
What we’re about
MLTO: Machine Learning Toronto is a community for data and AI professionals in the Greater Toronto Area. Our mission is to create a group of like-minded individuals to build networks authentically, learn from industry experts, and share knowledge in free and open events focused on genuine connection, learning, and discussion around developments in AI. We believe that by bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds, we can create a space that promotes learning and growth in the field for the benefit of all involved.
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Upcoming events (1)
See all- Machine Learning TO (MLTO) Monthly MeetupOneEleven, Toronto, ON
Agenda
6:00-6:30 PM Arrivals and Networking
6:30-7:00 PM Tech Talk #1
7:00-7:30 PM Tech Talk #2
7:30-8:30 PM Networking & Wrap-up
8:30 PM Tear-down and DeparturesTech Talks
Talk #1 - Behind the Scenes at Toronto Open Data: Technology, Challenges, and the Future - Mackenzie Nichols, City of Toronto
In this talk, Mackenzie will give a peek behind the curtain of how the city runs its Open Data Program. It will cover the technology used to manage and share data, the political context that shapes the program, challenges the team has faced, and future plans for the city's Open Data initiative.Talk #2 - The Future of AI is not AGI, but Narrow AI - Gary Saarenvirta, Islandstream Advisory
"Narrow AI" is designed to solve specific human problems. Narrow AI is useful, computationally and energy efficient, and serves humanity without creating the fear and hype associated with language models. Gary will share his personal experiences delivering narrow AI solutions in retail, finance, and healthcare with details about infrastructure, energy utilization, and the business value created. These cases show narrow AI delivers orders of magnitude more ROI than using general language models such as ChatGPT and Deepseek, as specific use cases in industry required AI which is specific and fit for purpose.About the Speakers
Mackenzie Nichols supervises Toronto's Open Data Program, overseeing the team behind open.toronto.ca. For the past three years, he has worked to make government data more accessible and useful to the public. Prior to this, he was a data engineer and analyst in the private sector, helping software companies build data systems and analytics tools. His combined experience in both government and private sector domains gives him unique insight into the challenges and opportunities of open data in organizations of each type.Gary Saarenvirta is the Founder, CEO, and Chief Scientist at Islandstream Advisory, where he brings 30+ years of practical experience as an AI inventor, integrating autonomous AI into business processes in retail, insurance, banking, telco, government, healthcare and manufacturing. Previously, Gary was the founder & CEO of Daisy Intelligence for over two decades, delivering disruptive artificial intelligence solutions to deliver business optimizations by unlocking insights from transactional data in the insurance and retail industries.
Many thanks to our supporters and sponsors!
A huge thanks go out to this month's sponsor, ZAKA AI, for providing food and refreshments for our attendees. We'd also like to our acknowledge our regular community supporters, Boast and OneEleven for facilitating the venue, and Trajectory Labs and PRAKTIKAI for making the event happen.Speak or Support MLTO!
We are constantly looking for new speakers and sponsors to share their knowledge and help build the AI community in the GTA! If you are interested please get in touch directly or apply via one of the links below:- Speaker Application Form: mlto.ca/speak
- Sponsor Inquiry Form: mlto.ca/sponsor
- Volunteer Application Form: mlto.ca/volunteer