Hundreds attend Atlantic Canada AI Summit in Halifax

Atlantic Canada's largest AI summit is underway at Saint Mary's University in Halifax.

Leading researchers in artificial intelligence are in Halifax for the Atlantic Canada AI Summit.

It’s being held at Saint Mary’s University in collaboration with Dalhousie University, the University of New Brunwick, Acadia University, Memorial University of Newfoundland, and the University of Prince Edward Island. Several organizations are also taking part in the summit, including Nova Scotia Health (NSH).

“We’re looking at innovative ways to do things smarter, do things faster, really ultimately though, deliver better care to our citizens,” said NSH chief data officer Matthew Murphy.

He said Nova Scotia is leading the way when it comes to AI.

“We’re leading from a data standardization perspective, so we have aligned on an international standard, and we have leveraged the tools that are available to private business,” said Murphy. “We’re leveraging cloud technology. We’re using that to bring together all of the data from the health system.”

Hundreds of people are expected to attend over the course of the summit, including 150 industry leaders. SMU said it provides a unique platform to showcase AI initiatives and innovations, engage with emerging talent, and explore opportunities for collaboration.

Another area of focus at the summit is how AI is being used in education.

“I brought it into education to really solve my own problem, which is large enrolments and that happens in every university in North America,” said UPEI chemistry professor Jason Pearson.

His presentation looked at AI in higher education, from the opportunities to the challenges and lessons he’s learned.

“Most students just want to learn. They want to be productive members of society, and they recognize that AI is going to be an important tool for them,” said Pearson. “I think putting it in their hands as soon as possible is the best thing we can do for their future.”

The summit is being put on with the help of dozens of university students from across Atlantic Canada.

“This is like a perfect time for them to be here to take advantage of whatever is being shared to enhance their education,” said Eleanor Kumahia, the team lead for the volunteers, who is also a SMU student.

“I’m excited about this and looking forward to working and collaborating with them more.”

Some of those student volunteers have been learning about AI in their studies and may even go on to work with it.“We’re growing incredible talent that then support places like Nova Scotia Health to do incredible work, and we just need to double down on that,” said Murphy.

“We have the best of the best in our province, and we need to start celebrating that.”

The Atlantic Canada AI Summit runs until Saturday.

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page