Artificial intelligence is advancing rapidly, creating extraordinary opportunities while raising urgent questions about safety, security and responsible use.
​Join experts from the Faculty of Mathematics, University of Waterloo, the Balsillie School of International Affairs and the Waterloo Region AI Coalition for an accessible public conversation about what today’s AI systems can and cannot do, the risks associated with increasingly autonomous AI agents and the safeguards available to manage them.
​Through expert presentations, a moderated panel and audience Q&A, the event will examine where the benefits of AI are compelling, where stronger protections may be needed and where society may need to draw clear boundaries. Topics will include AI security and alignment, technical safeguards, public policy, geopolitics and the responsible use of AI in high-stakes settings.
​Designed for a general audience, this event will provide participants with a clearer understanding of AI’s current capabilities and limitations, emerging security concerns and the choices facing businesses, governments and the public.
​Speakers:
​Dr. Richard Florizone, Special Advisor, Global Futures to the President of the University of Waterloo
​Dr. Ann Fitz-Gerald, Director of the Balsillie School of International Affairs
​Maura R. Grossman, J.D., Ph.D., Research Professor in the School of Computer Science, cross-appointed to the School of Public Health Sciences, at the University of Waterloo
​Dr. Jochen Koenemann, Dean of the University of Waterloo’s Faculty of Mathematics and a Professor in the Department of Combinatorics and Optimization.
​Jimmy Lin, David R. Cheriton Chair in the David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science at the University of Waterloo.
​Bessma Momani, Professor of Political Science at the University of Waterloo and the Balsillie School of International Affairs and Senior Fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation.
​Agenda
​6:45 p.m. – Arrival
7:00 p.m. – Welcome and panel discussion
8:00 p.m. – Audience Q&A
8:30 p.m. – Networking reception
