About ORAH
Building Responsible AI in Ottawa
We envision Ottawa as a global leader in responsible AI innovation, where technology advances the public good and empowers every community.
Our Purpose
Our Mission
ORAH seeks to drive the future of ethical AI through education, advocacy, and cross-sector collaboration to advance transparency, accountability, and policy, while uniting a community committed to responsible AI solutions and practices.
Our goal is to inspire and support the creation of 500 responsible tech innovations in Ottawa over the next 10 years, building a thriving ecosystem where AI serves humanity with transparency, fairness, and integrity.
Our Story
About the Initiative
AI is transforming innovation across sectors and everyday life but presents a pressing challenge in ethics, governance, privacy, and data protection. As adoption accelerates, embedding responsibility into AI development is no longer optional — it is essential to protect against potential harm while unlocking its full benefits.
The Ottawa Responsible AI Hub (ORAH), a non-profit initiative, provides a platform to advance dialogue, education, advocacy, and collaboration on responsible AI. By bringing together professionals, policymakers, researchers, civil society, and the public, ORAH is uniquely positioned to lead this movement and build a community committed to responsible AI.
"Digital inclusion is no longer only about internet access. It is about helping people feel confident participating in a world that is changing fast. That is exactly what ORAH is built to do."
Somto Mbelu, Founder
Our Home
Why Ottawa?
Ottawa is Canada's tech hub, home to over 1,700 technology companies, research institutions, and policy think tanks. The city's proximity to federal government bodies and institutions like the National Research Council (NRC), Shopify, and the University of Ottawa's AI + Society Initiative positions it uniquely to lead in responsible AI and digital ethics.