York University’s Centre for AI & Society (CAIS) unites York researchers who are collectively advancing the quickly evolving, impossible-to-ignore world of artificial intelligence (AI), with a particular focus on AI systems that address societal priorities in health care, smart cities and sustainability.
To help guide their groundbreaking work, CAIS co-directors Pina D’Agostino and James Elder have established the centre’s inaugural advisory board and named its members, who will generously donate their time and expertise to help CAIS conduct research that aims to improve lives and lead to a healthier and more just society.
“The members of the inaugural CAIS Advisory Board are leaders in Canada’s broad AI & Society community, with deep experience in the technological, entrepreneurial, legal and governance foundations of AI, as well as key application areas of health, mobility and sustainability,” says Elder. “CAIS is very fortunate to have their support.”
Members of the inaugural CAIS Advisory Board (listed alphabetically by last name) include:
- Johanne Bélisle, innovation policy advisor, formerly at World Intellectual Property Organization and former CEO of the Canadian Intellectual Property Office;
- Casey Chisick, partner and Chair of intellectual property and entertainment, media and sports law at Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP;
- Sven Dickinson, vice-president/head of Samsung AI Research Center and professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Toronto;
- Konstantinos Georgaras, commissioner of patents, registrar of trademarks and CEO of the Canadian Intellectual Property Office;
- Uma Gopinath, chief information officer at Metrolinx;
- Nadine Letson, head of corporate, external and legal affairs at Microsoft Canada;
- Aaron Rezaei, CEO at STIM Canada Inc. and general partner of Archangel Network of Funds;
- Allison Sekuler, Sandra A Rotman Chair in Cognitive Neuroscience at the Rotman Research Institute; president and chief scientist at the Baycrest Academy for Research and Education; president and chief scientist at the Centre for Aging and Brain Health Innovation; professor of psychology at the University of Toronto; and professor emeritus in the Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour at McMaster University;
- Altaf Stationwala, president and CEO of Mackenzie Health;
- Elissa Strome, executive director of pan-Canadian AI strategy at CIFAR;
- Graham Taylor, faculty member and Canada CIFAR AI Chair at the Vector Institute for AI; academic director of Next AI; professor and Canada Research Chair at the School of Engineering at the University of Guelph; and
- Julia Zhu, executive vice-president and chief digital and innovation officer of Alectra Utilities.
“I am so excited that we have assembled a stellar inaugural advisory board as we launch CAIS,” says D’Agostino. “With their guidance, CAIS is certain to lead in tackling the AI challenges we now face, and to play a constructive role in helping to shape the future of our society.”
To learn more about the centre, its members, and upcoming conferences and seminars, visit the CAIS website.