use of scholarly work.

Kaia Motter is Head of Academic Affairs, North America at Springer Nature where she leads academic affairs activities in the US and Canada, building relationships and collaborating with funders, institutions, and other non-profit organizations in the region. Kaia has a background in publishing, having held editorial positions at Elsevier and Wiley. In recent years, her work has been centered on open science development, policy, and outreach with a topical focus on research assessment reform, research integrity, AI, and other issues impacting the research community.

That was a lot more (three panelists?) focus about publishing than I was expecting.

China’s ex-UK ambassador clashes with ‘AI godfather’ on panel at AI Action Summit in France (February 10 – 11, 2025)

The Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Summit held from February 10 – 11, 2025 in Paris seems to have been pretty exciting, President Emanuel Macron announced a 09B euros investment in the French AI sector on February 10, 2025 (I have more in my February 13, 2025 posting [scroll down to the ‘What makes Canadian (and Greenlandic) minerals and water so important?’ subhead]). I also have this snippet, which suggests Macron is eager to provide an alternative to US domination in the field of AI, from a February 10, 2025 posting on CCGTN (China Global Television Network),

French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Sunday night [February 10, 2025] that France is set to receive a total investment of 109 billion euros (approximately $112 billion) in artificial intelligence over the coming years.

Speaking in a televised interview on public broadcaster France 2, Macron described the investment as “the equivalent for France of what the United States announced with ‘Stargate’.”

He noted that the funding will come from the United Arab Emirates, major American and Canadian investment funds [emphases mine], as well as French companies.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attended the AI Action Summit on Tuesday, February 11, 2025 according to a Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) news online article by Ashley Burke and Olivia Stefanovich,

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau warned U.S. Vice-President J.D. Vance that punishing tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum will hurt his home state of Ohio, a senior Canadian official said. 

The two leaders met on the sidelines of an international summit in Paris Tuesday [February 11, 2025], as the Trump administration moves forward with its threat to impose 25 per cent tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports, including from its biggest supplier, Canada, effective March 12.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday [February 12, 2025] as he departed from Brussels, Trudeau characterized the meeting as a brief chat that took place as the pair met.

“It was just a quick greeting exchange,” Trudeau said. “I highlighted that $2.2 billion worth of steel and aluminum exports from Canada go directly into the Ohio economy, often to go into manufacturing there.

“He nodded, and noted it, but it wasn’t a longer exchange than that.”

Vance didn’t respond to Canadian media’s questions about the tariffs while arriving at the summit on Tuesday [February 11, 2025].

Additional insight can be gained from a February 10, 2025 PBS (US Public Broadcasting Service) posting of an AP (Associated Press) article with contributions from Kelvin Chan and Angela Charlton in Paris, Ken Moritsugu in Beijing, and Aijaz Hussain in New Delhi,

JD Vance stepped onto the world stage this week for the first time as U.S. vice president, using a high-stakes AI summit in Paris and a security conference in Munich to amplify Donald Trump’s aggressive new approach to diplomacy.

The 40-year-old vice president, who was just 18 months into his tenure as a senator before joining Trump’s ticket, is expected, while in Paris, to push back on European efforts to tighten AI oversight while advocating for a more open, innovation-driven approach.

The AI summit has drawn world leaders, top tech executives, and policymakers to discuss artificial intelligence’s impact on global security, economics, and governance. High-profile attendees include Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing, signaling Beijing’s deep interest in shaping global AI standards.

Macron also called on “simplifying” rules in France and the European Union to allow AI advances, citing sectors like healthcare, mobility, energy, and “resynchronize with the rest of the world.”

“We are most of the time too slow,” he said.

The summit underscores a three-way race for AI supremacy: Europe striving to regulate and invest, China expanding access through state-backed tech giants, and the U.S. under Trump prioritizing a hands-off approach.

Vance has signaled he will use the Paris summit as a venue for candid discussions with world leaders on AI and geopolitics.

“I think there’s a lot that some of the leaders who are present at the AI summit could do to, frankly — bring the Russia-Ukraine conflict to a close, help us diplomatically there — and so we’re going to be focused on those meetings in France,” Vance told Breitbart News.

Vance is expected to meet separately Tuesday with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, according to a person familiar with planning who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Modi is co-hosting the summit with Macron in an effort to prevent the sector from becoming a U.S.-China battle.

Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stressed the need for equitable access to AI to avoid “perpetuating a digital divide that is already existing across the world.”

But the U.S.-China rivalry overshadowed broader international talks.

The U.S.-China rivalry didn’t entirely overshadow the talks. At least one Chinese former diplomat chose to make her presence felt by chastising a Canadian academic according to a February 11, 2025 article by Matthew Broersma for silicon.co.uk

A representative of China at this week’s AI Action Summit in Paris stressed the importance of collaboration on artificial intelligence, while engaging in a testy exchange with Yoshua Bengio, a Canadian academic considered one of the “Godfathers” of AI.

Fu Ying, a former Chinese government official and now an academic at Tsinghua University in Beijing, said the name of China’s official AI Development and Safety Network was intended to emphasise the importance of collaboration to manage the risks around AI.

She also said tensions between the US and China were impeding the ability to develop AI safely.

… Fu Ying, a former vice minister of foreign affairs in China and the country’s former UK ambassador, took veiled jabs at Prof Bengio, who was also a member of the panel.

Zoe Kleinman’s February 10, 2025 article for the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) news online website also notes the encounter,

A former Chinese official poked fun at a major international AI safety report led by “AI Godfather” professor Yoshua Bengio and co-authored by 96 global experts – in front of him.

Fu Ying, former vice minister of foreign affairs and once China’s UK ambassador, is now an academic at Tsinghua University in Beijing.

The pair were speaking at a panel discussion ahead of a two-day global AI summit starting in Paris on Monday [February 10, 2025].

The aim of the summit is to unite world leaders, tech executives, and academics to examine AI’s impact on society, governance, and the environment.

Fu Ying began by thanking Canada’s Prof Bengio for the “very, very long” document, adding that the Chinese translation stretched to around 400 pages and she hadn’t finished reading it.

She also had a dig at the title of the AI Safety Institute – of which Prof Bengio is a member.

China now has its own equivalent; but they decided to call it The AI Development and Safety Network, she said, because there are lots of institutes already but this wording emphasised the importance of collaboration.

The AI Action Summit is welcoming guests from 80 countries, with OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman, Microsoft president Brad Smith and Google chief executive Sundar Pichai among the big names in US tech attending.

Elon Musk is not on the guest list but it is currently unknown whether he will decide to join them. [As of February 13, 2025, Mr. Musk did not attend the summit, which ended February 11, 2025.]

A key focus is regulating AI in an increasingly fractured world. The summit comes weeks after a seismic industry shift as China’s DeepSeek unveiled a powerful, low-cost AI model, challenging US dominance.

The pair’s heated exchanges were a symbol of global political jostling in the powerful AI arms race, but Fu Ying also expressed regret about the negative impact of current hostilities between the US and China on the progress of AI safety.

She gave a carefully-crafted glimpse behind the curtain of China’s AI scene, describing an “explosive period” of innovation since the country first published its AI development plan in 2017, five years before ChatGPT became a viral sensation in the west.

She added that “when the pace [of development] is rapid, risky stuff occurs” but did not elaborate on what might have taken place.

“The Chinese move faster [than the west] but it’s full of problems,” she said.

Fu Ying argued that building AI tools on foundations which are open source, meaning everyone can see how they work and therefore contribute to improving them, was the most effective way to make sure the tech did not cause harm.

Most of the US tech giants do not share the tech which drives their products.

Open source offers humans “better opportunities to detect and solve problems”, she said, adding that “the lack of transparency among the giants makes people nervous”.

But Prof Bengio disagreed.

His view was that open source also left the tech wide open for criminals to misuse.

He did however concede that “from a safety point of view”, it was easier to spot issues with the viral Chinese AI assistant DeepSeek, which was built using open source architecture, than ChatGPT, whose code has not been shared by its creator OpenAI.

Fro anyone curious about Professor Bengio’s AI safety report, I have more information in a September 29, 2025 Université de Montréal (UdeM) press release,

The first international report on the safety of artificial intelligence, led by Université de Montréal computer-science professor Yoshua Bengio, was released today and promises to serve as a guide for policymakers worldwide. 

Announced in November 2023 at the AI Safety Summit at Bletchley Park, England, and inspired by the workings of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the report consolidates leading international expertise on AI and its risks. 

Supported by the United Kingdom’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, Bengio, founder and scientific director of the UdeM-affiliated Mila – Quebec AI Institute, led a team of 96 international experts in drafting the report.

The experts were drawn from 30 countries, the U.N., the European Union and the OECD [Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development]. Their report will help inform discussions next month at the AI Action Summit in Paris, France and serve as a global handbook on AI safety to help support policymakers.

Towards a common understanding

The most advanced AI systems in the world now have the ability to write increasingly sophisticated computer programs, identify cyber vulnerabilities, and perform on a par with human PhD-level experts on tests in biology, chemistry, and physics. 

In what is identified as a key development for policymakers to monitor, the AI Safety Report published today warns that AI systems are also increasingly capable of acting as AI agents, autonomously planning and acting in pursuit of a goal. 

As policymakers worldwide grapple with the rapid and unpredictable advancements in AI, the report contributes to bridging the gap by offering a scientific understanding of emerging risks to guide decision-making.  

The document sets out the first comprehensive, independent, and shared scientific understanding of advanced AI systems and their risks, highlighting how quickly the technology has evolved.  

Several areas require urgent research attention, according to the report, including how rapidly capabilities will advance, how general-purpose AI models work internally, and how they can be designed to behave reliably. 

Three distinct categories of AI risks are identified: 

  • Malicious use risks: these include cyberattacks, the creation of AI-generated child-sexual-abuse material, and even the development of biological weapons; 
  • System malfunctions: these include bias, reliability issues, and the potential loss of control over advanced general-purpose AI systems; 
  • Systemic risks: these stem from the widespread adoption of AI, include workforce disruption, privacy concerns, and environmental impacts.  

The report places particular emphasis on the urgency of increasing transparency and understanding in AI decision-making as the systems become more sophisticated and the technology continues to develop at a rapid pace. 

While there are still many challenges in mitigating the risks of general-purpose AI, the report highlights promising areas for future research and concludes that progress can be made.   

Ultimately, it emphasizes that while AI capabilities could advance at varying speeds, their development and potential risks are not a foregone conclusion. The outcomes depend on the choices that societies and governments make today and in the future. 

“The capabilities of general-purpose AI have increased rapidly in recent years and months,” said Bengio. “While this holds great potential for society, AI also presents significant risks that must be carefully managed by governments worldwide.  

“This report by independent experts aims to facilitate constructive and evidence-based discussion around these risks and serves as a common basis for policymakers around the world to understand general-purpose AI capabilities, risks and possible mitigations.” 

The report is more formally known as the International AI Safety Report 2025 and can be found on the gov.uk website.

There have been two previous AI Safety Summits that I’m aware of and you can read about them in my May 21, 2024 posting about the one in Korea and in my November 2, 2023 posting about the first summit at Bletchley Park in the UK.

You can find the Canadian Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute (or AI Safety Institute) here and my coverage of DeepSeek’s release and the panic in the US artificial intelligence and the business communities that ensued in my January 29, 2025 posting.