Global Conference on Responsible AI and Elections

Agenda

Three days of high-level dialogue, practical exchange and cooperation on the responsible use and governance of AI in electoral administration.

9–11 September 2026

Rogers Centre Ottawa

Ottawa, Canada

Arabic · English · French · Spanish

Download provisional agenda

Agenda · Updated July 2026. Session details and speakers will continue to be updated as confirmations are finalized.

All times are shown in Ottawa local time.

Day 1
9 September
Day 2
10 September
Day 3
11 September

Registration and badge collection

9:00 am
9:30 am

Participants will register at the venue and collect their conference badges and materials. Participants are kindly requested to arrive early to allow sufficient time for registration before the opening ceremony.

Opening ceremony

9:30 am
10:00 am

The opening ceremony will welcome participants and set the overall expectations for the Conference

Coffee break

10:00 am
10:30 am

AI fundamentals and emerging frontiers

10:30 am
11:45 am

This session will provide participants with a shared understanding of the fundamental concepts, opportunities and challenges associated with artificial intelligence. It will examine recent advances in AI, their broader societal implications, and the considerations they present for electoral administration

The state of use of AI in elections

11:45 am
12:00 am

This session will provide an overview of how election management bodies are currently approaching the use of AI. It will highlight emerging applications of AI and the key trends shaping its adoption across electoral administration.

Osama Aljaber
Digital Democracy Specialist
UNDP

Lunch

12:00 pm
1:00 pm

Digital and AI transformation and the future of electoral administration

1:00 pm
2:30 pm

This session will explore emerging principles and frameworks for the responsible use of AI, and consider how EMBs can assess their readiness, strengthen institutional capacity and prepare for the responsible adoption of AI.

Speakers to be confirmed
Role tbc

Coffee break

2:30 pm
3:00 pm

AI applications in electoral administration - emerging use case

3:00 pm
4:30 pm

This session will focus on practical examples of how EMBs are using, testing or considering AI in their work. The discussion will highlight good practices and lessons learned from early experiences.

AI governance in electoral administration

9:00 am
10:30 am

This session will examine the institutional governance arrangements needed to support the responsible use of AI by EMBs. It will explore internal governance frameworks, including risk management, human oversight, accountability and decision-making processes, while also considering compliance with applicable legal, regulatory and ethical frameworks governing the use of AI in electoral administration.

Coffee break

10:30 am
11:00 am

AI applications in electoral administration - lessons from implementation and scale

11:00 am
12:30 pm

This session will focus on practical examples of how EMBs are using, testing or considering AI in their work. Speakers will reflect on the factors that enabled successful adoption, the challenges encountered, and the lessons learned.

Lunch

12:30 pm
1:30 pm

AI procurement and partnership

1:30 pm
3:00 pm

This session will examine practical considerations for procuring AI solutions in electoral administration. It will explore approaches to engaging technology providers, assessing AI tools, managing procurement risks, safeguarding data, and ensuring transparency, accountability and value for money throughout the procurement lifecycle.

Coffee break

3:00 pm
3:30 pm

Workshop: Applying AI responsibly in electoral administration

3:30 pm
4:30 pm

This interactive practical workshop will give participants the opportunity to apply AI tools to a simulated electoral administration challenge. Participants will work in groups and use AI tools to complete practical tasks related to election planning, public communication, operational decision-making and stakeholder engagement.

AI, Information Integrity and Elections

9:00 am
10:30 am

The session will examine how AI is reshaping the information environment around elections. It will explore AI-generated content, deepfakes, AI chatbots, algorithmic amplification and coordinated information manipulation, and consider approaches to strengthening information integrity and collaboration between EMBs, AI developers and digital platforms.

Coffee break

10:30 am
11:00 am

AI and women's political participation

11:00 am
12:30 pm

This session will examine the implications of AI for women's political participation and leadership. It will explore how AI is transforming political engagement, representation and decision-making, while addressing emerging risks such as technology-facilitated gender-based violence and unequal access to AI.

Lunch

12:30 pm
1:30 pm

Cybersecurity and AI in Elections

1:30 pm
3:00 pm

This session will examine the implications of AI for the cybersecurity of electoral processes. It will explore how AI is reshaping the cyber threat landscape while also creating new opportunities to strengthen cyber resilience. The discussion will consider approaches to securing electoral systems, managing AI-enabled cyber risks, and strengthening preparedness and incident response.

Coffee break

3:00 pm
3:30 pm

Conference conclusions, recommendations and next steps

3:30 pm
4:00 pm

This closing session will summarize the main conclusions and recommendations from the Conference and identify priority areas for follow-up. It will also launch a community of practice on responsible AI and elections, providing a platform for EMBs, countries, experts and partners to continue exchanging experiences, sharing good practices, accessing practical guidance and learning from each other as AI continues to shape electoral processes.

Keep the agenda with you

Download the latest provisional agenda for the complete three-day schedule.

Download agenda