Category: Sector: Inclusion

Hard Questions: Inclusion

  • Call for Book Chapters: OUR AI PROBLEMS

    Call for Book Chapters: OUR AI PROBLEMS

    Call for Book Chapters: Our AI Problems (Edited Volume)

    We believe that there are no easy answers when it comes to artificial intelligence and society. Across jurisdictions and decision-making bodies, those who develop or enforce regulations are confronted with difficult questions. These challenges arise for many reasons: the issues are often embedded in complex sociotechnical systems, lack straightforward solutions, or involve tensions between competing values and needs.

    The editors hold that AI can be of great service for humanity. At the same time, current regulatory frameworks lag far behind what is needed to ensure just, safe, and equitable access and outcomes. 

    Policymakers and subject-matter specialists are increasingly converging on a shared set of especially challenging issues.  Society is learning to join in the conversations. Accordingly, the proposed volume is envisioned as addressing the following areas: Economics and Power; Democracy and Trust; Risks Large and Small; Building Bridges and Inclusion; Media and Art; Environment and Health; Justice, Security, and Defense.

    If you are interested in contributing, we would be delighted to hear from you. If you know colleagues or collaborators who might wish to participate, please feel free to share this call with them as well.

    Deadline for chapter abstracts (250–300 words): 15 January 2026
    Deadline for chapter draft submission (8000–10,000 words; US English; APA style): 31 March 2026
    Deadline for final revisions: 15 May 2026

    Edited by Tammy Mackenzie, Ashley Elizabeth Muller, and Branislav Radeljić

    For more info about the editors, please see: Fellows
    Submissions and questions: Contact Branislav Radeljić, Ph.D., Director of Research.

  • Three Fellow’s Works in Nature this Year

    Three Fellow’s Works in Nature this Year

    We are proud to announce that Fellows were published 3 times in Nature this year. So far! We are very proud to be connecting people to the conversation in these ways. Thanks for your work, Fellows Jake Okechukwu Effoduh and Peer Herholz!

    Here are the works in question:

    Nature: Opinion: The path for AI in poor nations does not need to be paved with billions

    Nature: Scientific Data: A labeled clinical-MRI dataset of Nigerian brains

    Nature: Communications: Trainees’ perspectives and recommendations for catalyzing the next generation of NeuroAI researchers

  • A Response to Government of Canada’s AI Strategy Task Force

    A Response to Government of Canada’s AI Strategy Task Force

    The Aula Fellowship is proud to join over 40 civil advocacy organizations in an open letter to the government of Canada. Let’s lead the world in crafting tech governance that works for all. Thank you to Alex Tveit of the Sustainable Impact Foundation for intellectual and operational leadership in this space.

    See more on LinkedIn

  • Whose Identity Counts? / Keynote

    Whose Identity Counts? / Keynote

    Whose Identity Counts? explores how AI shapes whose voices are heard and whose are overlooked. Drawing on her research at the University of Cambridge, Hannah highlights the role of language and culture in building more inclusive technologies.

    See the presentation here.

  • State of AI Policy in Africa 2025

    State of AI Policy in Africa 2025

    Robert’s perspective is featured by the report authors; emphasis on transparent, sovereign AI infrastructure.

    See the Report here.

  • Obama Foundation Fellow: Victoria Kuketz

    Obama Foundation Fellow: Victoria Kuketz

    We are proud to announce Aula Fellow’s Victoria Kuketz’s recent appointment as an Obama Fellow. Follow Victoria for news of her Fellowship this year, where she will be concentrating on inclusion and rational governance.

    More Information

  • AIMS Hackathon Against Modern Slavery

    AIMS Hackathon Against Modern Slavery

    We are proud to announce that an Aula Team has joined the AIMS Hackathon 2025: AI Against Modern Slavery in Supply Chains. This is an issue that touches everyone on earth, and that everyone can take part in fixing.

    We will be examining problems in this space and, among other things, an open data set of 15,000+ annual corporate reports and Walk Free’s Global Slavery Index, for ways to identify, mitigate, and eradicate modern slavery.

    We are seeing what we can do to help. How do you see it? Want to check out the data and let us know? We’ll be sharing, returning, and building collaborations. Thank you and all honour to the Hackathon conveners, and director Adriana Eufrosina Bora:

    Fundación Pasos Libres: project link https://lnkd.in/gdsczfKc
    Mila – Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute: project link also includes links to all of the open data sets and studies done so far: https://lnkd.in/dAApAvqu
    QUT (Queensland University of Technology) (QUT): https://lnkd.in/ehG66MXs

    The business reports database on GitHub, built and hosted by The Future Society: https://lnkd.in/eUa6an9s

    There’s a world-class group of trainers. Numerous other partners are providing support, including The Future Society, Walk Free, UNESCO, the International Committee of the Red Cross – ICRC, Australian Red Cross, and governments of Australia, Canada, the UK. And many more to come.

    Get to the heart of the matter by hearing from survivors: Faith, Love, and Human Trafficking: The Story of Karola De la Cuesta. On Goodreads and available at most online retailers in EN and SP (ask your library): https://lnkd.in/eitSUk4c

    If like us you are also working on these issues, we welcome your interest in potential collaborations. Check out “How to Get Involved”.

    Infographic from Respect International: https://lnkd.in/exRb_NNA

    AIMS Hackathon

  • Tackling AI Transparency Concerns in Biomedical Research: Bringing a Communication-Participatory Approach to the Conversation

    Tackling AI Transparency Concerns in Biomedical Research: Bringing a Communication-Participatory Approach to the Conversation

    Announcement by Leslie Salgado: “Happy to announce that my book chapter “Tackling AI Transparency Concerns in Biomedical Research: Bringing a Communication-Participatory Approach to the Conversation” is now published as part of the book “Artificial Intelligence in Biobanking. Ethical, Legal and Societal Challenges.” In my chapter, I address questions concerning transparency, explainability and interpretability from a communication-participatory stance. ” Congratulations, Leslie, and thanks for your work!

    Read it at Routledge

  • Shaping AI Justice Together: Join Canada’s First Black Consultation on Responsible AI Governance

    Shaping AI Justice Together: Join Canada’s First Black Consultation on Responsible AI Governance

    Announcement by Jake Okechukwu Effoduh: “I’m convening 40 brilliant minds at the Lincoln Alexander School of Law to ensure Canada’s new AI governance framework centers racial equity, accountability, and justice.

    Shaping AI Justice Together: Join Canada’s First Black Consultation on Responsible AI Governance

    Calling all Black and racial justice experts working at the forefront of algorithmic fairness: this is your invitation to help define Canada’s AI future.

    If you or someone you know is doing this critical work, step forward. Share widely, and be part of this historic conversation.

    Read more about this on LinkedIn

  • Democracy Dialogues Lead Boldly, Inspire Globally: Meet the 2025-2026 Obama Foundation Scholars

    Democracy Dialogues Lead Boldly, Inspire Globally: Meet the 2025-2026 Obama Foundation Scholars

    Quoting from the organizers: “In a moment that former President Barack Obama describes as a “political crisis of the sort that we haven’t seen before,” we are proud to welcome the 2025–2026 Obama Foundation Scholars to the TMU campus for a special in-person episode of our Democracy Dialogues series. With three Canadians among this year’s global cohort—Victoria Kuketz (TMU’s own), Khalid Hashi, and Michelle Cartier—this is a rare chance to meet inspiring leaders working across disciplines, borders, and systems to develop solutions to some of the most pressing challenges of our times.

    Open to students, community members, and leaders from across all sectors, this event is an opportunity to engage with the Obama Scholars, and reflect on how each of us can respond to the crisis we are experiencing. Engage in meaningful discussion, connect with the next generation of global leaders, and consider the kind of world we want to build – now.

    Be part of a conversation on transforming trust into action and participation into impact.

    Learn more about the Obama Foundation Scholars here and the Democratic Engagement Exchange here.

    About Democracy Dialogues:

    Democracy Dialogues is a public conversation series hosted by the Democratic Engagement Exchange at TMU. Each episode brings together thought leaders and community voices to explore the challenges and possibilities of building a more inclusive and resilient democracy.”

    See the event recording here: https://www.torontomu.ca/arts/news-events/2025/10/democracy-dialogues-lead-boldly–inspire-globally–meet-the-2025/

  • Work in Progress: Exclusive Rhetoric in AI Conference Mission Statements

    Work in Progress: Exclusive Rhetoric in AI Conference Mission Statements

    AI conferences are pivotal spaces for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and shaping the trajectory of research, practice, and education. This paper presents preliminary findings from an analysis of AI conference mission statements, investigating how their stated goals affect who is welcomed into AI conversations. We find that many mission statements reflect assumptions that may unintentionally narrow participation and reinforce disciplinary and institutional silos. This limits engagement from a broad range of contributors—including educators, students, working professionals, and even younger users —who are essential to a thriving AI ecosystem. We advocate for clearer framing that supports democratizing and demystifying AI. By broadening participation and intentionally fostering cross-sector and interdisciplinary connections, AI conferences can help unlock more innovation.

    More Information

  • Developing the Permanent Symposium on AI (poster): Presented at Engineering and Public Policy Division (EPP) Poster Session

    Developing the Permanent Symposium on AI (poster): Presented at Engineering and Public Policy Division (EPP) Poster Session

    A multidisciplinary, reflective autoethnography by some of the people who are building the Permanent Symposium on AI. Includes the history of the project.

    RQ 1: Challenges that unite AI policy & tech

    RQ 2: How to design the PSAI?

    RQ 3: What factors influence the adoption and scalability of the PSAI?

    This is the Flagship project of the Aula Fellowship.

    Read the Poster