Cool/Scary AI Toronto 2026

Free, community-led forum on AI’s promises and risks for social impact—lightning talks, small-group dialogues, and actionable next steps.

Cool / Scary AI SUMMIT - TORONTO isn’t a celebration of artificial intelligence—it’s a clear-eyed look at how AI is already reshaping mission-driven work, for better and worse. This half-day gathering brings together nonprofit leaders, digital practitioners, and creative technologists to explore the real-world implications of AI in social impact spaces.

Forget the corporate hype. This is an alternative to the usual conference circuit: an intimate, high-energy space for honest conversations about what’s working, what’s risky, and what’s next. No rigid agenda. No buzzword-laden keynotes. Just a curated lineup of speakers sharing lived experiments, cautionary tales, and breakthrough ideas.

You’ll hear from nonprofit teams, social entrepreneurs, and movement technologists applying AI to solve real problems—while wrestling with the ethical, operational, and cultural questions that come with it. Formats include TED-style talks, panel discussions, podcast-style interviews, and fast-paced Pecha Kucha presentations to keep things sharp and grounded.

If you’re looking for real talk—not just optimism—about how AI is transforming mission-driven work, this is your space.