​This event explores how AI can be applied to support real-world needs in aging and education. Talks will cover the use of AI and digital health tools to help older adults maintain independence, the importance of designing educational AI systems that truly reflect student thinking and learning, and the development of AI companions that encourage children to explore and ask questions. Together, these sessions offer practical insights into building more thoughtful, human-centered AI.

​Agenda

​18:00 Doors open

​18:30 - 19:00 Overview of Research on AI in Aging (Samira A. Rahimi)

​19:00 - 19:30 Why Construct Validity Matters in AI-Driven Education (May Kristine Carlon)

​19:30 - 20:00 Designing Socratic Learning Companions for Youth (Stefania Druga)

​20:00 - 21:00 Networking

​21:00 Doors close

​Speakers:

​Talk 1 - Overview of Research on AI in Aging

​Speaker: Samira A. Rahimi (Rahimi's Lab, Canada Research Chair in AI and Advanced Digital Primary Health Care)

​Abstract: As populations age, there is a growing need for innovative and inclusive solutions that help older adults maintain their health, independence, and social connections. At Rahimi’s Lab, Canada Research Chair in AI and Advanced Digital Primary Health Care, we explore how artificial intelligence, smart sensors, and digital health tools can be used to support healthy aging. This talk will highlight how lab’s interdisciplinary research leverages AI to personalize care, improve access, and transform the way health services are delivered to older adults. We will also discuss the importance of ethical design and responsible implementation to ensure these technologies empower individuals to age with dignity, purpose, and autonomy.

​Bio: Dr. Samira A. Rahimi, PhD is the Canada Research Chair (Tier II) in AI and Advanced Digital Primary Health Care, Assistant Professor at McGill University, and academic member of Mila – Quebec AI Institute. She is Co-Director of McGill’s Collaborative for AI and Society (McCAIS), and Research Co-Director of the Dentistry General Practice Residency program at the Jewish General Hospital. Dr. Rahimi leads interdisciplinary research at the intersection of AI, digital health, and primary health care, with a strong focus on improving health outcomes for vulnerable populations. Her work has been recognized with multiple awards, including the 2022 NAPCRG New Investigator Award, and is supported by leading agencies such as FRQS, NSERC, CIHR, and Roche Canada.

​Talk 2 - Why Construct Validity Matters in AI-Driven Education

​Speaker: May Kristine Carlon (Postdoc, RIKEN)

​Abstract: Many artificial intelligence in education (AIED) systems use superficial signals like click rates or quiz scores as stand-ins for complex constructs such as curiosity, confidence, or understanding. But what are these models actually measuring? In this talk, I will argue that construct validity, or ensuring that a model meaningfully reflects the psychological concept it claims to measure, is still under-addressed in AIED. Misclassifications like labeling deep thinking as disengagement are more than just technical errors; they risk reinforcing problematic norms, punishing atypical learning behaviors, and misinterpreting student needs. I will introduce a practical framework that treats construct validity as a design challenge: one that requires theoretical grounding, transdisciplinary collaboration, and iterative reflection. The goal is to help researchers and developers build models that do not just predict outcomes, but better reflect the learners they aim to support.

​Bio: May is a postdoctoral researcher at the RIKEN Center for Brain Science studying human-AI interaction with the eventual goal of understanding the science, technology, and society of lifelong learning. She earned her PhD in educational technology from Tokyo Tech (now Science Tokyo), after discovering her passion for the field while juggling a full-time software engineering job and Georgia Tech's online master's program.

​Talk 3 - Designing Socratic Learning Companions for Youth

​Speaker: Stefania Druga (AI Research Scientist, Independent)

​Abstract: As young learners dive into coding, math, and science, there's a growing need for tools that spark deeper thinking. In this talk, Dr. Stefania Druga shares her vision for Socratic learning companions, AI agents that guide children through open-ended questions, scaffolded exploration, and reflective dialogue. Drawing on her Cognimates platform and “4As” framework (Ask, Adapt, Author, Analyze), she explores how these companions nurture curiosity, build technical fluency, and develop critical thinking by encouraging students to question, investigate, and create. The approach also invites families into the process, making AI literacy a collaborative experience. Stefania will further highlight how youth can use AI and open-source tools to run hands-on experiments alongside AI co-scientists.

​Bio: Dr. Stefania Druga is an Independent Researcher, formerly a Research Scientist at Google DeepMind, where she worked on novel multimodal AI applications. Stefania has a master's degree from MIT and a PhD from UW. She has been doing research on AI education since 2015. During graduate school, Stefania built the first open-source platform for K12 AI Education - Cognimates. Her research now focuses on the development of AI literacy tools and curriculum for children and communities.

​​​​​​​Tokyo AI (TAI) information

​​​​TAI is the biggest AI community in Japan, with 2,400+ members mainly based in Tokyo (engineers, researchers, investors, product managers, and corporate innovation managers).

​Web: https://www.tokyoai.jp/