Stories
"AIr Tomorrow: Advancing AI for Cleaner Air" Conference
October 8-9, 2025, University of Toronto
In collaboration with Scentroid, the Positive Zero Transport Futures lab hosted the two-day Air and Odour Management Conference and Trade Show (AOMCTS) on October 8-9, 2025, at the historic Hart House venue at the University of Toronto.
This year’s event, titled “AIr Tomorrow: Advancing AI for Cleaner Air”, brought together more than 100 academics, researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders for a deep dive on the future of air quality, climate change, and decarbonization.
Over two full days, participants examined the growing role of artificial intelligence in driving cleaner air and discussed the intersections of AI, air quality, and public health. The program featured keynote presentations from leading experts, a vibrant exhibitor space, a poster display showcasing emerging research, and a networking reception on October 8.
The technical program featured a powerhouse lineup of speakers, including (but not limited to):
Prof. Jeffrey Siegel (Civil & Mineral Engineering, University of Toronto) presented on innovative approaches to evaluating ventilation and filtration performance using low-cost sensors and AI.
Prof. Rebecca Saari (Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Waterloo) discussed the effects of climate change on human health. She highlighted that by 2100, climate-driven conditions could substantially increase the frequency of air quality alerts in the absence of emission reductions, with significant implications for vulnerable populations. She concluded by emphasizing that while climate policy mitigation can yield important health benefits, combining mitigation with adaptation strategies will be the most effective way to equitably protect health.
Prof. Daniel Posen (Civil & Mineral Engineering, University of Toronto) discussed the health benefits of US light-duty vehicle electrification and the role of fleet dynamics, concluding that electrifying the U.S. fleet of light-duty passenger vehicles will require a clean electrical grid to generate health co-benefits exceeding those from fleet renewal while reducing exposure inequalities.
Prof. Scott Weichenthal (Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University) spoke on the health impacts of long term exposure to outdoor ultrafine particles and black carbon and the effects on mortality, based on case studies in Montreal and Toronto.
Prof. Bilal Farooq (Civil Engineering, Toronto Metropolitan University) explored systainable pathways to decarbonize urban traffic in downtown Toronto, providing insights for policymakers on how to balance the benefits of electrification alongside its wider implications for the transportation system.
Prof. Meredith Franklin (Statistical Sciences, University of Toronto) spoke on advances in AI-driven air quality exposure modeling using satellite data.
Prof. Greg Evans (Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto) presented novel approaches to measuring urban air quality.
Prof. Sarah Haines (Civil & Mineral Engineering, University of Toronto) discussed ways to overcome barriers in indoor air microbiome research through emerging technologies.
Prof. Krystal Pollitt (Yale School of Public Health) highlighted new discoveries related to emerging airborne contaminants.
These presentations, along with many others from an exceptional lineup of speakers, highlighted groundbreaking research in the fields of AI-driven work on air quality, climate change, and public health (see the full program and complete list of speakers here).
Throughout the conference, a two-day poster showcase highlighted innovative, student-led research that extended beyond air quality and featured innovative uses of data to support questions related to environmental sustainability, from climate change, to infrastructure sustainability, energy, and transportation.
The depth and breadth of expertise at AIr Tomorrow sparked meaningful new conversations and highlighted the growing momentum behind AI-driven approaches to cleaner air and improved public health.
Positive Zero Transport Futures was proud to bring together researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders, fostering a collaborative space where innovative research could translate into actionable solutions for healthier and more equitable communities.
