Find out what’s Happening

The New World of AI: How to Know What is Really Real

Who: Dr. Nell Thomas

Tickets: $15/person

Thousands of messages are sent to Canadian municipal politicians from constituents telling them to abandon environmental protection legislation. They are bots, not real voters, but they are convincing… and effective.

Canada’s chief public health officer appears in a video (and website) telling people vaccinated against COVID they are at risk of death from blood clots. The video is AI-generated and the website is fake. But people are scammed and buy the clot busting products being peddled.

Hundreds of millions of AI-generated chatbots are used daily by political influencers to interfere in elections. And they are working.

Images of Taylor Swift endorsing Donald Trump. Kamala Harris speaking to a Soviet-style rally. Mark Carney meeting with Chinese businessmen or selling get-rich quick crypto schemes. Fake robocalls impersonating President Biden telling Democrats not to vote in the New Hampshire primary.

Canadians reported over $58 million in romance scam losses to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre in 2024 (only 10% are actually reported), with AI making impersonation of fake lovers easier than ever. It takes minutes and pennies to create deepfakes of yourself or anyone, using only a photo and readily available AI tools.

In this presentation, we will experience AI wizardry, contemplate its radical influence, and discuss the following questions:

• What guardrails should exist for AI?
• How can social media be held accountable?
• How can we protect ourselves?
• What do we need to know, and do, if we suspect fraud?

BIO

Born in 1966, Nell grew up on forty acres half an hour north of Huntsville in a log home built from a dismantled barn. Her father was an environmentalist/politician/farmer/writer/broadcaster and her mother a teacher/gardener/fearless activist who raised their children genuinely “off the land.” In the 1970s her father built a still and made fuel alcohol from artichokes to run his Volvo.

In Ottawa at age 18, Nell was a member of Friends of the Earth. “I have never not known the truth. That greenhouse gases sent by us into the atmosphere would eclipse our world, luxuries taken by my generation would erase future generations.”

A linguistics degree led to a Master of Clinical Science in communication disorders and a 15-year career as a speech-language pathologist in Muskoka. When the government outsourced homecare services, Nell created a locally therapist-led rehab company.

Medical school at age 39 took her to Sudbury for four years, then to McMaster for a rural Family Medicine residency in Mount Forest. Nell has been part of the Haliburton Highlands Family Health Team since 2013.

She is a faculty member at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, and a member of NOSM’s Action Committee on Climate Change. She participates in the Global Consortium on Climate and Health Education in healthcare curriculum.

“Climate change isn’t just an environmental issue—it’s a health crisis. The air we breathe, the food we eat, the water we drink—it’s all connected.”

As an advocate for climate and public health, Thomas launched the Heathealth.ca project in 2024—a website and billboard campaign educating Canadians about the health risks of rising temperatures. She conceptualized the FOOD ALLIANCE to support local food systems, built a year round growing dome, is working on sustainable food policy and green waste management with Trent University, and created ROADMAP, a climate fiction series that guides humans to live in balance with the land.

Nell has authored two local newspaper series, “COVID Corner” and “Climate Corner.” She is an invited speaker at events (e.g. 350 Canada, SCAN, Probus, environmental groups).

Bring your family and celebrate the festive season with us in a cozy, twinkle-lit winter setting. Stroll through the gardens along our beautifully lit path, then head into the event tent where local artisan vendors will be offering handmade gifts, seasonal treats, and holiday treasures, perfect for your gift list or a little self-indulgence.

Warm up with festive drinks from the Hub, including hot chocolate, cider, and other seasonal sips. The event tent also features our holiday snack bar, serving up delicious bites to keep you fueled while you shop and explore. Whether you’re browsing for unique gifts, enjoying the glow of the gardens, or simply soaking up the holiday cheer, the Holiday Night Market is the perfect way to kick off the season with friends and family.

Admission is by donation, and we encourage you to reserve your tickets online in advance to skip the line should it get too crowded. Priority entry will be given to ticket holders, but will be available at the door as well.

Grab your tickets at abbeygardens.ca under the events tab.

Tickets are $20 or $25 for a child under 16 accompanied by an adult. (2 tickets)
Tickets may be purchased at Redman’s Records in Haliburton or
To reserve tickets call
705-457-0456
This year’s annual fall concert highlights songs from stories of great adventure and courage. We’ll hear a mix of many different styles, including music by Berlioz, Rachmaninov, Richard and Robert Sherman, and many more. We will have a solo from local pianist Melissa Stephens. Come join us as conductor Dan Manley takes us on a musical adventure!