Breakout Session 4

AI is becoming a part of everything humans do. Banking is a core part of life; a deeply personal journey that complements how we live our lives, and how we plan for the future. The intersection of AI and banking is full of high stakes, fascinating applications. From catching thieves to predicting client needs, AI is helping make money work for people. This session will discuss applications of AI in banking, as well as how students can plan the skills they need to compete in an increasingly digital and AI-powered future. 

About Rhys Chouinard:

Rhys began his journey in AI at the University of Alberta where he majored in Astrophysics, before completing a Masters in Experimental Particle Physics. While trying to find dark matter during his Masters, Rhys developed the skill set required for what was then emerging in industry under the name “data science.” After spending a fruitful eight years in academia learning the statistical, computational, and mathematical techniques of data science, Rhys set out to apply his skills in industry. In 2017, he joined ATB Financial as a Data Scientist, where he began applying machine learning techniques to solve problems in the data-rich realm of finance. He moved into the position of Director of Data Science in 2019, where he was charged with leading teams of data scientists to rapidly scale the value of the technology. For the last few years, he has taken on the role of Distinguished Data Scientist, responsible for scaling the value that AI creates by building and deploying products that use machine learning. Rhys' current passion lies in teaching the niche techniques of applied artificial intelligence to new generations of data scientists and leaders, in service of making AI a productivity force multiplier for everyone.

Join us for an insightful panel featuring Erfan Hajiparvaneh of MediversAI and Dr. Zaahir Moloo of Scribbery moderated by Savannah Lane, Startup Specialist at the University of Alberta. The founders will share their expertise of using AI to advance the healthcare space and their experience building a startup that leverages new technologies. 

About the Speakers:

Erfan Hajiparvaneh

Erfan is the founder and CEO of MediversAI. As a passionate innovator who believes in the transformative power of AI, he’s on a mission  to revolutionize human life for the better. 

Dr. Zaahir Moloo 

After experiencing burnout himself as a physician, Dr. Zaahir Moloo was inspired to create a tool to help doctors with their administrative work, leveraging AI to do so. 

Savannah Lane

As the Startup Specialist for the University of Alberta, Savannah helps innovators connect to the resources they need to commercialize their technologies. As part of the Artificial Intelligence Discovery Place with AWS, Savannah is dedicated to helping improve AI literacy and education.

The session will introduce chemical engineering in terms of what it is, a bit of history, how it has impacted and continues to impact the world. It will also introduce artificial intelligence and machine in simple terms and introduce its application in chemical and other engineering areas. It will then cover future possibilities in both chemical engineering and artificial intelligence, both in terms of advances in research & development/technology/commercial applications and in terms of career prospects for people looking to enter the workforce. An interactive activity will be integrated into the session to better illustrate some of the concepts. 

About Dr. Vinay Prasad:

Vinay Prasad is the Jaffer Professor of Process Systems and Control Engineering at the University of Alberta. He has academic and industrial experience spanning Canada, the USA and India. He is trained as a chemical engineer and is an expert in process systems engineering and the application of modeling, control and optimization to a variety of chemical processes, especially focused on clean and sustainable energy production and on the extraction of critical minerals. He has developed and deployed many artificial intelligence and machine learning solutions in these areas in collaboration with industrial partners. He has also been active in outreach activities related to AI/ML and chemical engineering, having held interactive sessions on these topics with students from elementary to high school.

In this session, we will explore the fascinating world of artificial intelligence and its pivotal role in transforming online shopping experiences. From personalized product recommendations to dynamic pricing strategies, AI is the silent partner in every step of your online purchasing journey. We'll delve into how AI algorithms predict your preferences, ensure security with robust fraud detection, and even assist you through intuitive chatbots. Whether you're a casual shopper or a tech enthusiast, this talk will unveil the hidden layers of AI that make your digital checkout seamless and smart. Join me to discover how AI not only anticipates your needs but also shapes the future of e-commerce.

About Erfan Rafieikia:

Erfan Rafieikia is a PhD Candidate at the Alberta School of Business, University of Alberta, specializing in Operations Management. His research focuses on the integration of advanced AI technologies into operational systems to enhance efficiency and decision-making processes. Erfan brings practical experience in business analytics from his work in the ride-hailing industry and online retail. As part of AI4DA, he is dedicated to applying AI in data analytics across various domains, including retail, transportation, and healthcare, aiming to optimize operations and improve outcomes across these sectors.

Students will have the opportunity to participate in 6 different self-paced hands-on activities to learn more about artificial intelligence (AI), how data and AI intersect, how generative AI works, and engage in ethical conversations about AI use.