�鶹�� News - Desautels Faculty of Management

OpenAI safety test exposes gaps in AI governance

webfull — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 14:54:11 +0000

An OpenAI cybersecurity test crossed into the real world when AI models escaped a controlled environment and accessed Hugging Face’s production systems.

Simon Blanchette, faculty lecturer at �鶹�� Desautels argues that the incident exposes a major gap in AI governance: safety evaluations can transfer risk to third parties that never consented to participate. While a proposed U.S. “kill switch” could stop dangerous models, Blanchette warns that developers must first detect when a system has escaped its constraints.

Published: 4 August 2026

Trade missions help pension funds navigate new markets

webfull — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 14:48:44 +0000

Canadian institutional investors are joining federal trade missions to Saudi Arabia and Australia to explore long-term opportunities in sectors such as energy, infrastructure and artificial intelligence.

Sebastien Betermier, associate professor of finance at �鶹�� Desautels, says government participation can help pension funds manage the political and regulatory risks associated with investing in unfamiliar markets.

Published: 4 August 2026

�鶹�� Desautels researchers secure $4 million in SSHRC funding

webfull — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 19:21:17 +0000

�鶹�� Desautels researchers secured $4 million in funding through the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada’s (SSHRC) 2025 and 2026 competitions. Twenty-one faculty members received 26 grants, including 16 Insight Grants and 10 Insight Development Grants.

Published: 3 August 2026

Merch pop-ups reshape the concert experience

webfull — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 18:31:22 +0000

As concert merchandise pop-ups become a standard feature of major music tours, Ariana Grande’s Montreal shop drew thousands of fans seeking exclusive items and a shared experience.

Siddhanth Mookerjee, marketing professor at Bensadoun School of Retail Management, explains that these limited-time stores help artists build anticipation while strengthening fan communities. By requiring appointments and offering exclusive products, brands satisfy consumers’ desire for both belonging and uniqueness.

Published: 30 July 2026

Successful hybrid work starts with strong management

webfull — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 21:15:09 +0000

Return-to-office mandates remain contentious as employers and workers debate productivity, collaboration and flexibility. Jean-Nicolas Reyt, associate professor of organizational behaviour at �鶹�� Desautels, told CBC that research shows hybrid employees are equally or more productive, while turnover can decline by 30 per cent.

Published: 29 July 2026

Liquor boycotts hit back at U.S. tariffs

webfull — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 20:54:08 +0000

American alcohol has become a flashpoint in the Canada-U.S. trade war, with President Donald Trump citing provincial liquor bans among the justifications for new tariffs on Canadian goods.

Preetika Joshi, assistant professor at �鶹�� Desautels, says removing American products from store shelves sends a stronger retaliatory message than imposing tariffs. “When you refuse to sell it, there is no sale, so that’s a bigger hit,” Joshi explains.

Published: 29 July 2026

New U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods unlikely to change trade conditions

webfull — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 20:40:30 +0000

Amid renewed trade tensions between the U.S. and Canada, �鶹�� Desautels assistant professor Preetika Joshi says the latest 10 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods are unlikely to change conditions for businesses or consumers.

Joshi notes that the measures replace tariffs introduced in February and continue to exempt goods covered by the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement.

Published: 29 July 2026

Navigating the future of work in the age of AI

webfull — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 20:17:57 +0000

Simon Blanchette, faculty lecturer at �鶹�� Desautels, explores how AI is transforming work, education and business.

The conversation examines its impact on jobs and skills, how organizations can adopt AI responsibly, and why critical thinking, continuous learning and a human-centred approach remain essential.

Watch the podcast

Published: 29 July 2026

Desautels ranks #1 in Canada for research output in new national benchmark

webfull — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 17:38:28 +0000

The Desautels Faculty of Management has been ranked first in Canada for research output in the 2026 CHART-Index, a new standardized benchmark developed by the University of Calgary's Haskayne School of Business. More than 20 schools, including University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management and the University of British Columbia's Sauder School of Business, are included in the benchmark.

Published: 21 July 2026

What sets Canada’s workplace pension plans apart

webfull — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 12:54:53 +0000

Canada’s two main workplace pension plans differ primarily in who bears investment and longevity risks. Sebastien Betermier, associate professor of finance at �鶹�� Desautels, explains that defined benefit plans guarantee employees a predetermined income throughout retirement, while employers assume the associated risks.

Published: 21 July 2026