NOVEMBER 2020

AI4Society NEWS

Announcements

We will go bi-weekly

In a team effort, we have decided to share all the information we receive (internal and external events) altogether, twice a week through this Newsletter. You will find a section called AI4Society NEWS where all our internal activities will be pasted, and an External Opportunities area where we share exciting news from AI friends. Are you one of these friends having something AI related? send us an email at ai4s@ualberta.ca with your information and we will share it here!

Welcome to our new Project Coordinator!

Starting in November, Dr. Nicolás Arnáez will be AI4Society new Project Coordinator. Recently graduated from the University of Alberta Music Composition doctoral program and actively working on Interactive Music and Sound Art all throughout the Americas, Nico has been teaching Music Technology and Composition courses for the UofA and other Universities across Edmonton.

Do not hesitate in contacting him through our main email address!

Dr. Jason Lewis talk was a great success

In a joint effort by AI4Society, and the Kule Institute for Advanced Study (KIAS), Dr. Lewis offered a memorable conversation on Reflections on The Indigenous Protocol & Artificial Intelligence Position Paper.
Want to learn more about this? Our friends from Folio have posted an insightful note on Dr. Lewis's work.

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Grant Opportunities

Call For AI Instructional Materials
The AI4Society Signature Area calls for proposals to create instructional materials, for modules on artificial intelligence and its social/ethical impact. Proposals will be funded with up to $1000. Proposals will be adjudicated as they are submitted and up until the earmarked funds are exhausted.

Call For Applications: $10,000 Seed Grants For Projects Related To The Ai4society And Energy Systems Signature Areas
AI4 Society and Energy Systems Signature Areas encourage and facilitate innovative new directions at the intersection of artificial intelligence and energy. We are offering up to four joint seed grants, valued at $10,000 each, to teams that have a viable project that would lead to grant proposals to NSERC, SSHRC, or other funding body, that can combine research from our two signature areas into creative projects that can obtain external funding.
Deadline for applications: 18 November 2020

University Of Alberta and Edmonton Police Services Seed Grant Program
The Office of the Vice-President (Research and Innovation) (OVPRI), the Kule Institute for Advanced Study (KIAS), and the AI4Society Signature Area (AI4S) at the University of Alberta, in partnership with the Edmonton Police Service (EPS), are pleased to announce a new seed grant program designed to encourage the co-development of research collaborations between the entities. A total funding commitment of the program - $30,000 each year for three years ($90,000) - will be made available to fund projects arising from this collaboration.
Deadline for applications: 24 November 2020

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Upcoming Events

• November 26, 2020 (12:00 - 01:00) Professor Peter Szigeti, instructor of Digital Law at UAlberta Faculty of Law, presented by "Digital Law Tea Time Talks!"
  Digital Law Tea Time Talks are a chance for law and tech geeks to learn about topics at the intersection of those fields. A short presentation on a work in progress, recent article or experience will be followed by open Q&A. The 12-1 pm time block includes a "digital commute" allowing everyone to sign in and get settled. The actual presentation and discussion will go from 12:10-12:50. The last two Tea Time Talks in the Autumn series are:
  - Google Meets Link: https://meet.google.com/ges-xfow-qsj
  - Hosted by the Digital Law & Innovation Society. Find us at https://dlis.ca/

Who

Any UofAlberta community member (faculty, researcher, or student) interested in any and all aspects of Artificial Intelligence!

Why

• To stay informed about AI-related funding opportunities and events (research grants, internships, competitions, ...)
• To access AI4Society support for research and teaching initiatives
• To profile your research and to collaborate with other community members, through our Forum.

How

Send an email with a brief description of your affiliation, interests, and activities related to artificial intelligence to ai4s@ualberta.ca.

External Opportunities

Future Energy Systems and Global Research Institute
University of Alberta and University of Calgary
Joint call for proposals.
AI-related Research Areas: Digital science applications in energy technology, infrastructure, and/or processes; and Societal experiences with energy transition.

Funding announcement!
Alberta Innovates
The Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network (CAAIN) is announcing its first open call for research and innovation projects to accelerate the adoption of smart agriculture practices in Canada.
Around the world, technologies like advanced sensors, imaging, remote monitoring, automation, robotics, artificial intelligence and blockchain are changing the face of modern farming.
CAAIN’s $15 million call for proposals will focus on automation and digital technology opportunities that contribute to advancing the agri-food sector.
For more info and to apply, visit https://caain.ca/582-2/

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Usability testing opportunity

The Federated Research Data Repository (FRDR) team would like to ask for your help in improving the FRDR. FRDR is an online Canadian research data repository and discovery service jointly developed by the Canadian Association of Research Librarians (CARL), the Portage Network, and Compute Canada.
David Pinelle is a Computation Research Manager in the Social Sciences Research Laboratories at the University of Saskatchewan, running the usability testing sessions.
We are looking for graduate students or faculty from a range of disciplines and regions across Canada who are willing to try out FRDR and give feedback while using it. The session will last one hour and will be conducted through WebEx. Eligible participants must:

• Be new to FRDR,
• Collect research data that could potentially be published in a repository (not required for the usability testing), and
• Be a graduate student or faculty member.

If you are willing to participate or know someone who is, please email David Pinelle, and I will follow up to schedule a testing session.

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Coaching opportunities

Need assistance with your company? Want to start a new business? Interested in learning more about the commercialization of your products?

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TechNation AI for Future Business Challenge
WHAT: How can AI be leveraged to improve efficiency, production and/or effectiveness within traditional sectors? (Sectors include: Food Service, Hospitality & Tourism, Agriculture, Supply Chain & Logistics and Industrial Manufacturing).
WHEN: First round due January 12, 2021 (simple 5-slide template)
WHO: All post-secondary students in Canada - No technical skills required.
WHY: The opportunity to network, gain expert mentorship, win prizes (cash rewards, etc.) and see your idea come to life!
HOW: Form or join a team of 2-4 participants using this link

For more information please contact Grégoire Berthier

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For information about
AI experts, and AI-related events and opportunities,
visit https://ai4society.ca