18 SEPTEMBER 2026 · LAUNCH CELEBRATION

A historic place.
A new chapter in
youth AI innovation.

A day of ideas, connection and possibility.
The beginning of a new learning community.

The Erindale Academy · Mississauga, Canada

THE MOMENT WE BEGAN18.09.26
200+Guests, students
& community members
04Student venture
concepts presented
OneShared commitment
to young people

THE BEGINNING OF SOMETHING SHARED

More than an opening.
A commitment
to what comes next.

On September 18, 2026, students, educators, researchers, entrepreneurs and community members gathered at The Erindale Academy to launch the Erindale Youth AI Innovation Incubator.

Mayor Carolyn Parrish joined the ribbon-cutting. Mentors shared their perspectives, students presented four venture concepts, and the unveiling of a Froebel sculpture connected the campus’s educational heritage with a new chapter of innovation.

The common thread was young people: their questions, their ideas, and the opportunity to turn learning into creation.

01 / A SHARED BEGINNING

Opening the possibilities

A ribbon-cutting with school and student representatives, and recognition from the City of Mississauga.

02 / HISTORY MEETS POSSIBILITY

Honouring our roots

A Froebel sculpture created for the occasion, on the grounds of the historic Taylor–Froebel House.

03 / STUDENTS TAKE THE LEAD

Making ideas visible

Four student venture concepts, followed by conversations with mentors, educators and community members.

WATCH & LISTEN

The voices behind
a shared vision.

Perspectives on learning, mentorship
and young people’s possibilities.

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01 / THE RIBBON-CUTTING

Ribbon-cutting & launch celebration

Watch the ribbon-cutting and launch celebration of the Erindale Youth AI Innovation Incubator.

Open directly on YouTube

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Voices from our launch

6 speaker videos. Choose a play button to watch.

Launch video18 SEP 2026

AI for good. Learning for a wider world.

Connecting AI, sustainability and real-world learning, with young people at the centre.

Professor Charles HopkinsUNESCO Chair · York University
Read the launch reflection

In his launch remarks, Professor Charles Hopkins connected AI and sustainability with the opportunity to bring education closer to the real world. His message encouraged young people to use AI for good and to see their learning as something that can contribute beyond the campus.

Meet Professor Charles Hopkins
Launch video18 SEP 2026

Rethinking learning in the AI era

The questions AI opens for education—and the value of learning alongside young people.

Professor Jim SlottaProfessor · President’s Chair · OISE, University of Toronto
Read the launch reflection
“AI is the great disruptor … it’s going to disrupt education at every level.”

Professor Jim Slotta’s launch reflections address the disruptive impact of AI on education. They invite educators to keep asking questions about learning, and to approach mentorship as a chance to learn with and from young people.

Meet Professor Jim Slotta
Launch video18 SEP 2026

From learning to creation. From ideas to action.

A vision for critical thinking, responsible innovation and problems that truly matter.

Dr. Paul PuDirector · Erindale Youth AI Innovation Incubator
Read the launch reflection
“Our goal is not simply to teach young people how to use AI.”

Dr. Paul Pu introduced an approach that goes beyond learning to use AI tools. The incubator connects real-world questions, project development and teamwork, with AI intelligence, hands-on intelligence and social intelligence supporting young people’s growth.

Meet Dr. Paul Pu
Students use a project poster to share their thinking.
Sharing the thinking behind a student idea.
A student representative presents a venture concept to the launch audience.
Finding a voice, on stage.

STUDENT VOICES

The most important ideas
belong to young people.

Four student venture concepts took the stage, opening conversations about time management, physical activity, sporting-goods selection and youth entrepreneurship.

These were starting points for learning—not finished products or claims of proven impact.

Explore the student ideas

VOICES OF ENCOURAGEMENT

Letters of Support.

Three messages welcoming the incubator’s launch
and the possibilities it opens for young people.

Explore all three letters

LETTER 01

Signed letter of support from Ruth Hayhoe

“Bringing together AI literacy, hands-on learning, and collaboration offers a valuable opportunity to nurture thoughtful and responsible young innovators, committed to serving the public good.”

Professor Ruth Hayhoe

Professor

OISE, University of Toronto

LETTER 02

Signed letter of support from M. Jamal Deen

“By bringing together AI literacy, hands-on learning, and collaboration, it will help young people explore artificial intelligence, develop their creativity, and apply their learning to real-world challenges.”

Professor M. Jamal Deen

Distinguished University Professor

McMaster University

LETTER 03

Signed letter of support from Zhongfei (Mark) Zhang

“The initiative to launch the Erindale Youth AI Innovation Incubator takes a brave and meaningful step forward to address the revolutionary challenges benefiting not only the students but also the whole society.”

Professor Zhongfei (Mark) Zhang

Professor · School of Computing

Binghamton University, SUNY

The letters are presented as messages from their individual authors. Institutional affiliations are shown for identification; no separate institutional endorsement is claimed. Each letter is available as readable text and as its original signed PDF.

PASS THE STORY ONEmail the story

COME WITH CURIOSITY

The celebration was a beginning.

Bring your curiosity. Explore student projects, meet our mentors, or start a conversation about getting involved.

Register your interest