Schulich Experts and Industry Leaders Explore Gen AI and Sustainability at OneEleven
This past week, Schulich hosted three cutting-edge panels focusing on Generative AI and sustainability. “Innovating for a Sustainable Future with GenAI” took place at OneEleven, one of Canada’s most prominent tech accelerators, and brought together industry executives, academic leadership, students, and alumni.
The three panels focused on championing AI communities, developing AI marketing strategies, and bridging the gap between technology and sustainability. Companies represented include DotsLive, Microsoft Reactor, Harvard Business Analytics Program (HBAP), Loblaws, Manulife, the Western Technology Alliance, and the Digital Data Design Institute at Harvard.
The opening session, titled “Inspiring AI Journey and Community Support”, was presented by DotsLive. Panelists from DotsLive, Microsoft Reactor, and HBAP Startups detailed their personal journey starting and growing a business in the context of artificial intelligence. The discussion also addressed the challenges of adapting to the decreasing cost of cognition and creativity and the implications for job roles.
The second session was titled “Exploring AI and Marketing Strategies” and was presented by Advance powered by Loblaw. Panelists from Loblaw Agency, Advance, and Loblaw Digital discussed the application of Generative AI in marketing, spanning from product packaging to comprehensive campaign strategies. The discussion emphasizes tailoring customer experiences, experimenting with AI to customize messaging, and finding practical challenges in implementing AI in marketing strategies. The discussion also featured insights from the Digital, Data and Design Institute at Harvard.
The closing session, titled “Bridging AI and Sustainability”, was presented by Manulife. Representatives from Western Technology Alliance, Schulich, Manulife, and Scotiabank showcased the Generative AI tools they use to improve sustainability in finance. The discussion touched upon the impact of AI on traditional accounting systems and the role of predictive analytics tools in monitoring and forecasting greenhouse gas emissions.
“Innovating for a Sustainable Future with GenAI” was organized by Professor Julian Scott Yeomans, Director of Schulich’s Master of Management in Artificial Intelligence and Master of Business Analytics programs, and Anferny Chen (MBA ‘12), CEO of DotsLive.
“Our goal was to showcase Schulich’s AI/analytics identity by focusing on the future of generative AI (GenAI) on sustainability in business contexts,” said Professor Yeomans. “We were able to assemble three excellent panels of incredibly dynamic speakers who could forcefully provide a strong cross-section of viewpoints on the potential impacts, caveats, and contributions of GenAI. Clearly if GenAI is the future pathway for implementing corporate sustainability, that future is already well on its way!”
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