You don’t have to look far to notice the implications of rapidly evolving artificial intelligence (AI) in today’s world. From generative content creators to self-driving vehicles and uncannily accurate recommendation systems, it feels like AI is everywhere. In the right hands, they can be beneficial to all. But in the wrong, AI can amplify human bias, enable dangerous frauds, devalue artists and harm vulnerable people.

This Fall, join RCIScience in partnership with the Toronto Public Library for a panel discussion exploring how AI is reshaping industries and everyday life, and opening the doors to technological innovation at unprecedented speeds. Our expert panelists are here to answer your AI questions. What is it? What can it do, really? And as we ride the wave of AI's progress, how do we navigate the uncharted waters of responsibility, privacy and bias?

If AI is a mirror to humanity, do we like what we see?

This is the first event of the annual Love Family Endowed Series.

About the Speakers

Melissa Valdez is a physicist-turned-consultant specializing in artificial intelligence and quantum technologies. She collaborated with some of Canada's leading AI organizations to provide courses and workshops to hundreds of professionals through Toronto's Vector Institute for AI. She delivered conversational AI solutions for enterprise at IBM Canada. Melissa holds a MSc in physics from her time studying antimatter at CERN. She's engaged thousands of children and youth at Let's Talk Science, KidsCodeJeunesse, and other STEM outreach organizations. Connect with Melissa at melissavaldez.ca.

Shingai Manjengwa is the Head of AI Education at ChainML where she works with clients on AI education, adoption, and implementation. Shingai takes clients from an AI product idea to an affordable and scalable deployment. A seasoned data scientist, Shingai has a background in retail analytics, generating data insights to top tier manufacturers and retailers, and she has led technical education at the Vector Institute for AI. Shingai is also the founder of Fireside Analytics Inc., an online data science education company. Over half a million learners have taken her courses on platforms such as IBM and Coursera. Shingai sits on a number of boards and advisory committees, and she is an award-winning speaker and children's book author.

Dr. Melaina Vinski is a behavioural science and behaviour change specialist with over a decade of experience in the experimental study of cognitive neuroscience and human behaviour, and over a decade of experience crafting evidence-based solutions on sustainability, stakeholder management, reputation risk, issues management, operational model design, and behaviour change. As the former Behavioural Insights lead for PwC Globally and an Associate Client Partner of Behavioural Science and AI & Analytics at IBM, Melaina is recognized as a leading expert in weaving behavioural and data science within traditional problem-solving paradigms to tackle some of the toughest challenges facing business and society. She holds a degree in Cognitive Neuropsychology and Business from the University of Guelph and a Masters and PhD in Cognitive Neuropsychology from McMaster University.

Ali Taiyeb is the Director of Industry Innovation at Vector Institute, Canada’s leading research institute, dedicated to the field of artificial intelligence, excelling in machine and deep learning. Previously, Ali was the Head of Strategic Partnerships at the DMZ at Toronto Metropolitan University, one of the top-ranked startup technology incubators globally, where he led external partnerships and corporate relations.

Ali was recognized as a top 25 emerging leader in the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area as a participant in the 2014 DiverseCity Fellowship cohort with CivicAction. He has also served in leadership capacities for various community-based organizations, most notably with Pakathon, a global non-profit focusing on creating and funding entrepreneurship ventures in Pakistan.

Ali holds an Honours Bachelor of Science degree from McMaster University and is passionate about progressing the Canadian entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem.

Event Logistics

This is an indoor event. Masks are recommended.

This event will be photographed.

Cancellation Policy

If you are feeling unwell on the day of the event or have had a recent exposure to COVID-19, please stay home and cancel your ticket on Eventbrite.

Accessibility

The Toronto Reference Library is Wheelchair Accessible.