Building a People-First AI Future by UNAC Hamilton

From poverty to climate action: discover how AI is reshaping the future and engage in reflections about what we can do about it. Event Theme October 24, 2026 marks the UN’s 81st anniversary. This year the UN Association in Canada Hamilton Branch is marking this date by hosting a discussion forum on Artificial Intelligence, a subject that is on the minds of people around the world. AI is penetrating all aspects of life at an alarming speed with consequences, positive and negative, that are barely imaginable. When the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals were identified and adopted by the world’s nations in 2015, the implications of AI in relation to the achievement of these goals were hardly considered. Now consideration is imperative if we wish to build a people-first, planet-friendly, life-protecting AI future. Event Details On Saturday October 24, from 10:00 AM to 1:30 PM we will discuss some of these implications in a format that encourages information-sharing and reflection leading to individual and collective actions that we might take to participate pro-actively in the shaping of this new world. Agenda The day begins with a keynote speaker, Professor Stephen Scharper, from the University of Toronto, who will focus on AI and SDG #1 (“No Poverty”). This talk will be followed by several break-out sessions that are led by facilitators with subject experience focusing on AI and other SDGs: • SDG #7 “Affordable and Clean Energy”; • SDG #8 “Decent Work and Economic Growth”; • SDG #9 “Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure”; • SDG #10 “Reduced Inequalities”; and • SDG #13 “Climate Action”. Come prepared to learn, ask questions, share experiences, and develop (or join) some lines of action! A light lunch will be provided during this participatory and free event. Cash donations for the lunch are welcome.