RICS Ontario Chapter: The Responsible Use of AI in the Built Environment
IBM, 16 York Street, Toronto, ON M5J 0E6
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From $18.74 + HST
Overview
Join the RICS Ontario Chapter to explore the responsible use of AI in construction, infrastructure, valuation and asset management.
Widespread use of AI in the built environment brings opportunity for increased productivity as generating reports and analyzing data becomes quicker. But with these new tools come new questions. How do we safeguard the hard-earned trust with clients and the public? What’s the right level of transparency for those who have incorporated the use of AI into their processes? What risk comes with those efficiency gains and what should be disclosed? Do pricing models need to be adjusted to account for the use of AI?
Join the RICS Ontario chapter for this important discussion hosted by IBM at their office on York Street. Food and drinks will be provided.
Speakers
Shelley Graham MRCIS
Director of Valuation, Research, and Advisory Services , Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC)
Shelley Graham, MRICS is Director of Valuation, Research & Advisory Services at the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) in Ontario. With more than 28 years of experience, she provides strategic leadership in mass appraisal and the valuation of commercial and income-producing properties. Shelley is an active contributor to national and international property assessment initiatives and is a frequent speaker on valuation practice, data innovation, and assessment standards.
Zahid Aga MBA, PMP, AIGP
Program Manager of AI Enablement, Wawanesa Insurance
Zahid Aga is a strategic leader with 15+ years of experience in AI governance and digital transformation. He currently serves as Program Manager, AI Enablement at Wawanesa, where he leads the AI governance program aligned with the organization’s risk framework and regulatory expectations. Previously, he led the development and oversight of AI, GenAI, and emerging agentic AI initiatives at BMO and Scotiabank. He has also delivered large-scale ERP, CRM, integration, and data & analytics programs at Deloitte, Salesforce Canada, and PointClickCare. Zahid specializes in bridging businesses and technology to design and implement solutions that drive measurable outcomes.
Bahareh Atoufi
Senior Data, AI Technical Manager, IBM Canada
Bahareh Atoufi is the Technical Sales Manager for IBM Canada, specializing in Data, AI, and Automation. With over a decade of experience spanning AI research, software engineering, and business development, she leads and mentors a high-performing team of technical sellers across Canada. Her team drives customer success by leveraging IBM’s comprehensive data and AI portfolio, delivering tailored solutions that bridge the gap between technical solutions and business challenges. Previously, Bahareh served as the IBM Client Engineering Data/AI Practice Lead, where she built and led a team of 14 data scientists and engineers, overseeing all Data/AI client engagements across Canada. In her current role, she works closely with multiple IBM teams—from brand sales to client engineering, research, and consulting—to ensure her team has the knowledge, resources, and strategies required to secure technical wins and exceed client expectations. Prior to joining IBM, she held leadership roles in business development, where she managed client relationships with 260 companies and six universities. A passionate advocate for her team’s growth, Bahareh empowers her colleagues through initiatives that promote collaboration, professional development, and knowledge sharing. She has a proven track record of fostering innovation and driving business value through AI technologies. Bahareh is adept at translating complex technical concepts into actionable insights for both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Bahareh holds a PhD in the application of AI in biomedical engineering, an MSc in AI, and a BSc in software engineering. Her academic rigor, combined with her practical experience, uniquely positions her to drive AI-led innovation across industries. A lifelong learner, Bahareh is deeply knowledgeable in the areas of AI and AI governance and dedicated to advancing AI’s potential for business transformation and societal impact. Bahareh enjoys reading and playing board games with her daughter. In her free time, she unwinds with watercolor painting and music.
Michelle Nat CPA, CA, BBA
Director of Transaction Services, PwC Canada
Michelle is a Director in Transaction Services, specializing in financial due diligence with a focus on transactions in the infrastructure, real estate, and energy sectors. She has more than 10 years of experience in financial advisory at PwC, having advised both private equity and strategic corporate buyers in multiple facets of the energy and infrastructure space, including construction, senior care, transportation infrastructure and renewable power generation. With a background in data analytics, Michelle assesses and implements the use of digital and other AI tools within PwC Canada’s national Transaction Services practice, and often applies these tools on large, data-complex transactions. Michelle is a Canadian CPA, CA and holds a BBA from the Schulich School of Business.
Asmeera Shah, MRICS, PQS.
Senior Consultant, Turner & Townsend
Asmeera is a Senior Consultant at Turner & Townsend with more than 15 years of experience in the construction industry, specialising in quantity surveying. She has delivered projects across both the public and private sectors, supporting clients in residential, commercial, corporate occupier, education, and sports, leisure, and hospitality markets. Her expertise spans the full project lifecycle, including cost estimation, benchmarking, value engineering and value management, cost and change control, cost auditing and assurance, and cost reporting. Driven by an interest in emerging technologies, Asmeera has increasingly focused her career on digital transformation within the built environment. Her background in cost and commercial management gives her a distinct perspective in understanding both the operational realities of project delivery and the opportunities that digital tools create for efficiency, accuracy, and smarter decision-making. In her current role within Turner & Townsend’s Digital team, Asmeera works with clients and internal teams to advance innovation and technology adoption. She specialises in systems and tools that enhance project delivery, supporting teams to embed digital solutions that streamline processes, improve data quality, and unlock more effective ways of working.
