Speaker Meeting

Speaker Meetings are informative presentations by knowledgeable guest speakers on a wide variety of topics related to emerging technologies. 

When:
Held on the 3rd Wednesday of each month, September - June
Meetings run from 9:30 - 11:30, with a coffee break / social time mid morning.

Where:
Downtown Community Centre, Multi-Purpose Room upstairs

Topics:
See below for information about this month, as well as upcoming and past speakers.

Club members are encouraged to use the City of Kitchener's Active Net portal to register for all club activities. Instructions to do this can be found on this Active Net Instruction Guide for Members.

November Speaker Meeting - Wed. November 19, 9:30 a.m.

Topic: Understanding Artificial Intelligence: Examining the Positive and Negative Impacts of A.I. 

Guest Speaker: Kevin Matsui

Kevin is the Managing Director of the Centre for Advancing Responsible and Ethical Artificial Intelligence (CARE-AI) at the University of Guelph. He has spent many years in High Performance Computing (HPC), working with data and in the software industry in a variety of roles with a perspective from engineering and business lenses. CARE-AI is the primary AI research centre at U of G and is also involved in Academic programs, AI training, AI entrepreneurship, AI strategy and delivering AI solutions. 

More about the topic:

Everyday, it seems hard to escape a story in the news or social media about AI. There are serious concerns that benefit from a better understanding of AI and some reasons for optimism as well given how AI can positively impact areas such as healthcare, environmental protection and sustainable agriculture. This talk will provide background on the evolution of AI, some insights into how the technology works and discuss concerns that impact individuals and society. It should also provide an opportunity to ask questions that you might have about AI.

A Review of this year's SPEAKERS and TOPICS - 2025 - 26:

September - Chanakya Ramdev - Sweat Free Telecom
October - Visit and Tour of Communitech
November - Kevin Matsui, Artificial Intelligence
December - Madeleine Kong, KPL, Online Library Services

PAST SPEAKERS and TOPICS, 2024 - 25:

September - Dr. Carla Fehr, Who the Computer Sees: Race, Gender and AI
October - Lucy Santos, KPL, An Introduction to Smart Home Technology
November - Dr. Linda Lee - Dementia: What It Is, and How To Reduce Your Risk
December - Jenn Gerynowicz - Creating Comfort and Joy Around Technology
January - Peter Rasberry - Shutters and Sensors and Shooting Modes
February - John Handby - Artificial Intelligence - The Future is Now
March - Nicole Amaral - Welcome to the Digital Kitchener Innovation Lab
April - Video Call Alternative to Skype (no guest speaker this month)
May -  Dr. Josephine McMurray - Your Watch Knows Where you Are - but SHOULD IT? - Exploring Location-Tracing Technologies in Long-Term Care
June - Constable Joshua Rhab, WRPS - Internet Safety

A valid Kitchener Group Card is required to attend in person meetings. Kitchener Group Cards are now on sale online, by phone, or in person at any Kitchener Community Centre. They are good for unlimited visits for many ongoing groups at any City of Kitchener Community Centre.