Events & Summits
AI & Defence Innovation Summit
Event Overview
The NEX's AI & Defence Innovation Summit (AIDIS) is Canada's first national defence and advanced technology deal making platform, bringing together innovators, enterprise buyers, investors, government leaders, academics, and policymakers to transform emerging technologies into real world partnerships, pilot projects,
commercial agreements, and investment opportunities. The festival focuses on practical outcomes
and collaboration across the Canadian and international technology ecosystem.
Unlike traditional conferences that focus primarily on presentations, The NEX's AI & Defence Innovation Summit is built around enabling meaningful connections between technology creators, industry decision makers,
investors, and government stakeholders. Its goal is to help organizations move innovative ideas from
concept to deployment through strategic relationships and business development opportunities.
Key Themes
The event regularly features discussions and thought leadership surrounding:
Artificial Intelligence
Quantum Computing
Robotics and Automation
Cybersecurity and Digital Trust
AI Governance and Regulation
Enterprise Innovation
Technology Commercialization
Critical Infrastructure Resilience
Economic Development and Investment
Public Policy and Global Competitiveness
Featured Speakers and Participants
The suummit attracts senior leadership from government, industry, academia, and the innovation community, including:
Federal and Provincial Government Officials
International Policymakers
Aerospace and Defense Organizations
AI and Quantum Technology Leaders
Space and Space Tourism Leaders
Financial Sector Regulators
Cybersecurity and Cyber Defense Experts
Robotics and Automation Executives
Economic Development Agencies
Global Technology Companies
Education and Training Partners
Healthcare and Hospital Providers
Bringing Leaders Together
to Shape the Future
Event Design & Experience
Premium Executive Conference Environment
The NEX's AI & Defence Innovation Summit is designed as a high level executive experience that combines:
Main stage keynote presentations
Executive panel discussions
Industry roundtables
Government and policy sessions
Innovation showcases
Investor and commercial networking opportunities
Strategic partnership development meetings
Modern Technology Ecosystem Design
The visual identity and atmosphere of the event emphasize:
Clean and modern branding
Large format stage presentations
Corporate and institutional aesthetics
Innovation driven messaging
Strong focus on AI, quantum technologies, and future industries
High profile thought leadership environment
Executive networking and collaboration spaces
Audience Profile
The event appeals to:
Technology companies
Startup founders
Scale up organizations
Investors and venture capital groups
Government officials
Enterprise decision makers
Innovation agencies
Academic institutions
Industry associations
Corporate innovation leaders
Suggested NEX Events Listing Copy
The NEX's AI & Defence Innovation Summit
Category: Aerospace, Defence, Technology, AI, Innovation & Investment
The NEX's AI & Defence Innovation Summit is one of the country's premier technology leadership events, bringing together innovators, investors, enterprise buyers, government officials, and policymakers to accelerate the adoption of emerging technologies. Focused on creating real world partnerships and business opportunities, the festival showcases advancements in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, robotics, cybersecurity, governance, and digital transformation. Through keynote presentations, executive networking, industry panels, and strategic collaboration sessions, attendees gain direct access to Canada's growing innovation ecosystem and the leaders shaping its future.
Recommended Design Tags for NEX Events
AI & Emerging Technologies
Innovation Ecosystem
Government & Industry
Executive Networking
Investment Opportunities
Digital Transformation
Future Technologies
Quantum & Cybersecurity
National Technology Forum
Leadership Summit
This event would fit very well within the Innovation, AI, Cybersecurity, Quantum, Investment, and Government Relations categories on the NEX Events platform.
Events & Summits
Terranova Nexus Group Incorporated believes that innovation advances when government, industry, academia, and nonprofit organizations work together toward common goals. Through international conferences, executive forums, industry summits, strategic roundtables, and thought leadership events, we create opportunities for collaboration, education, and transformative action.
Our events are designed to connect decision makers, technology innovators, security professionals, investors, researchers, and policy leaders to address the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of cybersecurity, aerospace, defense, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, and critical infrastructure protection.
Bringing Leaders Together
to Shape the Future
Our Mission
Our events and summits serve as platforms for:
Advancing cybersecurity and AI governance
Promoting international collaboration
Supporting innovation and commercialization
Encouraging responsible technology adoption
Building strategic partnerships
Connecting public and private sector stakeholders
Strengthening workforce development and education
Signature Events
Global Cybersecurity Leadership Summit
A premier gathering of cybersecurity leaders, government representatives, educators, and technology experts focused on emerging threats, resilience strategies, workforce development, and global cooperation.
Topics Include:
Cyber resilience
National security
Critical infrastructure protection
Threat intelligence
Workforce development
Public and private sector collaboration
Responsible AI and Emerging Technology Forum
This executive level forum explores the opportunities and risks associated with artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, autonomous systems, and digital trust frameworks.
Focus Areas:
AI governance
Ethical technology deployment
Global trust frameworks
Quantum readiness
Data integrity
Responsible innovation
Aerospace and Defense Innovation Summit
Bringing together aerospace manufacturers, defense organizations, government agencies, investors, and technology developers to discuss the future of secure and resilient defense ecosystems.
Featured Topics:
Uncrewed systems
Advanced manufacturing
Defense modernization
Secure communications
C4ISR technologies
International partnerships
Cyber WhiteHat Education Summit
A global education and workforce development event highlighting innovative approaches to cybersecurity training, mentorship, and career readiness.
Key Themes:
Skills development
Cyber education
Industry mentorship
Workforce pathways
Diversity and inclusion
Global talent development
Executive Roundtables
Throughout the year, Terranova hosts invitation only executive discussions that bring together business leaders, policymakers, academics, and technology innovators to address pressing industry challenges and emerging opportunities.
These sessions provide a trusted environment for strategic dialogue, knowledge sharing, and relationship building.
International Collaboration
Our events support participation from:
Government agencies
Educational institutions
Industry associations
Technology companies
Research organizations
Nonprofit and charitable organizations
Investors and venture partners
By creating opportunities for cross border cooperation, we help accelerate innovation while promoting security, resilience, and responsible technological advancement.
Speaking Opportunities
Terranova leadership and subject matter experts regularly participate in conferences, webinars, keynote presentations, panel discussions, and industry forums around the world.
Areas of expertise include:
Cybersecurity strategy
AI governance
Ethical technology deployment
Aerospace and defense innovation
Digital trust frameworks
Workforce development
Emerging technology
Sponsorship and Partnership OpportunitiesOrganizations interested in sponsoring or partnering on future events and summits are invited to connect with our team. Together, we can create impactful experiences that advance innovation, security, education, and economic growth.
Join the Conversation
Whether you are a government leader, educator, entrepreneur, investor, technologist, or industry executive, our events are designed to foster meaningful dialogue and create opportunities that drive lasting impact.
Connect. Collaborate. Innovate. Lead.
Strategic Engagement for Frontier Technology
20+
Years of Strategic Engagement
500+
Executive Summits Hosted
100+
Global Partners
Global Technology Expos
Showcasing cutting-edge innovations in aerospace, cybersecurity, and AI. Connect with sovereign buyers and technology builders.
Defense Modernization & Frontier AI Summit
The premier forum for public-private alignment on national defense, aerospace advancement, and AI policy. Closed-door dialogues drive capital deployment and policy frameworks.
Defense Modernization & Frontier AI Summit
Our History
Officially launched during Toronto Tech Week is a citywide celebration of the people building what’s next. From May 25–29, 2026, founders, investors, and builders come together for hundreds of community-led events across Toronto, connecting tens of thousands of people around Canadian tech.
AI and Defence Innovation 2026: AI Trust and Defence Innovation was a premier 3.0‑hour executive summit that took place in Toronto, Canada, on May 26, 2026 at the YMCA Conference Center in downtown Toronto. This event brought together leading voices from defence, augmented and artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, aerospace, academia, and government.
Co‑hosted by James Castle, Global Chairperson of the Cyber Security Global Alliance, and the CSGA Cyber AI Research Institute, along with Master of Ceremony Samir Azizi, Co‑Host and Co Managing Director of Toronto DAO, this summit explored the future of AI trust, AI weaponization, autonomous defence systems, quantum and AI‑ready security, next‑generation defence innovations, and the governance frameworks shaping global security over the decade ahead.
Originally designed for senior executives, policymakers, military leaders, defence innovators, advanced technology strategists, and Toronto Tech Week participants, this mini summit delivers a powerful combination of strategic insights, practical defence models, and an immersive crisis simulation that challenges participants to navigate real‑world national security threats.
Through expert dialogue and focused analysis, attendees will gain a strong understanding of the future of AI trust, secure AI systems, autonomous defence technologies, drone‑based threat response, and quantum‑era cybersecurity.
This event offered a rare opportunity to examine how trusted AI, cross‑border governance standards, and resilient defence capabilities are shaping North America's strategic advantage. It will help leaders prepare for the next era of rapidly accelerating technological conflict and innovation.
Terranova Nexus Group Incorporated
Through Terranova Nexus Group Incorporated we have expanded our abilities to grow rapidly.
We Are Seeking Event Sponsors
Cyber Security Global Alliance and Toronto DAO are actively seeking sponsors for this event.
If you are interested in sponsoring our event or receiving more detailed information on our event, please visit us online: https://csga-global.org/events-and-community-partners
Hybrid Event Details
This event is hosted in person in downtown Toronto with an option for virtual attendance for guests outside the city. Several speakers will join via our main event screen and audio system, and all registered participants will have the opportunity to ask questions after each presentation to both in‑person and virtual presenters.
All attendees must be registered. At the registration table, please be prepared to show your assigned QR code.
Please Note: If you are unable to attend in person and wish to attend online, please email event@csga-ai.org to request online access. Thank you.
Aerospace Advancement Forum
Expert panels and executive roundtables on next-generation aerospace capabilities and strategic partnerships. Shaping the future of flight.
Global Cybersecurity Leadership Summit
Addressing the critical intersection of artificial intelligence, national security, and ethical governance. Shaping responsible innovation.
Upcoming Events 2026 - 2027
Engage with Global Leaders
Explore strategic sponsorship and keynote opportunities to shape the agenda and influence policy.