Conference Agenda
8:30 AM Breakfast & Registrations
The AI Policy Frontline: Driving Evidence-Based Solutions
9:00 AM Inauguration of the Mila AI Policy Conference - Opening Remarks
9:15 AM Opening Keynote by Mila’s Scientific Director, Hugo Larochelle
9:30 AM Mobilizing Intelligence: Setting the Stage for Informed AI Policy
Opening Keynote Panel
The inaugural panel of the conference will tackle the foundational challenge of effective AI policy-making. Drawing on a diverse set of perspectives—from research infrastructure to civil society advocacy and government—this discussion will emphasize the need for holistic, interdisciplinary approaches to complex socio-technical problems. The panelists will address how to build robust knowledge and collaboration infrastructure to bridge the gap between scientific advancement and policy implementation, framing both the challenges and the opportunities presented by modern AI.
10:15 AM Shaping (with) the Next Generation: Building for the Future
Lightning Talks
- AI Tutors for Workforce Equity, Inclusion and Readiness
- Adaptive AI, Youth Political Development, and Democracy: The Governance Challenges of Personalized Content Generation
- Designing AI Safer Chatbots: Policy Pathways to Protect Young People in Conversational AI Ecosystems
10:30 AM Coffee Break
Addressing Governance Challenges of Frontier AI
10:45 AM Shaping (with) the Next Generation: Building for the Future
Panel
This panel focuses on the dual challenge of protecting and preparing youth in an AI-infused world. The discussion will cover the immediate governance needs surrounding emerging technologies like chatbots and their impact on youth mental health. Simultaneously, panelists will explore the long-term imperative of building for the future through strategic innovation, education reform, and the development of inclusive AI infrastructures.
11:30 AM Trust, Agency, & Democratic Resiliance
Lightning Talks
- AI Political Persuasion: Translating Evidence into Democratic Governance Policy
- Oversight and Accountability in Multi-Agent AI Interaction: Addressing EU AI Act Implementation Gaps
- Detecting Infrastructure-Level Risks in Agentic AI: Unsafe Delegation, Emergent Deception, and Goal Misalignment
11:45 AM Trust, Agency, & Democratic Resiliance
Panel
Addressing the critical societal impacts of advanced AI, this panel dives into the complex relationship between technology, trust, and democratic governance. The discussion will focus on emergent issues like inter-agent interactions and maintaining information integrity. Panelists will address how to tackle issues of safety and trust related to AI systems to ensure the resilience of our social fabric and democratic processes against disruptions.
12:30 PM LUNCH
Harnessing Opportunities
1:15 PM Expanding Expertise for Effective Policy Solutions
Lightning Talk
- Governing AI From Below: Worker-Centred Frameworks for Global Algorithmic Safety and Accountability
Panel
Effective policy-making demands a broad and inclusive understanding of expertise. This panel will address how to move beyond traditional boundaries to expand the notion of expertise—integrating diverse knowledge systems, perspectives, and lived experiences (both local and global) into the policy-making pipeline. The session will feature short, focused presentations, followed by a discussion on practical mechanisms for effectively integrating this expanded expertise into AI governance processes.
2:00 PM Modernizing Infrastructures of Governance and Justice
Lightning Talks
- Exploring the Use of AI to Design and Develop More Efficiently Digital User-Centred Public Services
- Future-Proof and Democratic: Designing Institutions for Governing Artificial Intelligence
- Mandating Indigenous AI Firms for Indigenous Law in Canada
Sector Adoption Panel Breakout Sessions
2:30 PM AI Adoption in Public Administration
Lightning Talk
- The Use of Artificial Intelligence by and Before International Courts and Tribunals
Panel
Focusing on the operational realities of government and judiciary systems, this session will examine the challenges and opportunities of implementing AI within public administration. It will address areas such as user experience (UX) for digital government services and effective use and implementation of AI in international courts and tribunals.
2:30 PM Unlocking Potential in Critical Minerals and Resources
Lightning Talk
- AI Policy for Critical Mineral Recovery and Circular Economy in Mine Tailings
Panel
This discussion explores the transformative potential of AI for critical minerals and resources. Panelists, including industry leaders, public officials, and researchers, will delve into the application of AI to improve efficiency, safety, and environmental stewardship, while considering the policy and technical requirements for responsible adoption.
2:30 PM AI, Climate and Humanitarian Responses
Lightning Talk
- Harnessing AI-Driven Data for Climate-Resilient Humanitarian Decision-Making in Eastern Africa
Panel
This session will focus on how AI can be effectively harnessed to address two of the world’s most pressing challenges: climate change and humanitarian responses. The discussion will feature experts examining the policy frameworks, research, and practical applications necessary to leverage AI as a tool for environmental monitoring, disaster relief coordination, and building global resilience.
3:30 PM Closing Keynote
4:15 PM Closing Remarks
4:30 PM Networking Reception
