Business Ethics Conference 2026
Ethics and Artificial Intelligence
This full-day conference will examine the role of ethics in the creation, dissemination, and implementation of artificial intelligence.
Friday, November 13, 2026
This full-day conference will examine the role of ethics in the creation, dissemination, and implementation of artificial intelligence.
The proliferation of AI models in recent years has had far reaching impacts in almost every domain, including education, art, and, importantly, management. Paired with optimistic possibilities and environmental and social concerns, AI’s proliferation has reignited discussions about the human as a category, the yawning gap of the privilege divide, and the roles human beings will play in the global economic landscape in the coming years.
Event date: Friday, November 13th
Time: 8:45 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Location: McGill Faculty Club, Ballroom
Agenda
8:45 - 9:15 – Check-in/Refreshments/Light Breakfast
9:15 - 9:25 - Opening Remarks
9:30 – 11:00 – Panel 1
11:00 – 11:15 – Break
11:15 - 12:45 –Panel 2
12:45 – 13:45 – Lunch
13:45 – 15:15 – Panel 3
15:15 – 15:25 – Closing Remarks
15:25 – 17:00 – Reception
Panel 1 - Sustainability and AI: The Environmental Cost of Intelligence
How can AI drive innovation while minimizing its environmental footprint? This panel explores the balance between AI's resource demands and its potential to support sustainability and climate solutions.
Panel 2 - Equity and AI: Data, Bias, and the Struggle for Algorithmic Inclusivity
As AI becomes more influential, questions of bias, access, and fairness grow increasingly urgent. Panelists will examine how AI can either deepen inequalities or help foster a more inclusive society.
Panel 3 - Defining "Responsible AI" in Management: Leadership and Accountability with Machine Intelligence
What does responsible AI use look like in organizations? This panel explores leadership, accountability, and the safeguards needed to balance innovation with ethical decision-making.
We are proud to announce that our event has been awarded Gold Sustainable Event certification by the McGill Sustainable Events program run by the McGill Office of Sustainability.
Past conferences
Where ethical inquiry meets intellectual ambition, the Business Ethics Conference brings together conferences, competitions, and conversations that shape the moral landscape of business.
Explore the Annual Business Ethics Conference
→ 2025 Ethics in Finance
→ 2024 Ethics in Aviation
→ 2023 Healthcare: Ethical Management in the Context of Systemic Challenges
2025 Business Ethics Conference: Ethics in Finance
November 21, 2025
On November 21, 2025, Laidley Centre hosted its third annual Business Ethics Conference, on the theme of Ethics in Finance. This full-day conference examined ethical finance practices with special focus on three areas: sustainability (Panel One), equity (Panel Two), and social responsibility (Panel Three).
Watch panel recordings: Panel One | Panel Two | Panel Three
Panel One engages in lively discussion. Left to right: Hongping Tan, Begum Ipek Yavuz, Sébastien Labelle, Toby Heaps.
Melanie Adams - Managing Director & Head of Responsible Investment at RBC Global Asset Management - shares her experiences.
The Laidley Centre team. Left to right: Lindsay Holmgren (Director, LCBEE), Joelle Moses (Outreach Coordinator, LCBEE), Nikita Boston-Fisher (Associate Director, LCBEE).
Audience members connect at the networking reception.
2024 Business Ethics Conference: Ethics in Aviation
November 15, 2024
We hosted our second annual Business Ethics Conference on the theme “Ethics in the Aviation Industry.” The event brought together over 80 participants, including students, faculty, alumni and industry professionals for a day of discussions, panels and networking. Focused on accessibility, profit, sustainability and social responsibility in the aviation industry, the conference sparked engaging conversations and meaningful insights into the ethical complexities of the aviation industry.
Watch panel recordings: Panel One | Panel Two | Panel Three
Panelists meet at the conference.
Panel One speakers engage in lively discussion.
2023 Laidley Centre Inaugural Business Ethics Conference
Healthcare: Ethical Management in the Context of Systemic Challenges
November 15, 2024
The LCBEE was pleased to present our inaugural Business Ethics Conference, Healthcare: Ethical Management in the Context of Systemic Challenges. This unique event gathered healthcare leaders, thinkers, and innovators at the McGill Faculty Club to explore healthcare innovation and address AI, pharmaceutical ethics and the balance between progress and equitable access.
Panel One explored ethics and innovation in healthcare, Panel Two focused on promoting inclusion and equity in healthcare, and Panel Three discussed ethical management of AI in healthcare.
Watch panel recordings: Panel One | Panel Two | Panel Three
Panelists present at the conference.
A conference attendee asks a question during the Q A period.
Lester J. Fernandes in conversation with students at the networking reception.
Nikita Boston-Fisher (Associate Director, LCBEE) and Dr. Lindsay Holmgren (Director, LCBEE) smile in front of a Laidley Centre banner.
