iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by JEmphatically

Shift: Action for Pension Wealth & Planet Health @shiftaction.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) is about to host public meetings and answer to Canadians. We imagined how they’re getting ready. youtube.com/shorts/U-2xJ...

youtube.com

The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board Gets Ready to Answer Canadians’ Climate Questions

YouTube video by Shift: Action for Pension Wealth & Planet Health

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Reposted by JEmphatically

The Energy Mix @theenergymix.com · 22/09/2026

Councillors in Greenview, #Alberta have stalled a conflict of interest bylaw, even as they face criticism over the lack of transparency in their $70-billion deal with #KevinOLeary to build the “world’s largest #AIdatacentre." No date has been set for when the bylaw will be back in front of council.

theenergymix.com

Alberta Rural Municipality Hosting Massive Data Centre Defers Conflict of Interest Bylaw

Councillors in a rural Alberta municipality have stalled a new conflict of interest bylaw, even as they face criticism over the lack of transparency in their $70-billion deal with celebrity investor K...

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JEmphatically @jemphatically.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

One councillor didn’t understand why a disclosure bylaw was needed. Another said the administration shouldn’t have to “baby us.” He said he wanted to “keep government small.”

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JEmphatically @jemphatically.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Wonder Valley is still planned for Grande Prairie, but the calls for transparency are growing. Yet, the MD of Greenview’s council seems resistant to disclosure, the first step in identifying a conflict of interest.

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JEmphatically @jemphatically.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

The word "terrifying" was used a lot in this session. More of my live coverage (from Wednesday) of the controversial AI conference in Montreal. ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️

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JEmphatically @jemphatically.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Out of personal interest, I tuned into this one and learned the difference between SEO and GEO. ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️

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Reposted by JEmphatically

JEmphatically @jemphatically.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

I'm now tuning into "The Trust Equation: Why Public Acceptance Will Decide AI's Winners" with: -Aya Ibrahim, Economic & National Security at AI Now Institute -Sasha Luccioni, Co-Founder & Chief Scientific Officer at Sustainable AI Group -Francesca Rossi, IBM Global Leader for Responsible AI

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JEmphatically @jemphatically.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

The CBC's Catherine Cullen asked questions of Bell's CEO and here's more of my live coverage (from Wednesday) of the controversial AI conference in Montreal. ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️

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JEmphatically @jemphatically.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

More of my live coverage (from Wednesday) of the controversial AI conference in Montreal. ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️

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JEmphatically @jemphatically.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Also, you can read my live posts and pithy commentary from the first day of the ALL IN conference here: bsky.app/profile/jemp...

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JEmphatically @jemphatically.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Multiple speakers said they need to "increase AI literacy" because people "just don't understand AI." They said "we just have to explain it to them better."

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JEmphatically @jemphatically.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

So many seemed perplexed why there was a large protest outside the conference and an even larger number of Canadians opposed to data centres in their communities.

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JEmphatically @jemphatically.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Fast forward to this week: I can’t tell you how many times I heard AI and data centre proponents at a recent AI event in Montreal talking about the need to build public trust.

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JEmphatically @jemphatically.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

So they got together with a bunch of mayors and a bunch of big tech companies this past summer to come up with development principles meant to reassure the public. But again, the public was absolutely not invited.

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JEmphatically @jemphatically.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

With the public clamouring to have a say in data centre projects in their communities. The federal government thought it WOULD BE FINE if it didn’t ask for public input on new “responsible data centre principles.”

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JEmphatically @jemphatically.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Correction: The session I hoped to attend on whether data centres are "bad corporate citizens" is not being livestreamed so... I'm cutting short my live coverage to write an article that will include quotes from the AI conference. See my previous posts for coverage of yesterday's sessions! 👋

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JEmphatically @jemphatically.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

The session is starting soon. Pierre Samson, VP of sales & marketing at QScale will be trying to convince us otherwise, I assume.

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JEmphatically @jemphatically.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Note: Montreal's Mayor, Soraya Martinez Ferrada, spoke mostly in French. There was English closed captioning but it wasn't conducive to pithy social media posting so I did not attempt it. It's probably the billionth time in my life that I regret not learning French.

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JEmphatically @jemphatically.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Dodig: When you're the CEO of a large company like Telus, have to look at what you're doing and try to understand it so I can take the team forward, make it better for customers and shareholders. Go slow to go fast. Dodig: My kids tell me I sound like such a boomer. I'm signing off for a bit.

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JEmphatically @jemphatically.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

(Note: I'm using a lot of emojis, when this happens I know I need to step away from the computer.) Dodig: The most effective leaders are those able to sit down and explain things to people. Have to understand how AI fits into the ecosystem. Have to understand your customer before you can help them.

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JEmphatically @jemphatically.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Dodig: People don't realize AI is embedded in their Google search. It's being used everywhere. People who don't know this are worried, people who understand are okay with it. 🤨

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JEmphatically @jemphatically.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Dodig: We were the first telco to sign the code of conduct with the government. Taber: How should regular people use AI. Dodig: You can use it to organize your email. 😂

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JEmphatically @jemphatically.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Taber: Carney talked about sovereignty yesterday, what does it mean? Dodig: We need to rely on our own connectivity and what we're doing in space. Canadians prefer that our data stay within the country. You can be sovereign and also be irresponsible which is why we need governance.

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JEmphatically @jemphatically.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Dodig: And then there's another level with communities. Be mindful of communicating what, how we're doing it. If the doomsayers are right even 10% of the time, that communication process has to start all over again.

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JEmphatically @jemphatically.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Dodig: We make sure our shareholders are happy. They are one key stakeholder and the government is another key stakeholder. It can't all be just about wringing your hands with worry. If we're going to be a modern economy we need to be doing this well. Let's just get the revenue in the door.

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JEmphatically @jemphatically.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Dodig: Not everything has to be sovereign, not everything has to be protected. The national broadband strategy is good. That's we like to see more of going forward. I don't think you should be afraid of data centres. When people are afraid, you should listen to the concerns and help them understand.

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JEmphatically @jemphatically.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Taber: What about data centre protesters? Dodig: Data centres are misunderstood, because we're moving fast. Government put out principles, these are important and players in the industry need to take the time to explain things to people. We gotta explain and we don't take the time to do that.

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JEmphatically @jemphatically.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Dodig: Just came from Carney's investment summit, I liked it. Carney is a great leader, I may not agree with everything he says. We talked about AI. Need regulation that encourages growth and investment. Have to shape policy outcomes so that dreams are realizable.

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JEmphatically @jemphatically.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Dodig: People need to embrace AI and reskill. We like the math, it's a $700 million value to Telus. We're working with other corporate leaders on governance over AI agents. The more we can do that across more companies.

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JEmphatically @jemphatically.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Dodig: I cycle on a Peleton. The information is being fed back to me. That is AI ... (Note: Fact check, is it?) Dodig: AI is protecting us, people are become more productive because of AI. It's not meant to just eliminate jobs. It annoys him when people say AI is getting rid of jobs.

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JEmphatically @jemphatically.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Dodig: Let's not allow people to be afraid. There's no reason to be afraid. As we move quickly, there will be some who are afraid, some legitimately, some not. (Note: This really epitomizes the attitude of senior leadership, doesn't it?)

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JEmphatically @jemphatically.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Victor G. Dodig, President and CEO of Telus is on stage now with Jane Taber of National Public Relations to talk about...what else...Telus. Dodig retired from CIBC to recently take over the top job at Telus. He notes that he began working at a bank before there were ATM's.

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JEmphatically @jemphatically.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Glumac: Using technology in healthcare to improve outcomes, data helps us understand diseases and determine treatment. Will transform health care, but privacy comes first. Driving profits, not costing taxpayers.

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JEmphatically @jemphatically.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Glumac: Have nearly 700 AI companies, majority already generating revenue. Home to canada's most powerful supercomputer, providing sovereign compute power. Want to adopt AI responsibly and support institutions in using them.

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JEmphatically @jemphatically.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

(Note: Glubish wants you to read his Substack newsletter) BC's Minister of State for AI and Technology Rick Glumac is struggling with a cold. Glumac: BC wants to create good jobs and a stronger economy. Want to grow technology sector by 75%.

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JEmphatically @jemphatically.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Glubish: Built a new system in-house with the dept of infrastructure using AI to track properties across the provincial government. The cost was $2million, proving it can be done cheaply, no RFP went out. Are going to save taxpayers billions of dollars.

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JEmphatically @jemphatically.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Nate Glubish, Alberta's Innovation & Technology Minister says they built the Alberta AI Academy to equip the public service with AI skills. Then they built their AI agents and considered cyber security. More than 6000 employees have gone through the program. Other governments are interested in that.

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JEmphatically @jemphatically.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

It's the final day of the ALL IN 2026 AI conference in Montreal and I've been tuning in via livestream. Today begins with remarks from the Mayor of Montreal, Alberta's Innovation & Technology Minister, and BC's Minister of State for AI.

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JEmphatically @jemphatically.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Wintergest: Technology is a race. We have to defend ourselves. (Note: This panel is all about competitiveness and game theory - gung ho on AI, despite seeing the risks firsthand!!)

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JEmphatically @jemphatically.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Ling: Is there an equity problem? Letain: No, it's all about the adoption. I know there's a lot of fear because AI hasn't cut headcount, but we need to keep going. (Note: **cough, cough**)

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JEmphatically @jemphatically.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Ling asking about the "AI arms race" and where should smart companies position themselves? Le Bouthillier: We have no choice but to keep developing, not slow down or we put our security at risk. Canada needs to keep building. "Respect the revolver" analogy is used.

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JEmphatically @jemphatically.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Wagner: There are a lot of good standards being developed already. Companies should look at those frameworks and that can be done now, they don't have to wait.

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JEmphatically @jemphatically.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Letain: Agrees that regulatory controls are not the best way. We need to create an environment of innovation, regulate to safeguard our large, very important industries but vendors also need to innovate to create solutions. But doesn't see that happening yet.

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JEmphatically @jemphatically.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Le Bouthillier: We can't stop everything through regulation. It doesn't work. Wintergerst: We set up our office here in Montreal due to the AI regulations in the EU. Canada is a better example. If something happens in medical techn or the airline industry, it's better to focus on a quick response.

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JEmphatically @jemphatically.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Ling asks whether major corporations, utilities need to do more. Wintergerst: Most of the attacks come from China in Germany and they've recently started coming from Iran.

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JEmphatically @jemphatically.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Wagner: The Canadian Centre for Cybersecurity is doing good work in this area. We're working with the RCMP also. Companies used to not report these crimes but starting to see more prosecutions so that reporting is getting better.

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