05/07/2026
NEW EVENT | Talent, Technology and Trust — Launch of Ontario Universities’ AI Task Force Report
Artificial intelligence is moving faster than our institutions — reshaping work, learning, productivity, and global competition in real time. The jurisdictions that act decisively now will lead. Ontario is at that inflection point.
On Friday, May 29, 2026, the Empire Club of Canada convenes leaders from academia, industry, and Canada’s AI ecosystem for a timely discussion on how Ontario can move from early adoption to global leadership — while maintaining public trust.
This event marks the official public launch of the Council of Ontario Universities’ AI Task Force report, offering early access to its findings and a cross‑sector debate on what must be done now to compete at speed.
The conversation will explore how Ontario can:
Rapidly prepare students for an AI‑driven workforce
Build secure, Canadian‑based data and computing infrastructure
Accelerate AI adoption to drive productivity, innovation, and IP creation across key sectors
Featuring:
Vivek Goel, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Waterloo and Chair, COU AI Task Force
Shannon Bell, Executive Vice President, Chief Digital Officer and Chief Information, OpenText
Glenda Crisp, President & CEO, Vector Institute
Moderated by: Vass Bednar, Managing Director, Canadian Shield Institute
📅 Friday, May 29, 2026
🕦 11:30 AM EDT | Hybrid Event
Hosted as part of Toronto Tech Week, this discussion brings together policymakers, academic leaders, and innovators focused not just on how AI will shape Ontario’s future — but how to lead it.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Lead Sponsor: University Pension Plan Ontario
Supporting Sponsors: Meta, Pearson
Lead Season Sponsors: Bruce Power, Hydro One, National Bank Financial
VIP Reception Season Sponsors: EllisDon, McKinsey & Company, Ontario Road Builders’ Association, Waste Connections of Canada
Media Partner: Toronto Star
AV Partner: Bespoke Audio Visual