Talent, Technology and Trust: Launch of the Council of Ontario Universities’ AI Task Force Report

Artificial intelligence is advancing at an unprecedented pace—reshaping industries, redefining work, transforming student learning, and accelerating global competition in real time. Jurisdictions that move quickly will lead; those that hesitate risk falling behind. Ontario is at a pivotal moment—and must act decisively.On Friday, May 29, 2026, the Empire Club of Canada convened a thought-provoking panel bringing together leaders from universities, industry, and Canada’s AI ecosystem to examine how Ontario can respond with urgency and turn this moment into sustained economic growth, productivity gains, and global competitiveness—while maintaining public trust.Drawing on the insights of the Council of Ontario Universities’ AI Task Force, this discussion focused on the actions required now to move beyond early-stage adoption toward leadership in the global AI economy. The conversation will examine how Ontario can rapidly prepare students for an AI-driven workforce through accelerated curriculum transformation and AI-enabled learning; build secure, Canadian-based data and computing infrastructure to ensure sovereignty and strategic control; and support industry in scaling AI adoption to drive innovation, investment, intellectual property creation, and productivity across key sectors.The panel featured Vivek Goel, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Waterloo and Chair of the COU AI Task Force, a leading voice on advancing AI talent and responsible adoption; Shannon Bell, Executive Vice President, Chief Digital Officer and Chief Information, OpenText, with deep expertise in scaling Canadian innovation in highly competitive global markets; and Glenda Crisp, President and CEO of the Vector Institute, at the forefront of Canada’s AI research and talent ecosystem. Together, they brought a cross-sector perspective on what it will take for Ontario to act decisively and compete at speed. The panel was moderated by Vass Bednar, Managing Director, Canadian Shield Institute.Brief remarks were also be delivered by The Honourable Nolan Quinn, Ontario’s Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security; and Karim Bardeesy, Member of Parliament, Taiaiako’n—Parkdale—High Park and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minster of Industry. This event also served as the official public launch of the Council of Ontario Universities’ AI Task Force report.  Attendees gained early access to its findings and engage directly with leaders shaping Ontario’s response to one of the most consequential technological shifts in decades.