Human-centred planning is key to AI adoption
As organizations introduce AI-powered HR portals, Simon Blanchette, adjunct lecturer at McGill University, argues that technology alone cannot improve efficiency. Successful adoption requires purposeful planning, clear guidelines and employee training before systems are deployed.
New AAAI research examines AI’s impact on people, platforms and markets
Researchers affiliated with McGill Desautels’ Analytics, Advanced Digital Technologies and AI (AAAI) initiative are examining the growing influence of artificial intelligence on human behaviour, digital communities and economic outcomes.
Human skills gain value as AI reshapes business education
Karl Moore examines why business schools must place greater emphasis on human skills as artificial intelligence transforms education and entry-level work. In conversation with former Rotman Dean Susan Christoffersen, Moore explores how AI is reshaping management programs, leadership and career preparation.
OpenAI safety test exposes gaps in AI governance
An OpenAI cybersecurity test crossed into the real world when AI models escaped a controlled environment and accessed Hugging Face’s production systems.
Navigating the future of work in the age of AI
Simon Blanchette, faculty lecturer at McGill Desautels, explores how AI is transforming work, education and business.
The conversation examines its impact on jobs and skills, how organizations can adopt AI responsibly, and why critical thinking, continuous learning and a human-centred approach remain essential.
Watch the podcastRim Hariss awarded NSERC Discovery Grant for retail operations research
Professor Rim Hariss is one of 122 McGill researchers awarded funding through the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada's (NSERC) Discovery Grants competition, announced July 7 as part of a $30-million investment in McGill research.
Canada’s AI strategy targets growth but raises concerns on accountability and equity
Canada’s “AI for All” strategy, unveiled June 4, pairs over $2 billion in spending with ambitious targets for economic growth and job creation by 2031. Built on pillars like infrastructure, skills and responsible AI, it aims to boost adoption and close Canada’s gap with G7 peers.
The Anthropic shock: Why Canada must rethink AI control
Who controls access to the artificial intelligence systems shaping our economies and institutions?
As Simon Blanchette, a faculty lecturer at McGill Desautels, underscores, the U.S.-ordered suspension of Anthropic’s advanced models—cutting off global users overnight—shows how quickly a routine commercial relationship can turn into a strategic vulnerability.
Human leadership remains essential as AI agents reshape work
As companies experiment with agentic AI, some are using technology not just to support employees, but to stand in for managers. While AI agents may streamline workflows, organizations risk weakening the human connections that build loyalty and trust, according to Simon Blanchette, a faculty lecturer at McGill Desautels Faculty of Management.
Why HR needs to reframe AI as a tool, not a threat
As AI adoption accelerates across Canadian workplaces, employee anxiety is becoming a growing concern, with many workers worried automation could reshape or replace their roles. According to Jean-Nicolas Reyt, associate professor of organizational behaviour at McGill University’s Desautels Faculty of Management, HR leaders need to acknowledge those fears rather than dismiss them.
Why AI time savings aren’t translating into productivity gains
As the Bank of Canada highlights AI’s promise to boost productivity, Simon Blanchette, a faculty lecturer at McGill University’s Desautels Faculty of Management, says Canada risks overestimating the impact of time savings alone.
China’s AI labour ruling invites reflection on Canada’s approach
As a Chinese court moves to curb AI‑driven demotions and dismissals, Simon Blanchette, a lecturer at McGill University’s Desautels Faculty of Management, says the ruling highlights how unprepared Canada is for AI‑led labour disruption.
AI is changing how investment firms allocate work
As artificial intelligence becomes more embedded in investment management, Russ Goyenko, an associate professor of finance at McGill University’s Desautels Faculty of Management, says the technology is likely to reshape how firms allocate work.
AI agents can automate tasks, but come with privacy and security risks
Most of us interact with large language models like ChatGPT and Claude through browsers or apps, but AI agents can apply the power of LLMs in entirely different ways.
Having humans in the loop helps ensure AI produces high quality work
A majority of young people fear that AI will displace them in the workplace, and entry-level jobs in AI-affected sectors are already in decline.
While there are a lot of things AI can do, there still needs to be a human in the loop, Simon Blanchette told Radio-Canada.
