Date and Time

DATES: FEB 20 | MAR 6 | MAR 20 | APR 3 | APR 17| MAY 1 | MAY 15 | MAY 29 |
Time: 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM EST
Location: VIRTUAL (ZOOM WEBINAR)

Background

Based on our identified gaps and needs, the general aim of this initiative is to strengthen equitable and responsive public health systems that leverage Southern-led responsible AI solutions to improve prevention, preparedness, and response to emerging and re-emerging infectious disease outbreaks.

Goals and Objectives

The key goals and objectives of the speaker series are to:

  • Deepen the understanding of how to use responsible AI solutions to improve public health preparedness and response to emerging and re-emerging infectious disease outbreaks.
  • Establish and support a multi-regional network across the Global South to address gaps in knowledge, capacities, and solutions.
  • Inform national, regional, and global policies and practices on the use of AI to improve health equity and strengthen public health systems.

Target Audiences

  • Researchers
  • Practitioners
  • Policy Analysts
  • Students
  • Graduate Students
  • Postdocs
  • Faculties
  • Local and Regional Decision Makers and Emergency Managers
  • Representatives of Intergovernmental Organizations
  • Diversity and Inclusion Researchers or Professionals

SESSION 1 MONDAY FEBRUARY 20 12:00PM-1:30PM (EST)

Speaker: Dr. Collins N. Udanor

Associate Professor of Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence), Department of Computer Science, University of Nigeria Nsukka

Topic: Responsible AI Healthcare Applications for Developing Countries

SESSION 2 MONDAY MARCH 6 12:00PM-1:30PM (EST)

Speaker: Dr. Woldegebriel Assefa Woldegerima

Assistant Professor, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, York University

Topic: AI for Pandemic Preparedness and Response

SESSION 3 MONDAY MARCH 20 12:00PM-1:30PM (EDT)

Speaker: Dr. Ignatius Ezeani

Senior Research Associate, School of Computing and Communications, Lancaster University

Topic: A Case for Inclusive Natural Language Processing

SESSION 4 MONDAY APRIL 3 12:00PM-1:30PM (EDT)

Speaker: Dr. Stephen Gabriel

Medical Doctor and Software Engineer at OpenMined

Topic: Lessons Learned from AI Applications in Health

SESSION 5 MONDAY APRIL 17 12:00PM-1:30PM (EDT)

Speaker: Dr. Christo El Morr

Associate Professor of Health Informatics, School of Health Policy and Management, York University

Topic: A Technocentric or a Humancentric Society

SESSION 6 MONDAY MAY 1 12:00PM-1:30PM (EDT)

Speaker : Dr. Mpho Raborife

Deputy Director, Institute for Intelligent Systems, University of Johannesburg

Topic: AI for Pandemic Preparedness and Response: An African Perspective

SESSION 7 MONDAY MAY 15 12:00PM-1:30PM (EDT)

Speaker : Dr. Stephen E. Moore

Senior Lecturer, Department of Mathematics, University of Cape Coast, Ghana

Topic: Deep-Data Driven Models for COVID-19 Vaccination in Ghana

SESSION 8 MONDAY MAY 29 12:00PM-1:30PM (EDT)

Speaker : Jake Okechukwu Effoduh

Chief Counsel/Councillor, Africa-Canada Artificial Intelligence and Data Innovation Consortium (ACADIC)

Topic: Regulating Bias in Health AI Systems

ORGANIZER AND PARTNERS

Co-Organizer

CIFAL YORK

CIFAL York is part of UNITAR’s global network of training centres for knowledge-sharing, training, and capacity-building for public and private leaders, local authorities, and civil society. CIFAL Centres are local and regional hubs for innovative, participatory and co-creative knowledge exchange opportunities to support decision-making processes, build capacity, and accelerate the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals. Established in 2020, CIFAL York started its operation in June 2021 as the first CIFAL Centre in Canada. Health and Development training and knowledge sharing is among the key focusing areas of CIFAL York.

For more information or questions please contact: cifaldirector@yorku.ca

Co-Organizer

AI4PEP

AI4PEP brings together an interdisciplinary team of data scientists, epidemiologists, physicists, mathematicians, software engineers, as well as disaster and emergency management, clinical public health, citizen science, and community engagement experts.

Partner

IDRC

As part of Canada’s foreign affairs and development efforts, the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) champions and funds research and innovation within and alongside developing regions to drive global change. We invest in high-quality research in developing countries, share knowledge with researchers and policymakers for greater uptake and use, and mobilize our global alliances to build a more sustainable and inclusive world.