Cyber Summit 2023
New month – new PD adventure, this time in beautiful Banff, Alberta for the 2023 Cyber Summit! I was first introduced to this conference in the spring through our MAETL work with Brian Aspinall. Given our shared work in the AI space he suggested I explore the idea of attending Cyber Summit and I was thrilled when my proposal was accepted to be part of the 2023 event schedule.
The following post is a summary of my experiences:
Wednesday Keynote: Brian Aspinall
“I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious” – Albert Einstein
How do we create the culture in our classrooms to empower people to go out and chase greatness?
Some of the leading companies like Uber and Air B & B don’t even sell a product
“Sometimes the greatest professional learning comes from the colleague down the hall”
“Today’s technology is the worst our students will ever use”
If you haven’t heard Brian speak before, the following is an example of his work:
Follow Brian’s work:
Breaking through the hype cycle: Generative AI & the future of work
Generative AI is a hot topic, but the peak of inflated expectations looms. Are up to 50% of jobs really at risk? Or is economic and societal well-being — in an era marked by wickedly complex problems — actually dependent on human workers with irreplaceable human skills? In this talk, Alexandra Cutean from the Information and Communications Technology Council will look at how generative AI could be the trigger the world needs to rethink education, training, and the true meaning of “future proof” skills.
Introduction to ICTC
- Strengthening Canada’s digital advantage in the global economy
- Ensuring that technology is utilized to drive economic growth and innovation
The Hype
- 20% of Canadians currently use generative AI in their work or studies
- 90% of Canadians think “human involvement is important”
Canada’s AI-augmented Workforce
- Both low-skill and high-skill jobs in Canada are susceptible to being augmented by AI
- Job security and career stability will depend on developing such skills
- AI has the potential to enhance quality of work and productivity in some cases but could lower others
- Human skills: critical thinking, emotional intelligence, leadership, management, collaboration
AI in Higher Ed
- Core-skills like critical thinking are essential in operating in an AI world
- AI-enabled learning is already being used
- AI-cheating is a concern but assignments need to be structured to change this
- “cycles of change” are slow
- A focused AI strategy is required
- We need safeguards and responsible AI innovation
- Canada led the way with the Pan-Canadian AI Strategy
Presenter: Erik Henningsmoen*
*Read more about ICTC HERE.
AI for good: Exploring how generative AI can support universal design for learning
Increasingly, post-secondary institutions are looking to principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to help address the increasing diversity of students and their learning needs. However, UDL implementation across institutions has been slow and limited, particularly when that implementation adds additional work for instructional staff. Integrating generative AI into post-secondary teaching practices can help the uptake of UDL, and therefore increase the overall accessibility of classroom experience.
After this discussion, participant will be able to:– Identify the key components of Universal Design for Learning
– Recognize features of generative AI that support UDL in post-secondary classrooms
– Reflect on ways to encourage students to use generative AI as a learning tool
Generative AI Foundations
- AI is not actually intelligent
- Machine learning basics sees training examples given and predictive output results
Generative AI Panic to Ability Bias
- Let’s challenge the panic narrative
- AI panic actually highlights a lot of ableism biases
- Example: “AI will write essays for students”…. for students who can hold a pencil, who can enter the room, etc
- AI is doing a shakeup that is needed for ability reasons as well
Generative AI for UDL
- Challenges assumptions or gaps in the traditional education practices
- Provides an opportunity for student choice in accessing materials and demonstrating learning
- The learner has full access to the curriculum in multiple structures and modalities
- The Affective Network
- Supporting interest in learning through authentic, relevance teaching practices that reduces distraction
- Developes resilience through a goal-oriented approach with a variety of resources and feedback
- Acknowledges emotions
- The Recognition Network
- Provides content in multiple formats that engage a variety of senses
- Decoding content, by creating a shared understanding of language and symbols
- Contextualizing content through patterns, structures, and background
- The Strategic Network
- Designing assessments that allow for multiple means of expressions
- Scaffolding assessments
- Recommended Resources
- “Students will not learn the same way as we did, and thats a good thing”
- Tools are great, but we need to advocate for equity and privacy
Presenter: Dr. Brenda McDermott
This is the second conversation I have joined with Dr. McDermott, read about the first HERE.
Data dunkers: Where data science meets basketball
Calling all educators and basketball enthusiasts! We are excited to share the thrilling world where data science and basketball collide.
Dell Technologies recently partnered with the PS43 Foundation (Pascal Siakam of the Toronto Raptors), the Cybera and PIMS-led Callysto program, and Digital Moment to create Data Dunkers, an innovative basketball and data science learning experience. Students learned foundational data science skills through basketball statistics in a fun and inclusive environment.
Learn more about the captivating synergy between students’ passion for basketball and the world of data analytics. Come explore how to leverage this connection to ignite a passion for data science, transforming students into future data champions.
Don’t miss this interactive session, where we’ll show you how to turn a love for basketball into a slam-dunk pathway to data science success!
See you on the court, data-style!
PS43 is a not-for-profit organization that supports children through financial literacy, sports, and life skills
This leverages basketball and technology as learning tools
Why Data Science?
- The opportunities to learn about data and data-related skills are lacking
- It helps make informed decisions
- Data is a top in-demand occupation
Program Objectives
- Learn foundational data science through basketball stats
- Engage and inspire underserved students, schools, and communities
- Discover and explore career pathways
Callysto and Digital Moment are the data organizations that bridge the gap between Pascal’s goals and educational implementation
The athletic stats are compiled and then analyzed through a variety of filters with Python code in the Callysto program
There is a variety of visualizations that students can create
Where does this fit in?
- Cross-curricular approach to math, science, phys-ed
- Classroom projects
- Extra-curricular: STEM club, tech club, hackathon, etc
Learn more:
Presenters: David Hay & Katina Papulkas
The legal implications of AI
With AI technology becoming more available, at an ever-increasing rate, users are quickly learning the benefits of utilizing these tools. However, as with any new technology, it is equally important to understand the legal implications, which in the case of AI, are still rapidly developing. In this presentation, legal experts from Dentons Canada will discuss the current landscape and associated challenges with Canadian legislation as it relates to AI, the application of intellectual property rights such as copyright and trade secrets, and what litigation risks are currently identifiable.
Legal and governance issues are complex
Canadian copyright legislation does not address AI in explicit terms
Canadian law has yet to definitively decide how, if, and when copyright laws should apply to content generated by AI
Data Inputs: software/AI developers that want access to third-party data to rain AI vs. rights holder that wants to protect the value of its own proprietary software and data
- Enterprise and domain-specific clauses can alleviate some of these concerns
- Review the TOS, privacy policy, and provide guidance for users
Data Ouputs: artistic works need to have an author who is understood to be a human, in Canada AI-generated code and other works are considered unauthored and not protected by copyright
- If AI is making its own work may be authorless and public domain
Consultation on the implications of Generative AI for Copyright
- Do we need to amend the Copyright act?
- Who/what is an author?
- Can AI-generated works infringe copyright?
AI Regulation in Canada
- AIDA: regulates the design, development, and use of AI systems, with a focus on mitigating the risks of harm and bias in these of high impact AI systems
- AIDA Companion Document: provides further insight into the government’s intentions and outlines a consultation process
- Quebec Act: improves transparency and data subject rights obligations where organizations that use personal information to make decisions about individuals use “automated processing”
Areas of Litigation Risk
- US-based
- Privacy and responsible AI: use of sensitive personal information in the training of AI systems
- Copyright infringement: use of copyrighted text and images in the training of AI systems
- Specific concerns in the education sector: collections of data from minors and dark patterns
- Risk mitigation: adoption of internal AI policies setting out a reasonable framework
To guide your own system’s use of AI you could model off of the guidelines shared by the federal government
Presenters: Kelly Osaka & Danielle Dudelzak
The truth about AI for research and education institutions – CIRA
With a focus on research and education institutions, this presentation will explore the good, bad, and ugly aspects of AI on information security, cybersecurity operations, and personal privacy. Together, we will review what the landscape will look like in one, five, and 20 years.
CIRA is a non-profit focused on cybersecurity in Canada
CIRA Cybersecurity Survey 2023
- Only 32% of organizations have an AI policy in place
- 68% are worried about it
- 1/3 of organizations are still using technology released prior to 2010
Y2Q: store now and decrypt later
AISec 101: AI from a Security Perspective – An objective and quantitative analysis of various levels of AI (artificial intelligence, machine learning, and neural networks).
Debunking the Myths – The overblown, the misquoted, and the misunderstood. An overview of the common anecdotes that become misinformation and propaganda.
Uncovering the Truths – A nugget of truth exists at the heart of every lie. A few genuinely terrifying truths about the future impacts of AI and quantum computing technology on information security.
Future Truths – How the very latest scientific developments in the fields of quantum physics and artificial intelligence factor into cyber-warfare.
Presenter: Jamie Hari
AI in the landscape – Real-world examples
In this riveting presentation, leading AI and machine learning companies and researchers will showcase their cutting-edge innovations, and show how they are positively impacting our communities. Through captivating lightning talks, these visionary tech pioneers will demonstrate how their AI-powered solutions are transforming industries, enhancing healthcare, streamlining education, and addressing pressing societal challenges. Join us for an inspiring journey into the future of technology and how it can better of our world.
- Seniors, Days & Dollars: using AI to benefit all three
- An identified area of concern is health & safety of seniors (ie: falls)
- AI model to assess people to improve physical capacity to help mitigate health concerns
- Accreditation support
- Schools and institutions are overwhelmed
- Helps automate this experience
- AI face recognition for pain assessment in cats
Presenters: Ryan Comeau, Gord Slemko, Susan Groeneveld
Artificial intelligence in the wild
Elephant seals carrying devices into the Antarctic Ocean depths to monitor deep sea currents; Andean condors outfitted with solar-powered GPS to record their movements; Rhino horns with hidden electronics to track poachers; a rare swift in Banff with a lightweight geolocator tag; the use of drones as a whale research tool; deciphering the ‘click’ language of sperm whales using the latest sophisticated recording tools and artificial intelligence…
These are just a few examples of the incredible technology that has opened up a new world of possibilities for conservation biologists. In this presentation, naturalist Brian Keating will introduce the high-technology being deployed in animal research, the biologists who use it, and the creatures they are trying to understand and ultimately save.
He promises to take you on a visual journey into some of the most remote and beautiful places on the planet. With his buoyant story telling, his passion for remote travel will be revealed as only Brian can do.
AI is used to track and identify animals to make informed decisions on animal management and ecological health
Nano-collars using Telemetry technology allow ecologists to track and gather data on animals
Recommended app: Merlin Bird App
Penguins are tracked using satellite imagery and machine learning that differentiates between snow/rocks and penguin feces
AI can learn the pattern of whale vocalization to figure out better conservation strategies
Presenter: Brian Keating
Follow Brian’s work HERE
The global research and education network: our unfair advantage
Way back in the dim depths of time, research and education networks collaborated to create the internet. We operate in a very different environment today, however. Competition looms from all sides, commercial giants claim innovation as their domain, and the requirements of our member institutions have evolved enormously, in terms of complexity, reliability, security and performance. Despite these threats and risks, a vital role remains for the global research and education (R&E) network. How do we collectively flourish, long into the future?
They have high pressure to perform as there is increased competition, increased service expectations, requirements for innovation
Education, especially higher ed, is unique in that its network operates within the realm of “academic freedom” so their systems need to work with BYOD, evolving regulations, dynamic networks, sharing and collaboration, etc
Presenters: David Wilde & Charles Sterner
The following are the notes and slides to accompany my session:
Why I Replaced Myself With A Machine
For ease-of-access within the blog, I am sharing the slides here through Canva. However, during the actual presentation, I shared through PowerPoint LIVE as it allowed me to demonstrate the AI-integration in the real-time subtitle transcription.
Why I Replaced Myself With A Machine - Cyber Summit by Kirsten Cali
Resources shared in the presentation included:
– PowerPoint Live
– ICTC Quality of Life Report
– AI in Education Report
– BYTE AI by Codebreaker
– Goblin Tools
– Chat GPT
– PowerPoint Speaker Coach
– Location Based Reminders
– Steps Recorder
– AI Ted Talk
– Booking Calendar
– Bing AI
To learn more about AI in general, check out this curation of resources from a previous presentation
1 thought on “Cyber Summit 2023”