Saskatchewan AI Boom Brings Innovation and New Concerns

Artificial intelligence is quickly becoming a bigger part of Saskatchewan’s economy, bringing both excitement and concern as businesses, schools, governments, and the public try to understand what comes next. This shift was clearly seen at Saskatchewan’s first major artificial intelligence expo, held at Prairieland Park in Saskatoon. Organized by Artificial Intelligence Saskatchewan, the event brought together more than 400 people, including students, tech companies, industry leaders, and curious members of the public. For many attendees, the expo was a chance to see AI in action and learn how it is already being used in real-world settings.

Alex Fallon, the founder of Artificial Intelligence Saskatchewan, said the goal of the expo was to make AI more accessible, especially for beginners. He explained that AI is still new and not fully understood, which naturally leads to concerns and ethical questions. However, he also emphasized that people need opportunities to try the technology, hear from experts, and talk with others about how it can be used responsibly. The strong turnout showed that many people in Saskatchewan are interested in the opportunities AI can create, even as larger debates continue around its risks.

One of the most talked-about displays at the expo was Poppy, a humanoid robot designed and built by Southeast College and the Southeast Techhub in Estevan. Poppy can respond to her name, wave back when someone waves, and use AI to hold conversations, although the expo was too noisy for that feature to work properly. The robot was built with help from high school students and University of Regina students, showing how AI and robotics can inspire learning and innovation. Gordon More of Southeast Techhub said Poppy proves that rural Saskatchewan has a strong innovation culture and can build impressive technology through community effort.

The expo also showed how AI is being used in creative and practical ways, including 3D printing. Ryan Williams, a commercial realtor who enjoys building and design, demonstrated how he uses AI tools and digital blueprints to create custom objects. His projects included the expo’s name tags, clocks, skeletons, and a detailed cube lamp inspired by The Legend of Zelda. His display, placed near older Nintendo systems, highlighted how quickly technology has changed and raised questions about what AI tools may look like in the next 10 or 15 years.

At the same time, Saskatchewan’s AI growth is happening alongside serious public concern, especially about children and AI chatbots. The expo took place shortly after Manitoba

Premier Wab Kinew announced plans for a social media ban for teens that would include AI chatbots. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe has also said his government will send out surveys about a possible social media ban for children, though he believes this issue may be better handled federally. University of Regina researcher Brian McQuinn warned that society failed to protect young people from the harms of social media and said the risks from AI chatbots could be even more serious if governments and parents do not act carefully.

Beyond public events and policy debates, AI is also transforming industries such as insurance. Westland Insurance’s chief information officer, Kanaris Paraskevopoulos, has taken a practical approach to digital transformation by focusing first on standardizing systems, building reliable data, and then using AI to improve speed and decision-making. Westland is using tools like Acturis and a cloud-based Databricks platform to create more consistent workflows and stronger data systems. The company is also using AI for tasks such as processing email submissions, extracting important information, supporting staff through Copilot, and helping employees make better frontline decisions. Paraskevopoulos argues that AI should not be treated as flashy technology, but as a tool that helps businesses move faster and serve customers better. Whether in Saskatchewan’s public expo space or inside a growing insurance company, the message is similar: AI is expanding quickly, but its success will depend on how responsibly people use it, how well organizations manage change, and how carefully society protects those most at risk.

Works Cited 

Tank, Phil. “AI Expands in Saskatchewan amid Growing Concerns.” CBC News, 28 Apr. 2026, www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/saskatchewan-saskatoon-ai-artificial-intelligence-technology-robot-9.7179284. 

Woodward, Laura. “Saskatchewan Hosts First Artificial Intelligence Expo, Drawing Hundreds to Saskatoon.” CTV News, 28 Apr. 2026, www.ctvnews.ca/saskatoon/article/saskatchewan-hosts-first-artificial-intelligence-expo-drawing-hundreds-to-saskatoon/. 

Essex, Susan. “Westland CIO Kanaris Paraskevopoulos on Transformation, Data and the Next AI Frontier.” Insurance Business America, 29 Apr. 2026, www.insurancebusinessmag.com/us/news/technology/westland-cio-kanaris-paraskevopoulos-on-transformation-data-and-the-next-ai-frontier-573474.aspx. 

Lagaden, Chanss. “The Humanoid Robot Named Poppy Gestures to Passersby at the Saskatchewan AI Expo.” CBC News, 28 Apr. 2026, ca.news.yahoo.com/ai-expands-saskatchewan-amid-growing-110000712.html.