Ottawa AI Tech Summit 2025
Summit Highlights
Three days of AI innovation and networking in Canada's capital
AI Strategy & Vision
Government and industry AI leaders
Opening keynotes & welcome reception
Technical Workshops
Hands-on AI/ML sessions
Live coding & demos
Innovation Showcase
Connect with 800+ AI professionals
Startup pitch competition & awards
Keynote Speakers
Leading voices in AI research, policy, and industry innovation
Dr. Sarah Chen
Chief AI Officer, Government of Canada
Leading Canada's national AI strategy and digital transformation initiatives.
Marcus Thompson
CEO, NeuralPath AI
Pioneer in conversational AI and natural language processing systems.
Prof. Emily Rodriguez
Director, uOttawa AI Research Lab
Renowned researcher in machine learning ethics and explainable AI.
James Mitchell
VP Engineering, Shopify AI Division
Scaling AI solutions for millions of global e-commerce businesses.
Dr. Priya Sharma
Head of AI Ethics, Microsoft Canada
Expert in responsible AI development and algorithmic fairness.
Alexandre Dubois
CTO, Element AI (ServiceNow)
Building enterprise AI solutions and advancing computer vision research.
Dr. Jennifer Park
Senior Research Scientist, Vector Institute
Leading breakthrough research in deep learning and neural networks.
Michael O'Brien
Founder & CEO, Cohere
Revolutionizing business AI with large language model applications.
Dr. Fatima Al-Rashid
AI Healthcare Lead, CHEO Research Institute
Applying AI to pediatric healthcare and medical diagnostics.
David Kim
Head of AI, TD Bank
Transforming financial services through AI and machine learning.
Dr. Rachel Anderson
Director, CIFAR AI & Society Program
Examining AI's societal impact and policy implications.
Thomas Laurent
AI Startup Accelerator, Invest Ottawa
Supporting Ottawa's next generation of AI entrepreneurs and innovators.
3-Day Program
Comprehensive agenda covering AI strategy, technical workshops, and innovation
Opening Day: AI Strategy & Vision
Government policy, industry leadership, and strategic insights
Registration & Welcome Coffee
Main Foyer
Opening Keynote: Canada's AI Future
Dr. Sarah Chen, Chief AI Officer, Government of Canada
Main Hall
Panel: Enterprise AI Transformation
James Mitchell (Shopify), David Kim (TD Bank), Alexandre Dubois (ServiceNow)
Main Hall
Networking Break
Expo Hall
AI Ethics & Responsible Development
Dr. Priya Sharma, Microsoft Canada
Main Hall
Lunch & Networking
Grand Ballroom
Vector Institute Research Showcase
Dr. Jennifer Park, Vector Institute
Main Hall
AI in Healthcare Innovation
Dr. Fatima Al-Rashid, CHEO Research Institute
Workshop Room A
Afternoon Coffee & Sponsor Showcase
Expo Hall
Building Conversational AI
Michael O'Brien, Cohere
Main Hall
Welcome Reception
Networking, appetizers, and live music
Rooftop Terrace
Workshop Day: Hands-on Technical Sessions
Deep dives into AI implementation, tools, and methodologies
Morning Coffee & Networking
Main Foyer
Workshop Block A (Choose One)
MLOps & Model Deployment - Room A
Computer Vision Applications - Room B
Natural Language Processing - Room C
Lunch Break
Grand Ballroom
Workshop Block B (Choose One)
Generative AI & LLMs - Room A
AI Ethics Implementation - Room B
Reinforcement Learning - Room C
Afternoon Break
Expo Hall
Workshop Presentations & Q&A
Share learnings from the day's sessions
Main Hall
Innovation Awards Dinner
Celebrating Ottawa's AI achievements
Château Laurier Ballroom
Innovation Day: Startups & Future Trends
Startup showcase, pitch competition, and emerging AI trends
Morning Coffee
Main Foyer
Future of AI Research
Prof. Emily Rodriguez, uOttawa AI Research Lab
Main Hall
Startup Pitch Competition (Round 1)
20 startups present 3-minute pitches
Main Hall
Networking Break
Expo Hall
Startup Expo & Demos
Hands-on demonstrations from finalists
Innovation Hub
Lunch & Judging Deliberation
Grand Ballroom
AI Policy & Society
Dr. Rachel Anderson, CIFAR
Main Hall
Supporting AI Entrepreneurship
Thomas Laurent, Invest Ottawa
Main Hall
Final Networking & Coffee
Expo Hall
Closing Ceremony & Awards
Pitch competition results & summit wrap-up
Main Hall
Closing Celebration
Farewell drinks and continued networking
Rooftop Terrace
Technical Workshops & Labs
Hands-on learning experiences with industry experts (Day 2)
Deep dive into cutting-edge AI technologies with our intensive workshop program. Each session is limited to 30 participants to ensure personalized attention and hands-on learning.
Morning Block A (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM)
MLOps & Model Deployment
Led by: Alex Chen, Senior ML Engineer, Shopify
Learn to deploy, monitor, and maintain machine learning models in production environments.
What You'll Learn:
- Model versioning and deployment strategies
- Monitoring model performance and drift
- CI/CD pipelines for ML workflows
- Docker containerization for models
- A/B testing ML models in production
Prerequisites:
Python experience, basic ML knowledge, laptop required
Computer Vision Applications
Led by: Dr. Priya Sharma, Microsoft Canada
Build real-world computer vision applications using state-of-the-art deep learning techniques.
What You'll Learn:
- Object detection and image classification
- Transfer learning with pre-trained models
- Data augmentation techniques
- Real-time video processing
- Deployment with Azure Cognitive Services
Prerequisites:
Python, basic neural network concepts, laptop with GPU preferred
Natural Language Processing
Led by: Dr. Maria Santos, NLP Research Lead, Cohere
Master the fundamentals of NLP from text preprocessing to advanced language models.
What You'll Learn:
- Text preprocessing and tokenization
- Sentiment analysis and classification
- Named entity recognition (NER)
- Working with transformer models
- Building chatbots and Q&A systems
Prerequisites:
Basic Python knowledge, no prior NLP experience required
Afternoon Block B (1:00 PM - 4:00 PM)
Generative AI & Large Language Models
Led by: Michael O'Brien, Founder & CEO, Cohere
Explore the latest in generative AI, from GPT models to business applications.
What You'll Learn:
- Understanding transformer architecture
- Fine-tuning large language models
- Prompt engineering best practices
- Building LLM-powered applications
- Ethical considerations in generative AI
Prerequisites:
Strong ML background, experience with PyTorch/TensorFlow
AI Ethics Implementation
Led by: Dr. Rachel Anderson, CIFAR AI & Society
Learn practical approaches to implementing ethical AI in your organization.
What You'll Learn:
- Bias detection and mitigation strategies
- Fairness metrics and evaluation
- Explainable AI techniques
- Privacy-preserving ML methods
- Building ethical review processes
Prerequisites:
Basic understanding of AI/ML concepts, no coding required
Reinforcement Learning
Led by: Dr. Jennifer Park, Vector Institute
Master the principles of reinforcement learning and its real-world applications.
What You'll Learn:
- Q-learning and policy gradient methods
- Deep reinforcement learning with PyTorch
- Multi-agent reinforcement learning
- Applications in robotics and gaming
- Hyperparameter tuning and optimization
Prerequisites:
Strong Python and ML background, calculus and linear algebra
Workshop Registration
How to Register
- Student & Early Professional: Choose 1 workshop
- Regular: Choose up to 2 workshops
- VIP All-Access: Access to all workshops
Workshop selections are made during main event registration. Spots are first-come, first-served within each ticket tier.
What's Included
- 3-hour intensive hands-on session
- All code examples and datasets
- Digital workshop materials
- Certificate of completion
- Follow-up resources and community access
Innovation Showcase
Discover the next generation of AI startups and breakthrough technologies
Startup Pitch Competition
20 carefully selected AI startups will present their innovative solutions to a panel of expert judges and potential investors.
- First Place: $25,000 + 1-year mentorship program
- Second Place: $15,000 + Vector Institute partnership
- Third Place: $10,000 + Invest Ottawa support
Expert Judging Panel
Our distinguished panel includes:
- Sarah Chen - Government of Canada AI Strategy
- Marcus Thompson - CEO, NeuralPath AI
- Thomas Laurent - Invest Ottawa
- Jennifer Park - Vector Institute Researcher
- Michael O'Brien - Founder, Cohere
Judging criteria: Innovation, market potential, technical execution, and scalability.
Participating Startups
Meet the 20 innovative companies showcasing AI solutions across various industries:
MediCore AI
Healthcare
AI-powered diagnostic imaging for early disease detection
EduBot Solutions
Education
Personalized AI tutoring systems for K-12 students
GreenAI Analytics
Sustainability
Machine learning for energy optimization in smart buildings
FinanceFlow AI
Fintech
Automated financial planning and investment optimization
AgriTech Vision
Agriculture
Computer vision for crop monitoring and yield prediction
CyberGuard AI
Security
AI-driven threat detection and cybersecurity solutions
TranslateNow
Language
Real-time multilingual communication for businesses
RetailMind
Retail
Predictive analytics for inventory and customer behavior
RoboAssist
Manufacturing
AI-powered robotic process automation
ClimatePredict
Environment
Advanced weather modeling and climate risk assessment
LegalAI Pro
Legal Tech
Automated contract analysis and legal document generation
HealthBot Plus
Healthcare
AI-powered patient triage and symptom assessment
SmartLogistics
Supply Chain
Optimization algorithms for delivery and warehousing
VoiceAnalytics
Communications
Emotion recognition and sentiment analysis in voice data
DataSecure AI
Privacy
Automated data anonymization and privacy protection
CreativeAI Studio
Media
AI-generated content for marketing and advertising
TransportAI
Transportation
Autonomous vehicle navigation and traffic optimization
NeuroTech Labs
Neuroscience
Brain-computer interfaces for assistive technologies
EnergyOptim AI
Energy
Smart grid optimization and renewable energy forecasting
GameChanger AI
Gaming
Procedural game content generation and player behavior analysis
Competition Schedule (Day 3)
Round 1: Pitch Presentations
Time: 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Format: 3-minute pitches + 2-minute Q&A
Location: Main Hall
All 20 startups present to judges and audience
Demo Expo
Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Format: Interactive demonstrations
Location: Innovation Hub
Hands-on experience with finalist products
Awards Ceremony
Time: 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM (Closing Ceremony)
Location: Main Hall
Winners announced with networking reception to follow
Our Sponsors
Thank you to our partners making this summit possible
Platinum Sponsors
Leading AI research and cloud computing solutions
E-commerce AI and machine learning innovation
National AI strategy and digital transformation
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Interested in Sponsoring?
Join leading organizations supporting AI innovation in Canada
Become a SponsorVenue & Accommodation
Everything you need to know about getting to and staying in Ottawa
Shaw Centre
55 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON K1N 9J2
Ottawa's premier conference facility located in the heart of downtown, just minutes from Parliament Hill and major attractions.
Facility Features
- 200,000 sq ft of flexible meeting space
- State-of-the-art AV equipment in all rooms
- High-speed WiFi throughout the facility
- Multiple catering options and networking spaces
- Fully accessible with barrier-free design
- Climate-controlled environment
Location & Directions
Address: 55 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON
Coordinates: 45.4215° N, 75.6972° W
Getting There
🚗 By Car
Paid parking available on-site and nearby. Street parking is limited in downtown Ottawa.
🚌 Public Transit (OC Transpo)
Take the O-Train to Rideau Station, then connect to bus routes 7, 14, or 18 to Colonel By/Laurier stop.
✈️ From Airport
Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport is 20 minutes by car or taxi. Airport shuttle services available.
🚶♀️ Walking
Downtown hotels are within 10-minute walk. Rideau Centre shopping mall is 5 minutes away.
Recommended Hotels
We've secured special conference rates at these nearby hotels. Book early for best availability!
Fairmont Chateau Laurier
Historic luxury hotel in the heart of Ottawa. Elegant rooms with Parliament Hill views.
- Spa and fitness center
- Multiple dining options
- Business center and concierge
- Pet-friendly
Booking Code: AITECH2025
Phone: (613) 241-1414
Lord Elgin Hotel
Boutique hotel with modern amenities and historic charm, near major attractions.
- Fitness center
- On-site restaurant
- Business facilities
- Concierge services
Booking Code: OTTAWA-AI-SUMMIT
Phone: (613) 235-3333
The Westin Ottawa
Modern business hotel with premium amenities
Code: AI2025
Delta Ottawa City Centre
Contemporary hotel with pool and fitness facilities
Code: AITECH25
Novotel Ottawa
European-style hotel with restaurant and bar
Code: SUMMIT2025
Important Booking Information
- Deadline: April 15, 2025 for conference rates
- Cancellation: 48-hour notice required
- Check-in: May 14, 2025 (early arrival recommended)
- Check-out: May 18, 2025 (late departure available)
- Group Size: Minimum 2-night stay required for conference rate
Explore Ottawa
Make the most of your visit to Canada's capital city
Parliament Hill
10-minute walk
Iconic government buildings with free tours and changing of the guard ceremony
National Gallery of Canada
5-minute walk
World-class art collection including Canadian and Indigenous works
ByWard Market
10-minute walk
Historic market area with restaurants, shops, and nightlife
Rideau Canal
Adjacent
UNESCO World Heritage site perfect for walking and photography
For Attendees' Families
Canadian Museum of History
15 minutes • Interactive exhibits and IMAX theatre
Canadian Museum of Nature
10 minutes • Dinosaurs, minerals, and planetarium
Ottawa River Boat Tours
5 minutes • Scenic river cruises and city views
Register for Ottawa AI Tech Summit 2025
Choose your ticket tier and customize your experience
Student
Only 100 spots available
- All keynote sessions
- Networking events
- Digital materials
- Student ID required
Early Professional
Under 5 years experience
- All keynote sessions
- Choose 1 workshop track
- All networking events
- Summit materials
Regular
Standard admission
- All keynote sessions
- Choose 2 workshop tracks
- All networking events
- Summit materials
- Startup expo access
VIP All-Access
Complete experience
- All keynote sessions
- All workshop tracks
- VIP networking dinner
- Private speaker meet & greets
- Premium summit materials
- Priority seating