ARS hosts insightful seminar on the rise of AI
Video: Nor Hai Horizon
TORONTOHYE—On Sunday, June 7, 2026, the ARS Toronto Roubina Chapter's educational committee hosted a highly anticipated educational seminar titled 'The role of Artificial Intelligence in our lives today.' The event drew an enthusiastic crowd of more than 100 community members to learn about the rapidly shifting landscape of modern technology and its everyday implications.
The guest speaker for the afternoon was Raphael Arakelian, a prominent cybersecurity practitioner who currently serves as a Manager of Operational Technology (OT) and Internet of Things (IoT) Cybersecurity at Accenture. Holding a Master of Applied Science from the University of Toronto, Arakelian has a distinguished background in defending critical industrial infrastructure and evaluating complex supply chain vulnerabilities. He leveraged this expertise to deliver a presentation that was both deeply informative and entirely accessible to a non-technical audience.
Arakelian opened his address by demystifying the core concepts of Artificial Intelligence (AI), tracing the major historical milestones that have accelerated its growth from experimental laboratory concepts into ubiquitous global tools. Rather than treating AI as a single monolithic technology, he provided clarity by breaking it down into five distinct categories based on functionality and deployment.
He explained that Analytical AI focuses on scanning massive datasets to optimize existing processes, while Predictive AI evaluates historical data to forecast future trends and behaviors. The audience was highly engaged by his breakdown of Generative AI, the popular tools capable of creating entirely new text, imagery, and media. He then contrasted this with Assistive AI, which operates in the background to augment human workflows and manage repetitive tasks. Finally, he introduced Agentic AI, an emerging frontier of autonomous systems designed to make independent choices to achieve a user's broader strategic goals.
A central focus of the seminar was empowering local institutions to utilize these tools effectively. Arakelian provided practical, real-world examples demonstrating how small businesses, grassroots community organizations, and educational institutions can integrate basic AI applications to significantly boost operational efficiency, elevate strategic decision-making, and foster internal innovation.
However, given his extensive professional background in managing systemic cyber risks, Arakelian emphasized that rapid technological adoption must always be paired with robust security practices. He warned against overlooking the security of seemingly simple or routine devices, noting that threat actors frequently exploit gaps in basic infrastructure. The final segment of his lecture detailed the essential safety, privacy, and digital hygiene protocols for responsible data management and secure AI use in daily life.
The presentation concluded with a vibrant, extended Q&A session. Attendees seized the opportunity to ask thoughtful questions regarding data privacy, the future of employment, and the potential impact of automated tools on cultural communities. Arakelian's practical, grounded insights left the audience with a balanced understanding of both the immense opportunities and the realistic risks of the digital age.
Following the lecture, a warm reception hosted by the Roubina chapter allowed participants to connect directly with the speaker, reflect on the presentation, and continue the conversation. Attendees left the venue expressing deep gratitude to the Educational Committee for organizing such a timely event and feeling inspired and better equipped to responsibly navigate AI tools in their businesses, schools, and personal lives. ֎
This piece was published in Torontohye's July 2026 (#227) issue.
