Toronto Talks

As AI moves from helpful tool to ever-present companion, what does that mean for how we work, lead, and stay in control? In his new book You to the Power of Two, Don Tapscott argues we’re entering the age of Identic AI—digital extensions of ourselves that can think, act, and even negotiate on our behalf.

AI doesn’t create value until people use it.

Olivier Blais, co-founder and Vice President of AI at Moov AI, shares how businesses can turn artificial intelligence into real results. From grocery forecasting that cuts waste to financial tools that save hours of manual work, he explains how to build trust, boost productivity, and make AI part of everyday operations.

This episode of Toronto Talks is brought to you by the AI Business Catalyst program from World Trade Centre Toronto. It helps small and mid-sized businesses use AI to strengthen operations and drive growth through hands-on tools and expert coaching.

To learn more visit bot.com/aibc.

This fall, the Toronto International Film Festival marked its 50th anniversary, a milestone that celebrates not only great storytelling, but the powerful economic engine behind it. 

In this special #TIFF50 conversation, TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey joins Jennifer van der Valk, the Toronto Region Board of Trade’s Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications, to reflect on how a local showcase for Canadian filmmakers became a global industry hub.

From $240 million in annual impact to the next generation of creative talent and cross-border collaboration, Bailey shares what it takes to turn art into enterprise and why Toronto’s film story is also a business success story still in the making.

Weeks before delivering Ontario’s Fall Economic Statement, the province’s Finance Minister joined the Board's President and CEO, Giles Gherson, for a timely and candid conversation about how Ontario is navigating global trade tensions and economic uncertainty.

From record infrastructure investments to interprovincial trade and the race to lead in nuclear innovation, the Minister outlined a vision of nation building at speed; built on fiscal discipline, domestic strength, and long-term growth.

As Ontario embarks on some of the largest infrastructure and mining investments in its history, one truth stands out: success depends on Indigenous partnership.

In this episode, we mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation by focusing on the critical role Indigenous communities play in shaping Ontario’s economic future.

Michael Fox, President of Indigenous Community Engagement, moderates a powerful discussion with Chief Cornelius Wabasse of the Webequie First Nation and The Honourable Greg Rickford, Ontario’s Minister of Indigenous Affairs. 

Then, Minister Rickford joins the Board's President and CEO, Giles Gherson for a sit-down conversation.

The conversations speak about:

• The road to developing the Ring of Fire responsibly

Ontario and Alberta, two of Canada’s largest economies, are moving past old rivalries to forge a stronger economic partnership.

With new agreements in place, the provinces are working to break down trade barriers, recognize credentials across borders, and collaborate on energy, infrastructure, and investment.

In this episode, Alberta’s senior representative in Ottawa, James Carpenter, joins us to discuss what this new chapter means for businesses, workers, and Canada’s competitiveness on the global stage.

In this episode, we explore how Toronto’s 10-kilometre waterfront can transform the city from being a city on a lake to a true Waterfront City. Achieving this vision means striking the right balance between housing, employment lands, culture, and industry.

The conversation, hosted by our President & CEO Giles Gherson, touches on:

• How flood protection is unlocking new neighbourhoods

We also examine how city-owned lands and port operations can coexist with public spaces, and why connecting destinations from west to east is essential for long-term success.

This episode features Vic Gupta, CEO of CreateTO, and Chris Glaisek, Chief Planning & Design Officer at Waterfront Toronto.

In this episode of Toronto Talks, Deb Pimentel, President of IBM Canada joins us to share how IBM is helping Canadian companies unlock real productivity gains through AI. From a storied past in hardware to becoming a global leader in hybrid cloud and AI, IBM’s transformation is a case study in strategic reinvention.

She outlines how IBM is applying AI internally to improve its own productivity and how it’s helping clients do the same. If you want to understand what it actually takes to adopt AI in your business, this is not an episode to miss.

Entrepreneurship takes resilience. For Theresa Bailey, it also took Play-Doh.

In this episode we sit down with Theresa, founder of Starfish Synergies Inc. and winner of this year’s Export Plan of the Year Award from the World Trade Centre Toronto. She shares how a cancelled contract during the pandemic sparked an unexpected pivot, from team-building workshops to a North American licensing deal with Hasbro.

Theresa talks with World Trade Centre Toronto’s VP Jon Worren about starting a business in a crisis, building emotional intelligence into corporate strategy, and scaling internationally with the help of our Trade Accelerator Program.

Canada sits on 150 years of natural gas reserves, yet we watched helplessly as Europe begged for energy we couldn't deliver. 

In this episode, Michele Harradence, Executive Vice President and President at Enbridge Gas, reveals how Canada's energy infrastructure challenges are costing us billions and why the time to act is now.

Michele and the Board's President and CEO, Giles Gherson explore:

• How Enbridge's $350 million PREP project unlocked $4.5 billion in potential investment opportunities in southwestern Ontario

Michele also shares how generative AI is transforming customer service, why natural gas provides the flexibility needed for a 24/7 economy, and what it will take for Canada to capitalize on growing global demand before other nations capture these markets.