This spring, Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador became a hub for global dialogue on the future of artificial intelligence and productivity as part of the OECD’s G7 activities. Over the course of three days, policymakers, academics, and business leaders gathered at Memorial University’s Signal Hill Campus in St. John’s to explore how AI can strengthen competitiveness, drive innovation, and build more resilient economies.
AIAI joined a workshop focused on the role of AI in empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), held by Memorial University in partnership with the OECD. The discussions emphasized that AI adoption is no longer a frontier concept but a practical tool for boosting productivity, enabling innovation, and helping regional businesses scale. Participants examined case studies, shared challenges, and contributed actionable insights toward building a roadmap for SMEs to harness AI’s potential.
Memorial University also hosted a landmark international conference on AI, remote work, and productivity, co-organized with the Toronto Metropolitan University’s Diversity Institute. The event convened leading academics and policymakers including Dr. Rhonda McEwen (University of Toronto), Dr. Richard Freeman (Harvard University), and Dr. Jennifer Hunt (Rutgers University), alongside industry voices and practitioners.
A highlight of the program was the Artificial Intelligence and Other Innovations in Technology panel featuring AIAI partner Marc-Etienne Ouimette (Fellow, Cambridge University Bennett School of Public Policy). The panel explored how AI applications are reshaping industries, what governance frameworks are needed to ensure responsible adoption, and the types of renewed education and upskilling programs required to meet the AI age.
Join us
For AIAI, participation with the OECD in Newfoundland and at the G7 reinforced our mission: to advance evidence-based, practical policies that accelerate AI adoption for the benefit of communities, businesses, and economies worldwide.
Learn more and get involved: www.adopt-ai.org.