Dean McKeown

Episode 23 is live! This week, we sit down with Mike Ridley — Chief Librarian Emeritus and former CIO at the University of Guelph — to explore one of the boldest leadership experiments in Canadian higher ed: unifying library and IT leadership under a single role. Mike reflects on a decade spent elevating information as a core institutional asset, strengthening collaboration across long‑standing cultures, and giving IT a meaningful voice at the senior table. We dig into what worked, what didn’t, and what other institutions can learn from Guelph’s experience — including the national ripple effects that helped inspire CUCCIO’s formation. If you’re interested in leadership models, organizational culture, or the future of information ecosystems in higher ed, this one’s packed with insight. #HigherEdLeadership #InformationStrategy #DigitalTransformation #AcademicLibraries #ITLeadership #CUCCIO #BytesOfExperience #Podcast .Dana Sanderson MBA Bo Wandschneider - ICD.D https://lnkd.in/gTdh_YQK

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Many non-profit teams spend valuable time on manual, repetitive administrative tasks. What if a simple AI tool could help? ⬇️ Our new initiative — Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Non-Profits — is designed to help Manitoba non-profit organizations explore practical AI solutions to real operational challenges. Four selected organizations will be paired with Manitoba-based tech companies to work step-by-step on implementing an AI tool that can: ✔ Streamline a workflow ✔ Reduce administrative burden ✔ Save staff time ✔ Improve day-to-day operations If your organization has a clear workflow challenge and the capacity to collaborate with a tech partner, we encourage you to apply. 📅 Applications close April 30, 2026 Apply here:https://lnkd.in/gK2FMwGz

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“There should be zero trust on machines.” 🛑 At Ontario Tech University’s recent AI Forum, Dr. Hossein Rahnama cut right through the noise. When we talk about "trusting AI," we are often having the wrong conversation. The goal isn't blind confidence. The goal is building systems that are inherently transparent and mathematically auditable. 📊 𝙃𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙮 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙖𝙘𝙝 𝙩𝙤 𝙜𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙣𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙢𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙛𝙩:  • 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗩𝘂𝗹𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗚𝗮𝗽: If we can't predict the outcome, we must control the oversight. 🔍  • 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗺𝘆: We don't have to choose between speed and safety. Guardrails actually accelerate our innovation. 🚀  • 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗟𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲: Trust isn't a given. We earn it through continuous, automated auditing. 🛡️ If we scale AI without a way to audit the data, we aren't innovating. We are simply scaling risk. Excellent insights from the panel at Ontario Tech University featuring Dr. Hossein Rahnama, Dr. Peter Lewis, Dr. Steven Murphy, and Amber Mac. 𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙪𝙡𝙡 𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙠𝙙𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚: https://lnkd.in/eNZ6j_Ur #AIGovernance #EthicalAI #TechLeadership #DataAudit #EnterpriseAI #ThndrAI

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New funding opportunity for academic-industry collaboration! eCampusOntario has launched the 2025 Innovation Voucher Program, designed to connect Ontario’s academic expertise with Canadian SMEs tackling innovation challenges. Through the Ontario Collaborative Innovation Platform (OCIP), eligible businesses can receive $3,000 of in-kind support to work with higher education institutions on a scoping exercise that clarifies the path forward, before full project investment. Requirements: > For-profit, incorporated SMEs > Located in rural, northern, or Indigenous communities or 50% equity-deserving group-owned > Focused on commercialization of a product or service Note: Vouchers are limited and distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. 📧 Contact ocip@ecampusontario.ca for additional information. 🔗 Visit https://lnkd.in/dTXdsf6W to learn more about the program. Jeff McIsaac | Andrea Johnson | Nancy Cummings | Sherif Abdou | Shrishti Sundaram | Frederic C. #InnovationVoucher #OCIP #AppliedResearch #OntarioInnovation #IndustryCollaboration #AcademicPartnerships

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The Canada-India Talent and Innovation Strategy, focusing on exchanges, hybrid campuses, scholarships and AI partnerships, places education and research at the centre of efforts to rebuild ties after a two-year diplomatic rift. https://hubs.li/Q045KVpk0

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Lawson Research Institute, the innovation arm of St. Joseph’s Health Care London, continues to make big impact beyond its size.  A new report from Research InfoSource shows Lawson ranks as the most researcher-intensive institution among mid-sized, hospital-based research centres in Canada. Research InfoSource bases its score in this category on research spending per researcher in 2024.  We’re proud to celebrate the many ways #LawsonLeads health innovation that improves patient care. 

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📚 Digital textbook subscription programs are spreading in Canada — but not without controversy. Proponents argue they lower costs and improve access. Critics warn they restrict choice, risk student data and lock institutions into long-term publisher contracts. With automatic enrollment models growing, the debate is heating up across campuses. ➡️ Read more: https://lnkd.in/det6rr-f ❓Do automatic textbook programs make learning more accessible, or do they limit student and faculty choice? #HigherEd #DigitalLearning #OpenEducation #StudentSuccess #AcademicFreedom

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Navigating AI: Age of the AI agent for public service We’re at it again with Institute of Public Administration of Canada (IPAC) and KPMG Canada's Skills Development Centre Building on our incredible program from 2024/2025, we’re ready to deliver an updated, hands-on learning series focused on deepening AI literacy for public servants. What can learners expect from the new series of interactive workshops? Participants will gain practical insights, sector-specific strategies, and will earn a Microsoft Skills Badge empowering them to responsibly integrate generative and agentic AI into public service workflows. Fall Cohort Schedule: • Nov 19: Fundamentals of Generative AI • Nov 26: Agentic AI: Tools Overview • Dec 3: Organizational Adoption: Upskilling & Change Readiness Registration now open aka.ms/IPAC_AIAgents Important content note: These workshops will be delivered in English, but your learning doesn’t stop there. Every registrant will receive exclusive, on-demand recap videos in both English and French, covering the same learning objectives. Review key concepts anytime, reinforce your understanding, and share insights with your team—learning at your pace, in your preferred language.

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Proud to see our MISSM and MISAM students sharing their work at this event. Their projects reflect the kind of applied learning we value at Concordia University of Edmonton, connecting cybersecurity, AI, and real business challenges. I encourage you to attend, engage with the students, and explore their ideas.

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AI is changing the entry point to careers. Internships are shifting. Junior roles are declining. Landing a first job is getting harder. But the issue isn’t students. The real issue is that we’re still preparing them for a pre-AI job market that no longer exists. Being AI-ready does not mean: ❌ Everyone must code ❌ Everyone must become an AI expert It means: ✔️ Knowing how to work with AI ✔️ Asking the right questions ✔️ Critically evaluating AI outputs ✔️ Strengthening uniquely human skills The AI transition is already here, and early-career pathways are on the front lines of this shift. That’s exactly what our CEO Merve Ayyüce KIZRAK, Ph.D. will be discussing on February 4 in an upcoming webinar with CEWIL/ECAIT Canada community, where we’ll dive deeper into: ▫️ How AI is reshaping internships, co-ops, and early-career roles ▫️ What “AI-ready” really means for students and graduates ▫️ How universities and employers can rethink early-career pathways together 👉 Webinar recording & registration: https://lnkd.in/eRnC7pBM If you’re working at the intersection of AI, education, or workforce development, this conversation is one you won’t want to miss. #HUXAI #CEWIL #AI #FutureOfWork #HigherEducation #EarlyCareers #WorkforceDevelopment #AIEducation

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We’re pleased to launch Navigating AI: Age of the Agent for Public Service, a three-part virtual learning series designed to equip Canada’s public servants with practical knowledge and tools to work with AI. Over three 90-minute sessions, participants will explore: - Fundamentals of Generative AI – November 19, 2025 - Agentic AI: Overview of Tools – November 26, 2025 - Organizational Adoption: Upskilling & Change Readiness – December 3, 2025 Why participate? - Learn from expert facilitators - Gain actionable, non-technical strategies - Earn a certificate of completion by attending all three sessions Registration is now open: ipac.ca/aiagents For additional resources and insights, visit the IPAC AI Hub

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What happens when governments rush to replace human oversight with algorithms? In his latest article for The Regulatory Review, Michael Karanicolas of Dalhousie University critiques the Trump Administration’s attempt to rapidly automate public sector functions with AI, calling it a "chainsaw" approach to governance. Karanicolas argues that AI can support, but should not supplant, the nuanced decision-making processes built into democratic institutions. Blindly removing regulatory layers in favor of machine-driven efficiency, he warns, could erode transparency, accountability, and the public’s trust. 🔎 Dive into the risks of automating the administrative state without guardrails: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/ejPJih8X

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Leading change in academic scheduling isn’t easy - but with the right partner, it’s possible. Saskatchewan Polytechnic took bold steps to modernize decades-old scheduling processes. With Infosilem's guidance and deep expertise in higher ed, they’ve not only improved efficiency but laid the foundation for lasting transformation.   📖 Read how they did it in our latest case study: https://lnkd.in/eHx6YSCS

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On June 19, SETSI hosted a national workshop in partnership with the Digital Governance Standards Institute to help shape a shared approach to digital literacy in Canada — with nearly 70 participants from across sectors and regions. The first draft of a proposed Workshop Agreement focused on building common language was reviewed, sharing best practices, and identifying indicators for progress. The draft is still open for feedback until July 4. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eDBAhqjv Leave feedback: https://lnkd.in/ejr6Bc_Z #DigitalLiteracy #DigitalGovernance #Inclusion #Equity #Canada #SETSI #DGSI #StandardsMatter

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We are proud to collaborate with Shared Services Canada | Services partagés Canada on the CANChat pilot project, a generative AI chatbot designed to help public servants work smarter and more efficiently.  This project is part of the #GovernmentOfCanada’s commitment to sovereign AI, built, trained and deployed right here in Canada.  By taking part in this initiative, we are helping drive the digital transformation of public services and shape the future of AI in government. 

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"What are the root causes of Canada’s innovation and productivity challenges?" That was the question posed to more than 100 leaders from industry, government and academia during one of the most dynamic sessions at the 2025 Digital Futures Symposium—the Innovation Challenge, led by Milena Head. The responses were bold yet honest: risk aversion, complacency, brain drain and regulation. This live design thinking challenge brought together participants from across disciplines—from consumer product marketers to computer engineers to sustainability lawyers—to collaborate on solutions. The ideas that emerged were just as inspiring: celebrate Canadian innovation wins globally, create “dating-style” platforms to connect VCs and researchers, merge public grants with private funds and plant the seeds of curiosity early through education and digital literacy. Through this exercise, one message stood out clearly: Canada’s innovation future depends on collaboration. We’re thrilled with how the Innovation Challenge unfolded, deeply grateful to everyone who brought their best ideas forward, and proud to have sparked this multi-disciplinary collaboration—a step toward achieving Canada’s innovation goals. Read the full photo essay by the DeGroote School of Business - McMaster University to see how a design thinking mindset can help Canada chart a more connected, innovative and resilient future. 🔗 Article: https://lnkd.in/e7mKbNXM #DigitalFuturesSymposium #Innovation #DesignThinking #Collaboration #McMasterUniversity #MDTRC #DigitalTransformation #DeGrooteSchoolofBusiness

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AI is changing the world, and our HLFYA VPE participants are learning how to use it responsibly. In a recent virtual learning service event hosted by RBC Foundation, VPE participants explored the ethics of AI with RBC’s Caelin Bradshaw. From spotting AI generated images to discussing how AI should support, not replace, critical thinking, the session gave students a thoughtful look at how this technology can be used in school, relationships, and the workplace. Thank you to Caelin and the RBC team for creating such an engaging and educational experience for our young leaders. Read the full story on our website: https://lnkd.in/eRZ2_F9q

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If your roadmap is full of pilots, this episode is for you. IBM Canada's Rob Wilmot shares what it takes to move AI into everyday operations, and why disciplined execution (plus clean, connected data) is the difference between interest and impact.

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