(TORONTO – Aug. 12, 2026) As educators across Canada and around the globe work to prepare youth for a future shaped by artificial intelligence, Actua, MIT RAISE (Responsible AI for Social Empowerment and Education), and Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) are hosting leading experts in AI and education to help equip teachers with the knowledge, tools, and confidence they need. Together, the three organizations will host the AI Exchange: Empowering Educators for Tomorrow on Aug. 17–18, 2026 at the TMU campus in Toronto.
The two-day conference comes at a critical time. According to Actua’s Ready for AI? report, 78 per cent of educators say they need to strengthen their AI knowledge, yet they face barriers: nearly two-thirds (65 per cent) cite a lack of resources, while more than half report limited professional learning opportunities, underscoring an urgent need for practical support.
“We cannot expect youth to thrive in an AI-integrated economy if we leave our educators unsupported,” said Jennifer Flanagan, CEO of Actua. “The AI Exchange is about giving educators practical tools, trusted expertise, and a community of peers so they can confidently prepare young people for an AI-enabled future. By partnering with MIT RAISE and TMU, we’re helping build the capacity and leadership needed to advance responsible AI literacy in Canada and beyond.”
“We are excited to offer meaningful teacher professional development opportunities to all the attendees, gathered from around the globe,” said Professor Cynthia Breazeal, director of MIT RAISE. “Through hands-on activities and workshops, teachers will deepen their ability to teach students vital AI literacy skills. We are grateful for the excellent collaboration with Actua and TMU to make this AI Exchange possible.”
“TMU is proud to host the AI Exchange and help educators prepare young people to lead and thrive in an AI-enabled future,” said Roberta Iannacito-Provenzano, provost and vice-president, academic at Toronto Metropolitan University. “We are grateful to bring together leading researchers and educators from around the world to advance thoughtful and responsible approaches that open new pathways for AI literacy and adoption in public education.”
The AI Exchange will bring together educators, researchers, and leaders in the AI field from Canada, the United States, and Hong Kong to explore one of the most pressing issues facing education today: preparing educators to confidently and responsibly integrate AI literacy into K–12 learning.
The conference will feature keynote presentations, hands-on workshops, research insights, and collaborative discussions focused on responsible AI, classroom-ready approaches to AI literacy, and strategies for supporting educators as AI becomes increasingly embedded across the education system.
Participants will explore topics including:
- Responsible and ethical AI in K–12 education
- Practical approaches to integrating AI literacy across subject areas
- Professional learning and capacity-building for educators
- Emerging research and best practices from leading education organizations
By bringing together leading voices in AI literacy, the AI Exchange aims to strengthen educator readiness to help ensure students are prepared to participate thoughtfully, responsibly, and confidently in an AI-powered future.
About Actua
Actua is creating a Canada where every child has the skills and confidence they need to achieve their full potential. As a leading science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) outreach organization, Actua includes over 40 universities and colleges, engaging 500,000 youth in 600 communities each year. For 25 years, Actua has focused on identifying and removing the barriers for entry into STEM and now has national programs dedicated to engaging Indigenous youth, girls and young women, Black youth, youth with disabilities, those facing economic barriers and youth in Northern and remote communities. Actua has a national AI Ready Program advancing AI Literacy for tens of thousands of youth, teachers and parents in Canada. Actua’s work is made possible thanks to the support of its major funding partners, including the Government of Canada, Deciem, Suncor Energy Foundation, TD Bank Group, Microsoft Elevate, Toyota Canada Foundation, CIBC Foundation, Enbridge, Cenovus, Imperial, Rideau Hall Foundation and RBC Foundation.
About MIT RAISE
Our mission is to rethink and invent a more positive and inclusive future of education and learning in the era of AI. Our work informs, engages, and empowers millions of teachers, learners, innovators, researchers, and leaders worldwide. We bring together the curiosity of experts, the creativity of innovators, the rigor of world-class research, the experience of practitioners, and the perspective of leaders in a shared commitment to making a better, more inclusive, AI-powered world for shared prosperity. Rooted in MIT’s hands-on, minds-on approach to innovation, we believe AI is for everyone — and by empowering people to take responsible computational action, we help shape a better future for all.
About Toronto Metropolitan University
A world-class research institution and Canada’s leader in innovative, career-oriented education, TMU offers more than 60 undergraduate programs, over 65 graduate programs, and 80 continuing education certificate programs. The university boasts ten faculties, including the Lincoln Alexander School of Law and the new TMU School of Medicine. It is also home to 11 startup incubators, known as Zones, that support innovation across sectors – from health and life sciences to creative industries and social impact. Established in 1948, TMU is home to nearly 48,000 students, including 2,900 Master’s and PhD students, 4,000 faculty and staff, and over 265,000 alumni worldwide. For more information, visit torontomu.ca
Media contacts:
Alison Gareau
Senior Director, Communications, Actua
613-234-4137
communications@actua.ca
Rupa Shah
Director, Global Philanthropy and Partnerships
rupas@mit.edu
+1 310 430 4694