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Event

The 2024 Canada-US Legal Symposium | Artificial Intelligence Regulation, Governance, and Liability

Date & Time

Tuesday
Oct. 29, 2024
9:30am – 2:00pm ET

Location

6th Floor Flom Auditorium, Woodrow Wilson Center
and Online

Overview

In-person registration for this event is now closed. To join the waitlist, please write to Canada@wilsoncenter.org.

High-profile advances in artificial intelligence (AI) over the past four years have raised serious legal questions about the development, integration, and use of the technology: generative AI companies are grappling with how to properly use intellectual property to train large language models; social media platforms are navigating content restrictions as new services make it easier than ever to produce deepfakes and disinformation; and governments around the world are debating the most effective way to regulate AI. Canada and the United States, longtime leaders in innovation and hubs for some of the world's top AI companies, are poised to lead in developing a model for responsible AI policy. 

The annual Canada-US Legal Issues Symposium is the Canada Institute's flagship legal initiative. Every year, the Symposium brings together legal scholars, experts, and practitioners from both countries to discuss an issue at the forefront of bilateral policy debate. To watch last year's program on economic sanctions, click here.

This event is co-organized with the Science, Technology, and Innovation Program and the Canada-US Law Institute.

PROGRAM

  • Senior members of the Wilson Center and the Canada-US Law Institute will open the Symposium and outline the goals for the program.

    • Ambassador Mark A. Green, President & CEO, The Wilson Center
    • Stephen Petras, United States National Director, Canada-US Law Institute
  • This stage-setting fireside chat will delve into the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence in Canada and the United States. It will cover the innovative advancements both nations are making in AI research and development, as well as the ethical considerations that accompany these technologies.

    • Mark Schaan, Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet (Artificial Intelligence)
    • Elham Tabassi, Associate Director for Emerging Technologies, Information Technology Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology
    • Christopher Sands (Moderator): Director, Canada Institute, The Wilson Center
  • As artificial intelligence continues to transform creative industries, the intersection of copyright and intellectual property (IP) law presents both challenges and opportunities. This panel will explore key issues surrounding AI-generated content, including ownership rights, fair use, and the implications for traditional IP frameworks.

    • Stephen D. Burns, Partner, Trademark Agent, and Co-Head of Innovation, Technology & Branding Practice, Bennett Jones LLP
    • Jamie Simpson, Chief Policy Officer and Counsel, C4IP (Council for Innovation Promotion)
    • Heather West, Senior Director of Cybersecurity and Privacy Services, Venable LLP
    • Steven Paille (Moderator), Program Director, Canada-US Law Institute
  • In an era where deepfake technology and disinformation campaigns are increasingly prevalent, understanding the legal implications has never been more critical. This panel will examine the challenges posed by synthetic media, including issues of authenticity, privacy, and the potential for harm.

    • Olga Belogolova, Director, Emerging Technologies Initiative, Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies
    • Maura R. Grossman, Research Professor, Cheriton School of Computer Science, University of Waterloo
    • Suzanne Nossel, Chief Executive Officer, PEN America; Member, the Oversight Board
    • Paul Rose (Moderator), Dean, School of Law, Case Western Reserve University
  • As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integral to society, the need for effective regulation has never been more urgent. This panel will delve into the diverse approaches to AI governance at subnational, national, and multinational levels.

    • Marc-Etienne Ouimette, Global Lead, AI Policy, Amazon Web Services
    • Kate Purchase, Senior Director, International AI Governance, Microsoft
    • Kellee Wicker, Director, Science and Technology Innovation Program, The Wilson Center
    • Xavier Delgado (Moderator), Senior Program Associate, Canada Institute, The Wilson Center;
      Research Director, Washington Forum on the Canadian Economy

Speakers

Olga Belogolova Headshot

Olga Belogolova

Director, Emerging Technologies Initiative, Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies
Stephen D. Burns Headshot

Stephen D. Burns

Partner, Trademark Agent, and Co-Head of Innovation, Technology & Branding Practice, Bennett Jones LLP
Xavier Delgado Headshot 2024

Xavier Delgado

Senior Program Associate, Canada Institute;
Research Director, Washington Forum on the Canadian Economy
Ambassador Mark Green

Ambassador Mark A. Green

President & CEO, Wilson Center
Maura R. Grossman Headshot

Maura R. Grossman

Research Professor, Cheriton School of Computer Science, University of Waterloo
Suzanne Nossel Headshot

Suzanne Nossel

Chief Executive Officer, PEN America; Member, the Oversight Board
Marc-Etienne Ouimette Headshot

Marc-Etienne Ouimette

Global Lead, AI Policy, Amazon Web Services
Steven Paille Headshot

Steven Paille

Program Director, Canada-US Law Institute
Stephen J. Petras, Jr.

Stephen J. Petras, Jr.

Director of the Cox International Law Center of Case Western Reserve University School of Law and United States National Director of the Canada - United States Law Institute and Chair of the Council of the Great Lakes Region.
Kate Purchase Headshot

Kate Purchase

Senior Director, International AI Governance, Microsoft
Paul Rose Headshot

Paul Rose

Dean, School of Law, Case Western Reserve University
Chris Sands

Christopher Sands

Director, Canada Institute
Mark Schaan Headshot

Mark Schaan

Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet (Artificial Intelligence)
Jamie Simpson Headshot

Jamie Simpson

Chief Policy Officer and Counsel, C4IP (Council for Innovation Promotion)
Elham Tabassi Headshot

Elham Tabassi

Associate Director for Emerging Technologies, Information Technology Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology
Heather West Headshot

Heather West

Senior Director of Cybersecurity and Privacy Services, Venable LLP
Kellee Wicker

Kellee Wicker

Director, Science and Technology Innovation Program

Hosted By

Canada Institute

The mission of the Wilson Center's Canada Institute is to raise the level of knowledge of Canada in the United States, particularly within the Washington, DC policy community.  Research projects, initiatives, podcasts, and publications cover contemporary Canada, US-Canadian relations, North American political economy, and Canada's global role as it intersects with US national interests.  Read more

Science and Technology Innovation Program

The Science and Technology Innovation Program (STIP) serves as the bridge between technologists, policymakers, industry, and global stakeholders.  Read more

Thank you for your interest in this event. Please send any feedback or questions to our Events staff.