For: Grades 8-12 Students
Date: Sunday, April 13, 2025
Time: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM (EST)
Format: Virtual
Schedule
12:00 - 12:05 PM
Opening
Kick off the Express Inspire Connect Conference with a warm welcome, a land acknowledgment, an overview of the day’s itinerary, and an exciting look at the prizes up for grabs!
12:00 - 12:05 PM
Behind the Interface
Explore how learning language model systems are built, how they process data through tokens, their training process, the risks of biases and hallucinations, and how ongoing refinement improves their accuracy.
1:00 - 1:30 PM
Chatbots in Creative Writing
Explore how AI-powered chatbots are transforming creative writing! This session presents key findings on their impact, followed by a live demo showcasing how they can assist with idea generation, storytelling, and more.
1:30 - 2:00 PM
Break and Exciting Exciting Prize Draw
2:00 - 2:45 PM
Studying Smarter, Not Harder
Unlock the full potential of Artificial intelligence as your ultimate study companion! Learn to craft effective prompts, balance AI tools with human guidance, and maximize efficiency in your study routine.
2:45 - 3:45 PM
Ethics in the Societal Sphere
Dive into the ethical challenges of AI in society, from intellectual property and data privacy to its impact on art and education. This session features a short presentation followed by an engaging, student-led discussion exploring how these issues evolve from elementary to high school and beyond.
3:45 - 4:00 PM
Closing Remarks and Exciting Prize Draw
- One year’s subscription to the Walrus Magazine
- Bestselling Titles from Penguin Random House Canada
- Two $50 Indigo Gift Cards
- Apparel from Ripple’s Merch Store
- T-shirt of your choice
- Sweatshirt of your choice
- Tote Bag of your choice
- And more…
Spread the word
Are you a school counsellor, educator, teacher, or student passionate about empowering today’s youth? Help us amplify the impact of the Express Inspire Connect Conference by sharing it within your community!
Share on Social Media
Spread the word online! Share the conference details on your social media platforms and tag us using #ExpressInspireConnect2025. Let’s create a buzz together! Mention the conference in your classes, meetings, or casual conversations. Personal recommendations go a long way!
Together, We Can Inspire Tomorrow’s Leaders
Your support in spreading the word about this unique virtual conference for grades 8-12 students across Canada is invaluable. Thank you for joining us in this mission to empower, educate, and connect!
MEET the youth team Behind the Conference
Meet the high school students from Ontario and BC shaping this year’s conference. Led by two dedicated team leads, they bring unique perspectives on AI and its role in their future. Their passion and teamwork reflect the power of youth to lead and inspire.
Christine Meng
I’m Christine, a Grade 11 AP student from Ontario and the Ontario Youth Events Lead. Volunteering with Ripple for nearly three years, I’m thrilled to co-lead this year’s conference. I share Ripple’s mission to promote creative literacy and am passionate about creative literacy and connecting with peers. I can’t wait to explore AI’s impact through this year’s event.
Hanna Grover
I’m Hanna, a Grade 11 student at Southridge School in B.C., passionate about youth advocacy on a national scale. I’m thrilled to serve as the B.C Youth Team Lead alongside dedicated members this year. Volunteering with Ripple for three years has shown me the importance of creating spaces where youth feel heard, valued, and inspired.
Manya Singh
I’m Manya. This is my second conference with the youth events team, and the first is focused on artificial intelligence. I’m excited to collaborate with our new team to organize a meaningful event, inspire our audience, and explore how this transformative technology shapes our lives. I look forward to another exciting year and planning another fruitful conference.
Eloise Gibbens
I’m Eloise, a high schooler from British Columbia who thrives on challenges, whether it’s mastering violin, inventing new recipes, or keeping up my 3-year Wordle streak. I love hiking scenic trails, diving into literary worlds, and exploring creativity through writing. Guided by curiosity, I enjoy embracing new experiences and opportunities to grow.
Bhanvi Girdhar
I’m Bhanvi, a Grade 9 student from Ontario. I participated in Ripple Foundation’s Write-It Workshops first and now as a facilitator. Collaborating with like-minded people to promote creative literacy has been an enriching experience! I am excited to join the Youth Events Team at this year’s conference on AI, a topic so relevant today, and I can’t wait to see it unfold!
Vicky Zhu
I’m Vicky Zhu, a junior at Southridge School and a part-time, self-declared writer. To me, writing is the closest approximation to experience, without the ephemeral nature. I’m honored to work with Ripple Foundation to help young writers create resonating works. When not brooding over Google Docs, I’m likely binging indie music or debating.
Joyce Hong
I’m Joyce, a grade 10 student from Ontario. I was first drawn to Ripple Foundation to write for Wave Blog; I’m particularly excited to be a new member of the Youth Events Team this year. As someone interested in computer science, I look forward to learning more about AI as we organize the youth conference, especially while working on a talented team.
Jamie Dhulipala
I’m Jamie, a high school student from British Columbia inspired by my grandfather to explore literature and writing. I enjoy reading about eccentric historical figures, attempting to write plays, and spending time with my mom. I believe writing can spark immense change, and through Ripple Foundation, I hope to inspire others as I’ve been inspired.
