For more than five decades, the Immigrant Services Society of British Columbia (ISSofBC) has stood as one of Canada’s most respected and impactful settlement organizations. Established in 1968, ISSofBC began with a committed group of volunteers who welcomed Ismaili refugees from Uganda—an act of compassion that laid the foundation for what would become one of the province’s largest and most innovative newcomer-support institutions.
Today, ISSofBC continues to help newcomers settle, learn English, pursue education, find meaningful employment, and integrate confidently into Canadian society. With its world-renowned Vancouver Welcome Centre and a legacy of community-building, ISSofBC remains a national leader in creating inclusive pathways for immigrants, seniors, families, and refugees across British Columbia.
As part of its ongoing effort to strengthen digital literacy, ISSofBC recently hosted two educational workshops under the theme “Adoption of AI for Citizens and Metaverse Use Cases for Efficient Use.” These sessions were led by Meer Anwar, CEO & President of PixelPaddle, a BC-based technology company known for its work in AI, AR/VR, and immersive digital innovation.
During the sessions, Meer introduced participants, primarily seniors from Persian and Mandarin speaking communities, to the fundamental concepts of Artificial Intelligence, breaking down how AI systems gather, learn, recognize patterns, adapt, and make predictions. He further provided practical demonstrations on:
- Identifying AI-generated videos and images
- Cybersecurity red flags and identity protection
- Privacy concerns and safe technology use
- Virtual reality applications and real-world metaverse scenarios
- Algorithmic bias and digital ethics
These hands-on demonstrations sparked lively discussions, curiosity, and thoughtful questions from attendees. Participants expressed appreciation for the clarity, accessibility, and real-world relevance of the content—leaving the sessions with a stronger understanding of not only how AI works, but how to stay safe, informed, and empowered in a rapidly evolving digital world.
PixelPaddle expresses its deep appreciation to Hala Helmy, Zohreh Kondori, and the entire ISSofBC team for extending the opportunity to contribute to this meaningful community initiative. Their commitment to bringing high-value learning experiences to seniors and newcomers plays a vital role in strengthening digital inclusion across British Columbia.
PixelPaddle looks forward to continued collaboration with ISSofBC and similar organizations to expand access to emerging technologies, enhance digital literacy, and support communities in navigating the future with confidence and capability.
