Toronto Chapter: AI Divide - Aligning IT Strategy with End-User Reality

Description

CDW’s upcoming 2025 Market Trend Report explores the growing gap between what IT decision-makers believe is happening with AI adoption—and what employees are actually experiencing. Based on new survey data from Canadian organizations, this session will unpack the year-over-year shifts in AI usage, barriers to adoption, and the evolving perceptions of GenAI’s value across different roles and industries.

Sunny Wang, National Corporate Copilot Lead at Microsoft, and Brian Matthews, Head of Services Strategy & Development at CDW Canada, will share exclusive insights from the report. Together, they’ll explore how organizations can move beyond proof-of-concept, align AI investments with real-world use cases, and unlock measurable ROI by empowering users with the right tools, training, and support.

At this session, you will learn:

• What’s changed in 2025: Discover key year-over-year trends in AI adoption, including the rise of unapproved tool usage and shifting perceptions of GenAI’s relevance across job roles.
• The ROI disconnect: Understand why many IT leaders still perceive GenAI as too expensive—and how those who’ve invested are seeing transformative returns.
• Use cases that work: Explore the most successful GenAI applications identified by both IT leaders and end users, and what’s driving real business outcomes.
• Upskilling and enablement: Examine how training, tool design, and user experience impact adoption—and what separates high-performing teams from the rest

Agenda

6:00 - 7:00pm – Arrival & Networking Reception

7:00 - 8:00pm – Presentation – Q & A

8:00 - 8:30pm – Networking

Hors d’oeuvres & Beverages to be served

Open to CIOCAN Members & their Qualified Non-Member Guests Only (CIO/CISO/Senior IT Executive)

Sunny Wang is the National Copilot Lead for Canada at Microsoft, supporting small and mid-size enterprise customers around AI adoption, digital transformation and data privacy. Her work focuses on Microsoft Copilot as the platform to shape the future of AI for organizations and governments.

Brian Matthews serves as the Head of Services Strategy & Development for CDW Canada’s Digital Workspace practice. With 18 years of diverse industry experience spanning services, solution architecture, sales and partner management, Brian brings a unique perspective to solving complex business challenges for clients. His passion for the evolving nature of work and disruptive technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, positions him as a thought leader in the field.

Thank you to our sponsors!