WaiToronto - Masterclass Series: Unlocking the Power of AI Agents

Masterclass 1 - Wed, Apr 23, 2025 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM EST

Title - "From Generative AI to Agentic AI"

Abstract -

AI is evolving beyond static content generation toward autonomous, decision-making agents. This session explores the shift from Generative AI to Agentic AI, highlighting how AI can move from producing outputs to executing complex tasks with reasoning, adaptability, and real-world interaction.

Presenter - Karla Congson

A seasoned business leader and entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience in innovation, strategy, marketing and digital technologies, Karla specializes in agentic workflows.  She also leads AI training and provides AI consulting for leading Canadian and US organizations.

Previously, she held executive roles at Mirum Agency, WPP/Young & Rubicam Canada, and Invesco. She was also part of the founding team that brought Singularity University to Canada in 2017.

At Agentiiv, Karla and her team support clients like Sun Life Financial, Scotiabank, Deloitte, and the Vector Institute. Passionate about the future of work and transformational technologies, she helps companies harness AI to elevate talent and gain a competitive edge.

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Masterclass 2 - Wed, Apr 30, 2025 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM EST

Title - "Building AI Agents with Open Source Frameworkss"

Abstract -

Developing AI agents requires flexible and scalable tools. This session delves into building AI agents using open-source frameworks, showcasing how developers can leverage these tools to create intelligent, task-oriented AI systems capable of perception, planning, and execution.

Presenter - Faranak Heidarii

Faranak is a Data Scientist at IBM, working at the intersection of generative AI, agentic AI and real-world applications. Her background spans industries such as healthcare, where she implemented time-series forecasting and ML pipelines to translate complex data into meaningful insights.

As the first woman in her family to immigrate and earn a graduate degree in engineering, she’s especially passionate about expanding opportunities for women in tech. She enjoys collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, integrating AI into daily workflows, and sharing what she learns to inspire others along the way.

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Masterclass 3 - Fri, May 2, 2025 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM EST

Title - "Agentic RAG: Turning Retrieval into Reasoning"

Abstract -

Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) is transforming how AI retrieves and processes information. This session explores Agentic RAG, demonstrating how integrating reasoning capabilities into retrieval-based models enhances AI’s ability to generate more accurate, context-aware, and insightful responses.

Presenter - Fatemeh Tavakoli

Fatemeh Tavakoli is a Machine Learning Engineer with a strong passion for using AI to solve real-world problems. With a Master of Applied Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Waterloo, her research focused on forest fire prediction using machine learning and addressing class imbalance in critical datasets.

Currently, Fatemeh works at Bell Kearns & Associates, where she is developing a GenAI-powered summarization tool for financial reports, helping investment professionals make faster, more informed decisions. She has also contributed to AI adoption in small and mid-sized businesses through the Vector Institute’s FastLane program.

Fatemeh brings a unique blend of academic research, production-level engineering, and a deep commitment to responsible and impactful AI. She’s excited to share her experiences and help empower more women in the field.

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About Women in AI:

A global network of female experts and professionals in the field of Artificial Intelligence working towards gender-inclusive AI that benefits a global society, with +12,000 members across +140 countries with local communities led by prominent and influential women in Artificial Intelligence.

Our mission is to close the gender gap in the field by educating the next generation of female leaders in AI and to increase female representation and participation in AI.

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