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Montreal AI Ethics Institute

Montreal AI Ethics Institute

Democratizing AI ethics literacy

Honouring Abhishek Gupta at the Montreal Startup Community Awards 2024

December 9, 2024

On November 28, 2024 at the sixth Montreal Startup Community Awards organized by MTL NewTech in collaboration with Startupfest, we paid tribute to Abhishek Gupta. His parents, Mr. Ashok Gupta and Mrs. Asha Gupta, along with his brother Abhijay, joined us to celebrate his remarkable legacy.

This tribute video, presented at the Montreal Startup Community Awards on November 28, 2024 honours the life and legacy of Abhishek Gupta, Founder and Principal Researcher of the Montreal AI Ethics Institute (MAIEI). Video edited by George Popi, Khaos.

As co-founder of MAIEI, Renjie Butalid had the honour of reflecting on Abhishek’s profound impact on the AI ethics community and sharing our vision for the institute’s next chapter. A memorial for Abhishek is being planned in Montreal for January 2025, with details to follow.


Bonjour and hello everyone.
Je m'appelle Renjie Butalid et je suis le co-fondateur de Montreal AI Ethics Institute (MAIEI).
I had the privilege of working closely with Abhishek to bring MAIEI to life and shape it into what it is today. I want to share three thoughts with you tonight.
First, when I say the world has lost an intellectual giant in AI ethics and responsible AI, I’m not exaggerating. Through his tireless efforts in building MAIEI and fostering the AI ethics community, Abhishek put Montreal—and our tech community—on the global map for these critical issues. While tonight we celebrate Montreal’s startups, we also celebrate his life as a member of this community. Abhishek won Community Organizer of the year in 2018.
Second, Abhishek’s impact went far beyond his professional achievements. I’d like to acknowledge his parents, Uncle Ashok, Auntie Asha, and his brother, Abhijay, who are here with us tonight. Uncle and Auntie flew in from India two days ago and will be in Montreal for the next few months. And together with his brother, we’re planning a memorial in January of next year to honour Abhishek’s remarkable life and legacy.
Lastly, Abhishek had the entrepreneurial spirit to take MAIEI from zero to one. I am committed to taking it from one to ten—and, with the support of this incredible community here in Montreal and our partners around the world, to take it from ten to one hundred—and beyond. If anyone here is interested in building alongside myself, my team and our global community, I’d love for you to reach out.
I want to thank Ilias, Simran, and the entire MTL NewTech team for this space to honour Abhishek and his spirit. Merci.
From L-R: Abhishek’s parents, Mr. Ashok and Mrs. Asha Gupta; his brother, Abhijay; Renjie Butalid, Co-founder (MAIEI). Photo take at the Montreal Startup Community Awards 2024.
Abhishek winning Community Organizer of the Year for his efforts in fostering an AI Ethics community in Montreal. Photo taken at the 2018 Edition of the Montreal Startup Community Awards.

Read: Open Letter: Moving Forward Together – MAIEI’s Next Chapter (Dec 9, 2024)


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