New Brunswick continues to set a gold standard for provincial AI transformation. We were energized to co-host the Advancing AI National Leadership Summit alongside the Government of New Brunswick (#EECD #NBed) at the Wu Conference Centre. If you’re wondering why New Brunswick remains a first-mover in embracing AI province-wide, it comes down to a "can-do" culture that moves from vision to classroom impact with remarkable speed.

3 Insights into NB’s Leadership Success:

1. Agile & Innovative Leadership: Success starts at the top and flows throughout the ranks. The agile leadership from Minister Claire Johnson, Ryan Donaghy, Tiffany Bastin, PhD, Mike Cusack, Sarah Rankin, and Amanda Comeau ensures that policy doesn't just exist on paper—it empowers educators in the field.

2. Strategic Partnerships: No province is an island. By embracing stakeholders across Canada and beyond—and announcing the C21 Canada AI Education Cluster—New Brunswick is leveraging the expertise of the McKenna Institute, Microsoft, Logics Academy, D2L, SchoolAI, SMART Technologies, Dell Technologies, and many others to scale innovation.

3. Continuous Professional Learning: Beyond the tech, it’s about the people. Through ongoing supports, communities of practice, and a culture of storytelling, the province is keeping the leadership curve steep for everyone involved.

Grateful for the Partnership: It was a privilege to connect with and learn from such remarkable leaders, including Sarah Elaine Eaton, PhD, Matt McGuire, Katina Papulkas, Geoff Edwards, Ramy Ghattas, Valérie Blanchard, Abby (Avishag) David, Rob Long, Kasey Chambers, Kathryn Lockhart, David Kozera, Chris Boulter, Derek O'Brien, Jordan Smith, Shay Hill (Stevens), Derek Tangredi, Keith Nelson, and Melissa Heaman. Together, we are building a national model for ethical and impactful AI in education.

5 Key Takeaways from the NB AI Leadership Playbook:

• System-Wide Strategy: Moving from isolated pilots to a coordinated, district-led instruction model.

• Ethical Foundations: Prioritizing equitable and inclusive AI access as a core provincial mandate.

• The Power of Clusters: Using regional collaboration to solve national education challenges.

• Scaling Impact: Focusing on measurable outcomes to move AI initiatives into a mature implementation phase.

• Relational Innovation: Ensuring digital transformation is fueled by human connection and shared vision.

AI in K–12 education is being discussed as a tool that should support teachers rather than replace them or increase student screen time. The article argues that AI is most effective when used behind the scenes to help teachers design lessons, structure activities, and save time on planning. This approach allows educators to improve lesson quality while keeping classrooms focused on human interaction instead of devices. The overall message is that AI should strengthen teaching by giving teachers more time and support, not shift learning onto screens.

Rebecca Winthrop highlights that as AI becomes deeply integrated into everyday life, parents play a critical role in guiding how children use it—especially since much of that use happens outside school. With global data showing widespread adoption of generative AI among teens, families are being pushed to balance protecting their children while also preparing them for an AI-driven future. Through research at Brookings Institution, Winthrop emphasizes that many parents feel unprepared and lack clear guidance on managing AI’s risks and benefits. To address this, her team developed practical tip sheets focused on building resilience skills like critical thinking, creativity, and social awareness, helping parents support healthy and informed AI use at home.

Investment firm 2717 Partners has made a $10.50 per share offer to acquire Canadian edtech company D2L Inc., valuing it at approximately $572 million. The proposed deal, which is non-binding, aims to take D2L private, with the belief that it could grow more aggressively outside public market pressures. D2L, known for its Brightspace learning platform, confirmed it received the unsolicited proposal but is not currently in negotiations. If completed, the acquisition could allow the company to pursue expansion and consolidation strategies more freely in the evolving edtech market.

The Government of Canada has launched a national initiative to build large-scale AI supercomputing infrastructure, aiming to strengthen the country’s ability to innovate and compete globally. Through the AI Sovereign Compute Infrastructure Program, Canada is inviting organizations to help design and develop advanced, Canadian-owned systems that will support research and industry across sectors like health care, energy, and manufacturing. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to expand domestic computing capacity, attract investment, and protect Canadian data and intellectual property. Officials, including Evan Solomon, emphasize that increasing access to high-performance computing is essential for turning cutting-edge AI ideas into real-world impact.

The University of Saskatchewan is set to become the first university in Canada to own a quantum computer, marking a major advancement in research and technology. The system uses qubits, which allow it to process information far faster than traditional computers and could transform fields like healthcare, agriculture, and disease research. Funded by government and provincial support, the machine will include advanced components that operate at extremely low temperatures and enable complex calculations in minutes. Officials believe this will strengthen innovation, give students hands-on experience, and position the university as a leading research hub in Canada.

A kinesiology student helped develop a virtual reality training tool that was later used by Canada’s wheelchair curling team in their gold-medal Paralympic performance. The VR system was designed to realistically simulate game conditions, helping athletes practice skills like positioning, movement, and strategy despite training limitations. The project brought together students from different fields, combining sports science with technology to create a practical and effective tool. Seeing its real-world impact inspired the student to reconsider her future and explore research and innovation in sports training.

Researchers at the University of Victoria have developed an AI-powered drone system that can explore unknown environments and create detailed 3D maps without human guidance. The system combines advanced imaging and AI to identify and label objects, making it easier to detect issues like structural damage. It can be used in areas such as disaster response, environmental monitoring, infrastructure inspection, and defence, especially in remote or risky locations. The technology is now being prepared for real-world use to help industries and communities access fast and accurate data.