Ottawa Responsible AI Summit 2026
Responsible AI and Data Governance in Practice: Institutions, Systems, and Impact
Artificial intelligence is increasingly shaping public systems, healthcare, finance, research, workplaces, and critical infrastructure. Across sectors, institutions are now under pressure to move beyond broad ethical commitments toward practical systems of governance, accountability, transparency, and implementation.
As governments and organizations accelerate AI adoption, questions around trust, oversight, equity, and operational readiness have become more urgent than ever. Yet while conversations around responsible AI continue to grow, practical implementation remains uneven and unresolved.
Building on the success of the inaugural Ottawa Responsible AI Summit in 2025, which convened leaders across government, industry, academia, and civil society, the 2026 edition expands the conversation beyond principles toward the operational realities of implementing responsible AI systems at scale.
The Ottawa Responsible AI Summit 2026 is designed to address this challenge by bringing together leaders across policy, industry, research, technology, and civil society to explore how responsible AI is operationalised in real-world environments.
What is ORAIS 2026?
ORAIS 2026 is a two-day convening focused on the practical implementation of responsible AI governance across institutions, sectors, and systems.
The Summit will feature keynote addresses, panel discussions, applied case studies, exhibitions, and cross-sector conversations focused on governance, accountability, equity, trusted infrastructure, and institutional readiness.
Day 1 will feature an evening gala focused on creativity, copyright, and AI, while Day 2 will host the full summit programme centred on implementing responsible AI at scale.
This is not a theoretical forum. It is a platform for applied, implementation-focused dialogue and collaboration.
Who Will Be There?
ORAIS 2026 will convene policymakers, regulators, industry leaders, researchers, technologists, legal experts, civil society organizations, startups, and innovation stakeholders from across sectors.
By bringing together diverse actors working across governance, technology, public policy, and implementation, the Summit aims to strengthen collaboration and advance practical approaches to responsible AI.
What Will We Explore?
The Summit will focus on key questions shaping the future of responsible AI implementation, including institutional readiness and accountability, equity and social impact, cross-sector collaboration, trusted AI infrastructure, and the operational realities of implementing governance systems at scale.
Participants will engage with practical examples, policy discussions, and implementation-focused conversations designed to move beyond principles toward real-world application.
Register your interest to receive updates and early access to Summit announcements.
For partnerships, speaking opportunities, or general inquiries:
📧 s.mbelu@responsibleaiottawa.ca
partnerships@responsibleaiottawa.ca
Accessibility Support Note
ORAH is committed to ensuring broad participation in ORAIS 2026. If the registration fee presents a financial barrier, please contact the organizing team at info@responsibleaiottawa.ca. A limited number of supported registrations may be available upon request. This applies only for Day 2.