Join us for a global and interdisciplinary conversation on the ethical, legal and societal implications of artificial intelligence with leading law, policy and ethics scholars from around the globe.

Video recordings available!

Watch on YouTube

The AI + Society Initiative presents, in collaboration with the University of Ottawa Centre for Law, Technology and Society, and the Alex Trebek Forum for Dialogue :

Poster for the promotion of the event Shaping AI for Just Futures

Schedule

Speakers from around the globe will join uOttawa leading thought leaders for conversations on responsible AI, ethical design of AI systems, the state of regulatory efforts around the world, privacy, AI-facilitated abuses and violence, agriculture and environment data, healthcare, copyright, government and decision-making, and the justice system.

Wednesday, October 18

TimeDetails
17:30

Ian R. Kerr Memorial Lecture

Kate Crawford

Please note that this opening lecture is a free public event in Fauteux Hall, Room 147, with a distinct registration. Please click here to register.

Thursday, October 19

TimeDetails
8:00Registration and Networking Breakfast
9:00Welcome remarks
9:30

Regulating AI around the World

Florian Martin-Bariteau, Sergio Branco, Woodrow Hartzog, Marcelo Thompson, Nagla Rizk and Célia Zolynsky

11:00Health break
11:15

AI and Privacy

Teresa Scassa, Céline Castets-Renard, Woodrow Hartzog and Andrea Slane

12:15Lunch break
13:30

AI and Copyright

Michael Geist, Sergio Branco, Carys Craig, Christophe Geiger and Caroline Ncube

14:30

Regulating AI Medical Devices

Colleen Flood, Jake Okehukau Effoduh,  Michael Froomkin, Calvin Ho, Catherine Regis, and Devin Singh

15:30Health break
15:45

AI and Inclusion: Perspectives from the Middle East and North Africa

Nagla Rizk

16:15

AI, Inclusion and Equality

Jane Bailey, Bita Amani, Chinmayi Arun, Emily Laidlaw, Nagla Rizk, and Andrew Selbst

17:45Poster session and Reception

Friday, October 20

TimeDetails
8:00Registration and Networking Breakfast
9:00

Using Metaphors and Comics for Ethical AI Design

Jason Millar and Chantal Rodier

10:30Health break
10:45

AI and Tech-Facilitated Abuse and Violence

Jane Bailey, Noura Al-Jizawi, Suzie Dunn, Alessandra Gomes, Noelle Martin and Chidera Okolie

11:45

AI and Environment

Kelly Bronson,  Teshageer Dagne and Maaz Gardezi

12:45Lunch break
14:00

AI and Government

Teresa Scassa, Jennifer Raso, Catherine M. Sharkey and Marcelo Thompson

15:00

AI, Borders and Migration

Jamie Liew and Petra Molnar

15:45Health break
16:00

AI and Justice

Jacquelyn Burkell, Karine Gentelet and Katie Szilagyi

17:00

AI for Good

Latanya Sweeney

18:00Closing Reception

Please note program content is subject to change, notably due to visa and immigration issues. Please check our website for regular updates and additional program details.

Registration

Registration is closed.
Registration typeCost
General Registration

CA$ 125

Early bird rate for first 50 tickets sold: $75

Full-time Faculty, Government and Civil Society

CA$ 75

Early bird rate for first 50 tickets sold: $50

Students

CA$ 40

Early bird rate for first 50 tickets sold: $20

All amounts are in Canadian dollars. Early Bird Registration is open and will end on September 15 (or when the first 50 tickets have been sold). After this, regular registration fees will take effect.

Information for Foreigners: Should an attendee need an official letter to be able to obtain a visa. If you require one, please email [email protected] with confirmation of your registration before September 25.

Payment and Cancellation Policy: Refunds are not available. If you are not able to attend, please email [email protected]. You may designate a substitute attendee (in the same registration category), subject to approval by the Organizing Committee. You may substitute at no cost before September 25, 2023. After that date, substitutions will be charged a $50 processing fee.

Program Disclaimer: Program content and scheduled panelists are subject to change. Please check our website for regular updates and additional program details.

Travel and accommodation

Travel arrangements and costs are the responsibility of each participant. That said, below is information on how to join us at the University of Ottawa, hotels, and places to explore while you are visiting.

Coming by Air

You can reach Ottawa by flying to Macdonald–Cartier International Airport (YOW).

Air Canada is the Official Canadian Airline of the International AI + Society Conference and offers a special discount up to 10% to people travelling for the conference. (The discount is only 5% on North American standard fares.)

Please use the conference exclusive promotion code: KUZKKXQ1.

The eligible travel period begins Wednesday, October 11, 2023 and ends Friday, October 27, 2023.

Coming by Train

You can reach Ottawa by train with Via Rail and arrive at Ottawa Tremblay Road Train Station.

All members of Canadians universities, can use the CAUBO discount of 12,5% on each ticket for up to 3 additional tickets for people travelling with you. In order to take advantage of the discounted fares, use the CAUBO discount code 710810 when booking your ticket on ViaRail.ca.

Coming by Car

Paid parking is available on a first come, first serve basis in the Brooks Garage or the Desmarais Garage for the whole day. Be sure to park your car in the designated visitor parking area and remember your parking space number for payment at the payment kiosk.

Accommodation

Most hotels in Ottawa will offer you a discounted fare when you ask for the uOttawa/CAUBO discount.

The closest hotels offering preferred rates (subject to availability) are:

Exploring Ottawa

Ottawa is the capital of Canada. The National Capital Region (Ottawa-Gatineau) is the home of major federal institutions (Parliament, Supreme Court of Canada), national museums (National Gallery, Museum of History, Aviation Museum, War Museum, Museum of Natural History, Museum of Science and Technology) and natural and human-made wonders (Gatineau Park and River, Rideau River and Falls, Ottawa River and Chaudière Falls, Rideau Canal and Locks).

Sponsors

This international conference will be presented by Microsoft* and sponsored by CIFAR, with the support of the Scotiabank Fund for AI and Society at the University of Ottawa, and X*, as well as of the Open AIR Network, the Alex Trebek Forum for Dialogue, the Office of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation, the Faculty of Law, Common Law Section and the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Ottawa.

The Government of Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) is also generously supporting scholars from the majority world.

* Funds from Microsoft and X come from sponsorship made towards the We Robot 2020 conference that was moved online due to the pandemic. Sponsors had no input in the conference organization, the schedule or the speakers.

Contact

For general inquiries, please contact: [email protected]