The government of Ontario has partnered with Greater Toronto Area transit providers to make getting to campus more accessible and affordable by integrating fares across systems.
Starting on Feb. 26, transit customers paying with a PRESTO card, PRESTO in Google Wallet, debit or credit card (physical or in a mobile wallet) will be able to transfer for free between the TTC, Brampton Transit, Durham Region Transit, MiWay and York Region Transit, due to Ontario’s new One Fare Program. Also, TTC customers paying single-ride fares connecting to and from GO Transit will benefit from a fare discount, making their TTC fare free.
“York University commends the Ontario government for eliminating the need for double fares by creating a more integrated fare system,” said York University President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda Lenton. “The new One Fare Program will have a significant impact on our community, as over 74 per cent of our students, and most of our faculty and staff, commute to campus via GO Transit as well as the two subway stations on our Keele Campus. An integrated fare system will not only create a more affordable, accessible and efficient transportation network but also continue to provide a sustainable transportation option that will help to reduce our community’s carbon footprint.”
Metrolinx will be on the Keele Campus for a community engagement event on Monday, Feb. 26 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Vari Hall to discuss the new One Fare Program and the in-progress Finch West Light Rail Transit (LRT) line.
For more information on PRESTO, the electronic fare payment system available across 11 transit agencies in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area and Ottawa, and how to obtain a PRESTO card, visit PRESTOcard.ca.
Connected Minds researcher explores AI’s future at top conference
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Thousands of artificial intelligence (AI) researchers from around the world have gathered in Vancouver this week for one of the largest international academic conferences on AI and machine learning.
Laleh Seyyed-Kalantari
Among the attendees of the 38th annual Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI) Conference on Artificial Intelligence is York University’s Laleh Seyyed-Kalantari, an assistant professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science and a member of Connected Minds: Neural and Machine Systems for a Healthy, Just Society – a $318.4-million, York-led program focused on socially responsible technologies, funded in part by the Canada First Research Excellence Fund.
Seyyed-Kalantari will bring her leading research expertise in responsible AI to the conference, while also helping to run a Connected Minds- and VISTA-sponsored workshop on responsible language models (ReLM 2024), alongside researchers from the internationally recognized Vector Institute, a Connected Minds partner.
In the Q-and-A below, she talks about the workshop and the state of AI research.
Q: Why a workshop on responsible language models?
A: The use of generative AI models, like ChatGPT, is increasingly becoming more and more common in our everyday lives. In fact, recent studies show that generative AI (GPT-4) can be programmed to pass the U.S. medical examination or pass the bar exam to become a lawyer. This has encouraged the idea that generative AI models can replace humans, but the reality is that this is not true, and we are far away from that point.
For my research and that of my Connected Minds colleagues, the question is not if generative AI models can be used for good – they can – but a more important and pressing question to ask inside and outside of this workshop is whether these AI models generate reliable and responsible things. Despite our rapidly evolving technological world, the answer is still no. Our workshop aims to get at the right kinds of questions both academia and industry should consider now and in the future.
Q: What makes a language model responsible?
A: Responsible language models can be evaluated with the following factors in mind: fairness, robustness, accountability, security, transparency and privacy. AI models need to be tested and evaluated for whether they are fair to all its human users. For example, AI models use data that may not include ethnic minority populations, and programmers run the risk of amplifying existing racial biases. Robustness involves assessing the generated material and its accuracy. Does it generate the right or consistent solution? Is it robust to adversarial attacks? Accountability involves decisions about regulation and legislation. Who oversees ensuring the model is fair? Security means how to protect a model from malicious attacks. Transparency and privacy refer to the use and permissibility of people’s private data, including medical information. These six factors set up a framework for a broad discussion on various issues related to responsible AI and machine learning in the context of language models.
Q: What are you most looking forward to by attending the conference and running this workshop?
A: The trip to Vancouver offers an opportunity for a significant exchange of ideas and collaborative brainstorming among a diverse group of communities, bringing academia and industry together. It’s a rare chance to gather with influential figures in the field of generative AI, all in one space. It allows us to discuss the issues, to learn from one another, and to shape future research questions and collaboration surrounding large language models. I’m grateful to Connected Minds and VISTA [Vision: Science to Applications] for helping to advance my work and for making this event possible.
York hosts conference examining impact of AI on law
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Update: New information after publication of this article indicates the March 13 conference will now be held online only.
Leading legal thinkers from York University’s Osgoode Hall Law School and beyond will gather to assess the seismic impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the law during a special conference on March 13 sponsored by the Osgoode-based Jack & Mae Nathanson Centre on Transnational Human Rights, Crime & Security.
“I am delighted that this incredibly important discussion is being hosted at Osgoode Hall Law School,” said Osgoode Dean Trevor Farrow.
“Academics, lawyers, policymakers and the public are already heavily influenced by and reliant upon AI,” he added. “Osgoode very much sees itself at the centre of these discussions and innovations.”
By bringing together researchers with AI expertise across various fields of practice, conference speakers and attendees can engage with larger questions about law’s role in the regulation of emerging technologies, legal neutrality, ethics and professional responsibility, said Carys Craig, associate dean of research and institutional relations, who will speak on AI and copyright.
Carys Craig
“I’m very excited about this conference,” she said. “Osgoode is known for its thought leadership and critical, interdisciplinary thinking, which is exactly what is needed as Canada grapples with the rapid acceleration of AI across almost every facet of society.”
The featured speakers will also include Professor Barnali Choudhury, director of the Nathanson Centre.
“Although AI offers numerous opportunities to society, it also poses risks, particularly in relation to human rights and security,” Choudhury noted. “Lawyers should be well versed in these risks to ensure that AI use aligns with legal standards.”
Barnali Choudhury
The conference’s comprehensive examination of artificial intelligence will include the growing use of generative AI, which powers tools like ChatGPT, said Professor Valerio De Stefano, a co-organizer of the event and a panellist who will address today’s challenging issues around AI and work.
“The law will have to react to a lot of the challenges that arise from artificial intelligence in order for society to thrive on the opportunities that AI offers,” he noted.
De Stefano said that almost no area of the law will be left untouched, including criminal, copyright, labour and tax law. Conference speakers will also dig into the implications of AI for legal ethics, practice and education.
Valerio De Stefano
“It’s extremely important that lawyers, both academics and practitioners, start discussing how to react to all these new things that are coming out of the AI landscape – and this is the opportunity to do that,” he added. “There’s a lot of people at Osgoode that do top-notch, groundbreaking research on law and technology.”
Other speakers will include Professor Jonathon Penney, who will examine whether AI safety standards are really safe, and Professor Allan Hutchinson, who will discuss AI and law’s multiplicity. Rounding out the list of Osgoode experts are Professor Sean Rehaag, PhD student Alexandra Scott and Osgoode PhD alumnus Jake Okechukwu Effoduh, now a law professor at Toronto Metropolitan University.
In the afternoon, De Stefano will chair a roundtable discussion on AI, due process and legal ethics. Panellists will include: Dean Farrow; Professor Patricia McMahon; Professor Richard Haigh; Glenn Stuart, the executive director of professional regulation for the Law Society of Ontario; and Professor Amy Salyzyn of the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law.
Bergeron Market certified York’s first gluten-free facility
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Bergeron Market, located in the Bergeron Centre for Engineering Excellence, has received a certification endorsed by the National Celiac Association that recognizes it as York University’s only certified gluten-free dining facility.
The certification means that every product available at the market is carefully sourced, prepared and processed to avoid cross-contamination risks associated with gluten. This assurance plays a vital role in promoting healthy eating habits and overall well-being for those who need to follow a gluten-free diet, allowing them the confidence to dine safely.
Dahlia Abou El Hassan
“This marks a significant stride towards sustainable nutrition, addressing United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for Good Health and Well-being,” says Dahlia Abou El Hassan, York’s registered dietitian. “This certification of Bergeron not only embraces diversity but also caters to a range of dietary needs, demonstrating the YU Eats commitment to inclusivity and actively supporting the health of our community.”
The availability of gluten-free products at Bergeron Market has significantly expanded over the years, providing a wide range of options to meet diverse dietary needs. From fresh produce and snacks to baked goods and fresh meals, diners have access to a comprehensive selection of gluten-free products right on campus.
“To enhance accessibility to freshly made gluten-free options for the wider community, Bergeron’s team has started to prepare and package gluten-free foods as convenient grab-and-go items. These are now available for sale in cafeterias across the campus” says Tom Watt, director of Food & Vending Services.
Beth Gallagher, a community member with a gluten intolerance, says she is “delighted to have a certified gluten-free food provider on campus – it’s not just a meal, it’s peace of mind. Certification ensures I can enjoy every bite without worry, making campus dining a safer and happier experience. Recognizing the importance of diverse food options, especially for those with allergies, brings inclusivity to the table.”
Come try it for yourself. The market is open Monday to Thursday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m, and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Faculty of Science students, profs awarded for excellence
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At the Faculty of Science’s annual honours and awards ceremony, several faculty and students received awards – including an inaugural one – recognizing their contributions in teaching and educational leadership.
The ceremony is organized every year to celebrate students, instructors and researchers who received awards and scholarships between September 2022 and August 2023 – as well as giving the Faculty a chance to bestow a few awards of its own.
This year, around 400 postdoctoral fellows and undergraduate and graduate science students were recognized by being given a chance to come up to the event’s stage at the Second Student Centre, on York’s Keele Campus, to be congratulated and applauded by their peers, supporters and mentors.
The event’s masters of ceremonies were Associate Dean of Students Michael Scheid and Associate Dean of Research and Partnerships Vivian Saridakis, who also announced the recipients of the Faculty of Science Excellence in Educational Leadership Awards – an inaugural award category – as well as the Excellence in Teaching Awards and Excellence in Research Awards.
The recipients of these awards were:
Excellence in Educational Leadership Award, Faculty category Associate Professor Amenda Chow, Department of Mathematics & Statistics; and Chair and Associate Professor Vera Pavri, Department of Science, Technology & Society.
Excellence in Educational Leadership Award, Graduate Student category PhD students Laura Keane and Yohana Solomon, Department of Mathematics & Statistics.
Excellence in Teaching Award, Junior Tenure Stream Faculty category Assistant Professor Stephanie Domenikos, Department of Science, Technology & Society.
Excellence in Teaching Award, Contract Faculty category Sessional Assistant Professor Charlotte de Araujo, Department of Biology.
Richard Jarrell Award of Excellence for Teaching Assistants Recent MSc graduate Amanvir Virdi, Department of Biology.
Early Career Research Award Associate Professor Elizabeth Clare, Department of Biology.
Established Research Award Professor Randy Lewis, Department of Physics & Astronomy.
Excellence in Graduate Mentorship Award Associate Professor Iain Moyles, Department of Mathematics and Statistics.
For more details about the awards and a full list of recipients, view the ceremony program booklet.
Prof’s book translated, published in China
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A book, co-edited by York University Professor Thomas Klassen, about the aging populations and shifts in the labour market in South Korea has achieved a rare feat: being translated and published in China.
Korea’s Retirement Predicament: The Ageing Tiger, which Klassen co-edited with Professor Yunjeong Yang, a colleague in Korea, studies a defining feature of the 21st century in many countries: more older people, fewer younger people.
Thomas Klassen
The book looks at how workers in South Korea have been contractually obligated to retire at younger ages (mid-50s) and then take on low-paying self-employment or contract work. The thinking behind the policy was to ensure the workforce remained young and highly productive. However, Klassen’s book explores how as the labour market shifts with a rapidly aging population, the existing arrangement may no longer be as functional.
Translations of social science books are rare, as they are fairly specialized, but The Ageing Tiger was translated and published in China – despite being primarily about Korea – because the two countries have similar demographic and labour market conditions. As a result, because it covers a similar policy landscape, the translation can provide Chinese political, administrative and community leaders with valuable lessons as they navigate the phenomenon in their own country.
The Chinese edition of Korea’s Retirement Predicament: The Ageing Tiger.
Klassen notes that creative and new solutions will be needed from individuals, families, employers, and politicians addressing population aging and ensuring that retirement policies are as effective as possible. “By sharing knowledge, which is what the translated book does, the best policies and solutions will emerge” says Klassen, who co-wrote two chapters in the book.
Xuelian Liu, a professor from the Dalian University of Foreign Languages who translated the book, agrees. “I firmly believe that the Chinese version of the book will be of value to researchers, students and policymakers in China concerning how to cope with the problems caused by an aging population,” Liu says.
The book also builds upon Klassen’s body of work as an expert in South Korean politics and policy, which has included teaching a summer study abroad course that allowed York University undergraduate students to travel to Seoul, South Korea. He is teaching this course again in the summer of 2024.
Event postponed: Lecture explores complexities of institutionalized DEI
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Update: New information after publication of this article indicates the Feb. 29 lecture has been postponed. Continue to read YFile for further updates on this event.
Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives are intended to create environments where individuals of all backgrounds and abilities feels safe, welcome and valued. York University’s School of Gender, Sexuality & Women’s Studies is examining the possibilities and limitations of institutionalized DEI at its annual lecture on Feb. 29, taking place from noon to 2 p.m. in 152 Founders College.
Titled Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI): The Good, The Bad & The Performative, the event will touch on fields such as higher education, broadcasting, news organizations and politics. Through a roundtable discussion, it will explore the ways in which racialized and other marginalized people with progressive politics are often initially welcomed into spaces of power, becoming symbols of progress in achieving diversity and inclusion, only to then be gaslighted or vilified or face reprisals for espousing their views.
Ginella MassaDesmond ColeNadiya AliSomar Abuaziza
The event will be moderated and hosted by York University professors Bianca Beauchemin and Nadia Hasan of the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies. The featured speakers will include: Ginella Massa, a York alumna, broadcast journalist and media consultant; Desmond Cole, a journalist, activist and author of The Skin We’re In; Nadiya Ali, a professor of sociology at Trent University and Chair of the new Anti-Islamophobia Subcommittee of the Canadian Sociological Association; and Somar Abuaziza, York student, activist and president of the Palestine Solidarity Collective.
Register by Feb. 27 to join the fascinating discussion about an issue that impacts the entire community. For more information about the event, contact Melissa Falotico at gswsac@yorku.ca.
Learn about repetitive strain injury prevention, Feb. 29
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Do you know what a repetitive strain injury (RSI) is, or how it can be prevented?
RSIs are disorders of the musculoskeletal system, such as tendons, muscles and nerves, that can develop gradually over weeks, months or even years. Symptoms can include tightness, discomfort, stiffness, soreness, burning, tingling or numbness within hands, wrists and arms. These conditions account for over 40 per cent of all lost-time injuries (WSPS, 2023). Increasing and varying position and movement during work hours is one way to help reduce the risk of repetitive strain injuries.
Health, Safety & Employee Well-Being is offering two sessions in support of RSI Awareness Day.
Thursday, Feb. 29 at 11:30 a.m. A 30-minute virtual session describing the importance of posture and a proper workstation set up. Register for the virtual event.
Thursday, Feb. 29 at 12:15 p.m. A 30-minute in-person session demonstrating how to adjust your ergonomic chair. Join us in the Physical Resources Building for this interactive demonstration (no equipment required). Register for the in-person event.
Questions related to workstations should be directed to your manager.
Your voice, York’s future: Sustainability Strategy consultations continue
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York University is seeking continued feedback from students, faculty, instructors and staff to inform the renewal of the institutional Sustainability Strategy. Over the next few weeks, community members can provide their input in person or virtually to shape the University’s sustainability priorities and support its journey to become one of the most sustainable universities in Canada.
Sustainability is a core value of the University, and the Sustainability Strategy, planned to cover 2024 to 2030, is critical to ensuring York meets its bold sustainability commitments. Most recently, York announced its plan to reach net-zero emissions by 2040, a decade earlier than originally planned. Both the aspirational target and the renewed Sustainability Strategy will support the York community’s collective responsibility for environmental stewardship in a world increasingly burdened by the consequences of climate change.
“2023 is now being reported as the hottest year on record, with the global average temperature likely to exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius over the next 11 months,” says Mike Layton, York’s chief sustainability officer. “The renewal of York’s Sustainability Strategy is an opportunity to build awareness, inspire lifelong commitment and catalyze action towards creating a more sustainable future.”
The community consultation process began in October 2023, when the Office of Sustainability began hosting workshops and open houses to engage all members of the York community. An option to share feedback via email or by survey was also made available. So far, more than 1,800 York community members have participated in the consultation process.
“After speaking in classrooms, boardrooms, departments and Faculty councils, and even by having conversations with students at tabling events, we’re impressed at the bold ideas that have been shared so far,” says Nicole Arsenault, program director, sustainability. “We’ve heard from students about food on campus, commuting and biodiversity. We’ve received feedback from staff on purchasing and energy use, and from faculty on research and teaching. We’re excited to continue gaining input from everyone – from every level of the University – to create an inspiring strategy with long-term impacts.”
Pharmaceutical firms should focus on intellectual capital, says prof
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New research from York University’s Schulich School of Business shows that firms operating in the pharmaceutical industry are most often better off investing in intellectual capital than in lobbying.
Moren Lévesque
The findings are contained in the paper “The interdependent influence of lobbying and intellectual capital on new drug development,” which was recently published in the journal Research Policy. The paper was co-authored by Moren Lévesque, a professor of operations management and information systems at Schulich and the CPA Ontario Chair in International Entrepreneurship.
The results of the study have important practical implications for pharmaceutical companies, which are among the top lobbying spenders in the U.S. “From a managerial perspective, our results suggest that lobbying might not always be the most effective way for pharmaceutical firms to enhance their new drug development performance,” says Lévesque. “A shift in focus from lobbying to intellectual capital development may therefore enable firms to reap longer term benefits, both in terms of new drug development and reputation.”
Lévesque says the research also has clear implications for policymakers, who should focus on nurturing intellectual capital development in the pharmaceutical industry to achieve economic growth, as well as focusing on increased transparency with regard to lobbying and the political decision-making process.
“With declining R&D [research and development] productivity being of increased concern to the industry, understanding how to allocate scarce and precious resources is vital,” says Lévesque. “Our research findings might prompt decision-makers in pharmaceutical firms to carefully review their portfolio of activities and redirect resources from lobbying to R&D.”
