This month, the University of Ottawa welcomes more than 86 university leaders from over 40 institutions and 16 countries for the prestigious U7+ Alliance Summit, the first time this international event is being held on Canadian soil.
The U7+ Alliance, created in 2019, is a global network of universities working in alignment with G7 priorities. It positions academic institutions as strategic partners in tackling the world’s most pressing challenges, from climate resilience to democratic governance. This year, the spotlight is on artificial intelligence, specifically, how to ensure it stays rooted in a responsible AI development.
Research leadership at the centre of global policy
Being selected to host the 2025 summit highlights uOttawa’s ability to connect academic excellence with real-world impact. It is also a recognition of its leadership in research, innovation and the kind of multilingual, multicultural dialogue that global co-operation demands. The University’s bilingual, multicultural environment supports collaboration across countries and sectors.
“This summit has an extraordinary global reach,” says uOttawa President and Vice-Chancellor Jacques Frémont. “It’s an initiative to further cement our commitment to academic excellence and collaborative research, promising to leave a lasting impact on global policy and co-operation.”
“This summit [is] an initiative to further cement our commitment to academic excellence and collaborative research, promising to leave a lasting impact on global policy and co-operation.”
Jacques Frémont
— President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Ottawa
A summit focused on AI—and the people behind it
The theme for the 2025 U7+ Summit is “The Role of Universities in Advancing AI”—a topic that touches everything from the future of work to the ethics of emerging technologies. As governments and industries race to adopt AI, universities can lead the way in building ethical, inclusive and safe AI systems.
With deep, multidisciplinary expertise in AI, uOttawa is uniquely positioned to lead this conversation. Its researchers are advancing AI not only in engineering and computing, but also in law, ethics, health, public policy and the social sciences. From the IBM Cyber Range to the Centre for Law, Technology and Society, uOttawa’s approach to AI is multidisciplinary and grounded in the public interest.
Why it matters
Universities are vital engines of innovation, talent development and policy insight. The U7+ Summit will run parallel to G7 discussions, offering a distinct academic perspective on global challenges like AI safety, economic inequality and sustainable development.
“By hosting this summit, uOttawa is helping shape international dialogue,” said Patrice Corriveau, uOttawa associate vice-president, international. “And as these ideas ripple out into G7 policies, international research agendas and public debate, the University’s role as a global convener becomes even more significant.”
“[A]s these ideas ripple out into G7 policies, international research agendas and public debate, the University’s role as a global convener becomes even more significant.”
Patrice Corriveau
— Associate vice-president, international, University of Ottawa
A moment of national leadership
The 2025 U7+ Summit is a milestone that demonstrates how Canadian universities are ready to lead on the world stage, offering bold ideas and fundamental research in times of rapid change. It’s also an opportunity to build lasting partnerships and shape the future of higher education as a global force for good.
As university leaders gather to exchange knowledge and influence policy, the eyes of the world—and of the G7—will be watching. And the University of Ottawa is ready.
