AI Exchange: Empowering Educators for Tomorrow: Full Schedule

8:00am EDT

Monday August 17, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am EDT

First Floor (George Vari Engineering and Computing Centre, ENG - Toronto Metropolitan University)

Check in for the AI Exchange: Empowering Educators for Tomorrow. Grab breakfast, spark conversations with other educators, and ease into the conference environment before sessions begin.

Monday August 17, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am EDT
First Floor (George Vari Engineering and Computing Centre, ENG - Toronto Metropolitan University) 245 Church St, Toronto, ON M5B 2R2

Networking

9:00am EDT

Opening Remarks

Monday August 17, 2026 9:00am - 9:15am EDT

Third Floor, Sears Atrium (George Vari Engineering and Computing Centre, ENG - Toronto Metropolitan University)

Kick off the conference with opening remarks from the organizing team as we welcome participants, highlight the goals of AI Exchange, and provide an overview of the days ahead.

Monday August 17, 2026 9:00am - 9:15am EDT
Third Floor, Sears Atrium (George Vari Engineering and Computing Centre, ENG - Toronto Metropolitan University) 245 Church St, Toronto, ON M5B 2R2

Plenary

9:15am EDT

Learning in the AI Era: Research to Reality

Monday August 17, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am EDT

Third Floor, Sears Atrium (George Vari Engineering and Computing Centre, ENG - Toronto Metropolitan University)

In this keynote, Ronit Levavi Morad, Senior Director and AI Literacy Lead at Google Research, will tackle one of the crucial design challenges of our time: how do we design AI that is truly in service of pedagogy? Grounded in Google’s pedagogical North Star—which prioritizes inspiring active learning, managing cognitive load, adapting to the learner, stimulating curiosity, and deepening...
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Speakers

Ronit Levavi Morad

Senior Director and COO for Google Research, Google

Ronit Levavi Morad is an impact-driven leader Senior Director and COOfor Google Research, steering strategic efforts across domains—from Foundational ML and Quantum to AI for Societal Impact in Health, Science and Climate Resilience. In her role reimagining the future of learning... Read More →

Monday August 17, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am EDT
Third Floor, Sears Atrium (George Vari Engineering and Computing Centre, ENG - Toronto Metropolitan University) 245 Church St, Toronto, ON M5B 2R2

Plenary

10:15am EDT

Break & Building Change

Monday August 17, 2026 10:15am - 10:30am EDT

Move from Engineering Building to Oakham House

Take a break and head to the Oakham House for your next session. Stretch your legs and reset before the program continues.

Monday August 17, 2026 10:15am - 10:30am EDT
Move from Engineering Building to Oakham House

Networking

10:30am EDT

Beyond the Classroom: Implementing Free AI Literacy Resources for Schools, Families, and Communities

Monday August 17, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am EDT

Oakham Lounge (Oakham House - Toronto Metropolitan University)

AI literacy is most impactful when learning extends beyond the classroom. In this interactive session, participants will explore Day of AI's free, classroom-ready curriculum spanning multiple grade bands, along with family and community engagement resources designed to support AI literacy at home and in schools. Educators will examine adaptable lessons, implementation strategies, and outreach...
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Speakers

Valerie Brock

Curriculum Lead, Day of AI

Valerie Brock is the Curriculum Lead at Day of AI, an initiative born out of MIT RAISE that empowers educators, students, and families to understand and shape the impact of artificial intelligence. She leads the development of K–12 AI literacy curriculum and professional learning... Read More →

Monday August 17, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am EDT
Oakham Lounge (Oakham House - Toronto Metropolitan University) 63 Gould St, Toronto, ON M5B 1E9

Concurrent

10:30am EDT

K-12 AI Policy in Practice

Monday August 17, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am EDT

Tecumseh Auditorium (Oakham House - Toronto Metropolitan University)

Schools are under increasing pressure to establish AI policies, yet many struggle to design ones that align with their goals, serve everyone, and keep pace with AI's rapid evolution. In this session, attendees will explore key policy topics and learn how schools might govern them based on their existing values. Through an interactive activity, small groups will design policies and consider their...
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Speakers

Daniella DiPaola

Postdoc Researcher, MIT Media Lab

Dr. Daniella DiPaola is a postdoctoral researcher at the MIT Media Lab, working at the intersection of AI, children, and society. She conducts research on human-AI interaction, develops curricula on the responsible creation and use of AI, and supports educational policy regarding... Read More →

Monday August 17, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am EDT
Tecumseh Auditorium (Oakham House - Toronto Metropolitan University) 63 Gould St, Toronto, ON M5B 1E9

Concurrent

10:30am EDT

Teaching AI Concepts Through Hands-On Play

Monday August 17, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am EDT

Thomas Lounge (Oakham House - Toronto Metropolitan University)

This hands-on workshop explores how interactive play can deepen learning about AI. We'll open with a short framing of MIT's approach to play-based learning, then spend most of our time rotating through interactive stations. Each station features a play-based AI activity drawn from MIT curricula, such as generating images of characters that reveal their personality traits, creative programming...
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Speakers

John Masla

Curriculum and Assessment Specialist, MIT

John Masla is a Curriculum and Assessment Specialist with MIT’s Responsible AI for Social Empowerment and Education (MIT RAISE) initiative. His work focuses on developing engaging and empowering AI education experiences. He is also involved in a range of projects surrounding AI... Read More →

Monday August 17, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am EDT
Thomas Lounge (Oakham House - Toronto Metropolitan University) 63 Gould St, Toronto, ON M5B 1E9

Concurrent

11:45am EDT

Lunch

Monday August 17, 2026 11:45am - 12:45pm EDT

Courtyard Lounge (Oakham House - Toronto Metropolitan University)

Lunch will be provided and enjoy time to relax and connect with other participants.

Monday August 17, 2026 11:45am - 12:45pm EDT
Courtyard Lounge (Oakham House - Toronto Metropolitan University) 63 Gould St, Toronto, ON M5B 1E9

Networking

12:45pm EDT

Knowledge Exchange: Global Perspectives on AI in K-12 Education

Monday August 17, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm EDT

Tecumseh Auditorium (Oakham House - Toronto Metropolitan University)

This interactive knowledge exchange will bring together educators, researchers, and system leaders from Canada, Hong Kong, and the United States to share experiences, promising practices, and lessons learned as they navigate AI integration in K–12 education. Through facilitated discussions and cross-cultural dialogue, participants will explore approaches to AI literacy, professional learning,...
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Speakers

Cynthia Breazeal

Professor, MIT

Dr. Cynthia Breazeal is a Professor at the MIT Media Lab where she founded and directs the Personal Robots Group. She is also the founding director of the MIT RAISE Initiative (Responsible AI for Social Empowerment and Education). She is recognized as a pioneer of social robotics... Read More →

Monday August 17, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm EDT
Tecumseh Auditorium (Oakham House - Toronto Metropolitan University) 63 Gould St, Toronto, ON M5B 1E9

Plenary

1:45pm EDT

Break

Monday August 17, 2026 1:45pm - 2:00pm EDT

Oakham House

Grab a refreshment, stretch, and recharge. Engage in informal conversation, reflect, or connect with other participants.

Monday August 17, 2026 1:45pm - 2:00pm EDT
Oakham House 63 Gould St, Toronto, ON M5B 1E9

Networking

2:00pm EDT

Actua AI Playground: Discovering AI Activities for the Classroom

Monday August 17, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT

Tecumseh Auditorium (Oakham House - Toronto Metropolitan University)

Welcome to the Actua AI Playground! A dynamic space where educators can experience Actua’s AI activities firsthand. Through a guided exploration of engaging, classroom-ready activities, participants will discover how AI concepts, digital literacy, and responsible AI practices can be meaningfully integrated across a variety of subject areas and learning experiences. Participants will explore...
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Speakers

Mikayla Ellis

Director of Outreach, Actua

Mikayla Ellis (she/her) is the Director of Outreach at Actua, where she engages with diverse communities to design and deliver impactful STEM programs. She specializes in developing initiatives in partnership with Indigenous communities across Canada's Arctic and other remote regions... Read More →

Mickole Mulano

Digital Skills Educator, Actua

Mickole Mulano (he/him) is the Digital Skills Educator at Actua and is responsible for the design, development, and delivery of STEM, coding, and digital skills content. Mickole holds a BASc in Engineering Science and an MEng in Industrial Engineering from the University of Toronto... Read More →

Monday August 17, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Tecumseh Auditorium (Oakham House - Toronto Metropolitan University) 63 Gould St, Toronto, ON M5B 1E9

Concurrent

2:00pm EDT

Artificial Intelligence for Assessment and Evaluation

Monday August 17, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT

Oakham Lounge (Oakham House - Toronto Metropolitan University)

One of the most significant advantages of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is its ability to support in completing certain tasks, allowing for the user to spend more of their time on those tasks that require the human touch. In this 75-minute workshop, educators can expect to explore a wide range of tools which can be used to support assessment and evaluation in the classroom, as well as the...
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Speakers

Alex Piliounis

Engineering Outreach Program Coordinator, Ontario Tech University

Alex is a member of the Engineering Outreach team at Ontario Tech University, specializing in working with teachers to support the development of engaging STEM activities. He started off his career in the engineering field, getting a degree in mechanical engineering and began working... Read More →

Monday August 17, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Oakham Lounge (Oakham House - Toronto Metropolitan University) 63 Gould St, Toronto, ON M5B 1E9

Concurrent

2:00pm EDT

From Rules to Buy-In: How to Co-Create AI Guidelines Students Will Actually Use

Monday August 17, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT

Thomas Lounge (Oakham House - Toronto Metropolitan University)

Your students are already using AI. Most AI policies are written for classrooms rather than with them. This hands-on workshop takes a different approach. Using a research-backed card game developed at the University of Toronto, you'll experience firsthand how dialogue and play can surface honest conversations about AI, bring every voice into the room, and turn them into guidelines people actually...
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Speakers

Lydia Cao

Assistant Professor, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto

Dr. Lydia Cao is an Assistant Professor at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), University of Toronto. She is an interdisciplinary scholar whose research and teaching explore artificial intelligence in education, computer-supported collaborative learning, immersive... Read More →

Monday August 17, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Thomas Lounge (Oakham House - Toronto Metropolitan University) 63 Gould St, Toronto, ON M5B 1E9

Concurrent

3:00pm EDT

Break & Building Change

Monday August 17, 2026 3:00pm - 3:30pm EDT

Move from Oakham House to Engineering Building

Return to the Engineering Building for the next session. Stretch your legs, grab a coffee or tea, and reset before the program continues.

Monday August 17, 2026 3:00pm - 3:30pm EDT
Move from Oakham House to Engineering Building

Networking

3:30pm EDT

Panel & Closing Remarks: Stories from Practice - What AI looks like in the Classroom

Monday August 17, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT

Third Floor, Sears Atrium (George Vari Engineering and Computing Centre, ENG - Toronto Metropolitan University)

Educators are already experimenting with AI in ways that are reshaping lesson planning, student projects, and everyday classroom learning. In this panel, teachers from different countries and subject areas will share how they’ve been using AI tools to support their work and open up new possibilities for student engagement and learning. Panelists will bring examples from their classrooms from...
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Moderators

Jen Spencer

VP, Outreach & Education, Actua

Speakers

Adam Pounder

Head of Social Sciences, Havergal College

Adnan Zuberi

Math & Computer Science Teacher, UTS

Adnan Zuberi has worked in education innovation over the past 15 years. Previously, he has served as director of AI integration at the University of Toronto Schools, founder of an award-winning AI-based EdTech startup that attracted an acquisition offer, AI programs lead at the Fields... Read More →

Emily Cyr

Postdoctoral Fellow, York University

Dr. Emily Cyr (she/her) is a social scientist and educator dedicated to driving evidence-based change in educational spaces. With a PhD in social psychology and a background in developmental science and advanced statistical analysis, Emily specializes in translating complex data into... Read More →

Yat Kin Martin Lai

Deputy Panel Head of English Department, Salesian English School

Martin Lai is the deputy English panel head at Salesian English School and is experienced in teaching both junior and senior form English. He is an active practitioner of IT and AI in education. Martin has collaborated extensively with the Education Bureau (EDB) as a resource teacher... Read More →

Monday August 17, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
Third Floor, Sears Atrium (George Vari Engineering and Computing Centre, ENG - Toronto Metropolitan University) 245 Church St, Toronto, ON M5B 2R2

Plenary

8:00am EDT

Check-in & Breakfast

Tuesday August 18, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am EDT

First Floor (George Vari Engineering and Computing Centre, ENG - Toronto Metropolitan University)

Check in for the AI Exchange: Empowering Educators for Tomorrow. Grab breakfast, spark conversations with other educators, and ease into the conference environment before sessions begin.

Tuesday August 18, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am EDT
First Floor (George Vari Engineering and Computing Centre, ENG - Toronto Metropolitan University) 245 Church St, Toronto, ON M5B 2R2

Networking

9:00am EDT

Creating, Together

Tuesday August 18, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am EDT

Third Floor, Sears Atrium (George Vari Engineering and Computing Centre, ENG - Toronto Metropolitan University)

Creating is one of the most human things we do—a way of expressing ourselves, making sense of ideas, and connecting with one another. Our creating, and what we learn from it, are deepened when supported by others, whether as guides, collaborators, audiences, or critics. Generative AI is radically reshaping what we can create and how, inviting timely questions about the social dimension of...
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Speakers

Karen Brennan

Timothy E. Wirth Professor of Practice in Learning Technologies, Harvard University

Karen Brennan is the Timothy E. Wirth Professor of Practice in Learning Technologies at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and an affiliate in Computer Science. Her work focuses on the design of learning experiences in K-12 computer science, including the development of computational... Read More →

Tuesday August 18, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am EDT
Third Floor, Sears Atrium (George Vari Engineering and Computing Centre, ENG - Toronto Metropolitan University) 245 Church St, Toronto, ON M5B 2R2

Plenary

10:15am EDT

Break & Building Change

Tuesday August 18, 2026 10:15am - 10:30am EDT

Move from Engineering Building to Oakham House

Take a few minutes to move to the next session, stretch your legs, and reset before the program continues.

Tuesday August 18, 2026 10:15am - 10:30am EDT
Move from Engineering Building to Oakham House

Networking

10:30am EDT

Adoption of AI - Lessons from Beyond the Classroom

Tuesday August 18, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT

Tecumseh Auditorium (Oakham House - Toronto Metropolitan University)

AI is being used in law, research, and industry, and each of these fields has had to make decisions about how to adopt it responsibly, where to apply it, and what risks to watch closely. This panel brings together perspectives from different fields to share what they’ve learned about working with AI in real-world contexts. Panelists will discuss practical considerations such as privacy,...
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Moderators

Allison Posey

Instructional Designer, MIT

Allison Posey is an Instructional Designer with the STEP lab at MIT. Prior to that, she designed and led programs in schools, universities, and workforce settings to apply Universal Design principles. Specifically, she worked on programs that increased access to STEM. She is the author... Read More →

Speakers

Ritesh Kotak

Tech Lawyer and Media Contributor, Ritesh Kotak Consulting

Ritesh Kotak is a technologist, lawyer, and media contributor whose career bridges public safety, emerging technology, and innovation. Raised in an entrepreneurial family and grounded in the food manufacturing industry, he developed a deep appreciation for business and tech-integration... Read More →

Earl Woodruff

Professor, University of Toronto

Dr. Woodruff is a collaborative educator, researcher, and technology leader focused on improving learning through thoughtful innovation. An original member of the Knowledge Forum design team, formerly CSILE, he has long worked at the intersection of teaching, design, and inquiry... Read More →

Kathryn Hume

VP AI Engineering, Vector Institute

Kathryn Hume is an AI and engineering leader focused on building products at the frontier of AI and engineering. Prior to joining Vector, she held multiple technology leadership positions in financial services, including Chief Technology Officer for Tangerine Bank, Vice President... Read More →

Hossein Rahnama

Rogers Research Chair in Artificial Intelligence and Human Creativity, Toronto Metropolitan University

Professor Hossein Rahnama is the Rogers Research Chair in Artificial Intelligence and Human Creativity at Toronto Metropolitan University and a Visiting Professor at the MIT Media Lab, where he also leads the sAipien Program.Beyond his academic roles, he is the Founder and CEO of... Read More →

Tuesday August 18, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
Tecumseh Auditorium (Oakham House - Toronto Metropolitan University) 63 Gould St, Toronto, ON M5B 1E9

Plenary

11:30am EDT

Lunch

Tuesday August 18, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT

Courtyard Lounge (Oakham House - Toronto Metropolitan University)

Lunch will be provided and enjoy time to relax and connect with other participants.

Tuesday August 18, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Courtyard Lounge (Oakham House - Toronto Metropolitan University) 63 Gould St, Toronto, ON M5B 1E9

Networking

12:30pm EDT

Break & Building Change

Tuesday August 18, 2026 12:30pm - 12:45pm EDT

Move from Oakham House to Engineering Building

Take a few minutes to return to the Engineer Building, stretch your legs, and reset before the our final session.

Tuesday August 18, 2026 12:30pm - 12:45pm EDT
Move from Oakham House to Engineering Building

Networking

12:45pm EDT

SynergAI: The Future of Learning Hackathon

Tuesday August 18, 2026 12:45pm - 2:45pm EDT

Third Floor, Sears Atrium (George Vari Engineering and Computing Centre, ENG - Toronto Metropolitan University)

As a dynamic component of the Al Exchange: Empowering Educators for Tomorrow conference, the SynergAI Hackathon is an intensive, two-hour design sprint. This event will unite educators, students, teachers, and researchers to collaboratively ideate and prototype the future of K-12 education. The core mission is to showcase how AI can serve as a powerful tool to personalize education, enhance...
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Speakers

Hossein Rahnama

Rogers Research Chair in Artificial Intelligence and Human Creativity, Toronto Metropolitan University

Tuesday August 18, 2026 12:45pm - 2:45pm EDT
Third Floor, Sears Atrium (George Vari Engineering and Computing Centre, ENG - Toronto Metropolitan University) 245 Church St, Toronto, ON M5B 2R2

Plenary

2:45pm EDT

Break

Tuesday August 18, 2026 2:45pm - 3:00pm EDT

Third Floor, Sears Atrium (George Vari Engineering and Computing Centre, ENG - Toronto Metropolitan University)

Grab a refreshment, stretch, and recharge. Engage in informal conversation, reflect, or connect with other participants.

Tuesday August 18, 2026 2:45pm - 3:00pm EDT
Third Floor, Sears Atrium (George Vari Engineering and Computing Centre, ENG - Toronto Metropolitan University) 245 Church St, Toronto, ON M5B 2R2

Networking

3:00pm EDT

Why AI Literacy is Not Enough: The Roles of AI Resilience and AI Agency in Promoting Success

Tuesday August 18, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm EDT

Third Floor, Sears Atrium (George Vari Engineering and Computing Centre, ENG - Toronto Metropolitan University)

This session will examine research on how AI is affecting individuals and the economy and identify gaps in how we think about preparing the next generation to succeed, which requires rethinking the skills we teach students in school. Evidence from both economic data, and education research will point the way forward.

Speakers

Eric Klopfer

Professor, MIT

Dr. Eric Klopfer is Professor and Director of the Scheller Teacher Education Program and The Education Arcade at MIT. He is also co-PI of MIT's RAISE initiative in AI education. His research focuses on technology and pedagogy for building understanding of science, technology, engineering... Read More →

Tuesday August 18, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm EDT
Third Floor, Sears Atrium (George Vari Engineering and Computing Centre, ENG - Toronto Metropolitan University) 245 Church St, Toronto, ON M5B 2R2

Plenary

3:45pm EDT

Closing Remarks

Tuesday August 18, 2026 3:45pm - 4:00pm EDT

Third Floor, Sears Atrium (George Vari Engineering and Computing Centre, ENG - Toronto Metropolitan University)

Following the closing keynote, the team will share a few final reflections and next steps to bring the event to a close.

Speakers

Allison Posey

Instructional Designer, MIT

Abbey Ramdeo

National Program Manager, Actua

Tuesday August 18, 2026 3:45pm - 4:00pm EDT
Third Floor, Sears Atrium (George Vari Engineering and Computing Centre, ENG - Toronto Metropolitan University) 245 Church St, Toronto, ON M5B 2R2

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