TY
Tina Yong
Talk 1: Deepfakes and Freedom of Expression
PhD Candidate @ University of Toronto (UofT)
Tina is a PhD student in the political science department, where her research sits at the intersection of AI ethics and law.
ABOUT US
IlluminAI is a University of Toronto student organization dedicated to fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and making AI ethics accessible to everyone, regardless of technical background.
Our founding in 2020 has brought together over 1000 people from diverse disciplines to explore the ethical and societal dimensions of AI, with participation from 42 cities and 11 countries worldwide.
We have hosted over 15 workshops and events, launched a magazine and video interview series, and continue to bridge science with arts, policy, and social impact.
The UofT AI Ethics Conference will be held on the weekend of March 7-8, 2026, on the University of Toronto campus in Bahen Centre of Technology.
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
Day 1: Ethics
March 7, 2026
9:00 - 10:00
Registration + breakfast
10:00 - 10:30
Opening talk + Overview of AI Ethics
10:30 - 11:30
Talk 1: Tina Yong - Deepfakes and Freedom of Expression
11:30 - 12:30
Talk 2: Bruce Schneier - Integrous AI
12:30 - 1:30
Lunch and networking
1:30 - 2:30
Talk 3: Alicia Demanuele - AI and Policy
2:30 - 3:15
Workshop 1: Matthew Tamura - Introduction to AI Interpretability
3:15 - 3:45
Talk 4: Riccardo Di Sipio - Epistemic Machines
3:45 - 4:45
Panel 1: Jude Kong, Jeffrey Sun, Alex Mariakakis - Modelling with AI
4:45 - 5:00
Closing
Day 2: Society
March 8, 2026
9:00 - 9:30
Registration + breakfast
9:30 - 9:45
Opening talk
9:45 - 10:45
Panel 2: Sheila McIlraith, David Liu - Embedded Ethics Education (E3I)
10:45 - 11:30
Talk 5: Benjamin Sanchez-Lengeling - Scientific Discovery
11:30 - 12:00
Workshop 2: Nazy Thakkar - VC 101: From Pitch to Partnership
12:00 - 1:30
Lunch and networking
1:30 - 2:30
Panel 3: Karen Young, Feyisayo Enujuni, Christine Tang - Women in Computer Science Careers
2:30 - 3:30
Talk 6: Paolo Granata - AI and Epistemic Virtues
3:30 - 4:00
Talk 7: Ramaravind Mothilal
4:00 - 5:00
Awards and closing
DAY 1 SPEAKERS
BS
Bruce Schneier
Talk 2: Integrous AI
Adjunct Professor, Munk School @ UofT
Internationally renowned security technologist and public intellectual, known for work on cryptography, cybersecurity, and AI governance.
AD
Alicia Demanuele
Talk 3: AI and Policy
AI Policy Researcher @ Schwartz Reisman Institute (SRI)
Researches responsible AI policy and governance for practical deployment contexts.
MT
Matthew Tamura
Workshop 1: Introduction to AI Interpretability
Research Assistant, Human-Centred Data Science Lab
Researches human-centred data science with a focus on interpretable and transparent machine learning systems.
RD
Riccardo Di Sipio
Talk 4: Epistemic Machines: From Uncertainty to (Inter)Action in Human-AI Ensembles
Senior ML/AI Developer
Works across AI ethics and policy for transparent, human-centred high-stakes systems.
JK
Jude Kong
Panel 1: Modelling with AI
Assistant Professor, School of Public Health @ UofT
Researches machine learning and mathematical modelling for health and equity-focused applications.
JS
Jeffrey Sun
Panel 1: Modelling with AI
Assistant Professor, Economics @ UofT
Applies computational tools to economic modelling and rich equilibrium analysis.
AM
Alex Mariakakis
Panel 1: Modelling with AI
Assistant Professor, Computer Science @ UofT
Runs the Computational Health and Interaction lab, bridging ubiquitous computing and health applications.
DAY 2 SPEAKERS
DL
David Liu
Panel 2: Embedded Ethics Education (E3I)
Associate Professor, Teaching Stream, CS @ UofT
Teaching-stream faculty member with interests in educational technology and interdisciplinary computing.
SM
Sheila McIlraith
Panel 2: Embedded Ethics Education (E3I)
Professor, CS @ UofT; Associate Director @ SRI; CIFAR AI Chair @ Vector
Researches in knowledge representation, AI planning, and explainable AI with a focus on trustworthy systems.
BS
Benjamin Sanchez-Lengeling
Talk 5: Scientific Discovery in the Age of AI Automation
Assistant Professor, ChemEng @ UofT
Builds AI methods for scientific discovery and chemistry applications.
NT
Nazy Thakkar
Workshop 2: VC 101: From Pitch to Partnership
Toronto GM @ Drive Capital
Tracks and supports early-stage tech ventures, with a focus on inclusive innovation ecosystems.
PG
Paolo Granata
Talk 6: AI and Epistemic Virtues
Associate Professor, St. Michael's College @ UofT
Researches media, communication, and critical design approaches to technology and ethics.
RM
Ramaravind Mothilal
Talk 7
PhD Candidate, Faculty of Information
Explores AI systems and their societal implications through research grounded in human values.
KY
Karen Young
Panel 3: Women in Computer Science Careers
Vice President of Transformation and Delivery @ FGF Brands
Leads enterprise digital transformation and high-impact technology initiatives.
FE
Feyisayo Enujuni
Panel 3: Women in Computer Science Careers
CEO, Denobiq Technologies Inc.
Founded Denobiq to improve patient and hospital AI infrastructure workflows.
CT
Christine Tang
Panel 3: Women in Computer Science Careers
AI Engineer @ Politte
Builds enterprise generative AI and agent-based systems.
NETWORKING GUESTS
Day 1 Networking Guests
Amitiot Sandhu
Global Early Talent Acquisition @ Dayforce
Leads co-op and new graduate hiring with a focus on meaningful career development and inclusive talent pipelines.
Alina Tang
Early Talent Recruiter @ Dayforce
Supports internships and emerging professional talent pathways across technical teams.
Ramijha Puspanathan
Early Talent Recruiter @ Dayforce
Helps students transition into early-career opportunities through internship and co-op programs.
Guest Name
AI and Dev Intern @ Dayforce
Biography details to be announced.
Guest Name (TBA)
AI and Dev Intern @ Dayforce
Biography details to be announced.
Day 2 Networking Guests
Open networking will occur during lunch.
Dr. Eirene Seiradaki
RBC Borealis
Leads delivery of collaborative AI and undergraduate AI programming initiatives.
Devesh Gupta
RBC Borealis
Open networking guest and industry representative.
Karen Young
Vice President of Transformation and Delivery @ FGF Brands
Drives enterprise strategy, digital innovation, and large-scale organizational transformation.
Nasrin Sabetypour
Pilates Body Maison
Open networking guest.
Ryan Kelln
Software Artist
Builds interactive installations and machine-learning-driven creative works with a public engagement focus.
Anthony Ukwu
Digital Excellence in Health @ Ontario Health
Open networking guest with digital health leadership experience.
Bey Wang
Senior Manager, Digital Serve and Support Product @ Rogers
Leads cross-functional teams delivering customer-centric wireless and residential digital products.
Boran Ocak
Founder @ Project Agro
Open networking guest.