Research & Innovation

The research landscape continues to evolve rapidly with Artificial Intelligence, automation and data-driven science reshaping how discovery happens. IT professionals are at the forefront of enabling these advancements supporting next-generation infrastructure, AI-ready research environments, and collaborative digital ecosystems.

This track explores how IT and research communities are adapting to emerging technologies such as AI, quantum computing and advanced data analytics while continuing to balance sustainability, security and funding realities. 

We invite IT leaders, researchers, and innovators to share insights, lessons learned and forward -thinking solutions that empower research excellence and accelerate innovation across institutions.

• Digital Research Alliance Canada and National DRI Ecosystem Updates
• Quantum Computing and Post Quantum Security, preparing for the quantum era and exploring secure architectures
• Responsible and Ethical AI, using AI in research providing governance, transparency, and the ethical use of AI in research environments
• Automation and Reproducibility and working with Scalable, automated workflows that enhance reproducibility and efficiency
• Collaborations and Partnerships that highlight science Initiatives, industry collaborations, and cross-sector innovation
• Indigenous Data Sovereignty building respectful and collaborative approaches to Indigenous data and research computing
• Innovation in Procurement and Funding Models that help creative solutions for research IT in constrained funding contexts
• Cloud Computing for Research Workloads