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Events

The mission of the CIC is to promote an understanding of international affairs and Canada’s role in a changing world by providing Canadians with a non-partisan, nationwide forum for informed discussion, analysis and debate. Accordingly, the cornerstone of the CIC’s work is our events program. The CIC national office and our branches hold more than 150 events per year in cities across the country. In particular, our branch events give members an opportunity to directly engage with global issues that often intersect with local concerns. The CIC also supports events outside of Canada, often in partnership with other global think tanks, that can introduce Canadian perspectives to global audiences. CIC events take on many different forms, from academic lectures and panel discussions to town hall meetings and pub nights. Please consult our events calendar for a listing of CIC-organized and sponsored events.

If you have an idea for a CIC event, please contact us at info@thecic.org.

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CIC Toronto: AI and Warfare – When Machines Make Decisions

May 25 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm EDT

AI and Warfare: When Machines Make Decisions

Date: Monday, May 25, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM (EST)
Location: Canadian Forces College (215 Yonge Blvd, North York, ON M5M 3H8)

The Canadian International Council’s Toronto Branch, in partnership with the NATO Association of Canada, is pleased to invite you to a timely panel discussion on the evolving role of artificial intelligence in modern warfare and international security.

As militaries increasingly integrate AI into defence systems, ethical dilemmas are rapidly moving from theory to operational reality. This discussion will explore the tension between strategic advantage and responsible use, examining issues such as lethal autonomous weapons, human oversight, intelligence analysis, and the future of international regulation.

The panel will also consider how democratic states can harness innovation while maintaining accountability and control in the age of machine-driven warfare

To register, please follow this link. CIC Toronto Member are entitled to a discounted ticket price using the promo code “MEMBER“.

 

About the Speakers:

David Chan – Senior Advisor at the DND/CAF Artificial Intelligence Centre, supporting the implementation of Canada’s defence AI strategy and the integration of AI across military operations. He also serves as a reserve naval officer with operational experience in the Middle East and Indo-Pacific.

Branka Marijan – Senior Fellow at CIGI and Senior Researcher at Project Ploughshares, focusing on the security implications of emerging technologies, including autonomous weapons and AI in warfare.

Matthew Lombardi – Partner at TELUS Global Ventures and co-founder of The Icebreaker, focused on scaling dual-use technologies and advancing Canada’s defence innovation ecosystem.
About the Moderator:

Dr. Jennifer Cassidy – Diplomatic scholar at the University of Oxford, where she lectures on Diplomacy and International Law, Digital Diplomacy, and Gender and Diplomacy.

Details

Venue

  • Canadian Forces College
  • 215 Yonge Blvd
    Toronto, ON M5M 3H8 Canada     + Google Map

Organizers

  • CIC Toronto Branch
  • NATO Association of Canada