Arena Intelligence: How Data & AI Are Shaping Sport
Join Northeastern University and SUPERCOLLIDER for a forward-looking evening at the intersection of artificial intelligence, data analytics, and the world of sports.
As technology rapidly transforms how athletes train, teams compete, and fans engage, this event will explore the real-world applications and future possibilities of AI and data in sport — from computer vision and performance analytics to fan experience and strategic decision-making. While timed around the excitement of major global tournaments, the conversation will span multiple sports and disciplines for a broad, insightful perspective.
Event Details
Date: Thursday, July 23, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Northeastern University Toronto Campus, 375 Queen St. W, Toronto, ON M5V 2A5
Agenda
6:00 – 6:45 PM: Opening networking
6:45 – 7:00 PM: Welcome remarks
7:00 – 8:00 PM: Moderated panel discussion
8:00 PM onward: Audience Q&A and continued networking
The Panel
Featuring a dynamic mix of experts (panelists TBC):
Technical AI & Computer Vision specialists
Sports industry practitioners from top leagues and media
Players, coaches, or media voices offering on-the-ground perspective
Panelists
Moderator:
Takara Small is an award-winning technology journalist, broadcaster, and entrepreneur. She is the National Technology Columnist for CBC and a contributor to BBC World News, covering artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, innovation, and the future of work. As founder of VentureKids Canada, she has helped expand access to STEM and entrepreneurship education for youth across Canada. Takara is widely recognized for her ability to translate complex technology topics into engaging, accessible conversations, making her an ideal moderator for discussions at the intersection of business, technology, and society.
Panelist 1:
Eman Smadi is a sports analytics leader specializing in data science, performance intelligence, and advanced analytics in high-performance sport. She serves as Data Science and Analytics Manager at Own the Podium, where she has spent the past five years developing predictive models, machine learning applications, and scalable analytics solutions that support athlete performance and strategic decision-making across Canada's Olympic and Paralympic sport system.
Prior to joining Own the Podium, Smadi worked in the consumer packaged goods sector with PepsiCo, contributing analytics and insights initiatives for major brands including Gatorade. This experience grounded her in commercial analytics, consumer insights, and data-driven business strategy.
With expertise spanning predictive analytics, machine learning, and data visualization, Smadi is known for transforming complex data into actionable insights and connecting technical analysis with clear storytelling. Her experience across elite sport and global consumer brands gives her a distinctive perspective on how analytics and technology are shaping the future of high-performance environments.
Panelist 2:
Paul Beirne is a Toronto-based sports executive and one of the architects behind the rise of professional soccer in Canada. He served as the first President of the Canadian Premier League, where he led the league’s launch, overseeing club development, operations, and national brand strategy.
Beirne was also the first employee of Toronto FC, playing a central role in building the club from the ground up, including the successful launch of BMO Field and the establishment of one of the strongest fan bases in Major League Soccer. Over his career, he has held senior leadership roles across major organizations including Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, the Toronto Raptors, Ottawa Senators, and Brighton & Hove Albion.
With more than 25 years in the sports and entertainment industry, Beirne is known for building teams and leagues from inception, driving fan engagement, and shaping the commercial and cultural success of sport. His experience spans multiple leagues and markets, giving him a broad perspective on how data, technology, and innovation are transforming modern sport.
Panelist 3:
Estevan (Evan) Falcone is a Lead Data Scientist and Tech Lead at theScore, where he builds production-grade machine learning models and data products that power sports content, betting experiences, and fan engagement.
With a Master of Mathematics in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence from the University of Waterloo (2021) and a BScH in Applied Mathematics and Physics from McGill University, Evan brings deep technical expertise in analytics, computer vision, and predictive modeling to the sports industry.
Passionate about the intersection of data and sport, he focuses on turning complex data into actionable insights that enhance performance analysis and fan experiences. An active speaker and educator, Evan frequently shares his knowledge on sports analytics and data science applications. His blend of technical rigor and sports domain knowledge makes him a compelling voice on how AI and data are reshaping modern athletics.
Panelist 4:
Austin Wasserman is the Founder of High Level Throwing® and High Level Pitching®, and a strength and performance coach. With over 20 years of experience training athletes, he specializes in developing efficient throwing mechanics across baseball and softball.
A former standout athlete, Austin was named Gatorade Player of the Year in New Hampshire in 2002. He went on to play Division I baseball at the University of New Orleans and the University of Connecticut, followed by two years of professional baseball, including a championship season with the Nashua Pride.
On this panel, Austin will share insights for his vision and work with PRAKTIKAI and Polar Labs for building an AI-enabled video coaching platform for High Level Throwing from the ground up. Using computer vision and pose estimation, the platform analyzes softball throwing mechanics from video to provide actionable coaching feedback, helping athletes improve performance and reduce injury risk.
This co-branded event will showcase cutting-edge applications of AI in sports performance, highlight Northeastern University’s graduate programs in AI and data analytics, and create valuable networking opportunities between students, professionals, tech innovators, and sports enthusiasts.
Whether you’re a data-curious fan, a sports industry professional, a student exploring sports-tech, or an AI practitioner looking for new domains, this is your opportunity to connect and gain insight into the next era of competition.
Hosted by Northeastern University in partnership with SUPERCOLLIDER / PRAKTIKAI / Polar Labs.
Northeastern University’s Toronto campus offers industry-aligned graduate programs in high-demand fields such as Analytics, Information Systems, Biotechnology, and more. Located in the heart of Queen West at 375 Queen St. W, the campus emphasizes experiential learning, strong employer partnerships, and real-world project-based education within Northeastern’s global network. It serves as a hub connecting students, professionals, researchers, and industry leaders to advance innovation in tech, AI, data, and beyond.
SUPERCOLLIDER is Toronto’s “community of communities,” fostering high-impact collisions between the city’s leading tech, AI, data, and innovation groups. By bringing together organizers, builders, founders, and enthusiasts we create a "collision chamber" of authentic in-person connections that drive collaboration, knowledge sharing, and new opportunities.
PRAKTIKAI is a new type of consulting firm that provides business value through data and AI solutions, without the hype. Through our KAI Accelerate program, we serve as hands-on technical partners for AI startups and founders providing advisory, mentorship, architecture guidance, and collaborative development to move from idea to product to market faster. Learn more at prktk.ai/accelerate
Polar Labs is a Toronto-based firm specializing in AI-powered application development and data engineering. The company builds scalable, full-stack solutions from custom Snowflake Native Apps and data infrastructure to intelligent features and seamless integration with modern data platforms. Polar Labs transforms data chaos into actionable, business-driving applications.
Secure your spot and be part of Toronto’s growing sports-tech conversation.