Lunch Analytics: Municipal Data Edition

​September’s edition of Lunchtime Analytics dives into how municipalities are using data to solve complex, real-world problems. Whether you're a civic tech nerd, policy wonk, data wrangler, or just municipal-curious, come hungry (for both lunch and learning). Lunch is provided—brain fuel included.

​🐸 Frognition: Frog Recognition & Re-ID for Conservation

​Speaker: Taher Abbasi, Senior Data Scientist, City of Edmonton

​Meet Frognition—an AI-powered application that identifies and tracks endangered Northern leopard frogs using computer vision. Taher Abbasi will walk us through how this tool replaces thousands of hours of manual work by automating the recognition of individual frogs from image datasets, helping advance vital conservation efforts.

​About the speaker: Taher Abbasi specializes in machine learning applications for civic innovation and biological monitoring, with a focus on real-world impact.

​🧠 Talk #2: From the World Stage to Edmonton Streets: Mapping Economic Momentum

​Speaker: Almas Danish, Manager, Technology & Health Research, Edmonton Global

​This presentation explores the shifting landscape of economic growth, starting with the G7 nations and their trajectories in real GDP, employment, and population trends. From there, it narrows in on Canada — highlighting the country’s standout position among advanced economies and drilling down into the fastest-growing Census Metropolitan Areas (CMAs). Finally, the discussion connects these macroeconomic forces to real estate markets, revealing how demographic momentum and economic expansion are reshaping opportunities in Canadian cities, with a particular focus on Edmonton and other key regions.

​About the Speaker: Almas Danish is dedicated to revealing the story behind data. She converts complex information into clear insights that inform investment, trade, and growth strategies, helping the region compete internationally.