Join us for a transformative one-day summit that cuts through the AI noise to deliver real, actionable strategies for Alberta's business leaders.

The artificial intelligence revolution is here, but are you ready to move beyond the headlines to meaningful implementation? Hosted by SAIT, Society 5.0 and Braintoy, the SAIT AI Summit: From Hype to Impact brings together industry leaders, innovators, and practitioners to explore how AI can drive genuine business impact across Alberta's key sectors.

This isn't another AI hype session. We're focused on practical applications, real-world case studies, and actionable strategies that you can implement immediately. Whether you're taking your first steps into AI or looking to scale existing initiatives, this summit provides the insights, tools, and connections you need to succeed.

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Attend the summit

The summit will run on Wednesday, Oct 22, from 7:30 am to 4 pm, with a networking event from 4-6 pm to follow. Tickets are $99 + GST. 

The summit will focus on four strategic pillars: 

  • The state of AI in Alberta and why it matters - Keynote exploring global trends, local success stories, productivity impacts, workforce implications, and Canadian AI regulations (AIDA)
  • Leadership: Getting started and beyond - Interactive breakouts covering AI quick wins, transformation strategies, non-technical leadership, change management, team building, and 90-day action plans with hands-on demonstrations
  • Talent pipeline: Building Alberta's AI-Ready workforce - Executive roundtables addressing role impacts, reskilling strategies, learning cultures, post-secondary alignment, and industry-academic partnerships
  • Sector-specific AI applications - Industry-focused breakouts for construction, energy, supply chain, finance, and public services with real-world applications and case studies

Venue and travel details

The event will be hosted in the Heritage Hall building, on SAIT's main campus

Sessions will be held in SAIT's state-of-the-art conference facilities, providing an ideal environment for learning, networking, and hands-on demonstrations.

Getting to campus

  • Driving - Parking is available on campus
  • Transit - Accessible via Calgary Transit Routes 9 and 301
  • Airport - 20 minutes from Calgary International Airport (YYC)

Schedule

 Download a .pdf schedule

Time  Activity Location
7:30 - 8:30 am

Check-in and Continental breakfast

Irene Lewis Atrium

8:30 - 8:45 am

Welcome program

Irene Lewis Atrium

8:45 - 9:30 am 

Keynote: The Intelligence Frontier – Navigating the Future of AI

Presented by: Bill Wong, AI Research Fellow, Info-Tech

Irene Lewis Atrium

9:30 - 10 am

Networking break

Irene Lewis Atrium

10 - 10:45 am

Concurrent breakout sessions

Opportunities at the Intersection of AI and Energy

Moderated by: Mark Speaker
Panelists: Graeme Harrison, Augur VC; Kurtis Poettcker, AbaData; Daniel Erhardt, Arcus Power; Hon. Doug Schweitzer, Ultimarii

Irene Lewis Atrium

Accelerating Responsible AI powered Transformation, Balancing Innovation and Risks

Presented by: Pradeep Karpur, EY and Jason Hinchliff, Cenovus

MacDonald Hall

It Takes a Village to Raise a Model: Building Practical AI for Risk Management

Presented by: Michael Nar and Alireza Farhangdoost, Helcim

Heritage Hall
AA109

The Modern Investment Management Firm in 2030

Presented by: Ben Reeves, Viewpoint Investment Partners

Hertiage Hall
AA124

The Future of Work: How Agentic AI is Transforming Workflows and What it Means for Your Organization

Presented by: Ian Hargreaves, ATB Financial

Heritage Hall
AA 117

From Hype to Impact: How Leaders Can Identify the Right AI Use Cases with Real ROI

Presented by: Joseph Ngae

Heritage Hall
AA119

Ellis Don VR Headset Demo 

Facilitated by: Mahsa Rezvani and Ana Davisson

Available 9:30 am - 10:30 am

Heritage Hall
AA 118
10:45 - 11:15 am

Networking break

Irene Lewis Atrium

11:15 am - 12 pm

Concurrent breakout sessions

Implementing AI in the Largest Industries

Moderated by: Bri Falls, Leeg Group.
Panelists: Janak Alford, Government of Alberta; Marvin Wong, SECURE; Mark Derry, ARC Resources; Pradeep Karpur, EY

Irene Lewis Atrium

Autonomous Intelligence in the Field: A Case Study in Rod Pump Analytics

Presented by: Gabriel Jarillo Alvarado, Emerson

Heritage Hall
AA 119

Zero to One in AI - Move from Fear to Flow

Presented by: Christa Hill, Tacit Edge

Heritage Hall 
AA 124

Build Your Own Client Chatbot / Virtual Assistant

Presented by: Kanika Sehgal, Braintoy

Heritage Hall 
AA 117

From AI Hype to Market Reality: Building Solutions That Actually Work

Presented by: Jesse James, ViCARE

Heritage Hall
AA 109

A Conversation about Funding

Moderated by: Denise Baril, The Grant Sherpa;. Panelists: Archana Singh, PrairiesCan; Hamid Sarreshtehdari, NRC-IRAP; Deana Haley, Calgary Economic Development; Graham Blyth, Copoint

MacDonald Hall

12 - 1 pm

Lunch and networking break Irene Lewis Atrium

Time  Activity Location
1 - 1:05 pm

Afternoon welcome

Irene Lewis Atrium

1:05 - 1:30 pm

Keynote: From Hype to Human Impact — Making AI Work for Business

Presented by: Sir Nishan Chelvachandran, Founder, CEO - Iron Lakes; FRSA

Irene Lewis Atrium

1:30 - 2:15 pm

Talent panel

Moderated by: Brenda Beckedorf, Society 5.0; Sir Nishan Chelvachandran, Founder, CEO - Iron Lakes; FRSA.
Panelists: D'Andre Wilson-Ihejirika, ICTC-CTIC; Jeff Cartwright, S.I. Systems; Michelle Dolan, MNP Community & Sport Centre

Irene Lewis Atrium

2:15 - 2:45 pm

Networking break

Irene Lewis Atrium

2:45 - 3:30 pm

Concurrent breakout sessions

AI and Talent in Calgary

Moderated by: Phil Burns, Tech Thursday. Panelists: Shaharyar Ahmad, Robin; Amanda Broos, Neo Financial; Jana Shelford, Validere

Irene Lewis Atrium

Construction Roundtable

Moderated by: Olivia Brown, Ellis Don.
Panelists: Stephen Wensley, Acuspire; Piya Kaluthantirige, SAIT; Jessie Mazzei, City of Calgary

MacDonald Hall

Supply Chain Roundtable

Moderated by: Taylor Nikkel, Toast.
Panelists: Allan To, Supply Chain Canada; Curtis Nybo, CGI; Jeremy Garton, Your 360 Growth; Ian Gonzalez, NOVA Chemicals

Heritage Hall
AA117

Education Roundtable

Moderated by: Matthew Hall, SAIT.
Panelists: D'Andre Wilson-Ihejirika, ICTC-CTIC; Erik Christiansen,Mount Royal University; Frank Bergdoll, SAIT; Suhayl Patel, Bow Valley College

Hertiage Hall
AA109

Ellis Don VR Headset Demo 

Facilitated by: Mahsa Rezvani and Ana Davisson

Available 2:15 - 3:30 pm

Heritage Hall
AA 118
3:30 - 3:45 pm

Networking break

Irene Lewis Atrium

3:45 - 4 pm

Closing program

4 - 6 pm 

Reception Irene Lewis Atrium

 

Speakers, panellists and moderators

Bill Wong
AI Research Fellow
Info-Tech Research Group

Sir Nishan Chelvachandran
Founder, CEO
Iron Lakes

Christa Hill
Co-Founder and CEO
Tacit Edge

Gabriel Jarillo Alvarado
Product Manager, Zedi Platform
Emerson

Janak Alford
Deputy Minister of Technology and Innovation
Government of Alberta

Pradeep Karpur
Partner, Canadian Leader for AI & Data
Ernst & Young

Olivia Brown
Senior Manager, Innovation & Construction Technology
Ellis Don

Jesse James
Co-Founder & Full Stack Engineer
Vi CARE + Cherish Community Living Ltd.

Mark Le Dain
Chief Revenue Officer
Fuelled

Kwame Asiedu
Chief Executive Officer
Braintoy

Brenda Beckedorf
Chief Executive Officer
Society Five.0

Ian Hargreaves
Data Science Fellow
ATB

Joseph Ngae
Senior Manager – Business & Solution Integration Architect

Hamid Sarreshtehdari
Industrial Technology Advisor
NRC-IRAP

Archana Singh
PrairieCan

Suhayl Patel
Associate Dean of the Centre for Workforce Development
Bow Valley College

Taylor Nikkel
Senior Recruiter
Toast

Jason Hinchliff
CIO and VP – Data & Information Technology
Cenovus Energy

Curtis Nybo
Director of AI & Quantum Computing
CGI

Jessie Mazzei
Construction Project Manager
City of Calgary

Shaharyar Ahmad
Eggspansion Lead
Robin

Michael Nar
Director of Data and Risk
Helcim

Alireza Farhangdoost
Data Scientist
Helcim

Kanika Sehgal
Data Scientist
Braintoy

Bri Falls
Co-CEO & Chief Business Officer
Leeg Group

Denise Baril
The Grant Sherpa

Philippe Burns
CEO & Co-Founder
Tech Thursday

Amanda Broos
Chief People Officer
Neo Financial

D'Andre Wilson-Ihejirika
Sr. Director Program Design
ICTC-CTIC

Daniel Erhardt
CEO
Arcus Power

Erik Christiansen
Assistant Professor / Librarian
Mount Royal University

Graham Blyth
Director, Science
Copoint

Hon. Doug Schweitzer
Co-Founder and CEO
Ultimarii Ltd.

Mark Derry
Manager of Data and Analytics
ARC Resources

Michelle Dolan
Human Resources Director
MNP Community & Sport Centre

 

Ben Reeves
Senior VP, Data Science & Engineering
Viewpoint Investment Partners

 

Allan To
President & CEO
Supply Chain Canada – West

 

Deana Haley
VP, Intelligence, Productivity & Economic Developer in Residence
Calgary Economic Development

 

Frank Bergdoll
AI Program Lead
SAIT

 

Graeme Harrison
Managing Partner
Augur VC

 

Ian Gonzalez
Advisor, SC&P Analytics
NOVA Chemicals

 

Jana Shelford
VP, Talent & Business Strategy
Validere

 

Jeff Cartwright
Chief Growth Officer
S.i. Systems

 

Jeremy Garton
Consultant
Your 360 Growth

 

Kurtis Poettcker
CTO
AbaData

 

Marvin Wong
VP – Business Intelligence, Technology & Security
SECURE

 

Stephen Wensley
Founder / CEO
Acuspire

 

Ana Davisson
Virtual Design and Construction Coordinator
Ellis Don

 

Mahsa Rezvani
Virtual Design and Construction Coordinator
Ellis Don

The SAIT AI Summit: From Hype to Impact is brought to you by:

 

Logo of Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF) featuring a stylized red "oc" and bold black text.

 

 

 

Long View logo featuring a green and yellow circular design with a stylized "L".

Contact

Questions?

Email
AI.Summit@sait.ca

Oki, Âba wathtech, Danit'ada, Tawnshi, Hello.

SAIT is located on the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of Treaty 7 which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Îyârhe Nakoda of Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney.

We are situated in an area the Blackfoot tribes traditionally called Moh’kinsstis, where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. We now call it the city of Calgary, which is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta.