Science Technology Engineering Math

This talk synthesizes recent historical research demonstrating the close relationship between developments in statistical methods and debates over racial categories and racial admixture in human genetics. I focus on three temporal snapshots, beginning with the early 20th century peak in the collection of quantitative data by physical anthropologists for the purpose of classifying racial groups and detecting histories of human migrations and admixture. In this period, Indian statistician P. C. Mahalanobis formulated his famous distance function — still in use today for applications ranging from finance to machine learning — in order to answer questions about racial admixture in colonial India. By the postwar period, human geneticists collected different kinds of data and developed new statistical approaches, but still largely aimed to address similar questions about “populations” or “ethnic groups” shaped by concepts of racial difference. For example, major scientific disputes emerged between the 1950s and 1970s about the validity of statistical methods used to estimate racial admixture in communities of African Americans and Ashkenazi Jews. I conclude with a reflection on recent computational methods used to analyze “biogeographical ancestry” and the enduring problem of categorizing populations in human genetics. Elise Burton https://ihpst.utoronto.ca/people/directories/all-faculty/elise-burton Associate Professor Institute for the History and Philosophy of Science and Technology University of Toronto **About the Speaker:** am a historian of the life sciences in the modern Middle East, focusing on developments in genetics, evolutionary biology, physical anthropology, and medicine during the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. My current research examines the relationship of these sciences to the formation of racial, ethnic, and national identities, and how these identities, in turn, shape the dynamics of transnational scientific collaborations. My training in Middle East area studies informs my commitment to working across languages, geographies, and disciplines to challenge Eurocentric approaches to the history of science as well as science and technology studies. My next book will examine scientific connections between the Middle East and South and East Asia. Tentatively called “Race Across Asia,” this project traces the flow of scientific ideas and research practices surrounding race and nationalism between Japan, India, Iran, and Turkey since the 1950s. Looking specifically at the fields of medical genetics, forensic fingerprinting, and archaeology, I am investigating how different kinds of trans-Asian scientific expeditions and educational networks relate to competing notions of Asian identity. **\* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \*** This is a talk with audience Q&A presented by the University of Toronto's Centre for Ethics that is free to attend and open to the public. The talk will also be streamed online with live chat here [to be posted]. About the Centre for Ethics (http://ethics.utoronto.ca): The Centre for Ethics is an interdisciplinary centre aimed at advancing research and teaching in the field of ethics, broadly defined. The Centre seeks to bring together the theoretical and practical knowledge of diverse scholars, students, public servants and social leaders in order to increase understanding of the ethical dimensions of individual, social, and political life. In pursuit of its interdisciplinary mission, the Centre fosters lines of inquiry such as (1) foundations of ethics, which encompasses the history of ethics and core concepts in the philosophical study of ethics; (2) ethics in action, which relates theory to practice in key domains of social life, including bioethics, business ethics, and ethics in the public sphere; and (3) ethics in translation, which draws upon the rich multiculturalism of the City of Toronto and addresses the ethics of multicultural societies, ethical discourse across religious and cultural boundaries, and the ethics of international society. The Ethics of A.I. Lab at the Centre For Ethics recently appeared on a list of 10 organizations leading the way in ethical A.I.: https://ocean.sagepub.com/blog/10-organizations-leading-the-way-in-ethical-ai

### TORONTO **\- AI TECH PITCH & INVESTOR NIGHT** Join us for an exciting evening where founders, investors, and innovators in **AI, SaaS, Tech and Tech fields** come together to connect, collaborate, and create opportunities. **What to expect:** * **Startup Pitches** – Founders present their projects to investors & peers. * **Networking Sessions** – Meet like-minded entrepreneurs, potential partners, and investors. * **Keynote Insights** – Hear from speakers on the future of AI, Web3, and venture opportunities. * **Open Discussions** – Exchange ideas, challenges, and solutions in an informal setting. **Who should attend:** * Startup founders looking for funding & exposure * Investors exploring high-potential opportunities * Tech enthusiasts & builders in Tech industry * Professionals curious about the startup ecosystem or expanding networking **Details:** * **Time:** 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM * **Dress Code:** Smart casual * **Bring:** Business cards / LinkedIn ready to connect ✨ Whether you’re raising capital, looking for a co-founder, or simply want to expand your network, this is the room you need to be in. Tickets & Registration: If PayPal is not convenient for you, you can also register or purchase tickets via our official platforms • Luma:[https://luma.com/dmwz23ko](https://luma.com/dmwz23ko) • Eventbrite:[https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1980548459758?aff=oddtdtcreator](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1980548459758?aff=oddtdtcreator) Choose the option that works best for you. See you there!

**A new format: you choose who you're interested in meeting** This meetup is about getting to know new people and sharing the experience in a small group (3-6 people). *We use the LYTT platform to handle group size and balance - so you're not just hoping someone interesting shows up.* To apply you will need to create an account at [lytt.me](https://lytt.me/meetup/f45-training-hiit) \- it's free\. **The event: High-Intensity Functional Training at F45** F45 delivers 45 minutes of high-intensity functional training that pushes your limits. Every class is different - cardio blasts on Wednesdays, resistance training Tuesdays and Thursdays, hybrid workouts the rest of the week. Stations rotate, music pumps, and the group energy carries you through. After class, grab smoothies or coffee with your crew. Post-workout conversations hit different - you're energized, endorphins flowing, and the camaraderie is real. The whole experience runs about 1.5 hours. **The group: LYTT platform** LYTT forms small groups for events and activities you pick. 1\. Click 'Attend' here on Meetup\, then head to [lytt.me](https://lytt.me/meetup/f45-training-hiit) to create a quick profile (photo, a few interests, short bio) 2\. Browse others who applied and select who you'd want to meet 3\. We form groups where the interest is mutual 4\. You get notified when your group is confirmed \- payment happens then 5\. Show up knowing your crew already picked you \- *but no one knows who picked who*, to keep mystery and low pressure Applying doesn't guarantee a spot - but we may form multiple groups or invite you to similar events with other crews. **What's included:** \- 45\-minute functional HIIT workout \- Coach\-guided circuit training \- All equipment provided **Details:** **Cost:** Free trial class for new members. Membership required for regular attendance (\~$60-80/week or monthly plans). Smoothies/coffee after not included. **Group size:** 3-6 people **Location:** F45 Toronto (Downtown King St, Midtown St. Clair, or other locations - group decides) **Who this is for:** \- 27\-40ish\, give or take \- People who love to sweat \- Those who want accountability and connection in their fitness routine \- Looking for friends\, workout buddies\, or just better ways to start the day **Questions?** hey@lytt.me **Proceed to register here:** [https://lytt.me/meetup/f45-training-hiit](https://lytt.me/meetup/f45-training-hiit)

**Visitors are always welcome!** Drop by and experience a Toastmasters club first hand. Brainwave Speakers is an open club Toastmasters Club. Everyone is welcome. If you are committed to growing as a speaker and leader, and want to do it in a supportive social atmosphere, we'd love to meet you! **Meetings are every Wednesday 6:45 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.** Please arrive by 6:30 p.m. for a social/networking session. Directions and information can be found at https://1001005.toastmastersclubs.org/ Contact us at vpm-1001005@toastmastersclubs.org

\*These classes are not a language exchange, but instead are meant to be a step in between so that students feel confident maintaining in depth and grammatically correct oral conversations outside of class\* \***Meetup event numbers only tend to show new students registering and do not include returning students attending class.** **Per class, there is an average of 7 students.** The first 2 classes are free and then only cost between $15 and $35 depending on which type of class you want to continue with\* These French, English (For Spanish and French speakers only), and Spanish classes are primarily meant for adults who are travellers, or who are planning to live in a French, English, or Spanish-speaking country. The classes are primarily oral-based through guided conversations. They will teach you how to handle conversations in situations such as **"Going to the Convenience Store"**, **"Making Plans"**, **"Negotiating Prices"**, and **"Going out for a Drink"**. To ensure that students get used to using the language automatically, students will learn to maintain contextual conversations with timing before moving on to the next lesson. Call (647)787-9953, e-mail us info@monkeylingo.ca, or visit monkeylingo.ca for more information! **Online and private classes are also available!** No other language classes are as conversational as these ones. We guarantee it! Cheap parking can be found using the "Spot Hero" app.

SPEAK WITH CONFIDENCE! If you’re interested in improving your public speaking and leadership skills at an entertaining, educational and inspirational meeting, please visit us … it’s free! We meet weekly on Wednesday evenings. The location or link will be sent to those who confirm attendance. Brainwave Speakers Toastmasters club is a place where strangers become friends, where new ideas and experiences are shared. With a wide variety of ages, backgrounds and experiences, our members are an interesting and diverse group. Regardless of whether you are a professional, student, stay at home parent, job seeker or a retiree, you will find something of value at Brainwave Speakers Toastmasters club. Please feel welcome to visit us! Contact our Vice President of Membership at karen.goodyear333@gmail.com for details.

PLEASE CONTACT Jason at 905-308-4100 FOR DETAILS.

CivicTechBrampton 1st Meetup – Open Data Brampton Location: 8 Queen Street East, Brampton Algoma University SCEI Centre, 3rd floor, 8 Queen East. Inviting all technologists, students, citizens interested in working on Open Data projects. Open Data Brampton will present available datasets and ways to work with their data. Check out their website here: [https://geohub.brampton.ca/pages/data](https://geohub.brampton.ca/pages/data) New to Open Data? You are definitely welcome! We will all be learning from each other. Just knowing what data sets are available sparks ideas about new civic tech projects. There will be opportunities to network, and pitch your own project to interested volunteers. Questions: email [civictechbrampton@pm.me](mailto:civictechbrampton@pm.me) Agenda: 6:00 to 6:30 Meet and network 6:30 Presentation by Adam Commeford Open Data Brampton [https://www.openwaterdata.com/](https://geohub.brampton.ca/pages/data) 7:00 to 7:15 Q& A 7:15 to 7:30 Project pitches 7:30 to 8:30 Breakout into projects of interest 8:30 End and optional social at a local bar

This is an event organized by cntrl shift. interested attendees should register here. https://luma.com/5j88d0vo

**A cordial invite to the second segment of a miniseries of meetups on the resurging interest in the perennial mystery of Consciousness.** **Hosted by The Ontario Friends of the Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS) in collaboration with Global Consciousness Collective (GCC)** **[www.meetup.com/ions-ontario](http://www.meetup.com/ions-ontario), [www.noetic.org](http://www.noetic.org/), [www.easyglobaltraining.com](http://www.easyglobaltraining.com/)** **Speaker Bio:** Afsaneh Motamed Khorasani was born in Tehran, Iran, into a family of educators and is a biomedical scientist and medical affairs expert with training in obstetrics, molecular biology, and cancer informatics. She completed her MSc, PhD, and postdoctoral studies in Canada and brings more than 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and medical device industries. An entrepreneur, she is the founder of Neometrix Consulting and Easy Global Training, delivering global services in regulatory, quality, and medical affairs. Beyond science and business, Afsaneh is an artist, poet, and musician with a deep passion for travel, spirituality, and human consciousness. She has explored 30 countries, immersing in diverse cultures, and actively studies quantum mechanics, theosophy, and the paranormal. A longtime member of the Monroe Institute and the Institute of Noetic Sciences, she started a new Monroe Community Group (MCG) in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) to foster discussions on spirituality and consciousness among like-minded individuals to share insights and practice Hemi-Sync meditation. Visit our Youtube channel for more similar talks: https://www.youtube.com/@Easyglobaltraining Please also send us a confirmation e-mail to: afsaneh.motamed@gmail.com to be added to our mailing list for future events.

This is a ticketed event. Please register at [this link](https://luma.com/vqaqs628). ​Unstoppable agents? Digital drugs? Robo-religions? ​Moltbook is an internet forum designed exclusively for artificial intelligence agents. Some see it as AI theatre, others as a warning shot for autonomous agents. ​In this talk on Moltbook and related phenomena, Giles Edkins looks at the hype, the reality, and what it might mean for the future. ​​​**Event Schedule** 6:00 to 6:30 - Food and introductions 6:30 to 7:30 - Presentation and Q&A 7:30 to 9:00 - Open Discussions ​​​​​​If you can't make it in person, feel free to join the live stream starting at 6:30 pm, via [this link](https://www.youtube.com/@Trajectory-Labs/live). ​​​This is part of our weekly [AI Safety Thursdays](https://luma.com/trajectory-labs) series. Join us in examining questions like: * ​​​How do we ensure AI systems are aligned with human interests? * ​​​How do we measure and mitigate potential risks from advanced AI systems? * ​​​What does safer AI development look like?

**A cordial invite to the second segment of a miniseries of meetups on the resurging interest in the Perennial Mystery of Consciousness.** Last December we held the first of the series: **[The Holy Grail of Consciousness Embedded AI](https://www.meetup.com/ions-ontario/events/312293729/?eventOrigin=group_similar_events)**[ ](https://www.meetup.com/ions-ontario/events/312293729/?eventOrigin=group_similar_events)focusing on two opposing understandings of Consciousness. The prevailing concept among many scientists that bursts of electrical activity creates consciousness. And that it is conceivable, indeed possible, to harness this burst of electrical activity in silicon chips giving rise to consciousness in AI. This differs from the Perennial understandings reached by thinkers of the East who investigated states of Mind beyond dreamless deep sleep and made empirical observations of human and non-human entities over millennia. To them, Pure Consciousness as Ultimate Reality cannot be expressed by speech or understood by the Mind, for it is the illumination of Pure Consciousness which enables the speech to be expressed and the Mind to understand in the first place. In this and follow up sessions of the series we will be joined by Dr. Afsaneh Khorasani, **[Afsaneh Personal website-| Home](https://www.bing.com/search?q=Afsaneh+Khorasani&form=ANNTH1&refig=6986d3bc1bc5479f87ccec054ccb89ed&pc=PCMWSB&adppc=EDGEXST)**[,](https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=7cbb65b29886dd437938c7314526aebd9058fe4d4749dbdf2731d36796825912JmltdHM9MTc3MDMzNjAwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=229627c8-30c9-6f1e-2861-3229310c6ef5&psq=Afsaneh+Khorasani&u=a1aHR0cDovL2Fmc2FuZWhtb3RhbWVkLmNvbS9lbi9pbmRleC5odG0) an eminent research scientist. Among **[other initiatives](https://www.easyglobaltraining.com/)** Dr. Afsaneh has been involved with the Princeton University linked **[Global Consciousness Project](https://noosphere.princeton.edu/)** led by Roger Nelson to which our **[Institute of Noetic Sciences](https://noetic.org/)** (IONS) has been providing logistical home base over the years. Dr. Afsaneh will lead us into a deep yet practical journey into the nature of reality, consciousness, and energy, bridging modern physics, ancient wisdom, and lived experience. Together, we will look at consciousness as the ground of all experience, energy as the language of the universe, and manifestation as alignment rather than effort. We’ll explore how thought, emotion, belief, frequency, and awareness shape our lives, our relationships, and our ability to create with clarity and presence. The session will be reflective, expansive, and grounded in real-life application, offering insights you can integrate into daily living. In the months ahead, we will invite other panelists to share their perspective in a conversational setting with emphasis on audience interactions. We look forward to sharing this space of inquiry, awareness, and connection with you.

**Important:** Register on the [event website ](https://www.aicamp.ai/event/eventdetails/W2026022707)is required for admission.(RSVP is turned off on meetup) **Description:** Join Google Cloud for the agentic AI bootcamp to learn how to build production-ready AI and multimodal agents. **The ‘Next’ – Capturing Innovation** The era of the text-only chatbot is evolving. Focus on the bleeding edge of AI: Multimodality. We’ll explore how to build intelligent agents that can see, hear, and respond to the world in real-time, creating immersive experiences that feel more human than ever before. **What to Expect:** * \- Multimodal Gemini Agents: Coordinate agents to analyze video and audio while maintaining character consistency across multi\-turn image generation\. * \- Intelligence Beyond RAG: Move past simple retrieval with hybrid search\, context engineering\, and multi\-agent pipelines\. * \- Real\-Time Live Interaction: Build low\-latency\, interruptible agents that "see" and "hear" using the Gemini Live API and bidirectional streaming\. **Who Should Attend?** This hands-on workshop is designed for software developers, data scientists, and AI practitioners who have some experience building applications or working with models, and are looking to productionize them. To get the most out of the labs, you should have foundational knowledge of a programming language like Python and be comfortable using the command-line interface. While expertise is not required, a basic understanding of Cloud computing concepts, web APIs, and containerization technology like Docker will be highly beneficial. To participate, you must bring your own laptop and power cable. The activities are intended for laptops and cannot be completed on a tablet or phone. Venue: Waterloo, Canada (register full the full address)

Most Java developers have tried AI-assisted coding through chat interfaces or inline autocomplete. Useful — but limited. In this talk, we’ll explore the next step: agentic Java development using Claude Code. Instead of treating AI as a smarter text box, we’ll look at what changes when the model can reason across files, plan multi-step changes, interact with tools, and operate closer to how real developers work. This will be a practical, experience-driven session focused on: • How agentic coding differs from ChatGPT-style prompting and traditional Copilot usage • Where Claude Code fits (and where it doesn’t) in real Java projects • How tools, context, and workflows matter more than “prompt tricks” • How to avoid unstructured vibe coding while still moving faster No prior experience with agentic tools is required. The goal isn’t to sell a silver bullet — it’s to help Java developers understand what’s genuinely new, what’s hype, and how these tools can be used responsibly in real-world codebases. **About the venue** Free Times Cafe has bistro-style seating and a full food and drink menu. Please consider helping to support the venue by planning to have supper during the talk. **Speaker Bio** Victor Szoltysek is a seasoned consultant and technologist, currently at RAVL, where he helps clients eliminate the inefficiencies of undifferentiated heavy lifting and focus on building solutions that drive real business value for their customers. With a career spanning notable organizations like Accenture, Pivotal, and ThoughtWorks, as well as numerous startups, Victor brings a wealth of experience in cloud transformations, DevOps enablement, and Agile software development. A dedicated Java enthusiast with a sharp eye for cutting-edge technologies, Victor’s work frequently intersects with AWS, where he strives to streamline workflows and help teams leverage the cloud without unnecessary complexity. Recently, he’s also ventured into the dynamic world of artificial intelligence, exploring ways to make programming more engaging, efficient, and rewarding. Victor is known for his humorous and sometimes controversial presentation style, ensuring lively discussions and thought-provoking takeaways. His disdain for overly complex tech solutions drives his mission to simplify the way we build and deploy software. Whether he’s sharing insights about Java, AWS, or AI, Victor’s talks are as energizing and satisfying as your favorite cup of coffee. Don’t miss his unique blend of wit, wisdom, and deep technical expertise at our meetup!

Join other experienced and aspiring agile coaches and professionals to: * develop and practice your coaching skills in a peer-to-peer environment * share current successes and challenges in your work environment and get support from each other * learn from each other, build better relationships and experiment with new ideas

**Google Analytics Alternatives** Is it finally time to make the switch away from Google Analytics? Two-and-a-half years ago Jason Packer asked this question at Columbus Web Analytics Wednesday. Since then: Google’s Universal Analytics has been sunset, we’ve changed our name to Columbus Data & Analytics Wednesday, and Jason has released two editions of his book “Google Analytics Alternatives”. Fresh off the release of the 2nd edition of his book, we thought it was time to re-open this conversation. While people love to complain about it, GA’s market share has remained relatively constant (at least in the United States). Why is that? You won’t find any complaints about GA4 in this talk, but rather an overview of what’s currently available in the market and how to frame your decision-making process. We’ll also be giving out some free copies of Jason’s book! So even if you’ve got a “GA4Lyfe” tattoo (no judgement), there’s free books to go with the free pizza and beer. Thanks to our 2026 sponsors: [Clarivoy](https://www.clarivoy.com), [What Box Consulting Group](https://www.whatboxconsultinggroup.com), [Conductrics](https://www.conductrics.com), and [Piwik PRO](https://piwik.pro) More info at [cbusdaw.com](https://cbusdaw.com)

Christians in Tech is a community at the intersection of faith and technology. Our meetups are designed to spark meaningful conversations, promote knowledge sharing, and encourage growth—both in your career and your spiritual walk with God. Whether you're an experienced professional or just starting your tech journey, CIT welcomes you. Our Website [https://linktr.ee/citcbus](https://linktr.ee/citcbus) Sponsors and Partners * Improving (Venue Sponsor) * Bethel World Prayer Center (Fiscal Sponsor) * Fruits & Roots (Coffee Partner)

**Important time note:** Please plan on arriving between 5:30 and 6:00 as the elevators lock after 6 and you'll need to message us and we'll need to come get you. The building address is 4450 Bridge Park The entrance is 6620 Mooney St, Suite 400 You will need to scan your ID at the door to get a visitor badge. **Abstract** *Spec-Driven Development with GitHub Spec-Kit: From Intent to Implementation* Spec-driven development flips the traditional workflow on its head: instead of code being the source of truth, the specification becomes the backbone of design, collaboration, and delivery. In this session, we’ll explore how GitHub Spec-Kit enables teams to treat specifications as first-class artifacts—living documents that drive architecture, implementation, and verification. You’ll learn how Spec-Kit helps teams clearly express intent using structured, version-controlled specs that live alongside code. We’ll walk through a practical workflow that starts with defining system behavior and constraints, then progressively refines those specs into testable, automatable outcomes. Along the way, we’ll show how specs can reduce ambiguity, improve cross-functional collaboration, and make design decisions explicit before a single line of production code is written. This talk will cover: --What spec-driven development is (and what it isn’t) --How GitHub Spec-Kit fits into modern developer workflows --Using specs to align product, engineering, and AI-assisted development --Real-world examples of turning specs into implementations with confidence Whether you’re building greenfield systems, integrating AI into your stack, or trying to reduce costly rework, spec-driven development offers a scalable way to move faster without sacrificing clarity. Attendees will leave with concrete patterns and a clear mental model for adopting GitHub Spec-Kit in their own projects. **YouTube Link** TBA

Excited to share that AWS Cloud Club's first meeting will take place on Thursday, February 26th at 5pm - 6pm! We’re collaborating with [Big Data & Analytics Association](https://www.linkedin.com/company/big-data-analytics-association/) to host [Alok Jha](https://www.linkedin.com/in/alok-jha-42abb928/), Head of Product Management for AWS Intelligent Application Protection at Amazon Web Services, for a tech talk + Q&A on his journey in leading cutting-edge innovation in industry. If you’re interested in cloud, cybersecurity, AI, or product management, this is a session you won’t want to miss. Make sure to join our Meetup and GroupMe to stay up to date for future events and collabs!

Bring your Raspberry Pi, Arduino, microcontroller, or any other electronic project and join fellow electronics makers for a night of creativity and collaboration! This session is open forum to share your current projects—whether complete or in progress, it’s all interesting! Whether you’re deep into embedded systems, exploring new ideas, or just getting started, you’ll find a welcoming space to collaborate, share, and get inspired. **New to electronics or curious about tinkering?** You’re absolutely welcome. If you’re a beginner and want to experiment, I’ll have a couple of starter kits available so you can try things out—whether that’s blinking your first LED, putting something on a display, or experimenting with simple sensors. No pressure and no experience required—just an interest in learning and building. While we continue to pursue a more permanent venue for this Meetup, we’ll be using public library facilities based on availability. This session will be at the Worthington Park Library in the Olentangy Meeting Room.

We will show a variety of methods for building agents that run in Microsoft Foundry. This covers the different types of agents: Prompt, Multi, and Hosted, as well as the development lifecycle using evals and traces.