AI Takes a Village

EAR TO THE GROUND

When it comes to understanding how artificial intelligence is reshaping the world of work, researcher Tony Fang believes the answers cannot come from one sector alone. “We’ve brought together scholars, industry leaders, and policymakers to explore the impact of emerging technologies like AI and remote work on productivity and newcomer integration,” says Fang, Stephen Jarislowsky Chair in Economic and Cultural Transformation at Memorial University of Newfoundland. To dive deep into the topic, his team, in partnership with the Diversity Institute at Toronto Metropolitan University, co-organized the 2025 AI, Remote Work and Productivity International Conference in St. John’s earlier this year.

A showcase of what happens when sectors work together to shape Canada’s digital future, the two-day conference explored how artificial intelligence and new work arrangements are transforming productivity, inclusion, and economic growth. Discussions moved fluidly between theory and practice, examining how Canada’s small and medium-sized enterprises can adopt AI responsibly, how workers can upskill for a changing economy, and how technology can enhance equity rather than deepen divides.

Building partnerships that drive innovation

The conference built on years of collaborative groundwork led by the organizers. In Atlantic Canada, where Fang’s Bridging Divides research team is leading a project on the impacts of AI on business and immigrant workers in the post-COVID era, the initiative connects Memorial University with business and non-profit organizations across the region, including the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce, Public Policy Forum, Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia, and the Saint John Newcomers Centre.

These partnerships have sparked community-driven research and Mitacs-funded internships that link students and researchers directly with local employers and newcomer organizations. The result is a trusted regional network focused on exploring the ways in which technology can both improve productivity and strengthen labour market participation and newcomer retention while supporting multicultural, inclusive communities.

The conference was hosted at Memorial University of Newfoundland in St. John’s, bringing together lessons from Atlantic Canada and beyond to a national and international audience. The event, explains Fang, was supported by 15 different funders and sponsors across industries. “This showcases our effective community engagement, partnership building, and knowledge mobilization.”

Janette Jackson, one of Canada’s leading voices in cleantech, a field that uses technology to advance environmental sustainability, believes AI-supported hybrid and remote teams can strengthen workplace connection and resilience.

“The event reinforced my belief that the future of work is both flexible and high-performing.”

As former CEO and now an active board member and strategic advisor to Foresight, Canada’s largest cleantech accelerator, Jackson continues to champion collaboration between innovators, industry, investors, and academia. “With the thoughtful use of AI, organizations have a real opportunity to enhance integration, unlock talent potential, and redefine what high-performance teams look like in a digital world. It was an honour to support such a great event, I’m excited to see this work and training continue.”

Connecting Canada’s AI ecosystem

What made the St. John’s gathering stand out was not only the topics discussed but the mix of people in the room. Under the roof of academia, industry partners, government, and NGO representatives joined in the conversation, all pulling in the same direction: ensuring that the AI transition strengthens inclusion and enhances productivity across sectors.

For Canada, this remains a critical issue. Wendy Cukier, Founder and Academic Director of the Diversity Institute, whose team co-led the conference’s development and organization, highlighted what she called the country’s “AI paradox”: while Canada leads in AI research and innovation, adoption — particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises — continues to lag.

The conference program, co-developed by the event’s hosts, covered other urgent and interconnected topics, from AI’s potential to revolutionize systems rather than simply improve them, to expanding access to AI training and education for diverse populations. Academic experts such as Ebrahim Bagheri of the University of Toronto and industry leaders like Marc-Étienne Ouimette of Amazon Web Services discussed strategies for upskilling employees, including newcomers, developing educational pathways for a diverse workforce, and integrating green technologies to build inclusive workplaces. A key theme throughout was the recognition that immigration, EDI and Canada’s AI transition shape each other in important ways.

Connecting for an inclusive, innovative future

The discussions in St. John’s reaffirmed that bridging silos is essential if Canada wants AI to enhance, not replace, human potential. Across panels and hallway conversations, participants spoke about the importance of experimentation and trust to create shared spaces where employers, educators, and communities can test new ideas together.

From Dalhousie University, Christian Blouin, Associate Dean in the Faculty of Computer Science, pointed to the need for programs that prepare students for the digital realities of work today, not the ones of a decade ago. The sentiment was shared by Cukier, who has long advocated for matching solutions with the needs of businesses.

“It takes an entrepreneurial mindset and a ‘just try it’ approach, whether you run a small business, work in a government department, or at a university.”

The importance of holding these conversations collectively cannot be overstated. If a whole-of-society approach is necessary to ensure AI adoption is rooted in ethical and inclusive practices, then subject-matter experts, practitioners, and the communities directly affected must reflect and work together to shape a future where AI is mobilized for the common good.

In this issue of Bridges:

What Happens When You Invite People In

Narratives of Citizenship: Seeing Belonging Through a Newcomer Lens

Listening to Learn in Canada’s Housing Research

AI Takes a Village: How Collaboration is Powering Canada’s Digital Future

Challenge Accepted: Mentorship Beyond the Data

Reporting Across Borders

Plus: Fall 2025 Allies in Action