Keynote: Leading Without a Map Amid Global Flux: How Canada’s Tech Lawyers Can Shape the Future

As the pace of technological innovation accelerates and geopolitical fault lines reshape our assumptions about trade, security, and data sovereignty, Canada finds itself at a critical inflection point. From the rise of generative AI to intensifying trade tensions with the U.S., Canadian technology lawyers must navigate a world where clear legal frameworks often lag behind technological realities. With no comprehensive AI legislation on the books — as AIDA stalls — and global standards emerging unevenly, our role is more vital than ever. Canada’s homegrown strengths — our leading AI research hubs like MILA and the Vector Institute and the appointment of a Minister of AI and Digital Innovation — position us uniquely to lead responsibly, but only if our legal community remains agile, innovative, and bold.

We will explore what it means to stay grounded in principle and ethics, while acting global in mindset and reach. How do we advise clients who build for a borderless digital economy in an era of rising protectionism? How do we protect Canadian innovation, empower our businesses, and push for thoughtful regulation when the rules are still being written? Join us as we chart a course for how Canadian tech lawyers can prepare, excel, and shape the future — transforming uncertainty into opportunity in a rapidly shifting legal landscape.

AI Governance in Practice: Charting a Canadian Course (Post-AIDA)

As global AI regulation evolves, Canada finds itself at a pivotal moment—backed by major investment in AI innovation, yet without a binding legislative framework like AIDA. This plenary explores how Canadian organizations and their counsel can meaningfully implement AI governance in the absence of clear statutory guidance. Our panel of experts will unpack practical strategies for embedding governance through existing privacy and compliance frameworks, assess what "responsible AI" means in a Canadian context, and explore the role legal leaders must play in shaping internal policy and risk oversight. Whether advising startups or scaling enterprises, this session will equip tech lawyers with the insight to lead AI governance grounded in today’s legal realities—and ready for tomorrow’s reforms.

Autonomous by Design: Legal and Ethical Dimensions of Agentic AI

Agentic AI—systems capable of autonomous decision-making, goal formation, and adaptive behavior—are fast becoming a frontier issue for legal and compliance professionals. As these systems act with increasing independence, they raise fundamental questions around accountability, oversight, and legal personhood that existing Canadian legal frameworks have yet to fully address.

This plenary will explore how tech lawyers can meaningfully engage with the risks and governance challenges of agentic systems. The discussion will focus on practical legal strategies for addressing autonomy in design and deployment, while introducing core concepts from AI safety and AI assurance—including transparency, predictability, and alignment—as tools to mitigate emerging risks.

Panelists will also consider how Canadian organizations can begin building the right legal and ethical guardrails now, drawing on both privacy and compliance frameworks, in anticipation of future regulatory clarity. Designed for legal professionals who want to go beyond hypotheticals, this session will ground the conversation in today’s shifting legal and operational landscape.

WIT Presents – From Backlash to Backup: Sustainable Allyship in Challenging Times

As the legal and tech industries continue to evolve - shaped by rapid innovation, shifting regulatory expectations and changing workforce dynamics - fostering inclusive, supportive and resilient workplaces is more critical than ever. This panel, presented by the WIT Committee, moderated by expert [insert] and featuring male allies in the field, will explore how technology professionals can serve as effective partners and advocates for long-term inclusion, as well as the challenges facing us today. Panelists will share real-world strategies for reinforcing inclusivity through policy, governance, and leadership; building credibility across diverse teams; and supporting women in sustainable ways.

Contracting with Confidence When AI is at the Table

Join a panel of Canadian lawyers working at the intersection of AI and law as they discuss how legal teams can accelerate — not stall — safe AI deployments through smart, pragmatic contract negotiations. The session will unpack how legal can manage reputational risk, streamline diligence on AI vendors, and guide deals from governance through to closure without getting in the way. Expect practical insights from the frontlines on both the customer and vendor side of the transaction.

Not excluding Quebec: Doing Business across Canada

Quebec is a vital market for many Canadian and international technology companies, but some tech companies opt out of expanding into Quebec due to the unique legal and regulatory requirements that come with operating in a civil law jurisdiction. In this panel, experienced legal practitioners will demystify some of these unique legal and regulatory requirements and discuss how to adjust your Canadian product or service launch strategy to include Quebec. Panelists will share practical lessons learned from advising tech clients on product and service launches, commercial agreements and regulatory compliance in Quebec. Attendees will leave with actionable insights and a better understanding of how to take advantage of operating in this unique and strategic jurisdiction. Ideal for in-house counsel, law firm advisors, and tech executives managing cross-provincial operations.

Data Protection, Eh? Canadian Data Protection Addenda

Data protection and privacy clauses have grown from paragraphs to pages. Privacy commissioners have weighed in, including commenting on specific clauses in several recent findings. CAN-TECH’s Cybersecurity & Privacy Committee will be sharing our Canadian DPA checklist, identifying topics of frequent debate and scrutiny, and giving you tools to draft and negotiate your way to compliance.

Personal Branding, Professional Presence & Profile

Professional success requires the ability to clearly articulate your value and inspire others to see it. While great work naturally contributes to your reputation, intentionally managing your personal brand can amplify your visibility, broaden your network, raise your profile, and create advocates who support your career aspirations: it can give you presence. For lawyers, personal branding is especially critical to overcoming common misperceptions. Effective personal branding allows lawyers to redefine perceptions and position themselves as indispensable executives and trusted advisors with a seat at the table. In this interactive panel discussion, moderated by [name], Bindu Cudjoe and Judith McKay will discuss personal branding theory and provide practical insights as well as strategies to enhance your internal and external brand.

• Bindu Cudjoe is the Principal & Strategic Advisor of Bindustries Consulting Inc., a former law firm partner and executive and chief legal officer in the complex and highly regulated financial services industry.
• Judith McKay is the Principal and Strategic Advisor of JEM3 Consulting, a former chief client and innovation officer with a top tier law firm with over 800 lawyers, and a former global general counsel for a Fortune 500 company.

2025 Legal Landscape: From law to practice

Get up to speed on key legal developments in technology contracting, patents, trademarks, and copyright from the past year. In this fast-paced session, top professionals from each field will break down what’s changed, what matters, and how it’s playing out in practice—giving you the insights you need to navigate the year ahead.

Certifiably Secure? Cyber Standards in an Unstable Era

In an era marked by rapid technological advancements, understanding the landscape of cyber standards, certifications, and audits has never been more critical. This session will explore how these frameworks are shaped and influenced by external events, including recent developments such as the US government's budget cutbacks affecting CISA and NIST.

Join us as we unpack the essential components of cyber standards and certifications and discuss what impacts their evolution, effectiveness and reliability, providing insights into how organizations can navigate this complex environment.

This session aims to equip attendees with practical knowledge and strategies to enhance their understanding of cyber standards and engage in dialogue that goes beyond theoretical discussions, grounding the conversation in the realities of today’s cybersecurity landscape.

“Employing” AI in the Workplace

Technology has evolved the way in which employers and employees interact. In this session, we will explore the various obligations of employers as it relates to job applicants and employees when leveraging AI.

Minor Details, Major Consequences: The Challenges of Contracting with Minors

In Canada and around the world, regulators are looking to reshape the legal landscape governing minors' access to digital services. As the ground shifts, new challenges emerge—from barriers companies must scale to achieve effective age assurance, to legal pitfalls when agreements involving minors falter. Join our expert panel as they explore the evolving tools and rules for age assurance, the legal issues and real-world consequences of contracting with minors, and the privacy concerns that come with it.

Inside Counsel, Outside Impact: The Many Hats of In-House Lawyers

This presentation will explore the evolving role of in-house counsel as strategic business partners. We'll cover proactive risk management and avoiding over-lawyering, focusing on measuring and presenting legal metrics to management. Also including the use of intake and workflow tools, and the in-house counsel's evolving position on AI.

Caveats and Kill Switches: Professional Obligations in Use of Legal AI

As AI tools become more embedded in legal practice, lawyers are presented with both powerful opportunities and evolving responsibilities. This panel brings together diverse perspectives—a law society regulator, an AI technology provider, and a practicing technology lawyer—to explore how AI can be used effectively and responsibly in day-to-day legal work. The session will cover professional obligations under law society rules, offer practical guidance for responsible AI use, and share real-world insights from those at the forefront of legal innovation. Whether you're already using AI or just starting to consider it, this session will provide critical knowledge you need to promote compliance, competence, and client protection in an AI-enhanced practice.

Round tables (small group interactive discussion on key legal topics), including: 

• AI and employment
• Cross-border Contracting
• Leveraging AI in online behavioural advertising
• AI benchmarking
• Unilateral contracts and enforceability
• (Un)enforceable termination fees
• Tech and Defence spending