CCI and Durham College Celebrate Graduates of the AI G.U.I.D.E. Program, Equipping Non-Technical Leaders for the Age of AI

Toronto, ON – The Council of Canadian Innovators and Durham College’s AI Hub are congratulating the first cohort of Canadian professionals to complete the AI G.U.I.D.E. Program, a first-of-its-kind executive development initiative. The six-week intensive program engaged participants from Canada’s business, public service and academic sectors, equipping them with essential AI governance knowledge and skills.

The AI G.U.I.D.E. (Governance, Utilization, Innovation, Data, and Ethics) Program was designed to provide a unique opportunity for professionals in HR, operations, sales, public affairs, and other non-technical roles to gain a foundational understanding of AI and its ethical, legal, and societal implications. The curriculum is tailored to help leaders navigate the complexities of AI adoption and governance, particularly as regulatory frameworks around AI evolve.

Participants in the program have received a Digital Badge jointly issued by Durham College and CCI. The badge, which can be displayed on LinkedIn, signifies proficiency in navigating AI’s emerging regulatory landscape. Building on this success, we are excited to continue this program in 2025, exploring emerging trends and ensuring participants stay ahead of the curve. Given the rapid pace of AI advancement, the raison d'être of this course remains as relevant as ever, offering essential insights into a field that demands constant vigilance and understanding.

Abu Kamat, CCI Director of Strategic Initiatives, underscored the importance of AI training for non-technical leaders:

“AI awareness and skills are critical in today’s digital landscape. As decision-makers, non-technical leaders must have the literacy to make informed choices around AI governance, ethics, and innovation. The AI G.U.I.D.E. Program provides them with practical tools to ensure responsible AI adoption in their organizations.”

The program was built on collaborative, applied learning, bringing together a diverse cohort of peer leaders across Canada's tech and business sectors. The 90-minute sessions were delivered by AI experts with deep commercialization and technology adoption experience, including industry leaders such as:

• Niraj Bhargava, CEO of Nuenergy.ai
• Mai Mavinkurve, Senior Fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation
• Ana Branduescu, Doctoral Candidate at McGill University
• Dr. Courtney Doagoo, University Research Chair, Technology and Society at University of Ottawa
• Cam Linke, CEO of Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute

Gabriella Boulos, CCI Director of Programming and Events, highlighted the program’s significance:

“This is the first AI program of its kind for non-technical professionals in Canada’s tech sector, public service, and academia. We are proud to offer a curriculum that builds AI literacy while emphasizing ethical responsibility and competitiveness. It’s crucial that leaders from all sectors understand how to leverage AI while maintaining core values.”

Natalie Arthurs, Senior Manager of Durham College’s AI Hub, remarked on the value of the program:

“Many non-technical executives grapple with issues such as responsible AI ethics, data governance, and regulatory compliance. Through the AI G.U.I.D.E. Program, we aim to give them the confidence to implement AI solutions responsibly and effectively, while staying competitive in a rapidly changing landscape.”

Dr. Priyamvada Tripathi, a faculty member at Durham College and the program’s lead instructor, added:

“Our goal is to ensure that Canadian leaders can stay ahead of AI trends while adhering to ethical and legal standards. We offer practical insights and case studies that demonstrate how AI can be both innovative and responsible.”