Déconnexion
Programme
ITA Think Tank on the Role of AI in the Underground
When : Tuesday 19 May from 10:50 to 12:30
Where : Palais des Congrès Room 210 CD
The ITA Think Tank on the Role of AI in the Underground will connect the diverse expertise of the WTC 2026 community for an interactive and accessible discussion on the application of AI in tunnelling practice.
Led by keynote speaker Ramy Nassar, the session will demystify AI by establishing a common language and setting realistic expectations for its capabilities. It will highlight responsible, real-world applications while encouraging critical reflection on limitations and potential misuse, and will provide valuable insights to the ITA on both the state of the art and the state of practice across the tunnelling sector.
Keynote Speaker Ramy Nassar
Keynote Speaker: Ramy Nassar is a futurist, AI strategist, and innovation expert at the intersection of technology, design, and business strategy. A former Head of Innovation at Mattel, he now helps global organizations navigate AI and emerging technologies with clarity and confidence. With over 25 years of experience advising more than 250 organizations, including Apple, TD Bank, and Verizon, he is known for cutting through the hype to deliver practical tools that turn complexity into action and disruption into opportunity. As the ITA Think Tank keynote, he will frame the discussion on the role of AI in the underground, bringing a builder’s mindset focused on designing the future.
Keynote Summary: AI is reshaping how communities are connected through infrastructure, and the engineers who build it should lead that transition. This keynote will provide a clear, jargon-free perspective on what AI can do today, where it is heading as predictive analytics and language models converge, and what will remain essential: professional judgment, accountability, and curiosity. Both a practical field guide and a call to action, the session will leave participants asking sharper questions, thinking more broadly about their work, and ready to turn AI from noise into a meaningful advantage.
The Moderators:
Gregory Charles and Dr. Josephine Morgenroth
The ITA Think Tank will be moderated by Gregory Charles and Dr. Josephine Morgenroth.
Gregory Charles is a renowned Canadian performer, broadcaster, and communicator, celebrated for his dynamic stage presence and ability to engage diverse audiences. A classically trained pianist with a career spanning music, media, and public dialogue, he brings a unique talent for making complex ideas accessible and fostering meaningful conversation.
Josephine Morgenroth is a senior geotechnical engineer at BGC Engineering specializing in tunnelling and machine learning applications in underground rock engineering, with hands-on experience across mining, hydropower, and civil infrastructure; her work integrates traditional engineering practice with data-driven tools, focusing on applications such as tunnel stability prediction, digital geotechnical mapping, and automated underground inspection.
