Dear MindShare Community Innovator,

Happy Friday and welcome to the latest edition of the CanAm EdTech Report!

As August comes to a close and the back-to-school energy begins to take hold across North America, we’re reminded of the incredible momentum transforming our education systems. From AI-enabled classrooms to global equity initiatives, this issue captures the very best of what’s emerging and what’s next in K–12 and post-secondary education.

Featured MindShareTV Podcasts We’re proud to share two powerful and timely conversations this week:

• Olli Vallo, UNICEF’s newly appointed EdTech for Good Strategist, explores the transformative role of AI in advancing equity, global scale, and sustainable learning.

• Dr. Tom D’Amico, recently retired Director of the Ottawa Catholic School Board, reflects on his leadership journey, the evolving role of educators, and how to prepare for the AI-infused school year ahead.

Both leaders exemplify the human-centered vision we need as AI continues to shape education worldwide.

Summit Spotlight: 16th Canadian EdTech AI Leadership Summit
Our signature event returns October 29–30 at University of Toronto Mississauga, in collaboration with Peel DSB and MScSM. This year’s theme:

“Human-Centered Sustainable Learning in an AI-Inspired World.”
Don’t miss your chance to register as spaces are limited! Plus, we’re still welcoming limited sponsors & speakers!

Welcome Co-Chairs: Dr. Brett Caraway UofT & Bernadette Smith, Peel DSB
And don’t forget the 10th Annual Dragon’s Den EdTech Startup Challenge always a Summit highlight!

Book of the Week

Empire of AI -- When AI expert and investigative journalist Karen Hao first began covering OpenAI in 2019, she thought they were the good guys.

C21 Canada AI Phase II Spotlight
Explore how Peel District School Board is engaging students in critical thinking to address bias in AI, a vital use case in empowering learners with ethical AI literacy.

🛠️ AI Tool of the Week

ChatGPT Study Mode
Meet the Future of EdTech Support: MindShare Learning AI Chatbot is Here!

🌎 CoSN Canadian School District EdTech IT Leader Survey — Deadline extended to September 15th! Your insights will help shape future research and strategic planning for school boards nationwide. Click here to complete.

🌟 Quote of the Week

“I believe in the empowerment of youth and their ability to make our world a better place, especially through the use of social learning and technology in a connected global society.”
— Dr. Tom D’Amico, Retired Director, OCSB

As we head into the long weekend, I invite you to reflect, recharge, and recommit to bold, human-centered innovation. Thank you for being a vital part of our growing community. 

Let's keep collaborating as we work to support teachers & professors to help students thrive!

The future is about forging strategic and mutually beneficial partnerships to harness the immense collective knowledge we share as amongst this very large land mass, we call Canada that will enable us to thrive as an innovation country. 

Please don't hesitate to reach out to share and lean on us for support & insight through our value-added media & consulting services. 

Until next time, keep the digital learning curve steep!

Best, R
Robert Martellacci, M.A. EdTech
Chair, 16th Canadian EdTech Leadership Summit
Founder & President, MindShare Learning Media & Consulting
Chief Digital Publisher, The MindShare Learning Report™
Founder, MindShare Workspace
CEO & Co-founder, C21 Canada

OpenAI has introduced a new “study mode” feature in ChatGPT aimed at transforming the tool from a simple answer generator into a personal tutor that fosters deeper learning. Instead of providing direct answers, study mode guides students step by step with interactive prompts, scaffolded responses, quizzes, and open-ended questions to encourage active engagement and understanding. Developed with input from educators and cognitive scientists, the feature is designed for both college and high school students and is available on all versions of ChatGPT. While it holds promise for homework help and personalized learning, educators are encouraged to explore the tool themselves to understand its strengths and limitations. Some concerns remain about AI accuracy and age appropriateness, but the feature marks a significant step in aligning AI use with educational goals.

As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into education, Canadian teachers are calling for clearer guidance and support. Educators like Jamie Mitchell and Tamara Phillips express concern over the lack of national policies and training on AI use in classrooms, especially as AI tools like ChatGPT become more common. While U.S. teachers are receiving substantial support through initiatives backed by major tech companies, Canadian educators face a fragmented landscape, with inconsistent provincial guidelines and limited resources. Experts warn that without proper training, teachers may feel displaced or uncertain about their roles. They also raise concerns about tech companies leading AI education, urging for teacher-led, ethically grounded training instead. Despite the challenges, some educators are finding ways to incorporate AI positively, teaching students how to use it as a supplemental learning tool while emphasizing ethical use and academic integrity.

The Presidential AI Challenge is a national initiative designed to inspire students and educators to develop AI-powered solutions to local, state, and regional challenges, fostering innovation and advancing America’s “Golden Age.” Open to participants of all backgrounds and skill levels, the challenge aims to build AI interest, competency, and responsible use among youth, preparing them for an AI-assisted future workforce. Students will create projects that apply AI methods or tools to address community needs, while educators will design innovative approaches to teaching or integrating AI in K-12 classrooms. This effort celebrates America’s 250th anniversary by igniting a renewed spirit of scientific progress, creativity, and economic growth.

Queen’s Law Professor Samuel Dahan is leading the OpenJustice initiative, a groundbreaking AI platform designed to make legal tools more reliable, customizable, and accessible for lawyers and legal aid providers. Backed by over $1.3 million in funding from NSERC, SSHRC, Mitacs, and industry partners, OpenJustice was developed by the Conflict Analytics Lab to address key challenges in legal AI, such as high hallucination rates, lack of legal reasoning, and limited customization. Trained on legal systems from Canada, the U.S., and France, the platform became open source in February 2025, enabling legal professionals to build and refine models without coding. With support from law firms, tech companies like Deel, and academic institutions including Stanford and McGill, OpenJustice aims to expand access to justice and reduce legal costs globally, especially for small practices and underserved communities.

The Government of Alberta is investing over $8.4 million through the Research Capacity Program’s Small Equipment Grant to support 35 research labs at the University of Calgary and University of Alberta. This funding will equip researchers with the specialized tools needed to advance innovation in areas like AI-powered health diagnostics, energy, wildfire management, quantum science, and advanced manufacturing. The initiative aims to boost Alberta’s global competitiveness, attract top talent, and foster economic diversification. Since 2000, the program has invested over $570 million, with more than 70% of trained professionals staying in Alberta. Grants are awarded through a rigorous, independent review process, ensuring support for high-impact, real-world research.

The DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University is launching two innovative graduate programs designed to meet the growing demand for AI and analytics expertise in business. Starting in 2026, the part-time Master of Management in Applied AI and Data-Driven Decision-Making (MAIDM) will cater to working professionals, while the full-time Master of Management in AI and Analytics (MMAI&A) will offer recent graduates hands-on learning through academic coursework, an eight-month practicum, and a four-month work term. These programs reflect DeGroote’s strategic focus on preparing ethical, data-savvy leaders for a rapidly evolving economy, supported by flexible formats, modern teaching methods, and collaborative learning spaces. Both programs are pending formal approval.

9. Artificial Intelligence and Academic Professions