Schedule

 

8:00-8:30	[rm 5B.13 lounge area] Registration & Networking
8:30-8:45	[A1 rm 5B.16] Rotshennón:ni Two-Axe — Welcome Joel Trudeau — DawsonAI: An Overview of AI Initiatives for Education
8:45-9:30	[A2, rm 5B.16]  Elham Kheradmand — AI For Social Good
9:30-10:15	[B1, rm 5B.16] Saba Hamedi & Patrick Downing — Cybersecurity, Quantum, and AI Applications in Finance
10:15-11:00	[C1, rm 5B.16] Ken Fogel — Java-Friendly Machine Learning with JSR381 VisRec	[C2, rm 3F.43] SESSION CANCELLED Nick Gertler — Beyond the Questionnaire: An Algorithmic Impact Assessment for Education (interactive session)
11:00-11:45	[D1, rm 5B.16] Henri Tremblay — After Java 8: The cool stuff	[D2, rm 3F.43] Reshem Khan — Societal Implications of AI and Emerging Technologies: Positioning for the Future
12:00-13:00	[rm 5B.13] LUNCH
13:00-14:15	[rm 5B.16] Keynote: Hugo Larochelle – Deep Learning – A Revolution in Artificial Intelligence
14:30-16:30	[E, rm 3F.38] DawsonAI AI Teaching CoP led by Robert Stephens  — ChatGPT Workshop and Roundtable Discussion
15:00-15:30	[F1, rm 3F.43]  Bessam Abdulrazak — From IoT to Applied AI for Well-being and Healthy Aging
15:30-16:00	[G1, rm 3F.43] Sourour Ben Cheikh & Bernard Duval — Mitacs Research Opportunities at the College Level
16:00-17:00	[H1, rm 3F.43] Applied AI Student Institute Internships: Updates
17:00-18:00	[rm 3F.43] Networking and Data Journalism Challenge Kickoff

Abstracts

Session A2

Speaker: Elham Kheradmand

Title: AI For Social Good

Abstract: This talk explores the concept of social good and how it aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It examines how AI can be used as a tool to achieve these goals and make a positive impact on society. The presentation highlights several projects, including one that focuses on the application of AI for climate change and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues. The talk showcases how AI is being used to tackle climate change and promote sustainable practices, as well as how it is helping companies measure their ESG performance. Overall, the talk emphasizes the potential of AI to make a real difference in people’s lives and the importance of using technology for social good. The audience will be encouraged to think about how they can apply AI and other emerging technologies to address social challenges and create a better world for all.

Session B1

Speaker: Saba Hamedi & Patrick Downing

Title: Cybersecurity, Quantum, and AI Applications in Finance

Abstract: Finance, Cybersecurity, Quantum Computing, AI – how do these topics intersect? Join Saba Hamedi and Patrick Downing as they provide an overview of this technological crossroad with a specific focus on the financial industry. Covering the pillars of Cybersecurity, exploring Threat Hunting and the benefits of AI application, to exploring cutting-edge technology like Quantum Computing and Quantum Machine Learning, they will cover their impact on, and future in, finance. The session will also provide an interactive introduction to how attendees can start their own learning journeys, while highlighting opportunities for students at Morgan Stanley.

Session C1

Speaker: Ken Fogel

Title: Java-Friendly Machine Learning with JSR381 VisRec

Abstract: While other languages have garnered a lot of attention due to their use in AI/ML programming, Java has until recently just sat on the sidelines. Not any longer. Java now has an official API for machine learning. With this API, any ML engine compatible with Java can be used thru a standard interface. In this presentation Ken will discuss JSR 381 Visual Recognition and demonstrate how it can work. With many AI/ML engines written in C, Ken will also discuss the upcoming enhancements to Java that will simplify the interaction between Java and C/C++.

Session D1

Speaker: Henri Tremblay

Title: After Java 8: The cool stuff

Abstract: Have you ever peeked behind the curtain on Java? Beyond Java 8, there’s a lot of cool stuff to be discovered. We talk about the “fun and shiny” features you may not even know about. See how the JDK, JVM, and the Java language have all evolved and improved—now making you more productive and forcing you to write more secure code. This session is jam-packed with fun and shiny areas to accelerate your developer productivity.

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Session C2

Speaker: Nick Gertler

Title: Beyond the Questionnaire: An Algorithmic Impact Assessment for Education (interactive session)

Abstract: Canada has branded itself as a leader in algorithmic impact assessment (AIA). It is one of the first countries to actually use AIAs in government, and in doing so it has developed an open-source AIA. In this workshop, we’ll be building on the promise of an open-source AIA—working with the tool as a platform rather than a specific policy instrument.

Using a hackathon format, participants will work in small groups to prototype new uses and alternative visions for Canada’s AIA. We will consider how this tool might be repurposed and recoded, with a particular focus on how it might be adapted for use in an educational context.

No prior technical or policy knowledge is required to participate! If you’re interested in learning more about Canada’s AIA ahead of the workshop, get to know Canada’s AIA at aia.guide.

Session D2

Speaker: Reshem Khan

Title: Societal Implications of AI and Emerging Technologies: Positioning for the Future

Abstract: The size, scope and rate of proliferation of new generative models and associated technologies is increasing. The positive societal impacts of these models as advertised by tech leaders is debated by ethicists, researchers, and community advocates. The true impacts remain to be seen but there is consensus that tools such as GPT 3/4 and Lensa, and associated models like LLMs and stable diffusion will change the way sectors, systems, and society operate. AI Launch Labs is closely monitoring new developments and discourse surrounding these emerging technologies. This talk will provide a high-level overview of emerging technologies, anticipated implications across sectors, ethical concerns, and how AI Launch Labs envisions our evolving role in the ecosystem.

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Keynote

Speaker: Hugo Larochelle

Title: Deep Learning – A Revolution in Artificial Intelligence

Abstract: The past few years have seen the science of Artificial Intelligence (AI) make tremendous progress, leading to transformative technologies that have given unprecedented abilities to our phones and computers. This development was made possible thanks to deep learning, a branch of AI that is rooted in an inspiration from the human brain. In this talk, I’ll present my experience in observing and participating in the rise of deep learning, describe its Canadian roots, highlight its implications as a technology with broad use today and share my thoughts on what we might expect next from this exciting area of AI.

Session E

Speaker: DawsonAI AI Teaching CoP led by Robert Stephens

Title: ChatGPT Workshop and Roundtable Discussion

Abstract: With all the media hype about how A.I. text generation systems such as ChatGPT are ushering in a new era of rampant student plagiarism and possibly the “end of homework”, many educators are wondering if they need to radically reshape their methods. In this workshop, members of the DawsonA.I. Community of Practice will demonstrate how text generation can be engaged proactively in the classroom, and how to best manage the academic integrity challenges it poses. The session will be interactive and include hands-on activities followed by an open-ended discussion on challenges and opportunities for teaching and learning.

Session F1

Speaker: Bessam Abdulrazak

Title: From IoT to Applied AI for Well-being and Healthy Aging

Abstract: Smart environments, including Smart houses, neighborhood and cities are augmented environments capable of utilizing the Internet of Things (IoT), embedded computers, information appliances, micro/nano systems and multimodal sensors, in which advanced computational intelligence is ubiquitous to provide contextual, proactive and personalized services. These smart environments allow people to perform tasks efficiently by offering unprecedented levels of access to information and assistance. In the near future, older adults and people with disabilities will avail of smart assistive technology to assist in carrying out daily activities, socializing, enjoying entertainment and leisure activities all while maintaining good health and well-being. Combined with artificial intelligence and IoT/ubiquitous technologies in smart environments, health telematics can radically transform the way health-related services (diagnosis, therapy and assistance) are conceived and delivered. For a more optimal medical intervention, the results of medical laboratory tests can be enriched by objective user behavior data, captured by IoT/Smart environment facilities.

In this talk, Dr. Abdulrazak will give an introduction to various interdisciplinary research and development activities in this field at the Ambient Intelligence Laboratory (AMI-Lab), University of Sherbrooke Quebec, Canada. The applications range from Assistive Home Environment for older adults and smart retirement facilities, to self-reported data for monitoring medical interventions. Numerous of these technologies aim at being used either inside or outside (home, retirement communities, community clinics, on the street, etc.)

Session G1

Speaker: Sourour Ben Cheikh & Bernard Duval

Title: Mitacs Research Opportunities at the College Level

Abstract: Mitacs is a not-for-profit organization that fosters Canadian innovation by solving business challenges with solutions from postsecondary institutions including CEGEPs and colleges. Through Mitacs programs, interns — ranging from undergraduate and graduate students to postdoctoral fellows —can apply their academic training to help industry address a broad range of challenges. By applying to a Mitacs internship, students will gain scholarships, work opportunities at leading organizations in every sector and discipline, professional connections, prospective long-term and short-term employment, and more. In this session, Mitacs offers for colleges and CEGEPS will be covered as well as the procedure to apply for Mitacs grants.

 

Session H1: Student Lightning Talks (Applied AI Institute)

Speakers: Interns from 6 project groups

Title: A Pipeline to AI Adoption: AI Experiential Learning at the College and University levels.

Abstract: The Applied AI Institute is supporting a collaborative project between Concordia Continuing Education and Dawson College to develop experiential learning opportunities for students interested in AI. More than 30 students have been recruited for experiential learning (EL) opportunities offered as internships. The goal of this pilot, supported through the Pôle IA, is to provide different cross-disciplinary projects for students working together in teams. In this session the 6 student groups will provide overviews of their projects and status reports on progress to date. Opportunities for interaction among the project teams and the Concordia research leads will follow.

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