Wednesday 25 February, 2026
In this session, I’ll share how I used local large language models (Llamma, Qwen, and GPT) to automatically summarize prospect interaction records. The goal was to keep data secure while making it easier to understand and analyze. I’ll show how the models were tested and refined using both AI and human feedback, and how the final process was automated with Python and Windows Task Scheduler. The results feed directly into Power BI dashboards, turning complex text data into clear, actionable in...
This session explores how to build custom Google Gemini Gems tailored to your unique needs. You will learn how to personalize an AI assistant using persona, task, context, and output-format parameters to deliver accurate, situation-aware responses. We will also compare this recent approach with earlier technologies such as the IBM Watson Assistant used to build an Activity Recommender in Moodle LMS, to highlight improvements in flexibility and ease of integration.
I'd like to kick off a conversation on neuro-symbolic AI by sharing a personal project. In it, I build a knowledge graph using thesis metadata available as open data from the institutional repository. One of the questions it helps answer is: who has supervised theses on various topics of interest? This will be a show-and-tell session, and I hope it sparks a dialogue around symbolic AI and its potential applications at Concordia.
Do you often feel chaos in your work life? Or are you looking for new tools and techniques to stay on top of your priorities? This interactive and hands-on workshop will demystify project management as a practice and help you understand its value and what it may look like in these different contexts. You will inspect your current way of doing things through a project management lens and acquire concrete, practical tools to apply immediately to reduce anxiety and give your school, work, person...
This workshop introduces Airtable as a versatile tool that supports both personal organization and everyday professional workflows. Using real examples, we’ll look at how Airtable helps to manage collections of all kinds, such as projects, resources, and even hobbies, while making information easy to organize, navigate, and connect using views, tags, and linked data. The session will also highlight Airtable’s integrated AI tools and automations, showing how they can be used to create simple, ...
Transform live PowerPoint presentations or training sessions into flexible, self-paced learning experiences. In this session, you’ll learn how to create interactive PowerPoint slides that reinforce understanding and maximize learner engagement.
Change is already here - how do you want to respond? The pace at which the world changes is not always in our control, but the way we respond and react to change is a life skill that can be learned. Foresight is an alternative approach to plan for the future that is more resilient, imaginative, holistic, and proactive. Whether it be your academic future, the future of a project or business, the future of a group or social structure, or the future of the environments in which you inhabit, fore...
Learn how to create small, custom programs that solve your specific needs. No coding experience required. With AI assistance, I'll build several practical tools live, from concept to working program. Watch as we go from "I wish there was a tool for..." to a functioning program you can use immediately. You'll leave with the confidence to create your own solutions for everyday problems.
If you’d rather not share your data with mysterious servers in faraway places, this session might be for you. We’ll start by clarifying what “open source” means and highlighting a few open-source LLMs. You’ll learn the key differences between locally run and cloud-based models, and why those differences matter for privacy and security. Then we’ll introduce Ollama, a simple tool that makes it easy to download small language models and run them locally. We’ll wrap up with a step-by-step demo on...
We would like to show participants how to use the self-serve fundraising tool FundOne (concordia.ca/fundone), which allows people to ask members of their networks to donate to their Concordia-based initiative. Qualifying projects must support the university's mission to educate, conduct research or enhance the student experience.
Walkthrough of Copilot, our institutional tool that ensures data security. We'll quickly explore how to access it, use it, and build with it.
I propose a hands-on exploration of AI tools for transcription and translation paired with a dynamic conversation about the function, efficacy, and ethical implications of these technologies. By combining demonstration and practice with reflective discussion, this workshop will both empower participants to effectively engage with AI tools for transcription and translation and contribute to broader efforts to establish whether and how these tools should be deployed for research and productivit...
The project Bien-être numérique is collaboration between Le Pôle d’expertise interordres en formation à distance (FAD) and multiple higher education institutions in Quebec, including Concordia University. The project collects video testimonials from students, instructors, and educational advisors about dealing with the daily challenges they face while working in a digital environment. In this session, we will explore some of these common challenges and also share practical strategies and advi...
This session explores Concordia’s guidelines surrounding generative AI, including the importance of Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs), data classification, and contractual safeguards when using platforms like Microsoft Copilot or ChatGPT. Learn practical strategies to prevent unauthorized data use, comply with Quebec’s privacy laws, and align with Concordia policies and guidelines. Gain actionable insights to balance innovation with ethical, secure practices—empowering the community to use AI...
Have you ever asked yourself "if only I could put together a little video for this", but you were unsure how to go about it? In this session, let's go over some basic tips on how to create a simple narrated animation video using two common tools: PowerPoint and Clipchamp. We probably won't win an Oscar with this, but it might help us in a pinch!
Impactful innovation starts with clarity. In this workshop, you’ll learn to use Miro to visualize stakeholders, understand how they influence the problem you’re addressing, and surface deeper questions that guide meaningful solutions. Together we’ll shift from rushing to answers toward truly understanding the system
This presentation will provide best practices and tips for using Microsoft Teams Planner and the content scheduler applications to enhance project collaboration and team coordination. Drawing from our recent experience working together on the cross-collaborative Shuffle Advisory Committee, which included members from various units across the university, we will share how these tools helped us streamline tasks, improve communication, and stay organized. We will also showcase how we’ve integrat...
Presentation of 3 o 4 scenarios pertaining to data privacy. Presenters will share tools and tactics to protect privacy.
This session introduces the Concordia University community to NotebookLM as a collaborative tool that streamlines research and academic operations by centralizing sources, comparing documents, and extracting clear, evidence-informed insights. Using a case study on identifying recommendations and best practices for Responsible AI, participants will see how shared notebooks enhance teamwork and reduce duplication when working with complex documentation. The session also highlights essential lim...