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Dear friends of the Dais,
At the G7 Summit next week, world leaders arrive in Canada to discuss the future of AI, cybersecurity and quantum computing. How will Canada embrace this defining moment to shape the global innovation agenda?
At the Dais, we believe that we can choose to be active architects of an inclusive digital future.
Canada has everything it takes to lead: world-class talent, diverse perspectives, and a commitment to collective prosperity that sets us apart. This means embracing breakthrough innovations that create meaningful economic opportunities while building smart safeguards that protect our most vulnerable people, prepare workers for a transitioning labour market, and ensure that the transformative power of technology reaches every corner of our society.
That’s why we’re proud to partner on RAISE, Canada’s first national program helping nonprofit organizations responsibly and effectively adopt AI. Registration for the Dais' training program for nonprofit workers to adopt and use AI opens July 2025.
It’s also why we continue to focus on sparking action at the intersection of responsible technology, education, and democracy:
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Read: policy ideas on safer online spaces and a guest piece on the emerging economic opportunities for Canada’s self-employed amid growing focus on the country’s domestic economy
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Watch: how we’re equipping educators to lead digital literacy learning in classrooms
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Learn: join us on Saturday, June 14 from 1-2 p.m. for Behind the Screens: a powerful youth-led session on how AI-driven platforms, social media algorithms, and digital distractions are shaping our minds, relationships, and learning environments, delivered in collaboration with Encode Canada
As the country’s focus on powerful tech heats up, the question isn't whether Canada can lead in this digital revolution, it's whether we have the courage to lead with our values intact. At the Dais, we’re bridging policy, innovation, and impact—because transformative technology shouldn’t leave people behind. It should move us all forward.
Yours,
André Côté
Interim Executive Director
The Dais at Toronto Metropolitan University |
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Latest at the Dais |
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RAISE (Responsible AI Adoption for Social Impact) |
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We’re proud to partner in the launch of RAISE (Responsible AI Adoption for Social Impact), a national program for helping Canada’s nonprofits close the AI adoption and skills gap.
Built jointly with the Human Feedback Foundation and Creative Destruction Lab and a consortium of nonprofit organizations, and co-funded by DIGITAL, RAISE will build governance expertise, practical workforce skills, and organizational capacity for responsible AI adoption.
With fewer than five per cent of nonprofits using AI, RAISE will bridge the gap through:
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Accessible training for nonprofit workers to develop AI literacy and practical skills for using AI
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A 12-month adoption accelerator for nonprofit organizations
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An AI adoption governance framework and playbook
Registration for this program will open July 2025 at dais.ca. |
| READ THE ANNOUNCEMENT |
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In Focus |
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Assessing and Improving Job Quality Among Canada’s Self-Employed |
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As Canada shifts focus toward growing its economy from within, this guest piece explores how self-employment could play a big role in driving growth.
New survey data shows self-employed Canadians often report better job satisfaction and mental health than other workers—but they still face real challenges that smart policy could help fix.
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| MORE INSIGHTS, PLEASE |
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Calls for Action Grow as Online Harms Rise |
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From misinformation and hate speech to the rise of deepfakes and AI-generated abuse, the digital public square is evolving faster than our ability to govern it.
Our latest Survey of Online Harms confirms what many Canadians already experience: the internet is becoming a more hostile place.
Trust in tech platforms is plummeting, and public demand for action is high. As the new federal government gets to work in Ottawa, our latest Dais Commentary makes the case for bold action on online safety. |
| WHAT SHOULD OTTAWA DO NEXT? |
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Digital Literacy in Ontario Classrooms |
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In today’s media landscape, digital literacy has never been more important - especially for young people.
In partnership with Ontario’s Ministry of Education, the Dais developed a set of classroom-ready lesson plans to help students navigate misinformation, synthetic media, and social media news.
Explore how our team brought this toolkit to life—and why building critical thinking skills offline is key to staying safe online. |
| THE FULL STORY |
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🌸 Daisies in Bloom 🌸 |
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Join us in celebrating two incredible Daisies as they mark exciting academic milestones:
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Jillian Gonzales, our Leadership Development Assistant and one of our very first Career Boost students, is graduating with a Bachelor of Creative Industries from TMU.
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Mahtab Laghaei, our Policy and Research Assistant, has completed her Master of Global Affairs at the University of Toronto, with a focus on Digital Society and Security.
We’re so proud of Jillian and Mahtab for all they’ve accomplished, and for everything they’re growing toward next! |
| OUR STELLAR TEAM |
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Dais Learning |
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Behind the Screens |
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Our digital lives are designed to keep us scrolling—but at what cost to our minds and relationships?
This Saturday, June 14, join youth leaders from across Canada for a free online event unpacking how AI, social media, and digital design are shaping our habits, mental health, and sense of autonomy.
You’ll hear fresh perspectives on:
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The hidden power of algorithms
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Mental wellbeing in digital spaces
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Youth-driven ideas for smarter tech policy
This event is hosted in partnership with Encode Canada as part of the Dais’ Screen Break Youth Champions initiative. |
| SIGN ME UP |
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