Mehdi Lamy, project manager in economic development with Carrefour Nunavut, says his organization’s upcoming forum will explore business applications of artificial intelligence in the North. (Photo courtesy of Mehdi Lamy/Carrefour Nunavut)
Artificial intelligence forum coming to Iqaluit
Carrefour Nunavut hosting event to discuss ethics of fast-evolving computing technology
Carrefour Nunavut is hosting a forum in Iqaluit later this month to discuss the ethics and opportunities of artificial intelligence.
The Iqaluit-based francophone economic development organization has made the fast-developing technology the focus of its Economic Forum 2025, scheduled to run at the Frobisher Inn from Feb. 28 to March 1.
Four guest speakers from the Computer Research Institute of Montreal fill the agenda.
They will discuss the “challenge, the ethics, and the transparency of AI,” said Mehdi Lamy, Carrefour’s conference co-ordinator.
Carrefour is not only seeking to share knowledge with business representatives in Nunavut, the organization is also eager to explore how it can harness AI in its own operations with insights gleaned from the conference, Lamy said.
Approximately 60 delegates are expected to attend, he said, with opportunities for business representatives in other Nunavut communities to view the presentations online.
“AI offers a lot of advantages to small businesses,” said Eric Charton, senior director of research and development for Montreal’s computer research institute, in an email to Nunatsiaq News.
“First, it helps to improve operational efficiency and reduce bureaucratic costs by using the new AI tools integrated in office applications. Second, it can help to improve customer services with the many tools available now (chatbots, search engines, recommendation engines for examples).”
The forum is free and open to all interested participants. In-person registration is on Feb. 28.
Most of the forum will be in French, he said, but Carrefour is working on an interpretation service for English speakers.
How about interpretation to Nunavut’s majority language? Inuktitut.
i have been strongley opposed to artifisial sweetners for quite some time . my coffey order bean the same sinse 1975 and i will never change it not for any nosey doctir or even my deer wife . 4 sugers and 4 cremes and a spoon full of coffey mate for taste .
i remember the day like it was yestirday when artifisial sweetners made their way to the north . i made my usual ordir of 4+4 at the grind and brou and took my first sip as i steped out side . i spit it out instantlee and sped away on my scootir . i can still taste that awefil fake suger deep in my soul . the next day i demandid a refund wich they gladlee honired but it took years to reistablish trust between us .
i am stronglee against this conferince because i belive it is dishonist to trick your custimers into healthee life choices ! let me enjoy my coffey as i pleese !
We don’t even have regular intelligence in Nunavut, god help us all when artificial intelligence takes over, make us even dumber!
Garbage In, Garbage Out.
If garbage is good enough for you, then go with AI.
I was talking to a friend recently, and his words regarding AI in business and government were, “pretty soon, we will be separated by those that know how to use it, and those that don’t.”
It is coming. Actually, it is already here. Those that ignore it will fall behind those that learn how to harness it. Let’s hope the GN takes it seriously.