Conestoga’s School of Applied Computer Science & Information Technology hosted the inaugural Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning Symposium on Saturday, November 2. Themed: AI Horizons: Catalyst of Innovation, the event brought together industry experts, educators and students to explore the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) across various sectors, focusing predominantly on AI in education.
“AI will help by creating flexibility in terms of educational methods and technology, creating new ways for us to be able to deliver academic content ... basically curating the educational experience,” said Dr. Pejman Salehi, executive dean, Schools of Applied Computer Science & Information Technology, and Creative Industries, and director, Digital Learning Simulation. “The art is to utilize the best parts, and mediate the rest.”
The symposium included an engaging meet and greet, keynote addresses and a lively panel discussion. Keynote speakers Hans Winter, senior solutions consultant at Palo Alto Networks, and Dr. Shaina Raza, applied machine learning scientist at the Vector Institute for Artificial Intelligence, presented on the importance of cybersecurity and data protection.
Winter’s presentation focused on the potential opportunities and threats AI poses in relation to cybersecurity and emphasized the increasingly complex digital threat landscape where “threat actors” are becoming more sophisticated and adaptive. Raza’s presentation centred around the importance of regulating artificial intelligence and data protection, as generative AI and other advanced machine learning models permeate various industries and sectors of society.
While the focus of the keynotes was on the transformative power of technology, symposium participants highlighted the importance of regulation, as well as embracing the human element to harness AI’s potential. Speakers advocated for a balanced approach that combines technological advancements with ethical considerations and human oversight.
“There's the entire human element of what we do, and it's really important to never lose that element,” said Dr. Paula Gouveia, vice president, Academic. “Technology has the ability to bring access that it never did before … allowing people to access new amounts of information, ask questions that we never imagined we could get a quick answer to. That's brilliant, but there’s always the critical thinking element to it, and that you can't ignore.”
The panel discussion highlighted an urgent need for collaboration between technology and education to harness AI’s potential responsibly and effectively. Panelists pointed to several actionable strategies for integrating AI into education systems: establishing a regulatory system, providing training and support for faculty, and collaboration with industry stakeholders to upskill staff.
Event organizers expecte the symposium to be the first of many, continuing Conestoga’s commitment to fostering innovation, collaboration and excellence in the fields of artificial intelligence and technology education.
Conestoga’s School of Applied Computer Science & Information Technology offers a 21st-century education with leading-edge programs that prepares students for an exciting career in the innovative world of information and communications technology.