Shaping the Debate: Exploring N.B.'s challenges and advantages in the AI era

Can New Brunswick punch above its weight in the knowledge industry, particularly in the increasingly important area of artificial intelligence (AI)?

Three panels of experts gathered on the University of New Brunswick's (UNB) Fredericton campus on Sept. 15 and 16 to examine how robotics, artificial intelligence and machine learning are changing the world.

The latest installment in UNB's Shaping the Debate series, co-hosted by the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce, was titled The Knowledge Industry Shift: Centering Human Intelligence in a Time of Transformation. It examined the role of education, research and the knowledge sector in helping individuals adapt, build new skills and succeed in the digital economy.

First panel: Keeping humans central in this transformative time

On the evening of Sept. 15, panellists addressed the topic The New Brunswick Advantage: Harnessing a Knowledge Industry powered by Digital for Transformative Change.

Moderating was Cathy Simpson, CEO of TechImpact, with the panel comprised of Dr. Herb Emery, Vaughan Chair in Regional Economics at UNB; Francis McGuire, former president (deputy minister) of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA); Shane Murphy, executive director of Thales and Steven Hart, CAO of the city of Fredericton.

Bill Best, vice president of administration and finance at UNB, opened the evening by emphasizing the university's role in fostering innovation and community engagement.

"There is a saying at UNB that really resonates with me: 'We're not just the University of New Brunswick; we're the university for New Brunswick,'" Best said.

"The Shaping the Debate series is a great example of that, and of our commitment to be an active part of our communities and participate in the conversations that are essential to building a more prosperous and just future for our province."

Morgan Peters, CEO of the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce, highlighted Fredericton's position as a regional leader in the knowledge industry.

"The knowledge industry is central to modern economics, including innovation, productivity and global competitiveness, core issues that we as a province and a country are engaging with in a more urgent and meaningful way. Fredericton has the tools to be a major contributor," he said.

Murphy stated that partnerships among industry, academia and government are essential for attracting investment, developing local talent and creating opportunities for students. He stressed that collective leadership and a shared vision are key to scaling innovation and retaining skilled workers.

McGuire said that successful tech adoption requires strong leadership, practical examples and overcoming business owners' fear of change through clear, sector-specific communication.

He stressed the importance of community engagement by meeting people where they are. He said that real progress comes not from abstract concepts but from concrete actions and relatable success stories. He also noted that most investment comes from within businesses and called for policies that let them reinvest and grow.

Emery identified investment climate and policy uncertainty as barriers, noting that existing assets and talent in the province were underused due to a lack of co-ordination and supportive conditions. He stressed the need for government to create a stable environment for business investment and to address educational shortcomings in literacy and numeracy.

Hart described Fredericton's efforts to foster a knowledge economy, citing investments in infrastructure and technology, but acknowledged the challenges of scale and the need for better communication with innovators.

The panel overall emphasized the importance of leadership, collaboration and creating conditions that foster both talent retention and business growth, with a call to move beyond zero-sum thinking and to embrace risk and innovation at all levels.

Second panel: How the knowledge industry will shape work

The event continued the next morning with the panel discussion Towards an Intelligence Economy: The Knowledge Industry and the Future of Work.

Moderated by Nicole Bendrich, director of product at Beauceron Security, the panel consisted of Dr. Scott Bateman, scientific director at the Research Institute in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (RIDSAI) at UNB; Candice Pollack, CEO of ResearchNB; and Dr. Argyri Panezi, Canada Research Chair in Digital Information Law and Policy at UNB.

The discussion explored the evolving relationship between human intelligence and AI, with a focus on New Brunswick's role in the knowledge industry.

Panezi defined the knowledge industry as including both the preservation and production of knowledge, emphasizing the importance of educational and research institutions adapting to community needs in response to technological change.

She highlighted the necessity for regulatory frameworks for AI, referencing both Canadian and international efforts, and advocated for a "human-in-control" approach, arguing that humans should guide AI rather than simply monitor it.

Pollack described how research funding in New Brunswick had shifted, with nearly all new projects involving AI, data analytics or machine learning. She noted that New Brunswick had robust data availability and a collaborative culture, which are unique strengths. Still, she pointed out, the province has chronic underinvestment in research and innovation.

She called for increased public-private partnerships, targeted investment and a focus on niche applications of AI, particularly in the bioeconomy and healthcare sectors. She also emphasized the importance of equipping students and workers with critical thinking and technical skills, which enable them to be more adaptable to change.

Bateman discussed the transformative impact of AI on education and the workforce, observing that AI had fundamentally altered knowledge work and necessitated a renewed focus on ethics and critical thinking. He described the challenges educators faced in integrating AI into curricula and the need for clear policies to ensure responsible use in academia and business.

He said that while AI adoption was increasing, most organizations remained in early stages, and emphasized that human creativity, judgment and ethical reasoning were irreplaceable.

The panellists agreed that New Brunswick's small size and collaborative spirit positioned it well for innovation, but success required strategic investment, interdisciplinary collaboration and a commitment to ethics and education.

Third panel: Getting ready for a machine-shaped world

The topic of the third panel was The Human Advantage: Preparing Minds for a Machine-Shaped World.

Hannah Classen, chief strategy officer at UNB moderated. Panellists were Dr. Matt McGuire, McKenna fellow in digital education at UNB; Adam Peabody, executive director of Downtown Fredericton; Renée Gordon, teaching professor in UNB's faculty of nursing and Dr. Simon Potter, director, college office of research enterprise at NBCC.

The panel considered how education can adapt to the challenges and opportunities presented by AI and rapid technological advancements.

McGuire described generative AI as a "new species in our ecosystem," emphasizing the need for education systems to balance the opportunities and challenges AI presents. He argued that education should foster critical thinking and creativity, lamenting that current systems often value product over process.

Gordon highlighted the shift in teaching roles, stating that educators had become facilitators, helping students apply knowledge in context, particularly through simulation in nursing education. She stressed the importance of experiential learning and the discomfort and growth it brings.

Peabody discussed the increasing value of self-directed learning and soft skills in the workforce, noting that employers now prioritize adaptability and problem-solving over rote knowledge. He proposed stronger partnerships between business and education, saying that New Brunswick's small size and connectivity could make it a leader in educational innovation.

Potter argued that "soft skills aren't soft anymore," and that critical thinking and creativity would differentiate humans from machines. He raised concerns about the ethical implications of AI, including bias and the need for inclusivity, and promoted micro-credentialing as a way to keep continuing education nimble and responsive.

The panel also addressed accessibility, the need for new metrics to value human skills and the importance of cross-sector collaboration. They concluded that education must be adaptable, inclusive and focused on lifelong learning to prepare students for an uncertain future.

"What stuck with me and resonated was that we continually talk about having the community, having the people, having the connections and having the proximity," said Best in summing up the event and urging action.

"We've got brilliant minds and brilliant ideas … just do it."