As part of the CBC Ideas series, the Schwartz Reisman Institute welcomed journalist Karen Hao to the University of Toronto to discuss the political economy of AI development, the need for stronger accountability, and the importance of building alternative, less resource-intensive approaches to AI systems.

In his new book Humans of AI, anthropologist Joseph Wilson draws on extensive fieldwork to show how artificial intelligence is not inevitable or autonomous, but built, shaped, and sustained by the people behind the machines.

The Schwartz Reisman Institute’s annual academic conference Absolutely Interdisciplinary explores interdisciplinary approaches to AI governance, risk, and safety on May 13, 2026, at U of T’s Schwartz Reisman Innovation Campus. Registration is now open.

A new partnership co-led by Karina Vold is confronting racism in AI systems—highlighting how tools like facial recognition and LLMs disproportionately harm Black and racialized communities, and calling for greater public awareness and equitable governance of AI in Canada.

SRI Faculty Affiliate Paolo Granata reflects on his new book Generative Knowledge: Think, Learn, Create with AI, rethinking how artificial intelligence reshapes learning, research, and creativity by positioning AI as a co-creative partner in intellectual life rather than merely a tool for automation.

SRI Faculty Affiliate Travis LaCroix explores the social and political dimensions of AI ethics in his new book Artificial Intelligence and the Value Alignment Problem, arguing that meaningful alignment requires confronting questions of power, justice, and whose values shape emerging technologies.

SRI Executive Director Monique Crichlow argues that Canada’s global AI leadership depends on sustained investment in fundamental research, interdisciplinary science, and thoughtful governance to ensure AI advances serve the public good, not just short-term economic growth.

The SRI Seminar Series continues in winter 2026 with leading scholars examining AI governance, democratic values, and human-centred technology in the public interest.

A new Radical Talks podcast episode features Geoffrey Hinton and Google Chief Scientist Jeff Dean in a live conversation recorded at NeurIPS 2025, reflecting on the past, present, and future of artificial intelligence—alongside the announcement of the new Hinton Chair at the University of Toronto.

The Schwartz Reisman Institute is now accepting applications for its 2026 Graduate Fellowships, supporting U of T researchers advancing responsible, human-centred approaches to AI and emerging technology. The one-year fellowship includes a $7,500 stipend and access to SRI’s interdisciplinary research community. Apply by February 8, 2026.

The Schwartz Reisman Institute for Technology and Society has launched its 2025–2028 strategic plan, outlining a focused vision for steering advanced AI toward safety, ethics, and the public good. Centered on safe AI systems, data integrity, and the social impacts of technology, the plan sets out priorities to advance interdisciplinary research, translate insights into real-world policy impact, and strengthen global leadership in AI governance.

Schwartz Reisman Institute Advisory Board member Geoffrey Hinton has been awarded the 2025 Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering, recognizing his pioneering contributions to the development of modern machine learning and artificial intelligence. Presented by King Charles III at St James’s Palace, the honour celebrates Hinton’s lifelong impact on both the science and societal understanding of AI.