The Summit Agenda

The Ottawa Responsible AI Summit brings together policymakers, researchers, technologists, and community leaders for keynotes, panels, and collaborative discussions, connecting ideas with action.

Date

Wednesday, 19 November, 2025

Time

08:30 – 13:00

Location

BayView Yards, Invest Ottawa

Summit Host

Gina Soparlo - Senior Advisor, International Relations, Mitacs

08:30 – 09:00

Registration/Coffee

Welcome and check-in for all attendees

08:30 – 09:00

Land Acknowledgement

Gina Soparlo, Senior Advisor, International Relations, Mitacs

09:00 – 09:05

Welcome Introduction

Somto Mbelu, Founder & Program Lead, Ottawa Responsible AI (ORAH)

09:05 – 09:10

Opening Address & Summit Declaration

Honourable Jenna Sudds, P.C., M.P, Member of Parliament for Kanata—Carleton House of Commons

09:10 – 09:15

Welcome Address

Sonya Shorey, President & CEO, Invest Ottawa

09:15 – 09:30

Partner's Remark

  • • Luc Lalande, Innovator-in-Residence, Rideau-Rockcliffe Community Resource Centre (RRCRC)
  • • Martha Jeacle, Mann Lawyer
  • • Hammed Afenifere, Co-Founder & CEO, Oneremit
  • • Dan Monafu, Founder, Ottawa Civic Tech
  • • Kakanfo Kunle ED, AI 4 Social Impact & Development
09:30 – 10:10

Keynote Address – The Emerging AI Risk Assurance Field

Prof Graeme Auld, School of Public Policy and Administration; Co-Editor: Regulation & Governance Carleton University

10:10 – 10:20

Presentation 1: Operationalizing AI Ethics – From Principles to Public Benefit

Brett Tackaberry, Google Cloud / Ottawa Civic Tech

10:20 – 11:05

Panel I: Operationalizing AI Ethics – Lessons from the Field

Moderator: Mante Molepo ICD.D – Founder & CEO of Mante Molepo Consulting

Panelists:

  • • Hammed Afenifere, Co-Founder & CEO of Oneremit
  • • Marcos Rezende, Senior Product Designer at Microsoft
  • • Vance Lockton, Senior Technology Policy Advisor for the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada
  • • Prof. Christoph Brunner, PhD, Assistant Professor for Philosophy of media and Technology, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Netherlands.
  • • Mélanie Gilbert, Executive Partner, IBM Consulting
11:05 – 11:15

Presentation II: Operationalizing Safety in Public Chatbots

Michael Karlin, Acting Director of Policy, Canadian Digital Service (CDS)

11:15 – 11:20

Interlude/Comments from audience

Interactive session with attendees

11:20 – 12:05

Panel II: AI, Policy, and Community Data Justice: Who Owns Our Neighborhood's Story?

Moderator: Chike Nwoke, PhD, International Development Specialist & Researcher at Queen's University

Panelists:

  • • Mr. Harsh Sahni, Manager AI Risk and Governance, PwC Canada
  • • Prof. Fola Adeleke, Executive Director and Co-founder, The Global Center on AI Governance
  • • Isadora Hellegren Létourneau, Senior Program Manager, AI Policy Research Mila
  • • Michael Karlin, Acting Director of Policy, Canadian Digital Service (CDS)
  • • Ruth Bankey, Senior Advisor Business and Artificial Intelligence, Principal Methodologist and Ethicist, Canada Revenue Agency
12:05 – 12:10

Invest Ottawa's briefing on AiCEs/AI Champions & Experts Initiative

David Rodas-Wright, Senior Business Development Manager (Software), Invest Ottawa

12:10 – 12:25

Next Step, & Closing remarks

Somto Mbelu, Founder and Program Lead, Ottawa Responsible AI Hub

Dr. Chikezirim Nwoke, Chair, Planning Committee

12:25 – 12:40

Group Photography

Photo session with all attendees

12:40 – 13:00

Networking & Light Refreshments

Final networking: Connect with speakers, partners, and attendees.

By Registration Only

This half-day event is designed for decision-makers and thought leaders committed to ensuring AI serves equity, accountability, and the public good.