Kingston Startup Ecosystem: Scaling Smart – Balancing Automation & Human Judgment

Join us for this Kingston Startup Ecosystem session, where we’ll hear from industry experts on automation and the need of human talent!

Join us for this Kingston Startup Ecosystem session as we explore how startups can scale effectively with AI—without sacrificing safety, quality, or accountability. In sectors like legaltech, medtech, fintech, and advanced manufacturing, the risks of unchecked automation are real. Founders must consider not only how AI enhances technology, but how it fits into internal workflows and client-facing systems.

You’ll gain insights into the current AI landscape, including what to expect over the next year as agentic-AI tools evolve and hype continues to grow.

• Human-in-the-Loop Design: Learn how to embed human review and responsibility into AI systems from the ground up.
• Scaling Responsibly: Discover strategies to grow with AI while maintaining oversight, safety, and service quality.
• Case-Based Insights: Hear real-world examples where human input prevented major errors.
• AI Across the Business: Understand how to assess and apply AI across product development, internal operations, and client service.

Whether you’re developing AI-driven tools or integrating automation into your business, this session will equip you to scale smarter—with humans at the center of your systems. Register now to build AI responsibly and sustainably.

Panelists:

Patrick Egbunonu – President & Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer, Informanos Analytics & Artificial Intelligence Inc.

Patrick Egbunonu is President and Chief AI Officer at Informanos Analytics & Artificial Intelligence, where he leads innovation in data-driven leadership solutions. With over 20 years of experience in AI, analytics, and business strategy, he has helped organizations worldwide grow and transform. Patrick serves on multiple boards and is dedicated to advancing digital skills, entrepreneurship, and responsible AI adoption, combining technical expertise with strategic vision to drive impactful outcomes.

Kerry Fraser – President, Troon Technologies Canada

Gerhard Freundorfer is Director of Marketing at Troon Technologies, based in Kingston, Ontario. With expertise in marketing, leadership, and artificial intelligence, Gerhard leads brand strategy and outreach for the company’s digital solutions. He brings a strong background in technology-driven marketing and is recognized for connecting innovative tech services with business clients. Gerhard is a graduate of St. Lawrence College and actively contributes to the Kingston tech and business community, with a special focus on the growing impact of AI-driven innovation.