CIFAR, in partnership with the the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), has launched a series of international AI & Society research workshops to examine the economic, ethical, policy and legal implications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on society.

As AI technologies become more integrated into daily life through digital assistants and self-driving vehicles, their responsible and ethical development is a pressing concern. The new workshops, set to take place from June 2019 to June 2020 across Canada, France and the UK, will build on international collaborations and bring together perspectives from the social sciences, humanities, law, engineering and computer science as well as policy, business and civil society. The interdisciplinary groups will explore how AI will impact different populations and sectors.

Administered and managed by CIFAR with support from CNRS and UKRI, the workshops explore the global implications of AI on a range of topics – from future conflicts in the Arctic and societal trust in AI systems to how AI may impact the practice of medicine. Each workshop will also produce a non-technical publication with insights for policy-makers in the public and private sectors as well as the public. The eight workshops were carefully selected after a three-month adjudication process. Each workshop will receive up to CAD$50,000 for a total combined commitment of CAD$400,000 from all three organizations for this joint call.

“The strength of these workshops is their interdisciplinary, international and cross-sectoral perspectives” says Dr. Alan Bernstein, President and CEO of CIFAR. “AI is being adopted around the world. It’s critical that we develop new ways to understand what the implications are across populations, sectors and disciplines. CIFAR is thrilled to partner with France and the UK to advance understanding on AI in society.”

This new initiative is the second stream of workshops realized through CIFAR’s AI & Society program, which was launched in 2017. The AI & Society program is a key pillar of the CIFAR Pan-Canadian AI Strategy, a $125 millioninvestment from the Government of Canada with the goal of supporting Canada’s leadership in machine learning research and training.

For Antoine Petit, Chairman and CEO of the CNRS, “it is essential to strive to analyse and better understand the potential ethical, social, legal or economic repercussions of artificial intelligence. The CNRS is happy to join forces with the CIFAR and UKRI to contribute to the reflection around these issues.”

“The potential of artificial intelligence is reaching all areas of society and business, so it is crucial that we give due consideration to the social and ethical implications of their greater use,” says UK Research and Innovation Chief Executive, Professor Sir Mark Walport. “The workshops announced today, in partnership with CIFAR and CNRS, will make an important contribution to exploring the impact of artificial intelligence, and generate insights that will inform policy, business and the public.”

The full list of workshops and proposal teams is available here.

SOURCE CIFAR

VirtualMED is partnering with HealthTap, a US-based health technology company, to provide Canadians with easy access to high quality, AI-powered virtual care. No more waiting hours at the emergency room or weeks and months for a doctor’s appointment. VirtualMED members will have fast access to primary care, 24/7, from a team of licensed physicians on any internet-enabled device, complete with an AI symptom checker. If a diagnosis cannot be given through teleconsult, an in-person appointment is available within 24 hours.¹

First class care
VirtualMED is physician-owned and registered with the Collège des médecins du Québec to provide healthcare services to Canadians. Powered by HealthTap’s technology, VirtualMED will offer consumers and businesses immediate, virtual access to the VirtualMED team of leading physicians. VirtualMED will provide its members with a complete range of services including diagnostics, referrals, prescriptions, lab results, and treatment plans across Canada and the US. “We are proud to be the first to help Canadians and businesses save precious time and money by offering quick and easy access to our team of physicians through the unique combination of HealthTap’s renowned virtual care app and our brick-and-mortar clinics,” said Dr. Patricia Côté, co-owner of VirtualMED.

VirtualMED will offer packages to businesses directly and through their insurance carriers who wish to provide access to virtual primary healthcare for employees which will reduce costs, save time, and increase satisfaction. Individual and family packages will also be available for all Canadians. Users will have access to VirtualMed’s licensed doctors through an AI-based app which provides personalized, convenient diagnoses and treatment plans. VirtualMED members will also have access to affordable, virtual care when travelling in the US, which can prevent expensive treatment costs. VirtualMED services and app will be available to all Canadians in French and English by the end of 2019.

Health technology leader
HealthTap is a globally renowned health technology company that provides comprehensive access to quality primary healthcare in an engaging, satisfying, and value-packed app. HealthTap’s AI-powered platform personalizes users’ care and enables an instant connection between the members and their doctors. According to Sean Mehra, Chief Strategy Officer at HealthTap, “HealthTap is excited to partner with VirtualMED to overcome the issues that affect Canadian healthcare by implementing HealthTap’s comprehensive consumer healthcare experience, powered by AI and supported by a large, global community of doctors and patients. VirtualMED’s established reputation for delivering quality will now be amplified to be Canada’s exemplary healthcare provider committed to timely access to care for all.”

HealthTap’s technology currently serves employers, insurance companies, health systems, and users around the world with industry-leading results. Businesses see user engagement rates up to 18 times the healthcare industry average. Members and doctors using the app report satisfaction scores 7 or more times greater than stand-alone telemedicine solutions. Because employees use it and enjoy it, HealthTap saves time and money for both businesses and consumers.

SOURCE VirtualMED

CannaOne Technologies (CNNA: CSE/FSE: 3CT) (“CannaOne” or the “Company”) announces that it intends to complete a non-brokered private placement financing (the “Financing“) of units (each, a “Unit“) for gross proceeds of up to CDN$500,000 with a price per Unit of CDN$0.56.

Each Unit will consist of one common share (each a “Share“) and one common share purchase warrant (each a “Warrant“), with each Warrant exercisable to acquire one additional Share (each a “Warrant Share“) for a period of 12 months following the closing date of the Financing (“Closing Date“).  One-half of the Warrants shall have an exercise price of CDN$0.70 per Warrant Share, with the remaining one-half having an exercise price of CDN$1.12 per Warrant Share.

CannaOne intends to pay finder’s fees of up to 8% in cash and 8% in finder’s warrants in connection with the Financing. Proceeds from the Financing are expected to be used for ongoing working capital requirements relating to the development and commercialization of the CannaOne technology platforms.

Completion of the Financing is anticipated to occur on or about April 18, 2019 and will be subject to acceptance by the Canadian Securities Exchange. All securities issued pursuant to the Financing will be subject to a hold period of four months as required under applicable securities legislation.

The securities referred to herein will not be or have not been registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements.

SOURCE CannaOne Technologies Inc.