Canada university names first-of-its-kind chief AI officer. More may be coming

Western University in London, Ont. hopes the role will help propel them "to the forefront of AI research and application." Other schools may soon follow suit.

In an example of the wide-reaching and growing impacts of artificial intelligence (AI) worldwide, Western University has created a senior executive role dedicated to overseeing a university-wide AI strategy.

The role also positions Western to claim that it is the first university in Canada to have a chief AI officer among its senior executives. And it may not be the last.

“I want colleagues,” laughed Mark Daley, who will begin his five-year term on Oct. 15.

He imagines some institutions may decide to create a new position, or add management of AI matters to existing duties, he said.

“For some institutions, it makes sense to give this portfolio to an existing executive. And each will have to find its own way.”

Currently, Daley serves as the chief digital officer, leading Western’s technology services. He is also vice-president of research at the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research. He said that currently there’s “a huge variety in terms of how much people are already adopting AI.”

“But for most of us, the changes of the last two years, and really the last year, in particular, have come so fast that, you know, a lot of people are … thinking, ‘Geez, I need some help to understand how to make the best use of this and how to use this ethically.’ And so I think a huge part of my role is assisting others to be more effective in what they already do.”

President Alan Shepard said Daley is “uniquely qualified” for the role, which the university hopes will “help propel Western to the forefront of AI research and application.”