Unlocking the Power of Data and AI
The IDC Canada AI and Data Summit is the premier event for senior technology and business executives driving artificial intelligence and data strategies across the country. Designed for CDOs, Heads of Data, and AI and innovation leaders, this full-day program delivers high-impact insights and actionable strategies focused on Canada’s top priorities: scaling AI adoption, ensuring data quality and governance, and managing regulatory compliance in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
As Canadian organizations accelerate investment in AI and data-driven transformation, they must navigate complex challenges such as data privacy, ethical AI, and the forthcoming Artificial Intelligence and Data Act (AIDA). IDC research shows that data quality, integration, and accessibility remain top barriers to realizing AI’s business value, and that organizations are increasingly focused on operationalizing AI responsibly to build stakeholder trust. This event equips leaders to turn data into a trusted strategic asset while embedding transparency, ethics, and accountability into AI initiatives.
IDC analysts and industry experts will guide you through building future-ready data architectures, operationalizing AI responsibly, and delivering measurable business impact. Through keynote sessions, panels, and collaborative discussions, this event provides Canada’s leaders with the tools and frameworks to transform AI and data into a foundation for innovation, resilience, and sustainable growth.
Expert Perspectives
Hear from global thought leaders, visionary CIOs, and celebrity speakers redefining technology, leadership, and innovation across the region.
IDC Keynote: Agentic AI at Scale: Accelerating Innovation While Managing Risk
How organizations are deploying agentic AI to drive rapid innovation, while navigating complex regulator requirements around data privacy, security, and ethical AI
Bob Parker | IDC
Senior Vice President, Enterprise Applications, Data Intelligence, Services, and Industry Research
Bob Parker
Bob Parker is a Senior Vice President responsible for several areas of research at IDC. Bob leads the global industry research teams which includes coverage of healthcare, government, retail, energy, manufacturing, and financial services as well as a cross industry group looking at emerging topics such as blockchain and robotics. Additionally, Bob leads our teams in the enterprise applications space, services, and the IDC coverage of data intelligence which includes coverage of artificial intelligence.
Bob has been conducting industry research for over twenty years including five years at AMR Research before joining IDC. Prior to entering the research field, Bob spent over fifteen years in various Information Technology and Operational management roles in the manufacturing industry including serving as the Chief Information Officer at Eastern Technologies, a defense contractor.
Event Sessions
Thursday, March 5 2026 9:40 am | Location:
IDC Keynote: Agentic AI at Scale: Accelerating Innovation While Managing Risk
How organizations are deploying agentic AI to drive rapid innovation, while navigating complex regulator requirements around data privacy, security, and ethical AI
IDC FutureScape: Worldwide Data & Analytics
Insights
Discover thought-provoking articles from IDC analysts, strategic partners, and end-user speakers. Explore expert viewpoints on the latest tech trends, real-world transformation stories, and forward-looking insights shaping the digital future.
Getting Your Data AI Ready.
It has become a common refrain – getting data governance right is key to a successful AI strategy! This conventional wisdom is very true, but it is not a new problem. For as long as I have been involved in IT, both as an analyst and as a CIO, companies have struggled with wrangling the various data sets across the applications running at the organization.
Bob Parker
IDC
SVP, Software and Services Research
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Redefining Sovereignty in the Age of Enterprise AI
IBM’s introduction of IBM Sovereign Core marks a critical turning point in how organizations think about digital sovereignty in the age of AI. The conversation is shifting from simple data residency to a far more strategic question: who has real operational authority over the systems that manage sensitive data and AI workloads.
Marcela Vairo Pasqualetti
Vice President, Data Platform
IBM Americas
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AI Readiness Starts with People and Culture
AI readiness is built through deliberate leadership. It starts with building AI literacy across the organization, so employees understand not only how to use AI, but how to apply it meaningfully in their day-to-day work.
Jeff Garratt
HP Canada
Vice President, Enterprise Sales
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Building SaaS resilience in the age of AI
AI and agents change the math. Automations don’t touch one item at a time. They can update, overwrite, or delete thousands of items in a matter of seconds.
Dan Laframboise
Rewind
Manager of Solution Engineering
Read MoreVenue
Marriott Downtown at CF Toronto Eaton Centre
Address: 525 Bay St., Toronto, ON M5G 2L2
The Marriott Downtown at CF Toronto Eaton Centre is a premium hotel and event venue located in the vibrant downtown core, steps away from Toronto’s iconic attractions and shopping destinations.
Nestled between Bay Street and Yonge Street, this modern venue is directly connected to the CF Toronto Eaton Centre. Enter through the main lobby at 525 Bay Street, and enjoy convenient access to elegant event spaces, exceptional dining, and world-class accommodations, making it the ideal location for IDC’s tech conference.
The Marriott Downtown at CF Toronto Eaton Centre is conveniently located near top attractions like the Eaton Centre, Nathan Phillips Square, and Toronto City Hall. The Royal Ontario Museum, Kensington Market, St. Lawrence Market, Ripley’s Aquarium, AGO, and the Distillery District are all nearby. For a lakeside view, the Harbourfront Centre is just a 15-minute walk away.
Join Us!
Don’t miss the AI & Data Summit 2026 Toronto—Building Intelligence that Creates Real Value.
Register Now