In this panel, we will cover:

• Fundamentals of AI
• Current state of the industry
• Key challenges and opportunities.

Featured Panelists

Dr. Daz Saunders is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Manitoba since February 2024, specializing in the linguistics of co-interpretation between Deaf and hearing interpreter teams. They are also a lecturer in linguistics and French-LSQ interpretation at both UQAM and the University of Manitoba. Their research focuses on embodied representation and mouth behaviors in LSQ and their role in cognitive grammar. Through their work, Daz contributes to a deeper understanding of linguistic and professional dynamics in both spoken and signed languages.

Cynthia Benoit is the Founding President of Eversa and has held various strategic roles in accessibility, including Director of Strategy at SIVET. A dedicated businesswoman with over 20 years of involvement in the Deaf community, she leverages her expertise in community engagement, research, and business to promote inclusion and accessibility for Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing individuals. Her commitment has enabled her to make a positive impact on initiatives aimed at improving services for the DDBHH community. Her contributions have been widely recognized, including being awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal in 2025 for her community impact.

Hosted by

Audrey Beauchamp, as CEO of Eversa and a dedicated business leader, is committed to creating a more accessible society for everyone. Her initiatives consistently reflect core values of equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility.

Audrey holds a graduate diploma in Management – Marketing Communications and Branding from HEC Montréal, with over a decade of marketing communications experience. She is currently pursuing her MBA at HEC Montreal.

In this panel, we will cover:

• Potential impacts of AI on the sign language interpreting field
• Concerns from the Deaf community and interpreters
• Limitations and opportunities of AI in sign language interpreting

Featured Panelists

Geneviève Bujold brings over 20 years of interpretation experience across academic, artistic, government, and private sectors. She represents LSQ (Quebec Sign Language) interpreters on the board of the Canadian Administrator of Video Relay Service and is completing her Master’s in Translation Studies at Concordia University. As an active member of the interpreting community for over a decade, she teaches in the French-LSQ Interpretation program at the University of Quebec in Montreal (UQAM) and is dedicated to advancing the profession.

Caroline Hould, Consultation Services Coordinator at Eversa, is also an occupational therapist and former clinician in public healthcare serving the Deaf community. As a proud Deaf person with LSQ as her first language, she focuses on ethics, interpretation, research, artificial intelligence, and social participation of Deaf individuals. As a lecturer at UQAM, she contributes to interpreter training and LSQ studies development. She maintains a balanced approach between continuous learning, human interactions, nature, and cultural environments.

Moderators

Dr. Daz Saunders and Cynthia Benoit

In this panel, we will cover:

• Potential impacts of AI on LSQ-French translation
• Concerns from the Deaf community
• Limitations and opportunities of AI in LSQ translation

Featured Panelists

Charline Savard, with over 15 years of LSQ-ASL interpretation experience, serves as Director of Services at Eversa, overseeing training, consultation, and translation services. Under her leadership, Eversa continues to innovate and collaborate with various partners to deliver accessible and inclusive services across Canada. Her leadership and commitment to accessibility make her a key figure in the integration of Deaf communities in Canada.

Marie-Hélène Hamel holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, and Advertising from HEC Montréal and the Université de Montréal. Deaf and proud of her language, LSQ (Quebec Sign Language), she has 12 years of experience as a bilingual LSQ-French instructor at École Gadbois and École Lucien-Pagé, where she supported Deaf students by facilitating learning accessibility through linguistic transfer between French and their first language, LSQ.

An entrepreneur at heart, she was also co-owner of the grocery store Le Vrac du Canal for 5 years. Today, as Eversa’s Translation Services Coordinator, she puts her expertise to work making information accessible in sign language, a commitment that is particularly close to her heart.

Moderators

Dr. Daz Saunders and Cynthia Benoit

In this panel, we will cover:

• Potential impacts of AI on teaching Deaf children and sign language
• Concerns from the education sector and Deaf community
• Limitations and opportunities of AI in sign language and Deaf education

Featured Panelists

Chantal Turcotte, a special education teacher with 23 years of experience in education, previously taught Deaf students at the secondary level in a specialized school before joining the National RECIT Service for Inclusive Education and Special Education (IAS) as an educational consultant. Passionate about digital technology for inclusion, she supports schools in adopting innovative educational technology practices to promote educational success for all students. Convinced that technology is a powerful tool for unlocking young people’s full potential, she invests in innovative and accessible projects that value diverse learning paths.

Marie-Pierre Petit, Training Services Coordinator at Eversa, is an SLIC-certified LSQ instructor with extensive training in LSQ linguistics. With LSQ as her first language and her passion for it, Marie-Pierre has made it her mission to promote Deaf culture and LSQ through her clown performances, including at the 2021 Phénomena Festival.

Moderators

Dr. Daz Saunders and Cynthia Benoit

In this panel, we will cover:

• A synthesis of discussions from previous panels
• The future of AI in sign language
• Areas to explore
• Next steps

Featured Panelists

• Geneviève Bujold
• Marie-Hélène Hamel
• Caroline Hould
• Marie-Pierre Petit
• Chantal Turcotte
• Charline Savard

Moderators

Dr. Daz Saunders and Cynthia Benoit

However, they are particularly relevant for Deaf, DeafBlind, and hard of hearing individuals, interpreters, and professionals working in sign language and artificial intelligence fields.

The panels will be presented in LSQ with interpretation in ASL and French.

Recordings, including voiceover and captions, will be available in LSQ/French and ASL/English.

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The panels will be available for later viewing on YouTube. Key moments and blog articles will also be shared. To stay informed about these recordings, subscribe to our AI in Sign Language newsletter for panel updates and related initiatives.

Detailed instructions will be sent to participants before each session.