Media are invited to participate in the National Summit on Artificial Intelligence and Culture in Banff from March 15 to 17.
The Canadian government, through the joint efforts of the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages, and the Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation, is set to host a significant National Summit on Artificial Intelligence and Culture. This event will take place in Banff, Alberta, from March 15 to 17, 2026. The summit is organized in partnership with the esteemed Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, underscoring a collaborative approach to a critical contemporary issue. Its overarching purpose is to gather influential leaders from a diverse array of sectors, including culture, government, technology, academia, and civil society. The aim is to collaboratively develop a unified and forward-looking vision for the trajectory of culture within the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence. The summit's agenda is thoughtfully structured around three pivotal themes: 'Build,' 'Protect,' and 'Empower.' Each theme will commence with insightful leadership remarks, setting the stage for subsequent expert panel discussions. These panels are designed to explore the tangible, practical applications of AI within the cultural sphere, while simultaneously addressing the complex and real-world challenges that AI presents. To foster active engagement and participatory solution-finding, interactive reflection sessions will be integrated, providing attendees with platforms to share their ideas, contribute to action-oriented strategies, and engage in meaningful cross-sector dialogue. A dedicated AI showcase will also be a prominent feature, highlighting innovative practical tools and technologies specifically developed to support and enhance the cultural sector. Beyond the structured sessions, the program deliberately incorporates both formal and informal networking opportunities, encouraging valuable exchanges, fostering collaborations, and potentially leading to new partnerships among participants. Media representatives are explicitly invited and encouraged to attend the summit, with full access to observe all scheduled sessions and presentations. Specific opportunities for media to capture visual content (photos and video) have been designated. These include the opening remarks by Ministers Miller and Solomon on March 16 at 9:50 a.m., an engaging fireside chat featuring both ministers on March 17 at 4:00 p.m., and a media availability session with Ministers Miller and Solomon on March 17 at 5:30 p.m., which will also offer virtual participation options for broader access. Interested media personnel are required to confirm their attendance by providing their full name and organizational affiliation via email to media@pch.gc.ca. The deadline for general summit attendance registration is 5 p.m. on Friday, March 13. However, for those solely intending to attend the media availability session, the registration deadline is extended until March 16. Further details on how to attend will be disseminated upon registration.
This section serves as a comprehensive guide for media personnel seeking further information or assistance regarding the National Summit on Artificial Intelligence and Culture. The primary points of contact are meticulously outlined to facilitate efficient communication. For direct inquiries related to the Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages, media can contact Hermine Landry, the dedicated Press Secretary, whose email is hermine.landry@pch.gc.ca. For broader media relations concerning Canadian Heritage, a general contact email, media@pch.gc.ca, is provided. Similarly, for matters pertaining to the Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, Sofia Ouslis, the appointed Press Secretary, can be reached at sofia.ouslis@ised-isde.gc.ca. Furthermore, media relations for Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada are also available through their general contact email at media@ised-isde.gc.ca. These multiple contact avenues ensure that media professionals have direct and appropriate channels to address their questions, confirm participation details, or seek additional background information pertinent to the summit, its objectives, and the participating government officials.