Interesting question, who’s responsibility is it? Mine or ours? A June 25, 2026 Canadian Science Policy Centre (CSPC) announcement (received via email) announces a virtual panel addressing that question in the context of dementia prevention,
June 29 [2026]: Dementia Prevention in Canada: Individual Risk, Collective Responsibility
Join us on June 29 [2026] from 11:00–12:30 PM EST for an engaging virtual panel on dementia prevention in Canada. Under the theme “Individual Risk, Collective Responsibility,” experts from research, healthcare, innovation, and policy will explore how dementia prevention extends beyond individual lifestyle choices to include the social, economic, and environmental factors that shape people’s ability to act. Drawing on recent international survey findings, the discussion will examine barriers to brain-healthy living, the role of public policy and technology, and how Canada can build a more equitable and brain-healthy society through shared responsibility and coordinated action.
This panel will examine dementia prevention in Canada through the lens of a central tension: while growing evidence shows that individuals can reduce their risk through lifestyle and health-related factors, the ability to act on that knowledge is shaped by the systems and environments around them. Framed by the theme “Individual Risk, Collective Responsibility,” the discussion will explore how dementia prevention should be understood not only as a matter of personal responsibility, but also as a societal and policy imperative that requires coordinated action across healthcare, communities, and governments.
A central focus of the conversation will be where responsibility for prevention should sit, and how to avoid placing undue burden on individuals, without ignoring the importance of individual agency. Panelists will consider how Canadians understand modifiable dementia risk, what can be learned from other public health campaigns, and how technology may support brain-healthy choices. Informed by a recent international survey of 2000+ adults, the panel will examine barriers that Canadians encounter when they consider brain healthy choices, as well as system-level gaps that exist in community design and service access that, if addressed, could support population health outcomes and more resilient health systems at scale.
Attendees will gain insight into how dementia prevention can be framed in ways that are both actionable and equitable, recognizing individual responsibility while confronting the structural realities that shape people’s options, including socioeconomic inequality, geography, transportation, and access to care and supportive services. By bringing together perspectives from clinical care, research, innovation, community-based interventions, and aging policy, the session will surface the practical and ethical questions at the heart of prevention: what individuals can reasonably be expected to do, what systems must enable, and how Canada can build a more brain-healthy society through shared responsibility.
President & Chief Scientist, Baycrest Academy for Research and Education, and the Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation (CABHI); Sandra A. Rotman Chair in Cognitive Neuroscience, Rotman Research Institute.
Dr. Samir K. Sinha
Dr. Samir Sinha is a Geriatrician and Clinician Scientist at Sinai Health System and the University Health Network in Toronto, a Professor of Medicine at the University of Toronto, the Director of Health Policy Research at Toronto Metropolitan University’s National Institute on Ageing, as well as a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences and the Royal Society of Medicine.
A Rhodes Scholar, Samir is a highly regarded clinician and international expert in the care of older adults. As a former member of the Government of Canada’s National Seniors Council and a current member of its Minsterial Advisory Board on Dementia he helped to develop and now oversee Canada’s National Dementia Strategy and recently led the successful development of Canada’s new National Long-Term Care Services Standard.
Internationally, he serves as an Adjunct Professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the International Centre for Future Health Systems at the University of New South Wales. Furthermore, as a longstanding member of the American Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council and a recently appointed member of the Board of Trustees for HelpAge International, he remains committed to supporting the implementation and administration of unique, integrated and innovative models of geriatric care and support that reduce disease burden, improve access and capacity and ultimately promote health.
Dr. Dallas Seitz
Dr. Dallas Seitz is the Chief of the Division of Geriatric Psychiatry at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) where he also holds the Peter and Shelagh Godsoe Chair in Late-Life Mental Health Research. He is also a professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the Temerty Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto and the Director of the Division of Geriatric Psychiatry.
He currently serves as Co-Chair of the Canadian Coalition for Seniors’ Mental Health and past president of Canadian Academy of Geriatric Psychiatry.
He completed his undergraduate medical degree at the University of Saskatchewan (2003) and his postgraduate residency training in Psychiatry at the Queen’s University in 2008. He completed a research and clinical fellowship at the University of Toronto at Baycrest Centre and Women’s College Hospital. Dr. Seitz completed his PhD in Clinical Epidemiology and Health Services Research from the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation at the University of Toronto in 2014.
Dr. Nicole Anderson
Dr. Anderson is a Senior Scientist, Director of the Ben & Hilda Katz Interprofessional Research Program in Geriatric and Dementia Care, and Associate Scientific Director of the Kimel Family Centre for Brain Health and Wellness in the Rotman Research Institute at the Baycrest Academy for Research and Education [Toronto]. She is a Professor in the Departments of Psychology and Medicine (Psychiatry) at the University of Toronto. She is a registered clinical neuropsychologist. Her research focuses on how memory is affected by healthy aging and mild cognitive impairment, and on cognitive and lifestyle interventions to promote brain health and reduce dementia risk.
Dr. Saskia Sivananthan
Dr. Saskia Sivananthan, an internationally recognized strategy and policy advisor on dementia care, is the co-founder and CEO of the Brainwell Institute [in Toronto] – a nonprofit dementia policy think tank. She is also an Affiliate Professor at McGill University.
She was formerly Chief Research and KTE [knowledge transfer and exchange] Officer at the Alzheimer Society of Canada where she oversaw a tripling of funding for dementia research, and created multiple platforms for people living with dementia to engage in research, advocate and co-design programming for their needs. In 2020 she was appointed by the Federal Minister of Health to the ministerial advisory board on dementia.
Previously, Dr. Sivananthan served as a senior strategy and policy advisor consulting for the World Health Organization (WHO) on its overall global dementia strategy. Dr. Sivananthan co-drafted the WHO’s Global Action Plan on the Public Health Response to Dementia which was unanimously adopted at the 170th World Health Assembly by all 194 member-states. This plan served as the template for Canada’s National Dementia Strategy. It identified key priorities and established international goals to fight stigma and advance dementia care.
Very, very Toronto. Given that the CSPC usually gets at least one member of their virtual panels from another part of the country, I’m wondering if they assembled this group very quickly and relied on locally based experts.
There’s more to this posting than the virtual panel, as intriguing as I found the combination of agri-food with defence industrial strategy but those come later, with less detail. First from a May 28, 2026 Canadian Science Policy Centre (CPSC) notice (received via email),
June 4 [2026]: Sowing Security: The Agri-Food Sector and Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy
Join us on June 4 [2026] from 12:00–1:30 PM EST for a timely “Deep Dive” panel exploring the intersection of food security and national resilience. In an era of growing global volatility, food security is no longer just an agricultural issue—it is a cornerstone of national security. As Canada advances its Defence Industrial Strategy [DIS], this session will examine how the agri-food sector can support stable, innovative, and secure supply chains. Featuring experts from research, industry, and policy, the panel will highlight the role of agricultural innovation and food sovereignty in strengthening Canada’s security, including discussions on protecting critical food infrastructure, leveraging dual-use agri-tech, and enhancing resilience against emerging global and environmental threats.
Distinguished Research Chair in Agri-Food Biosecurity, Associate Dean, Research and Graduate Studies, University of Guelph
Sharif led various research programs, training initiatives and agri-food research centres owned by the Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario and operated by U of G, including those at the Ridgetown Campus. He also oversaw the Laboratory Services Division and fostered relationships with a range of public- and private-sector partners.
Sharif is a professor of immunology whose research focuses on poultry diseases, such as avian influenza. He is dedicated to developing innovative vaccines to control these infections. Additionally, in the past, he led the Poultry Health Research Network, collaborating with experts from academia, government and industry. More recently, he was instrumental in establishing a translational health initiative at the University, bridging veterinary and human health research to translate laboratory discoveries into treatments for both animals and humans.
[Panelists]
Virginia Mulligan
Director of Agriculture and Food Innovation, Alberta Innovates
Virginia Mulligan is Director of Agriculture and Food Innovation, where she designs and delivers strategic programs that support innovation and sustainability in Alberta’s agriculture sector, with additional experience in forestry and energy. She has been involved in developing and delivering initiatives that surface promising technologies and turn ideas into practical tools for end users. Her work supports a diverse portfolio of projects focused on improving resource efficiency, strengthening on-farm practices, and enabling more informed decision-making across the sector. Virginia works closely with industry, academia, and government partners to ensure this work is well informed, collaborative, and responsive to evolving needs. She brings a practical, systems-level perspective on the role of innovation in advancing sustainable and resilient agri-food systems.
Brodie Berrigan
Senior Director of Government Relations and Farm Policy, Canadian Federation of Agriculture
As Senior Director of Government Relations and Farm Policy at the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA), Brodie Berrigan plays a key role in coordinating the organization’s policy development and government relations, with leadership on files including risk management, food security, labour, trade and transportation.
Prior to joining the CFA, he spent many years working for the Government of Canada across several departments, including Public Services and Procurement Canada, the Privy Council Office, and Employment and Social Development Canada.
Mr. Berrigan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and History from the University of Ottawa, a Master’s degree in Public Policy and Administration from Carleton University, and a diploma in Business – Agriculture from Algonquin College.
Dana Dickerson
Director of Market Development and Sustainability, Grain Farmers of Ontario
Dana Dickerson is Director of Market Development and Sustainability at Grain Farmers of Ontario. Working on behalf of 28,000 farmers who grow barley, corn, oats, wheat, and soybeans, Dana focuses on strengthening existing markets and creating new demand across food, feed, fuel, beverage, and bioproduct sectors. She works closely with farmers, processors and governments to encourage value‑added processing innovation in Ontario, grow grain exports, and support farmer and customer sustainability.
Ian Affleck
Vice President – Plant Biotechnology, CropLife Canada
Ian Affleck, is the vice-president of plant biotechnology for CropLife Canada. In this role, Affleck 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, Affleck worked at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency for 10 years. His work there focused on the regulation of novel plants and new varieties. Affleck holds a B Sc from Nova Scotia Agricultural College and a Masters from the University of Guelph. Affleck has been involved in agriculture from an early age, having grown up on a potato farm in Bedeque, PEI.
I have a few more items from the CSPC’s May 28, 2026 notice. In the order in which they appeared,
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Deadline Extended to June 19 [2026]:
Call for French Editorial Series Vol. 2
The deadline to submit editorials for the French Editorial Series Vol. 2 has been extended to June 19, 2026! This volume features a call for editorials entitled: “Collaborating to Innovate: Building Scientific Bridges Across Regions and Sectors in Canada.”
Scientific collaboration between francophone and other linguistic communities across Canada continues to face challenges due to silos and regional disparities, despite the strong potential for pan-Canadian collaboration. This call seeks proposals that foster scientific collaboration in Canada and create networking opportunities across regions and disciplines, including but not limited to biomedical sciences, social sciences and humanities, natural sciences, and engineering.
For more details and to submit an editorial, click below.
Deadline Extended to June 5 [2026]: Science MeetsParliament (SMP) Federal
2026 Applications
CSPC is excited to announce that the deadline for the SMP Federal 2026 program applications has been extended to June 5, 2026! SMP Federal returns in 2026 following a successful 2025 program. This initiative connects scientists and parliamentarians, fostering dialogue and strengthening evidence-informed policymaking in Canada. SMP Federal will take place November 23 – 24, 2026 in Ottawa, preceding the 18th annual Canadian Science Policy Conference.
For more information on eligibility criteria and to submit an application, click the button below.
Canadian Forum on SocialInnovation (CFSI) Symposium – June 3 [2026]
CSPC and Partners present Canadian Forum on Social Innovation (CFSI) Symposium, From Fragmentation to Coherence in Canada’s Science and Innovation Ecosystem
In a knowledge-driven economy, Canadian universities play a central role in advancing the country’s science and research strategy by generating and mobilizing the talent and knowledge that support economic, social and public innovation, national competitiveness, effective regulation, and societal well-being.
On June 3rd 2026 in Calgary, AB, the CFSI Symposium will launch the Strategic Science and Innovation Leadership Initiative (SSIL) and convene a high-level national dialogue on the science and research strategy Canada needs to support a more holistic approach to conceiving, implementing and maintaining the conditions for inclusive prosperity. The CFSI SSIL Symposium will bring together higher education, industry and nonprofit leaders, policymakers, research and community funders and capacity builders to examine how science and research can support Canada’s ambitions across all sectors.
More information is available on our website, or visit the registration page below to join the conversation in Calgary.
Taking It Back: Reclaiming What Was Stolen With Nalo Hopkinson
Join us for an intimate evening with Jamaican-born author Nalo Hopkinson, recipient of the Sunburst Award for Excellence in Canadian Literature of the Fantastic for her novel Blackheart Man. Hopkinson thinks a lot about how rising ocean levels impact her region. She will present two climate fiction stories, ranging from science-based to the disquieting monologue narrated by a guide leading a tour of a recently submerged island.
Presented in partnership with UBC [University of British Columbia] Global History of Anticolonial Thought.
Doors at 6:30pm Reading at 7:00pm Q&A at 8:00pm
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About the Author Nalo Hopkinson, born in Jamaica, moved to Canada in 1977. She was the 1997 recipient of the Warner Aspect First Novel Contest for Brown Girl in the Ring. She has published seven novels, numerous short stories, and comics scripts in DC’s “Sandman” universe. She has received the Ontario Arts Council Foundation Award, the John W. Campbell and Locus Awards, the World Fantasy Award, Canada’s Aurora Award, the Sunburst Award for Canadian Literature of the Fantastic, and the Octavia E. Butler Memorial Award. In 2020, Science Fiction Writers of America made her its 37th Damon Knight Memorial “Grand Master,” a lifetime achievement award in recognition of her writing, teaching, and mentorship. She is a professor in the School of Creative Writing at the University of British Columbia. Her most recent publications are Blackheart Man (novel, Simon & Schuster, 2024), and short story collection Jamaica Ginger and Other Concoctions (Tachyon Publications, 2024).
About the Moderator Ayesha Hameed is an artist and writer. She has two books forthcoming in Autumn 2026: Black Atlantis (Strange Attractor/MIT Press) and Radio Brown Atlantis (CARA, NY). She’s Professor of Artistic Research at University of the Arts Helsinki and teaches on the MFA at Goldsmiths University of London.
For some reason, they won’t let me reproduce the RSVP button. So, you will have to visit the event and RSVP page and click there.
Canadian Science Policy Centre (CSPC) and the Security, Sovereignty, and Prosperity: Industry Perspectives on Canada’s New Defence Industrial Strategy event
Here are the details for an upcoming online panel discussion from a May 13, 2026 Canadian Science Policy Centre (CSPC) notice (received via email),
May 20 [2026]: Security, Sovereignty, and Prosperity: Industry Perspectives on Canada’s New Defence Industrial Strategy
Join us for a panel on how Canada’s participation in the Square Kilometre Array Observatory can s [sic; a leftover from a previous notice?]
Join us on May 20, 2026, from 12:00–1:30 PM EST for a panel discussion on Canada’s recently released Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS), which marks a significant shift at the intersection of national security and industrial policy. Central to the strategy is the “Joint Innovation” model, calling for sustained collaboration between the federal government and the private sector to build sovereign capabilities. This high-level panel will bring together leaders from Canada’s mining, advanced manufacturing, and technology sectors to explore how the DIS aligns with industry-specific challenges—from critical mineral supply chains to dual-use technologies such as AI and quantum—and to discuss its potential to drive industrial growth, the barriers to effective collaboration, and its long-term impact on Canada’s innovation ecosystem and global competitiveness.
Panellists will explore how the strategy’s goals align with the unique challenges of their respective industries, from critical mineral supply chains to dual-use technology development in AI and Quantum. The discussion will focus on how the DIS can serve as a catalyst for industrial growth, the hurdles to achieving seamless “Joint Innovation,” and the long-term impact of this strategy on Canada’s broader innovation ecosystem and global competitiveness.
Charlotte Duval-Lantoine – Moderator
Vice-President, Ottawa Operations & Fellow, Canadian Global Affairs Institute
Jayson Myers
Chief Executive Officer of Next Generation Manufacturing Canada
Photinie Koutsavlis
Vice President, Economic Affairs and Climate Change, Mining Association of Canada
Daniel Perry
Director of Federal Affairs at the Council of Canadian Innovators
Mike Mueller
President and CEO, Aerospace Industries Association of Canada
This seems like a pretty hectic spring where science events are concerned; I expect things will slow down as summer arrives.
This April 9, 2026 notice of events from SCWIST (Society for Canadian Woman in Science and Technology) popped up in my email (it can be seen here for a limited time),
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ENVIRONMENTAL STORYTELLING
Feature Author Series
Join us from across Canada on Earth Day for a special Feature Author event with Naomi Fliss and Emanuelle Gelber, authors of I Am River!
This thoughtful and beautifully illustrated story about the Saint Lawrence River encourages readers to think about their connection to water, the environment, and the natural world.
During the event, Naomi and Ema will share the inspiration behind the book, their creative process, and the environmental themes woven throughout the story.
Hosted in partnership with the Canadian Science Policy Centre, this virtual panel brings together youth and early-career voices to explore how Canada’s science, technology, and innovation ecosystem can better reflect the realities and aspirations of the next generation.
Grounded in insights from the STEM Youth Summit & Expo 2026, it highlights gaps between training and opportunity, barriers to participation, and overlooked perspectives.
By centring youth voices, the discussion aims to reimagine a more inclusive policy landscape where young people help shape Canada’s innovation future.
Join us for an inspiring event at the forefront of systems change in STEM!
In partnership with Anodyne Chemistries, SCWIST brings together organizations leading the way, showcasing how inclusive STEM workplaces are transforming industries, accelerating high-growth sectors, and shaping Canada’s future economy in the Fourth and Fifth Industrial Revolutions.
Attendees will explore how interdisciplinary teams turn ideas into real-world solutions, gain insights on building high-performing teams, and connect with leaders, investors, and emerging talent to strengthen Canada’s innovation ecosystem.
Get Tickets [You have to go to the event page and click Get Tickets from there; Cost is CA$60.]
Vancouver AI is a neural network of curious humans. We bridge art galleries and research labs, corporate towers and garage workshops, because the future isn’t built in silos.
In a world of black-box algorithms and corporate capture, we are cultivating a commons. A space where prototypes become shared tools and community values become governance. We move from ephemeral noise to perpetual knowledge.
The Movement: BC AI Ecosystem Association: This gathering is a node in a much larger provincial mission. We are building the public-interest infrastructure for AI in British Columbia—ensuring that our local-first intelligence outlives its creators and powers the next era of West Coast innovation. We aren’t just “using” AI; we are defining how it lives here.
March 25 [2026]: This month, we bring the strategy down to earth, onto wheels, and across the big screen.
Lawrence Okolo (VASI [Vancouver Autonomous Systems Initiative] Lead): Beyond the screen. Lawrence is a Senior ML Engineer putting Large Language Models on wheels. He joins us to demo the latest in autonomous hardware built right here in Vancouver.
Mayumi Rollins (Tiny Ghost Studios): The AI Film Club is exploding.
Mayumi joins us to showcase the best of the BC + AI Film Club contests…. a highlight reel of the first three rounds of community animation… and to launch participation for Round 4.
Kris Krug (theupgrade.ai): Fresh from the Banff AI Summit, KK returns with a dispatch from the peaks.
Expect a high-fidelity synthesis of the national roadmap and a look at our “Coastal Immortality” vision.
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This brings me to the summit in Banff.
[Canada] National Summit on Artificial Intelligence and Culture
Here’s a description of the summit, which took place March 15 – 17, 2026 and was invitation-only,. From the government of Canada’s event page, Note: Links have been removed,
About the Summit
The National Summit on Artificial Intelligence and Culture, presented in partnership with the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, will convene leaders from the cultural, government, technology, academic, and civil society sectors to shape a shared vision for the future of culture in the age of artificial intelligence.
The Three Pillars of the Summit
Build
Building AI-powered tools that respond to the needs of creators and cultural industries.
Empower
Empowering the Cultural Sector through AI Adoption, Talent, and Training.
Protect
Protecting creativity by taking steps to make artificial intelligence solutions responsible, reliable, and supportive of human creation.
An Interactive and Collaborative Experience
The Summit will offer a highly interactive experience designed to foster active engagement and collaboration. Each pillar will begin with leadership remarks followed by expert panels from various sectors, exploring practical applications and real-world challenges. Interactive reflection sessions will allow participants to share ideas, contribute to action-oriented solutions, and engage in cross-sector dialogue. An AI showcase will highlight practical tools supporting the cultural sector. The program will also include formal and informal networking opportunities to encourage exchanges and partnerships.
Event details
Date
March 15, 16 and 17, 2026
Location
Banff Centre for the Arts and Creativity Banff, Alberta
Agenda
March 15 – Opening Evening
Registration and welcome
Opening ceremony, including a land acknowledgment
Opening keynote address
March 16 – Build and Protect
Opening plenary session
Welcome remarks and Summit overview
Opening addresses by federal ministers
Pillar 1: Build
Building AI-powered tools that respond to the needs of creators and cultural industries.
Expert keynote
Expert panel
Interactive reflection zones and collaborative sessions
Pillar 2: Protect
Protecting creativity by taking steps to make artificial intelligence solutions responsible, reliable, and supportive of human creation
Expert keynote
Expert panel
Evening showcase
March 17 – Equip and Advance
Pillar 2: Protect (continued)
Interactive reflection zones and collaborative sessions
Pillar 3: Empower
Empowering the Cultural Sector through AI Adoption, Talent, and Training.
Expert keynotes
Expert panel
Interactive reflection zones and collaborative sessions
BC + AI Executive Director Kris Krug reports from the National Summit on AI and Culture at the Banff Centre. Indigenous AI, YouTube creators at the policy table, and what happens when 233 people try to figure out AI and culture at 5,000 feet.
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Opening Night: Kind Electricity
The summit opened not with a minister or a CEO but with Shani Gwin, founder of Pipikwan Pêhtâkwan, presenting Wasgun, an Indigenous-led AI tool built to do something I’ve never heard an AI tool described as doing: protect Indigenous people online while educating everyone else about how to talk and work with them appropriately.
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Here’s what wâsikan kisewâtisiwin does: it functions as a browser plugin and document assistant that identifies misinformation, bias, and racism directed at Indigenous people. For Indigenous users, it blurs harmful content so you can safely browse the internet without reading terrible things about yourself or your family.
For everyone else, it’s what Shani calls “a really good intern,” underlining problems in your writing, suggesting corrections, pointing you back to community when the answer isn’t something AI should be providing.
The name came through ceremony. Elder Theresa Strawberry, who didn’t know what the company did at the time, gave them a name that translates to “kind electricity” or “kind energy.” The teaching: traditionally, thunder was a loving sound for Indigenous people. It meant rain was coming. Sustenance. Cleansing. But newcomers to these lands get scared of the thunder. “We have to teach them not to be scared,” Elder Theresa said. “It’s a loving sound. It’s a loving energy.”
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Shani took that and ran: “A lot of people are scared of AI and it can be a kind tool, a kind and loving tool if we build it with those values and that intention and we take our time.”
Wasgun partnered with Amii (Alberta’s national AI institute) and here’s the part that stuck with me: Amii’s team, including CEO Cam Linke, has come to ceremony with Wasgun’s elders. Not a photo op. Not a one-time land acknowledgment. They go regularly to make sure they’re on the right track, that theyhave approval to keep going. I’ve seen a lot of “Indigenous partnerships” in tech. This is the first one I’ve encountered where the AI institute shows up for ceremony.
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Then Shani went somewhere I didn’t expect. She started talking about matriarchal AI.
“They’re saying this is becoming sentient and it’s blackmailing people,” she said. “I thought, okay, it’s a patriarchal, hierarchical white tool. What would we need to combat that? An anti-AI. One that’s gonna whack that other AI at the back of the head and say, settle down.”
If you ask OpenAI for an organizational chart, you get a pyramid. Wasgun might give you a flower. Pipikwan Pêhtâkwan’s actual org model, where each person is their own flower, connected but autonomous, with leadership that exists to make sure everyone else succeeds. Matriarchal AI would provide different knowledge systems as equals, not rank colonial knowledge as the default right answer.
“What if we moved slow like a sloth,” Shani said, “and we thought of seven generations forward and backward? What if we made our decisions based on impact? Let’s not move fast and break the earth.”
And then, the line that I think defines this entire summit: “Success is not an individual endeavor. There’s room for everyone.”
At BC + AI, we opened our first community event with a Squamish ceremony. We have Carol Anne Hilton (CEO of the Indigenomics Institute) on our board with full governance authority. We believe in ceremony-grounded, relationship-first development. Hearing Shani articulate the same values, from a completely different nation and a completely different project, at a federal summit, that felt like confirmation that this approach isn’t niche. It’s the future.
Where the Summit Actually Happens
If you’ve been to enough conferences, you know: the real summit happens at breakfast. The panels are for the record. The meals are for the relationships.
I showed up to the Vista dining room in what I’m calling the Canada tuxedo, full denim, because if you’re meeting with Canada’s culture leaders, you commit to the bit, and sat down at a table with three YouTube creators and a guy from Alberta who makes Excel tutorials.
That’s not a joke. Jamie Keet runs Teacher’s Tech, a YouTube channel with 1.1 million subscribers. His big break? A Microsoft Excel tutorial. Then COVID hit and everyone in the world suddenly needed to learn how to make a Zoom call, and Jamie became everyone’s unofficial IT support. Ten years of consistency, one or two videos a week, twins at home, and now he’s at a national AI summit alongside the head of the Canada Media Fund and a federal minister.
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Who’s in the Room (and Who Isn’t)
Here’s what I can tell you about the 233 people at this summit: it’s a mix of old guard and new voices, and the tension between them is the most interesting thing happening.
On one side: the Canada Media Fund, SOCAN, ACTRA, the Writers Guild, Access Copyright, the Canadian Media Producers Association, the institutional infrastructure of Canadian culture. These organizations control funding, negotiate rights, lobby government, and set the terms for how cultural workers get paid. They’ve been doing it for decades, and AI is the biggest disruption they’ve ever faced.
On the other: YouTube creators, AI startups, digital media companies, tech educators, independent artists. People who built careers outside the traditional system and are now being invited to help figure out what comes next.
In between: the federal government. Minister Evan Solomon (AI and Digital Innovation), Minister Marc Miller (Canadian Identity and Culture), and a cast of deputy ministers, directors general, and policy advisors who will write the actual rules.
BC sent eight organizations. We identified 24 BC connections in the attendee list before we arrived, everyone from Philippe Pasquier at SFU’s Metacreation Lab to Catherine Winder at Wind Sun Sky Entertainment to Prem Gill at Creative BC to Loc Dao at DigiBC. That’s not accidental. We did our homework.
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What’s missing: any BC provincial government representation. Alberta’s here. Quebec’s here. Ontario’s here. PEI sent someone. But BC, a province with 645 respondents to the federal AI Task Force consultation, second only to Ontario, didn’t send anyone from Victoria. That gap is worth noting.
And one specific person worth naming: David Myles, MP for Fredericton-Oromocto. Two-time Juno Award winner. Music artist turned politician. Entertainment background with applicable context for this conversation. I had him on my target list before I arrived, and when someone at breakfast identified him across the dining room, I knew I’d picked the right table.
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The BC Bench
I want to talk about some of the BC people, projects and orgs here…. because these are the people doing the work, and a summit like this is where their work gets seen at the national level.
Philippe Pasquier is a professor at SFU’s School for Interactive Arts and Technology and the director of the Metacreation Lab for Creative AI. He’s been doing AI art research since 2008, before most people in this room knew what a neural network was.
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Anthonia Ogundele runs Ethos Lab on Main Street in Vancouver, a Black and Indigenous youth center doing real creative work with real tech and real youth. This isn’t an afterschool homework club. Her team shipped a sleep-tracking mobile game built by 16-year-olds. She’s running an AI Experimentation Club where kids aged 14 to 24 learn what AI is, how it works, and when not to use it.
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Jesse McKee is Head of Digital Strategy at 221A, which operates 140,000 square feet of cultural space across nine properties in Vancouver. Jesse’s a friend and collaborator. He’s building a Web3 and AI hub that could become a permanent cultural infrastructure for the kind of work this summit is talking about. 221A isn’t waiting for federal funding to start. They’re doing it. When I think about what a creative AI ecosystem actually needs: physical space, institutional support, community programming, Jesse and 221A are already providing it.
Loc Dao is Executive Director of DigiBC, the industry association for BC’s creative technology sector. That’s 250-plus companies in games, animation, VFX, and virtual production. Every major studio and hundreds of indie shops. Loc isn’t here to talk about AI in the abstract. The people he represents are already building with it, shipping products, hiring around it. When this summit talks about BUILD, Loc knows exactly which companies are ready to move and what they need from Ottawa to do it.
Four people. Four completely different approaches to AI and culture. A researcher proving consent-based training works. A community leader putting AI tools in the hands of Black and Indigenous youth. A cultural infrastructure builder creating permanent space for this work. And the head of an industry association whose members are already shipping AI products. All from BC.
But this isn’t only a BC story. Some of the most important people at this summit are from Eastern Canada.
Ana Serrano, President and Vice Chancellor of OCAD University, is on the BUILD panel. Ana and I have been collaborating on the Democracy Exchange Conference, working on their AI programming together. She’s already sent several OCADU staff through our AI Upgrade for Creative Professionals program. That’s not a summit handshake. That’s a working relationship, and it predates this gathering.
Sarah Spring, ED [executive director] of Canadian Journalism Collective, former Executive Director of the Documentary Organization of Canada, co-founder of Parabola Films. Sarah and I first met in Banff twenty years ago, before AI, before YouTube, before any of this. She represents the best of Canadian cultural infrastructure. Doubled DOC’s membership to 1,500. Put a 50% IBPOC [sic] board mandate in place.
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What We’re Watching For
The summit is organized around three pillars: BUILD (research partnerships), EMPOWER (training and adoption), and PROTECT (policy tools to manage risks). These map roughly to the same tension I keep seeing in federal AI strategy: how do you protect existing cultural workers from AI disruption while also empowering new creators and building the next generation of tools?
I’ll be honest about what I’m worried about. When I said at breakfast that “Solomon wants to champion the champion, they want to put their money behind scale, there’s very little interest in innovation at the grassroots level,” I meant it. That’s the pattern. Federal strategy picks winners, funds the established players, and hopes innovation trickles down. The Task Force evidence backs this up: 645 BC respondents, zero recognition in the final reports.
But this summit has an opening. Shani Gwin’s presentation wasn’t a grassroots afterthought, it was the keynote. YouTube creators aren’t in a breakout room, they’re at the main table. The question is whether that inclusiveness survives contact with the policy-making process, or whether the final recommendations default to protecting incumbents.
We’re watching. And we’re here with research, relationships, and receipts.
Paul Deegan, president and CEO (chief executive officer) News Media Canada, in a March 20, 2026 comment (AI’s use of news content must come with a cost; p. NP 2) published in the National Post argues that tech companies should bear some of the costs of covering news rather scraping ‘free’ content for AI from traditional media sites,
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We embrace and fully support the responsible and ethical use of artificial intelligence. Our newsrooms are deploying AI to boost efficiency and accuracy, while improving reader experience.
Real news is the antidote to the disinformation and misinformation crisis which is fuelled by AI and social media. Real news – created by real journalists who adhere to codes of ethics – is expensive to create. Fact-gathering, fact-checking, editorial and legal review, and being accountable cost real money.
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Moving from culture and media to democracy.
AI, Democracy & Digital Rights Forum on April 16, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario
The Canadian Science Policy Centre (CSPC) is co-hosting, along with The Dais (public policy and leadership think tank at Toronto Metropolitan University), OCAD [Ontario College of Art and Design] University, and others: AI, Democracy & Digital Rights Forum: an EU [European Union] Hub Ontario Initiative in person, panel event. From a March 19, 2026 CSPC announcement received via email),
AI, Democracy & Digital Rights Forum – April 16, 2026
CSPC is excited to announce the AI, Democracy & Digital Rights Forum, taking place on April 16, 2026 (12:00–5:00 PM, TBC) at the Université de l’Ontario français, 9 Lower Jarvis St, Toronto. Join us for an in-person forum [emphasis mine] bringing together Canadian and European leaders to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence, democracy, and human rights. Hosted by CSPC under the EU Hub Ontario, this event will foster cross-sector dialogue on advancing digital innovation while safeguarding ethical and legal standards.
Here’s more about this in person event from the event page, Note: Links have been removed,
Université de l’Ontario françaisToronto, ON
Thursday, Apr 16 [2026] from 12 pm to 5 pm
Overview
Half-day forum convened under the European Union Hub in Ontario initiative
The AI, Democracy & Digital Rights Forum is a half-day forum convened under the European Union Hub in Ontario initiative and organized by the Canadian Science Policy Centre (CSPC), in partnership with The Dais, OCAD University, and others.
Taking place on April 16, 2026, at the Université de l’Ontario français in Toronto, the Forum will bring together policymakers, researchers, industry leaders, civil-society organizations, and international partners to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence, democracy, and digital rights.
The event marks an exciting new chapter in the EU’s presence in Ontario. It offers a unique platform for exchanging Canadian and European perspectives in the context of the EU–Canada Digital Partnership Council. Together, participants will explore ways to strengthen democratic institutions, promote civic participation, and advance trusted digital innovation in bilateral cooperation. Discussions will foster cross-sector dialogue between European and Canadian stakeholders on how to advance collaboration in artificial intelligence and digital technologies while safeguarding ethical, legal, and human-rights standards.
Topics, among others, will include:
Ethical, social, and legal dimensions of digital governance
EU–Canada approaches to AI regulation and innovation
Digital rights, data governance, and public trust
The role of industry, civil society, and youth in shaping the digital future
Responsible AI adoption across the economy and society
The Forum will feature panel discussions, policy dialogue, and networking opportunities as part of the broader DemocracyXChange 2026 Summit in Toronto.
For more information or questions related to this event, please email: info@sciencepolicy.ca
The 7th edition of Canada’s premier democracy summit returns to Toronto on April 16-18, 2026 at Toronto Metropolitan University and OCAD U. Join us for three days of keynote speakers, panels and workshops, created to both examine and tackle today’s most urgent civic issues.
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Lots of food for thought and opportunities to participate.
A March 12, 2026 Canadian Science Policy Centre (CSPC) notice (received via email) announces a number of upcoming virtual panels and more,
Call for Editorial Series on “Defence Industrial Strategy and Strengthening Canada’s R&D and Innovation Capacities”
CSPC is excited to announce a call for editorials entitled “Defence Industrial Strategy and Strengthening Canada’s R&D and Innovation Capacities.” The Canadian government has recently unveiled their Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS), which promises to increase government investment in defence-related research and development (R&D) by ~85% over the next decade. This call seeks perspectives on how DIS and increased investments can strengthen Canada’s innovation ecosystem. The submission deadline is Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
Panel and Short Talk Submission Open for CSPC [Canadian Science Policy Conference] 2026
Don’t miss your opportunity to join the action-oriented conversation at the 18th Canadian Science and Innovation Policy Conference, CSPC 2026, this November 25-27, 2026 at the Fairmont Château Laurier in Ottawa.
With the overarching theme “Sovereignty by Design: Mobilizing Action to Reshape Canada’s Science, Technology, and Innovation Capacity,”CSPC 2026reflects a time of geopolitical realignment, fiscal constraint, productivity challenges, and rapid technological disruption during which Canada must strategically mobilize its full knowledge base to advance national priorities.
The deadline to submit a Proposal or Short Talk is Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
March 19 [2026]: Future Leaders in Canadian Brain Research: Building Canadian Research Capacity in a Shifting Global Landscape
Join us for a virtual panel that brings together Canadian brain research leaders for a discussion on strengthening Canada’s research ecosystem on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 12:00 – 1:30 PM ET.
March 24 [2026]: Comment le Canada peut tirer parti de son bilinguisme pour renforcer sa collaboration scientifique et technologique à l’échelle mondiale
CSPC Celebrates “la journée de la francophonie”. Join us for a panel discussion on how Canada can leverage its bilingualism as a strategic asset to strengthen international scientific and technological collaboration and partnerships on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at 1:00 – 2:00 PM ET. This virtual panel will be held in French.
April 8 [2026]: Decentralizing Data for Climate‑Smart Research: Policy, Infrastructure, and Trust
Join us for a panel on how decentralized data systems can help Canada securely share research data while protecting sovereignty, trust, and community control on Wednesday, April 8, 2026 from 2-3:30 pm EST, organized by Genome Canada.
April 16 [2026]: Canada, South Africa, Astronomy, and the SKAO: a Strategic Research Partnership
Join us for a panel on how Canada’s participation in the Square Kilometre Array Observatory can strengthen strategic research and science policy collaboration with South Africa while addressing challenges in access, capacity, and international partnership on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at 12:00 – 1:30 PM EST, organized by Queen’s University.
The February 2, 2026 notice (received via email) from SCWIST (Society for Canadian Women in Science and Technology) announced an upcoming Canada-Wide Youth STEM Expo,
We’re just two days away from our first-ever National STEM Expo — and there’s still time to register for your FREE tickets! The Expo is a full-day event that brings together youth, industry leaders, community organizations, and educators to explore the wide variety of STEM pathways available — and to collectively imagine and shape the future of STEM.
The Expo features activities spanning every area of STEM. In just one day, you can:
Visit the basketball court in the Sports Pavilion 🏀
Join a workshop exploring the mysteries of Dark Matter ✨
Tune in to a live musical performance by JUNO award–winning artist Drew Gonsalves 🎵
Connect with exhibitors like the Canadian Armed Forces, Skills Ontario, and the Public Service Commission of Canada 💡
A January 15, 2026 Canadian Science Policy Centre (CSPC) announcement (received via email) includes news about an science culture in Canada virtual panel,
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Upcoming Virtual Panel: Towards a (New) Science Culture Framework in Canada
A strong science culture underpins health, innovation, economic growth, and societal well-being, but what does “science culture” mean today, and how is Canada performing? Building on the Council of Canadian Academies’ 2014 report Science Culture: Where Canada Stands, this panel explores how science culture must evolve to reflect diversity, Indigenous Ways of Knowing, changing economic and geopolitical contexts, and the shifting relationship between science and society. Panellists will examine Canada’s strengths and gaps, the role of institutions and systems in supporting an inclusive and engaged science culture, and how reimagining science culture can position Canada as a global leader in science and innovation.
Click the button below for more panel information and to register!
What is the state of the relationship between science and society and how has it changed in recent years? What are the opportunities and challenges for building a stronger relationship between science and society?
How is Canada doing in terms of fostering the skills, knowledge, attitudes and behaviours that comprise a strong science culture? Where are the gaps?
To what extent do the structures, institutions and interconnecting systems that make up Canada’s science ecosystem support or hinder the emergence of a strong, informed, engaged and inclusive science culture?
How should we (re)frame and (re)imagine science culture in Canada with a view to enabling global leadership in science and innovation that contributes to societal and individual well-being?
Join us as we unpack these issues and work together to develop practical recommendations to refresh our understanding of Canada’s science culture.
Tracy Ross Vice President, Network Membership, Actua – Moderator
Tracy Ross is the Vice President, Network Membership at Actua, leading the network member services team, which provides services and support for Actua’s network members, including program leadership, partnership, training, funding, recognition, communication, and day-to-day support. She has a BSc. in Environmental Chemistry (Queen’s University) and an MA in the History and Philosophy of Science and Technology (University of Toronto) and is working towards her Canadian Association Executive designation.
Dr. Marianne Mader Executive Director, Canadian Association of Science Centres
Dr. Marianne Mader is the CEO of the Canadian Association of Science Centres, a member-based organization representing over 90 organizations that collectively engage more than 10 million citizens each year in STEM topics. This network of trusted organizations represents a critical component of Canada’s science, technology, and innovation landscape. CASC builds connections between Canada’s science ecosystem and society, provides enriching professional development opportunities for STEM educators and STEM engagement professionals, and develops and manages public national campaigns focused on STEM literacy, digital literacy, and health literacy, such as Together Against Misinformation Week, National Kids & Vaccines Day, and Science Literacy Week.
Dr. Mader is a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society College, an alumnus of the Governor General’s Canadian Leadership, a recipient of a US Antarctic Service Medal, and an awardee of a King Charles III Coronation Medal for her work in fostering science culture in Canada.
Desirée Sylvestre Director, Inclusive Design Research Centre, OCAD U (Ontario College of Art and Design University), Expert on AI misinformation in the Education sector and schools
Desirée Sylvestre is the Director of Education at Visions of Science, where she leads national and local initiatives focused on advancing STEM equity across schools, community organizations, and the broader science ecosystem. Her work centres on supporting educators, institutions, and partners to move beyond one-size-fits-all approaches to STEM learning and toward more inclusive, culturally responsive, and justice-oriented practices.
Desirée is also a PhD candidate at OISE, University of Toronto, where her research explores how Black preservice teachers think about and practice justice in their science teaching, including how relationships and systems shape their work in classrooms.
Dr. Dan Munro Director, Research and Innovation, Actua
Dr. Daniel Munro is Director of Research & Innovation at Actua, Canada’s leading youth STEM outreach organization. He is also Co-Director of Shift Insights, a research shop that examines the social, technological and economic challenges and opportunities facing Canada, and Senior Fellow in the Innovation Policy Lab at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy. He has taught political science, philosophy and innovation studies at the University of Toronto, Western University, the University of Ottawa, and Queen’s University, was co-host of the Ethics Lab radio show on NewsTalk1310, and Maclean’s Magazine’s Ethics Lab columnist. Dan’s research interests span science and innovation policy, skills and education, and applied ethics, including space ethics. He holds degrees from the University of Toronto (BA), Western University (MA) and M.I.T. (PhD).
Suzi Loney Research Director, Council of Canadian Academies [CCA]
Suzi Loney is the Research Director at the CCA. She oversees the CCA’s research practices, developing policies, processes, and staff skills to ensure research excellence across the organization. Suzi also leads and supports the development of new assessment projects, working with interested groups outside of the CCA to understand their needs and design corresponding expert engagement processes. Suzi continues to support expert panels with project management, research, and writing.
Prior to joining CCA in 2012, Suzi held several policy-related positions within the Government of Canada at the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy, the Treasury Board Secretariat, and Environment Canada. Suzi has a Bachelor of Arts, Economics from McGill University and a Master of Arts, Economics from the University of Ottawa, where she focussed her studies on environmental economics. During her time at CCA, Suzi has contributed as a researcher and writer to many assessments including incentivizing antimicrobial availability, disaster resilience in a changing climate, and the state of Canada’s science culture.
OK. So, this is about science culture in Canada and (1) you’ve gathered a group of academics who are (2) either based in Ontario or have achieved their educational goals in Ontario.
I have a few questions: What about the rest of Canada? Where are the people (artists, writers, and musicians) who produce culture, including science culture? Where are the citizen scientists? Also, the moderator and a panelist (in a group of five that 40%) are all from Actua?
Interesting.
As for what is Actua, an organization based in Ottawa, Ontario? There’s this from the About Us, Out Story webpage,
Together with a national network of universities and colleges, Actua engages youth from all corners of the country in transformational STEM learning experiences that build critical employability skills and confidence.
One last comment about the panel, the moderator and two of the members are involved with children’s (Actua and OCAD) STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education as is, arguably, a fourth person who is involved with the country’s science centres which are heavily invested in outreach to children and their families.What about the rest of us?
The Canadian Science Policy Centre (CSPC) provided a November 6, 2025 update (received via email and available for a limited time on mailchimp) from which I’m highlighting the Science Meets Parliament British Columbia and Ontario 2026 request for applications,
Science Meets Parliament British Columbia and Ontario – Applications Open for 2026
After successful 2025 Science Meets Parliament (SMP) programs – SMP BC and Ontario are back for 2026!
Science Meets Parliament (SMP) is an initiative that aims to strengthen the connections between Canada’s scientific and political communities, facilitate a two-way dialogue, and promote mutual understanding. This program is designed to familiarize scientists with the intricacies of policymaking at the provincial political level and encourage parliamentarians to incorporate scientific evidence into their policy decisions.
Who Can Apply? The program will be open to three groups of researchers affiliated with a post-secondary institution in British Columbia and Ontario:
Researchers holding a full-time independent investigator position (for up to 10 years, excluding eligible leave, from their initial appointment)
Indigenous and/or Black researchers holding a full-time independent investigator position
Postdoctoral fellows who currently hold a CIHR [Canadian Institutes of Health Research]/ NSERC [Natural Sciences and Engineering Council of Canada] / SSHRC [Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada] Tri-agency Postdoctoral Fellowship or a provincially granted Fellowship and are affiliated with a post-secondary institution in Canada (Postdoctoral Fellowship status must be announced by January 1, 2026).
Former Science Meets Parliament delegates (federal or provincial) are excluded from application.
The November 6, 2025 update mentions the CSPC is also hosting a November 11, 2025 virtual panel: AI-Driven Misinformation Across Sectors (featured in my October 17, 2025 posting along with information about the Canadian AI scene). Finally, the CSPC’s Editorial Series on Defence Spending and R&D can be found here. Just from reading the titles, I gather the science community smells money and is more than eager to participate (or, more colloquially, is hot to trot).
This is going to be a jam-packed posting with the AI experts at the Canadian Science Policy Centre (CSPC) virtual panel, a look back at a ‘testy’ exchange between Yoshua Bengio (one of Canada’s godfathers of AI) and a former diplomat from China, an update on Canada’s Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation, Evan Solomon and his latest AI push, and a missive from the BC artificial intelligence community.
A Canadian Science Policy Centre AI panel on November 11, 2025
The Canadian Science Policy Centre (CSPC) provides an October 9, 2025 update on an upcoming virtual panel being held on Remembrance Day,
[AI-Driven Misinformation Across Sectors Addressing a Cross-Societal Challenge]
Upcoming Virtual Panel[s]: November 11 [2025]
Artificial Intelligence is transforming how information is created and trusted, offering immense benefits across sectors like healthcare, education, finance, and public discourse—yet also amplifying risks such as misinformation, deepfakes, and scams that threaten public trust. This panel brings together experts from diverse fields [emphasis mine] to examine the manifestations and impacts of AI-driven misinformation and to discuss policy, regulatory, and technical solutions [emphasis mine]. The conversation will highlight practical measures—from digital literacy and content verification to platform accountability—aimed at strengthening resilience in Canada and globally.
For more information on the panel and to register, click below.
Odd timing for this event. Moving on, I found more information on the CSPC’s webpage for this event, Note: Unfortunately, links to the moderator’s and speakers’ bios could not be copied here,
Canadian Science Policy Centre Email info@sciencepolicy.ca
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This panel brings together cross-sectoral experts to examine how AI-driven misinformation manifests in their respective domains, its consequences, and how policy, regulation, and technical interventions can help mitigate harm. The discussion will explore practical pathways for action, such as digital literacy, risk audits, content verification technologies, platform responsibility, and regulatory frameworks. Attendees will leave with a nuanced understanding of both the risks and the resilience strategies being explored in Canada and globally.
Canada Research Chair in Internet & E-commerce Law, University of Ottawa See Bio
[Panelists]
Dr. Plinio Morita
Associate Professor / Director, Ubiquitous Health Technology Lab, University of Waterloo …
Dr. Nadia Naffi
Université Laval — Associate Professor of Educational Technology and expert on building human agency against AI-augmented disinformation and deepfakes. See Bio
Dr. Jutta Treviranus
Director, Inclusive Design Research Centre, OCAD U, Expert on AI misinformation in the Education sector and schools. See Bio
Dr. Fenwick McKelvey
Concordia University — Expert in political bots, information flows, and Canadian tech governance See Bio
Michael Geist has his own blog/website featuring posts on his ares of interest and featuring his podcast, Law Bytes. Jutta Treviranus is mentioned in my October 13, 2025 posting as a participant in “Who’s afraid of AI? Arts, Sciences, and the Futures of Intelligence,” a conference (October 23 – 24, 205) and arts festival at the University of Toronto (scroll down to find it) . She’s scheduled for a session on Thursday, October 23, 2025.
China, Canada, and the AI Action summit in February 2025
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.
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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.
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Interesting, non? You can read more about Bengio’s views in an October 1, 2025 article by Rae Witte for Futurism.
In a Policy Forum, Yue Zhu and colleagues provide an overview of China’s emerging regulation for artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and its potential contributions to global AI governance. Open-source AI systems from China are rapidly expanding worldwide, even as the country’s regulatory framework remains in flux. In general, AI governance suffers from fragmented approaches, a lack of clarity, and difficulty reconciling innovation with risk management, making global coordination especially hard in the face of rising controversy. Although no official AI law has yet been enacted, experts in China have drafted two influential proposals – the Model AI Law and the AI Law (Scholar’s Proposal) – which serve as key references for ongoing policy discussions. As the nation’s lawmakers prepare to draft a consolidated AI law, Zhu et al. note that the decisions will shape not only China’s innovation, but also global collaboration on AI safety, openness, and risk mitigation. Here, the authors discuss China’s emerging AI regulation as structured around 6 pillars, which, combined, stress exemptive laws, efficient adjudication, and experimentalist requirements, while safeguarding against extreme risks. This framework seeks to balance responsible oversight with pragmatic openness, allowing developers to innovate for the long term and collaborate across the global research community. According to Zhu et al., despite the need for greater clarity, harmonization, and simplification, China’s evolving model is poised to shape future legislation and contribute meaningfully to global AI governance by promoting both safety and innovation at a time when international cooperation on extreme risks is urgently needed.
Here’s a link to and a citation for the paper,
China’s emerging regulation toward an open future for AI by Yue Zhu, Bo He, Hongyu Fu, Naying Hu, Shaoqing Wu, Taolue Zhang, Xinyi Liu, Gang Xu, Linghan Zhang, and Hui Zhou. Science 9 Oct 2025Vol 390, Issue 6769 pp. 132-135 DOI: 10.1126/science.ady7922
This paper is behind a paywall.
No mention of Fu Ying or China’s ‘The AI Development and Safety Network’ but perhaps that’s in the paper.
Canada and its Minister of AI and Digital Innovation
Evan Solomon (born April 20, 1968)[citation needed] is a Canadian politician and broadcaster who has been the minister of artificial intelligence and digital innovation since May 2025. A member of the Liberal Party, Solomon was elected as the member of Parliament (MP) for Toronto Centre in the April 2025 election.
He was the host of The Evan Solomon Show on Toronto-area talk radio station CFRB,[2] and a writer for Maclean’s magazine. He was the host of CTV’s national political news programs Power Play and Question Period.[3] In October 2022, he moved to New York City to accept a position with the Eurasia Group as publisher of GZERO Media.[4] Solomon continued with CTV News as a “special correspondent” reporting on Canadian politics and global affairs.”[4]
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Had you asked me what background one needs to be a ‘Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation’, media would not have been my first thought. That said, sometimes people can surprise you.
Solomon appears to be an enthusiast if a June 10, 2025 article by Anja Karadeglija for The Canadian Press is to be believed,
Canada’s new minister of artificial intelligence said Tuesday [June 10, 2025] he’ll put less emphasis on AI regulation and more on finding ways to harness the technology’s economic benefits [emphases mine].
In his first speech since becoming Canada’s first-ever AI minister, Evan Solomon said Canada will move away from “over-indexing on warnings and regulation” to make sure the economy benefits from AI.
His regulatory focus will be on data protection and privacy, he told the audience at an event in Ottawa Tuesday morning organized by the think tank Canada 2020.
Solomon said regulation isn’t about finding “a saddle to throw on the bucking bronco called AI innovation. That’s hard. But it is to make sure that the horse doesn’t kick people in the face. And we need to protect people’s data and their privacy.”
The previous government introduced a privacy and AI regulation bill that targeted high-impact AI systems. It did not become law before the election was called.
That bill is “not gone, but we have to re-examine in this new environment where we’re going to be on that,” Solomon said.
He said constraints on AI have not worked at the international level.
“It’s really hard. There’s lots of leakages,” he said. “The United States and China have no desire to buy into any constraint or regulation.”
That doesn’t mean regulation won’t exist, he said, but it will have to be assembled in steps.
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Solomon’s comments follow a global shift among governments to focus on AI adoption and away from AI safety and governance.
The first global summit focusing on AI safety was held in 2023 as experts warned of the technology’s dangers — including the risk that it could pose an existential threat to humanity. At a global meeting in Korea last year, countries agreed to launch a network of publicly backed safety institutes.
But the mood had shifted by the time this year’s AI Action Summit began in Paris. …
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Solomon outlined several priorities for his ministry — scaling up Canada’s AI industry, driving adoption and ensuring Canadians have trust in and sovereignty over the technology.
He said that includes supporting Canadian AI companies like Cohere, which “means using government as essentially an industrial policy to champion our champions.”
The federal government is putting together a task force to guide its next steps on artificial intelligence, and Artificial Intelligence Minister Evan Solomon is promising an update to the government’s AI strategy.
Solomon told the All In artificial intelligence conference in Montreal on Wednesday [September 24, 2025] that the “refreshed” strategy will be tabled later this year, “almost two years ahead of schedule.”
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“We need to update and move quickly,” he said in a keynote speech at the start of the conference.
The task force will include about 20 representatives from industry, academia and civil society. The government says it won’t reveal the membership until later this week.
Solomon said task force members are being asked to consult with their networks, suggest “bold, practical” ideas and report back to him in November [2025].
The group will look at various topics related to AI, including research, adoption, commercialization, investment, infrastructure, skills, and safety and security. The government is also planning to solicit input from the public. [emphasis mine]
Canada was the first country to launch a national AI strategy [the Pan-Canadian AI Strategy announced in 2016], which the government updated in 2022. The strategy focuses on commercialization, the development and adoption of AI standards, talent and research.
Solomon also teased a “major quantum initiative” coming in October [2025?] to ensure both quantum computing talent and intellectual property stay in the country.
Solomon called digital sovereignty “the most pressing policy and democratic issue of our time” and stressed the importance of Canada having its own “digital economy that someone else can’t decide to turn off.”
Solomon said the federal government’s recent focus on major projects extends to artificial intelligence. He compared current conversations on Canada’s AI framework to the way earlier generations spoke about a national railroad or highway.
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He said his government will address concerns about AI by focusing on privacy reform and modernizing Canada’s 25-year-old privacy law.
“We’re going to include protections for consumers who are concerned about things like deep fakes and protection for children, because that’s a big, big issue. And we’re going to set clear standards for the use of data so innovators have clarity to unlock investment,” Solomon said.
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The government is consulting with the public? Experience suggests that when all the major decisions will have been made; the public consultation comments will mined so officials can make some minor, unimportant tweaks.
Canada’s AI Task Force and parts of the Empire Club talk are revealed in a September 26, 2025 article by Alex Riehl for BetaKit,
Inovia Capital partner Patrick Pichette, Cohere chief artificial intelligence (AI) officer Joelle Pineau, and Build Canada founder Dan Debow are among 26 members of AI minister Evan Solomon’s AI Strategy Task Force trusted to help the federal government renew its AI strategy.
Solomon revealed the roster, filled with leading Canadian researchers and business figures, while speaking at the Empire Club in Toronto on Friday morning [September 26, 2025]. He teased its formation at the ALL IN conference earlier this week [September 24, 2025], saying the team would include “innovative thinkers from across the country.”
The group will have 30 days to add to a collective consultation process in areas including research, talent, commercialization, safety, education, infrastructure, and security.
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The full AI Strategy Task Force is listed below; each member will consult their network on specific themes.
Research and Talent
Gail Murphy, professor of computer science and vice-president – research and innovation, University of British Columbia and vice-chair at the Digital Research Alliance of Canada
Diane Gutiw, VP – global AI research lead, CGI Canada and co-chair of the Advisory Council on AI
Michael Bowling, professor of computer science and principal investigator – Reinforcement Learning and Artificial Intelligence Lab, University of Alberta and research fellow, Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute and Canada CIFAR AI chair
Arvind Gupta, professor of computer science, University of Toronto
Adoption across industry and governments
Olivier Blais, co-founder and VP of AI, Moov and co-chair of the Advisory Council on AI
Cari Covent, technology executive
Dan Debow, chair of the board, Build Canada
Commercialization of AI
Louis Têtu, executive chairman, Coveo
Michael Serbinis, founder and CEO, League and board chair of the Perimeter Institute
Adam Keating, CEO and Founder, CoLab
Scaling our champions and attracting investment
Patrick Pichette, general partner, Inovia Capital
Ajay Agrawal, professor of strategic management, University of Toronto, founder, Next Canada and founder, Creative Destruction Lab
Sonia Sennik, CEO, Creative Destruction Lab
Ben Bergen, president, Council of Canadian Innovators
Building safe AI systems and public trust in AI
Mary Wells, dean of engineering, University of Waterloo
Joelle Pineau, chief AI officer, Cohere
Taylor Owen, founding director, Center [sic] for Media, Technology and Democracy [McGill University]
Education and Skills
Natiea Vinson, CEO, First Nations Technology Council
Alex Laplante, VP – cash management technology Canada, Royal Bank of Canada and board member at Mitacs
David Naylor, professor of medicine – University of Toronto
Infrastructure
Garth Gibson, chief technology and AI officer, VDURA
Ian Rae, president and CEO, Aptum
Marc Etienne Ouimette, chair of the board, Digital Moment and member, OECD One AI Group of Experts, affiliate researcher, sovereign AI, Cambridge University Bennett School of Public Policy
Security
Shelly Bruce, distinguished fellow, Centre for International Governance Innovation
James Neufeld, founder and CEO, Samdesk
Sam Ramadori, co-president and executive director, LawZero
With files from Josh Scott
If you have the time, Riehl ‘s September 26, 2025 article offers more depth than may be apparent in the excerpts I’ve chosen.
It’s been a while since I’ve seen Arvind Gupta’s name. I’m glad to see he’s part of this Task Force (Research and Talent). The man was treated quite shamefully at the University of British Columbia. (For the curious, this August 18, 2015 article by Ken MacQueen for Maclean’s Magazine presents a somewhat sanitized [in my opinion] review of the situation.)
One final comment, the experts on the virtual panel and members of Solomon’s Task Force are largely from Ontario and Québec. There is minor representation from others parts of the country but it is minor.
British Columbia wants entry into the national AI discussion
Just after I finished writing up this post, I received Kris Krug’s (techartist, quasi-sage, cyberpunk anti-hero from the future) October 14, 2025 communication (received via email) regarding an initiative from the BC + AI community,
Growth vs Guardrails: BC’s Framework for Steering AI
Our open letter to Minister Solomon shares what we’ve learned building community-led AI governance and how BC can help.
Ottawa created a Minister of Artificial Intelligence and just launched a national task force to shape the country’s next AI strategy. The conversation is happening right now about who gets compute, who sets the rules, and whose future this technology will serve.
Our new feature, Growth vs Guardrails [see link to letter below for ‘guardrails’], is already making the rounds in those rooms. The message is simple: if Ottawa’s foot is on the gas, BC is the steering wheel and the brakes. We can model a clean, ethical, community-led path that keeps power with people and place.
This is the time to show up together. Not as scattered voices, but as a connected movement with purpose, vision, and political gravity.
Over the past few months, almost 100 of us have joined as the new BC + AI Ecosystem Association non-profit as Founding Members. Builders. Artists. Researchers. Investors. Educators. Policymakers. People who believe that tech should serve communities, not the other way around.
Now we’re opening the door wider. Join and you’ll be part of the core group that built this from the ground up. Your membership is declaration that British Columbia deserves to shape its own AI future with ethics, creativity, and care.
If you’ve been watching from the sidelines, this is the time to lean in. We don’t do panels. We do portals. And this is the biggest one we’ve opened yet.
See you inside,
Kris Krüg Executive Director BC + AI Ecosystem Association kk@bc-ai.ca | bc-ai.ca
Canada just spun up a 30-day sprint to shape its next AI strategy. Minister Evan Solomon assembled 26 experts (mostly industry and academia) to advise on research, adoption, commercialization, safety, skills, and infrastructure.
On paper, it’s a pivot moment. In practice, it’s already drawing fire. Too much weight on scaling, not enough on governance. Too many boardrooms, not enough frontlines. Too much Ottawa, not enough ground truth.
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This is Canada’s chance to reset the DNA of its AI ecosystem.
But only if we choose regeneration over extraction, sovereign data governance over corporate capture, and community benefit over narrow interests.
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The Problem With The Task Force
Research says: The group’s stacked with expertise. But critics flag the imbalance. Where’s healthcare? Where’s civil society beyond token representation? Where are the people who’ll feel AI’s impact first: frontline workers, artists, community organizers?
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The worry:Commercialization and scaling overshadow public trust, governance, and equitable outcomes. Again.
The numbers back this up: Only 24% of Canadians have AI training. Just 38% feel confident in their knowledge. Nearly two-thirds see potential harm. 71% would trust AI more under public regulation.
We’re building a national strategy on a foundation of low literacy and eroding trust. That’s not a recipe for sovereignty. That’s a recipe for capture.
Principles for a National AI Strategy: What BC + AI Stands For
