The Annual Hurtig Lecture on the Future of Canada


Thursday, September 19, 2024, 7:00 – 9:30 p.m.
Timms Centre for the Arts, 87 Avenue and 112 Street
Canada is one of the world’s leading Artificial Intelligence (AI) nations, with a deep commitment to developing and deploying AI that is responsible, safe, and that will benefit people and the planet. The key to Canada’s success has been a long-standing commitment to supporting fundamental research and the talented people who drive it forward, along with a whole ecosystem approach to collaboration across sectors. Join us as we welcome Elissa Strome, Executive Director of the Pan-Canadian AI Strategy at Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR), to discuss Canada's opportunity to shape the future of AI. Discover how Canada’s strengths, culture and values are influencing the global development of AI that delivers benefits to society and mitigates the risks. 

A panel of U of A experts, moderated by Geoffrey Rockwell, will explore the implications and innovations of AI in arts, computing science, the labour force, health and medicine. Panelists include Nidhi Hegde from the Department of Computing Science, Ross Mitchell from the Department of Medicine, and Nicole Denier of the Department of Sociology, who will provide unique cross-disciplinary insights.

About the 2024 Speaker, Elissa Stome:

Elissa Strome is the Executive Director of the Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy at the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research. She works with leaders at Canada’s three national AI Institutes in Edmonton (Amii), Montreal (Mila), and Toronto (Vector Institute) and across the country to advance Canada’s leadership in AI research, training and innovation. She is a champion of equity, diversity and inclusion in science, and an ambassador for Canada’s position in AI research, innovation, and policy internationally. Elissa is a member of the federal government’s AI Advisory Council, where she co-chairs the Public Awareness Working Group, and the OECD Network of Experts on AI.

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The Hurtig Lecture on the Future of Canada reflects  the longstanding value the Department of Political Science places in fostering interdisciplinary research and dialogue, particularly in the area of Canadian Studies.  

The Hurtig Lecture on the Future of Canada was headed by Professor Emeritus Dr. Janine Brodie CM FRSC from 2006-2017. Since 2018 it has been headed by Dr. Yasmeen Abu-Laban, Professor and Canada Research Chair in the Politics of Citizenship and Human Rights.  Both the Department of Political Science and the Faculty of Arts have sponsored this flagship annual event from the start.  Special thanks to our founding donors Dr. Susan Minsos, Ove Minsos KC and family for their vision and commitment, and to the Hurtig family for their support.