Information Technology Services (ITS)
IT@UofT 2025 convenes tri-campus community to transform tomorrow
Published on: July 4, 2025
On May 6 and 7, 2025, Information Technology Services hosted the annual IT@UofT conference, an in-person event designed to foster collaboration, explore IT innovations and strengthen connections among colleagues from across the University of Toronto’s three campuses. The conference welcomed 734 attendees over two days for panels, keynotes and breakout sessions.
This year’s conference, themed “Metamorphosis: Transforming Tomorrow,” took place on the St. George campus and lived up to its name by talking about change: whether technological, social or infrastructural — both at the university and beyond. Conference sessions and keynotes tackled the importance of thinking ahead and thinking big to face the future.
“We are on the cusp of considering a different way to view IT at the university: to consider IT a strategic partner,” said McCahan, whose role illustrates the ongoing collaboration across the academic and operational sides of the university.
Dr. Donna K. Kidwell, Chief Information Officer at U of T and conference co-chair, delivered both opening and closing remarks, expressing that she was “excited for this moment in time where we get to do important work together, and excited to be on this journey with all of you.”
The diverse IT@UofT community gathered to share knowledge and collectively envision the future of technology within the institution and beyond. More than 700 attendees had the chance to delve into a wide array of topics across 52 breakout sessions delivered by 85 presenters, with topics ranging from the role of AI in teaching and learning to digitizing library collections, enhancing security visibility across campuses, privacy rollbacks in a changing political climate and practical strategies for managing information risk.
One recurring theme throughout the conference was the responsible and thoughtful integration of emerging technologies into human societies — as reflected in, for example, discussions about data governance, data sovereignty and the increasing importance of “discernment,” as stated by LK Bertram, an Associate Professor in U of T’s department of history, in her remarks about algorithmic literacy in times of rising disinformation during a session with Dr. Kidwell and fellow history faculty member Heidi Bohaker.
“Are we learning to look at something critically and wonder how much of it was generated by a trustworthy actor or not? We’re all developing this competency,” said Bertram, echoing Dr. Kidwell’s vocal commitment to the concept of digital trust.
The opening day keynote by Bast AI CEO and Chairwoman Beth Rudden was on the topic of “AI for everyone: Rethinking inclusion in the age of intelligent technology.” Her talk, which is summarized in a blog post she wrote, highlighted important questions about not just AI alone but, fundamentally, the integration of AI into human life. Noting that “information is data plus context,” Rudden asserted that understanding context is a very human ability and that inserting context into data and the workings of AI will be crucial to its adoption in our lives.
“What are humans good at?” asked Rudden, answering: “Specificity.”
“This is the essence of our magic. Domain experts, for example, can give specific reasons for particular patterns. While the promise of AI is hyper-personalization, it will never have the level of specificity that a human does.”
Beyond issues surrounding technology, the conference also addressed resilience and community. Athena Aktipis, Associate Professor of in the Department of Psychology at Arizona State University, brought her touring Apocalypse Roadshow to Convocation Hall. The presentation offered a unique perspective on cooperation and generosity in times of crisis. Aktipis blended live interactive bluegrass songs with insights from her scholarly research, ultimately emphasizing the human element in navigating an ever-changing world.
Aktipis pointed out that the etymology of the word “apocalypse” doesn’t necessarily indicate the end of something. “The ancient Greek definition [of apocalypse] is ‘a revealing’,” said Aktipis, “so an apocalypse is any event that reveals the risks we’re facing.”
So what do we do when exposed to new information about risk? “What are the hidden risks we face?” asked Aktipis in her keynote. “What methods can we use to uncover risks?”
“We need to approach things with a sense of cooperation, community and adventure,” she advised, drawing on her research findings and excerpts from her book, A Field Guide to the Apocalypse: A Mostly Serious Guide to Surviving in our Wild Times. “We have the capacity to deal with lots of change. Our ancestors had to be very agile to survive. When we approach the world with a sense of adventure, we can be more open and ready to process the information that can help us adapt.”
And shining a spotlight on the key role of inclusivity and diversity within the tech sector, the conference featured a panel discussion hosted by Dr. Kidwell on challenges and future opportunities for women in tech. Dr. Kidwell encouraged women to have the “willingness to say yes to something that sounds crazy or scary” in their careers—to think big and think outside the box.
Panelists Aisha Maywandi (IT Specialist, IITS, UTSC), Maddie Osei (Information Security and Business Analyst, ITS), Ammena Ajaz (Business Analyst, I&ITS, UTM), Saira Mall (Manager, Educational Innovation & Academic Initiatives, CTL, UTSC) and Ashley Langille (Information Privacy & Business Analyst, ITS) reflected on the importance of mentorship, the uniqueness of the higher education sector, impostor syndrome, role models and much more.
“Strong females in leadership roles are what mattered to me most,” said Langille of her career journey.
And while “impostor syndrome is very much there,” according to Maywandi, “your manager or director is there to say, ‘keep going, you’re amazing.’ It’s so important to have that support system.”
The success of the conference is due in no small part to the dedicated efforts of 75+ volunteers and staff from across the tri-campus community, who contributed their time and expertise to moderate sessions, plan communications, provide wayfinding assistance, liaise with sponsors, organize programming, manage the registration and information desk and more.
IT@UofT 2025 concluded with a sense of enthusiasm and a shared commitment to embracing the transformations that lie ahead. In a post-conference survey, attendees reported leaving with new insights, strengthened networks and a heightened sense of purpose in shaping the future of IT at U of T. If you want to receive communications about future iterations of the IT@UofT conference, please sign up at this link.
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