Breakout Session 2

The future is being built today, and you can be part of it! AI, robotics, and digital technology are changing how we work, live, and explore new frontiers like space. Imagine working alongside robots to solve problems, create smarter cities, and protect our planet. This conference will show you how these exciting technologies shape future jobs and why creativity, teamwork, and a passion for sustainability are key to success. Join us to discover how you can lead the way in building a better, brighter future! 

About Dr. Rafiq Ahmad:

Dr. Rafiq Ahmad is a visionary innovator, shaping the future of Smart Systems and Technologies to revolutionize industries and improve lives. As an Associate Professor at the University of Alberta and founder of multiple spin-off companies, he transforms ideas into real-world solutions that drive progress.

A trailblazer in digital technology, Dr. Ahmad was recognized among Edify Magazine’s Edmonton Top 40 Under 40 (2022) for his groundbreaking innovations. In 2023, his impact was further celebrated with the prestigious Alberta Science and Technology (ASTech) Award for Digital Technology Innovation.

Fueled by a passion for sustainability, applied AI, and intelligent automation, he pushes the boundaries of possibility, inspiring the next generation to engineer a smarter, more sustainable world.

Students will explore the foundational concepts of artificial intelligence, including knowledge-based AI, machine learning, data training, bias and fairness in machine learning, deep learning, and neural networks. Through hands-on activities using Google’s Teachable Machine and the Survival of the Best Fit game, students will actively engage with AI principles.

About Jag Grewal:

Jag holds a Bachelor of Science in Computing Science from the University of Alberta. Bringing 20 years of experience in software development, cloud architecture, and AI-driven technology leadership, he’s passionate about leveraging artificial intelligence to address real-world challenges, notably in education technology and AI literacy initiatives. Jag has spearheaded multiple AI and ML projects, from designing robust cloud-native systems to implementing intelligent data and analytics platforms across industries such as Fintech & Payments, Healthcare, Legal, Education Technology (EdTech), Audit & Tax, and Commercial Real Estate. A strong advocate for ethical AI practices, he actively engages in educating the next generation on the impacts and responsibilities of AI.

Explore the exciting world of responsible AI in municipal government! This session showcases real-world projects at the City of Edmonton where artificial intelligence is making a difference. Learn how AI helps conservation efforts by analyzing wildlife images, tracking endangered species like the leopard frog, and monitoring wildfires. We'll also dive into how AI is improving public safety while tackling important issues like data integrity and bias. Discover how your city is using this powerful technology for good and how you can get involved in shaping the future of AI.

About the City of Edmonton's Data Science and Research Team:

"Established in 2021, our team takes a practical, problem-solving approach to municipal data science. Our approach focuses on providing practical, real-world solutions. We're committed to developing AI applications that directly solve the unique problems the city faces. Our mission: To use data science and research to solve real world problems at the City of Edmonton — enabling a better life for all Edmontonians.

Supporting over 70 city departments, we are committed to democratizing data science access across the organization. Our projects have impacted diverse areas such as public safety, resource optimization, and conservation & sustainability, to name a few. We're recognized for our ability to cut through hype and produce tangible results. We prioritize action, using data science as a means, not an end. We are committed to sharing how data can improve city services."

Materials science has enabled the development of many applications and functional materials essential in modern technology, including batteries, solar cells, lasers, magnets, light emitting diodes, hard materials, superconductors, and catalysts.  To improve the properties of these materials, scientists are interested in determining their crystal structures, that is, the detailed arrangement of atoms, so that they can design better materials with specific structural features.  This presentation will discuss how machine learning methods can guide the efficient search of new materials by showcasing some problems that scientists are working on.  As a hands-on activity, students will apply decision tree models to classify everyday objects, to illustrate how this approach can be extended to classify crystal structures of materials.

About the Speakers:  

Arthur Mar - Arthur Mar leads a research program in materials chemistry, and has published >250 articles about inorganic solids, including intermetallics, chalcogenides, pnictides, and Zintl phases.  In recent years, he has been interested in applying machine-learning approaches to accelerate materials discovery and to predict crystal structures.  Allison Thomé is a graduate student in the Mar group working to develop machine-learning models to predict high-entropy alloys and superconductors, and collaborating to additive manufacturing techniques to design small modular reactors. 

Allison Thomé  - Allison Thomé (He/His) is a PhD candidate at the University of Alberta, researching interpretable machine learning models for predicting the formation and properties of high-entropy alloys. He previously earned his MSc in Chemistry from the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil, where he focused on sustainable recycling approaches for developing green silica-based nanomaterials. Allison's work bridges computational methods with materials science, where advanced data analysis techniques are combined with experimental validation to expand the frontiers of materials discovery and design.

In this talk, Sean will talk about his journey at samdesk leveraging AI to detect crisis' at scale. The presentation will cover some of the lessons learned, news stories that impacted them and big technology advancements along the way.