
Event Summary
On May 1, GRI hosted its Women in Risk Management event in Montreal, convening some of the top minds in the financial sector for a discussion about the integration and regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) in the financial and public sectors. The event featured lively exchanges among presenters and participants, all centering on finding the right balance between fostering innovation and ensuring accountability and fairness. Much of the conversation was framed by the EDGE principles: Explainability, Data, Governance, and Ethics.
Explainability was a recurring theme, with several participants stressing the importance of making AI decisions transparent and understandable to maintain fairness and uphold consumer trust.
Data was another focus. Given AI’s reliance on quality data to produce quality results, the discussion centered on the need for strong data governance to ensure accuracy, privacy, and compliance, and prevent bias.
The discussion of governance went beyond data to encompass the entire AI lifecycle. Presenters called for adaptive regulations that can keep pace with rapid technological advancement, and ensure that AI systems are developed and deployed responsibly.
The issue of AI ethics, including broader societal impacts, was thoroughly debated. The discussion touched on ensuring fairness, maintaining privacy, and fostering transparency to build and sustain public trust.
The event’s primary goal was to bring together women leaders in risk management and empower them to take the lead on important issues facing the industry. The focus on artificial intelligence made for an engaged group that challenged each other while bonding over issues of common concern.
What Our Members Said
“Attending the GRI Women in Risk on AI was enlightening and empowering. It provided valuable insights into AI with all the challenges and the numerous opportunities it offers. The discussions were thought-provoking and left me feeling inspired to increase my knowledge on AI and drive positive change. Overall, it was a great initiative and valuable opportunity to share with women in risk management.”
Djazia Louda, National Bank of Canada
“Having already seen a few presentations on AI/GenAI, I particularly appreciated hearing these conversations from the perspective of women. The notion of bias is not something I had heard in the past and I believe it is a very important and interesting angle to the AI conversation.”
Julie Frenette, Laurentian Bank
Program Highlights
Opening Remarks
- Sonia Baxendale, President & CEO, GRI
Responsible AI: Embracing the EDGE Principles
- Dr. Alexey Rubtsov, Senior Research Associate, GRI
Navigating the Risks and Opportunities of AI – Panel Discussion
- Lise Estelle Brault, Senior Director Data, Digital Transformation and Innovation, AMF
- Elizabeth Côté, Director, Operational Risk Division, OSFI
- Ima Okonny, Assistant Deputy Minister, ESDC
- Dominique Payette, Privacy & AI Lawyer, Senior Counsel, RBC Law Group
- Moderator: Linda El Ghordaf, Partner, Financial Risk Management, KPMG
Keynote – Generative AI in the Enterprise: The Good, the Bad and the Risks
- Dr. Sasha Luccioni, Climate Lead and AI Researcher, Hugging Face