ORAH INITIATIVES

Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to drive innovation across industries, but its rapid advancement also presents significant challenges, particularly around ethics, governance, privacy, and data protection. As AI becomes deeply integrated into everyday life, responsible AI practices are essential to safeguard against potential harm while maximizing the benefits of AI technology.

Ottawa Responsible AI Hub (ORAH) is an initiative designed to serve as a platform for dialogue, education, advocacy, and collaboration on responsible AI. ORAH seeks to build a community of AI professionals, policymakers, researchers, civil society organizations, and the public, all committed to advancing ethical AI practices. Ottawa's robust tech ecosystem, anchored by its numerous startups, research hubs, and government bodies, positions the city as an ideal centre to lead these discussions.

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Ottawa Responsible AI Talks (ORAT) – Monthly Meetups

The Ottawa Responsible AI Talks (ORAT) is a TEDx-style monthly event, providing a space for experts and enthusiasts to engage in discussions about AI governance, ethics, privacy, and data protection. These events serve as ORAH's flagship program and are designed to:

  • Raise Awareness about ethical, societal, and regulatory implications of AI.
  • Encourage Multidisciplinary Dialogue between tech experts, ethicists, legal experts, and policymakers.
  • Promote Best Practices in responsible AI development, particularly in data protection, fairness, and transparency.

Format

  • Frequency: Monthly sessions (60-90 minutes) starting from early 2025.
  • Speakers: Experts from technology, policy, law, academia, and advocacy will deliver 10–15-minute presentations followed by Q&A sessions.
  • Target Audience: AI professionals, policymakers, researchers, civil society, and the general public.

Ottawa Summit on Responsible AI & Digital Ethics (OSRADE) – Yearly Conference

The Ottawa Summit on Responsible AI & Digital Ethics (OSRADE) is an annual, high-level event that brings together AI professionals, policymakers, industry leaders, and civil society to discuss the latest trends in AI ethics and data protection. The summit will cover responsible AI in healthcare, finance, government, and more, with a focus on ethical governance and regulation.

Key Features

  • Plenary Sessions: High-level discussions on AI governance, privacy, and ethical considerations.
  • Workshops and Panels: Interactive sessions across sectors, including healthcare, law, finance, and government.
  • Networking: Opportunities to build collaborations between diverse stakeholders, from academics to policymakers.

OSRADE Goals

  • Strengthen Global Partnerships: Work with international bodies and organizations to drive AI governance at the global level.
  • Shape Policy: Create actionable recommendations for AI policy development.
  • Award Night: Celebrate excellence in responsible AI across sectors (see AI Awards section).
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Ottawa AI Excellence Awards (AIXA) – Annual Awards Night

To recognize outstanding contributions to responsible AI, ORAH will host the Ottawa AI Excellence Awards (AIXA) during the OSRADE. This award night will celebrate achievements in the ethical application of AI, recognizing individuals, organizations, and initiatives that have set new benchmarks for AI best practices.

Award Categories:

  • AI in Healthcare: For excellence in responsible AI application in healthcare, particularly around privacy and patient data protection.
  • AI for Good: Recognizing AI initiatives that drive social impact and public good.
  • Ethical AI Leadership: Celebrating leaders who promote fairness, transparency, and accountability in AI systems.
  • Data Protection Innovation: Honouring innovations in data protection and governance in the AI space

Tailored Responsible AI Workshops – Capacity Building

ORAH’s Tailored Responsible AI Workshops are designed to build capacity among key stakeholders, including AI developers, policymakers, and regulators. These workshops will provide targeted training to enhance understanding of AI governance, ethical design, and data protection across industries.

Objectives of the workshops

  • Empowering AI Developers: Equip AI developers with the skills to build systems that prioritize fairness, transparency, and accountability.
  • Enhancing Regulatory Knowledge: Provide legal and regulatory professionals with insights into the latest global AI standards and frameworks for responsible governance.
  • Cross-Sector Capacity Building: Customize training sessions for different sectors, including healthcare, finance, and public administration, to ensure responsible AI practices are implemented industry-wide.

Workshop Topics

  • Data Privacy and AI: Addressing the challenges of data protection in AI systems, focusing on privacy laws, regulations, and ethical handling of data.
  • AI Ethics in Healthcare: A specific workshop series dedicated to addressing ethical considerations in AI-based healthcare applications.
  • Fairness and Accountability in AI Systems: Providing technical training on how to build fairness and bias mitigation into machine learning models.
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Advocacy and Policy Influences

ORAH will actively engage in advocacy efforts to influence AI-related legislation and regulatory frameworks. The advocacy program will focus on:

  • Data Protection Advocacy: Pushing for comprehensive data protection laws that address the challenges posed by AI advancements.
  • AI Governance: Engaging with policymakers to ensure ethical AI practices are incorporated into government regulations.
  • Public Engagement: Empowering citizens with the tools to understand and advocate for responsible AI.
Strategic Partnerships

ORAH seeks to build a network of partnerships with the following entities to advance its objectives

  • Tech Companies: Engage Ottawa’s tech sector, including companies like Shopify and local AI startups, to drive ethical AI practices.
  • Academic Institutions: Collaborate with Carleton University, University of Ottawa, and research centers like the NRC.
  • Government: Partner with federal and provincial government bodies, particularly those involved in AI policy and data protection.
  • Civil Society and Advocacy Groups: Work with digital rights and advocacy organizations to broaden the scope of AI discussions.
  • International Collaborations: Establish connections with global organizations, such as the OECD and UNESCO, to drive global standards in AI ethics.