Applied AI, business analytics, and responsible digital transformation

Sidney Shapiro is an applied AI and business analytics researcher whose work examines how organizations, communities, and entrepreneurial ecosystems use data and emerging technologies to drive innovation, resilience, and social impact. His research focuses on responsible AI adoption, social innovation, community analytics, entrepreneurship, and organizational transformation across nonprofit, public-sector, and industry contexts. As a scholar, speaker, and applied research leader, he connects academic research with practical knowledge mobilization through publications, teaching cases, student projects, media commentary, and partnerships with businesses, municipalities, and community organizations. The goal is to help decision makers adopt analytics and AI with clearer evidence, governance, and attention to community value.

Research

Applied AI, analytics, responsible technology adoption, and social innovation.

Speaking

Keynotes and workshops on AI, digital transformation, education, and organizational change.

Partnerships

Collaborative research with businesses, nonprofits, municipalities, and community organizations.

Case Research

Applied cases documenting entrepreneurship, innovation, and technology adoption.

Research Program

My research program connects responsible AI adoption, community analytics, and entrepreneurship through a common question: how do organizations use emerging technologies in ways that improve decisions, strengthen institutions, and create public value?

Responsible AI and Organizational Transformation

This area examines AI adoption, governance, analytics strategy, decision-making, ethics, and responsible implementation in organizations. The work focuses on how leaders build capability, evaluate risk, and translate emerging technologies into accountable practice.

Social Innovation and Community Analytics

This area studies how nonprofits, municipalities, community organizations, and public-sector partners use data to support social impact. Projects include immigrant integration, public-sector innovation, nonprofit data systems, and evidence-informed community decision-making.

Entrepreneurship and Emerging Technologies

This area explores SMEs, social enterprises, entrepreneurial ecosystems, digital transformation, applied AI, and innovation strategy. It connects regional economic development with practical questions about technology adoption, growth, resilience, and responsible experimentation.

Selected Impact

My applied research and public scholarship are designed to create institutional, community, and organizational value beyond publications.

AI literacy and public education

Public lectures, workshops, media interviews, and practical resources help leaders, educators, students, and community audiences understand responsible AI adoption without hype.

Applied research with SMEs and community organizations

Projects translate analytics and emerging technologies into use cases, dashboards, decision tools, teaching cases, and implementation guidance for real organizational settings.

Municipal and nonprofit collaboration

Community analytics work supports municipalities, nonprofits, immigrant-serving organizations, and public-sector partners with data-informed approaches to social impact.

Student research and experiential learning

Graduate placements, capstones, Mitacs projects, and research assistantships create pathways for students to contribute to applied AI, analytics, and social innovation work.

Media and public scholarship

Commentary in public media and university forums connects research on AI, analytics, education, and social impact to current public questions.

Speaking and workshops

Keynotes and workshops for industry and community audiences connect research evidence with strategic, responsible, and actionable technology adoption.

Funding and Partnerships

My funded research and partnership work focuses on helping organizations adopt analytics, AI, and emerging technologies responsibly. These projects often involve students, community partners, SMEs, and public-sector organizations, creating research outputs, experiential learning, and practical organizational value.

Approximate listed funding More than $500,000 in documented research and partnership funding, including Mitacs, university, travel, catalyst, and applied research awards.
Partnership forms Mitacs projects, student research funding, industry partnerships, nonprofit and community collaborations, and municipal/public-sector work.
Sectors Agriculture, tourism, health, education, AI, SMEs, nonprofits, public administration, mining, food services, and regional innovation.

Academic Profile

I am an Assistant Professor of Business Analytics at the Dhillon School of Business and an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Computer Science at the University of Lethbridge. My teaching and supervision connect applied data science, business analytics, responsible AI adoption, and digital transformation across undergraduate, graduate, and experiential learning contexts.

My work combines academic research, applied partnerships, and public scholarship. Publications and current projects span responsible AI governance, AI adoption among Alberta businesses, language models in program evaluation, nonprofit data systems, teaching cases, simulation design, community analytics, entrepreneurship, and emerging technology readiness.

I frequently collaborate with municipalities, nonprofits, SMEs, industry partners, international research teams, and student researchers. I also support public technology education as a Google Developer Group Organizer. Across these projects, the emphasis is on knowledge mobilization: producing credible research while helping organizations make better decisions about data, AI, and technology adoption.

Podcasts, Interviews and Media

Chatbot TAs, coding on the fly: Here's how these educators weave AI into their classrooms

Quoted expert in CBC News article discussing the pedagogical use of artificial intelligence in higher education, including benefits, limitations, and implications for critical thinking.
CBC News, February 6, 2026


Dr. Sidney Shapiro PUBlic Professor Series Talk
AI and Us: Building a Human Future in a Machine World | Oct. 30, 2025
View on YouTube — https://youtu.be/gBPjaJge5os

Behind the Scenes： Our Podcasting Journey & Adventures with Dr. David Dobson
View on YouTube — https://youtu.be/cXW8yZYUUlw

When nothing else worked, ChatGPT helped me be a better parent

Featured in The Globe and Mail discussing the implications of using AI for parenting advice. The article highlights research conducted with co-authors on testing AI's capabilities for answering common parenting concerns, published in Family Relations journal. The study found that while AI-generated answers were mostly accurate, they lacked important cultural context and specific citations.
The Globe and Mail, May 12, 2025


Stop Believing the AI Hype: Dr. Sidney Shapiro Unpacks What AI Really Can (and Can't) Do

In-depth interview on the Localization Fireside Chat podcast discussing AI's current capabilities, limitations, and the importance of maintaining human oversight in AI applications. The conversation covered topics from AI in education to the future of technology in Canada.
Localization Fireside Chat, April 21, 2025


AI not ready to take over the world, prof tells SACPA session

Featured in the Lethbridge Herald discussing AI's current limitations and realistic applications at the Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs session. The article covers insights on AI's practical uses, misconceptions, and the importance of human involvement in AI systems.
Lethbridge Herald, April 13, 2024

Watch the full SACPA presentation
View on YouTube — https://youtu.be/kjkKHt8tajE

Artificial intelligence — bane or boon to humanity?

In-depth feature article in UNews discussing the current state of AI, its implications for society, and the balance between AI's benefits and drawbacks. The article explores topics from AI in education to the environmental impact of large language models.
University of Lethbridge News, February 6, 2024


Learning Lounge - University of Lethbridge, April 2025
View on YouTube — https://youtu.be/m_OGm3B5H90

Stop Believing the AI Hype: Dr. Sidney Shapiro Unpacks What AI Really Can (and Can't) Do, April 21, 2025
View on YouTube — https://youtu.be/wsqN0964neM

February 28, 2025: Participated as a panelist in a discussion hosted by Dr. David Dobson alongside Dr. Myriam Ertz on conference research papers and the role of AI in research writing. The session aimed to provide insights for graduate students, early researchers, editors, and reviewers.
View on YouTube — https://youtu.be/1DfQeR4X_C8

Interview in Canadian Family Offices Magazine - Family offices may be falling behind in adopting AI-driven efficiencies
Canadian Family Offices Magazine
In my discussion with Canadian Family Offices, I highlighted the complexities of applying generative AI in investment decision-making. While AI has the potential to enhance operational efficiencies, relying on it for financial advice presents challenges. I emphasized that generative AI models, such as ChatGPT, analyze patterns in language rather than financial data, which can lead to inaccuracies when applied to quantitative analysis. This reinforces the need for human oversight to ensure AI-generated insights align with clients' best interests and regulatory compliance.

PUBlic Professor Series | Dr. Sidney Shapiro
Dr. Sidney Shapiro is an assistant professor of business analytics at the University of Lethbridge's Dhillon School of Business as well as an adjunct assistant professor of computer science, with a wealth of experience in data science and business analytics. With over a decade of expertise in developing and automating data, Dr. Shapiro has worked extensively at the intersection of AI, data engineering and business intelligence. Formerly a data science manager in the occupational health and safety sector, Dr. Shapiro focuses on advancing theoretical and practical applications of data and business analytics. His research spans AI adoption trends, data privacy and the transformative potential of emerging technologies in business and education.
View on YouTube — https://youtu.be/TELlhfmeNTo

Generative AI: Possibilities and Impacts Focus of U of L Talk

The University of Lethbridge's PUBlic Professor Series will feature Sidney Shapiro, Assistant Professor of Business Analytics at the Dhillon School of Business, discussing the current state and future possibilities of Generative AI, as well as its societal impacts. The event is scheduled for Thursday at the Slice Bar and Grill.
Source: Lethbridge Herald


Examining the World of Generative AI: The Focus of Next Public Professor Series Event

The University of Lethbridge's PUBlic Professor Series

Source: Education News Canada


New Event to Bring Together Southern Alberta Supply Chain Sector

The Southern Alberta B2B Tradeshow and Conference, organized by WIDA Procurement and Supply Chain Solutions, is scheduled for October 10, 2024, at the Lethbridge and District Exhibition. The event aims to showcase products and services across various industries, including consumer packaged goods, logistics, warehousing, transportation, distribution, retail, and manufacturing. Speakers include Carol Haayema, certified financial planner at IG Wealth Management; Sidney Shapiro, assistant professor of data analytics at the University of Lethbridge Dhillon School of Business; and Trevor Lewington from Economic Development Lethbridge.

Source: Inside Logistics


Public Professor Series: Will Generative AI Change the World?

A University of Lethbridge event exploring the transformative potential and challenges of generative AI, part of the Public Professor Series.

Source: My Lethbridge Now


AI Experience Podcast
AI Unplugged: Demystifying the Tech That Shapes Our World
Join us as we explore the current state of AI, its practical applications, and what the future holds. From the rise of generative AI like ChatGPT to the integration of AI in everyday devices, Sidney shares his insights on the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. Whether you're a tech enthusiast or just starting to learn about AI, this episode will provide you with a deeper understanding of the technology that is reshaping our world.

SAAIC 2024 Conference
The State of AI
View on YouTube — https://youtu.be/ygPznLP3HMs

Interview with Dr. David Dobson - June 6th, 2024
View on YouTube — https://youtu.be/Wt1zGK1u7Tg

Interview with Bridge City News on AI and the future of technology
View on YouTube — https://youtu.be/WWWfwgH2HxY

Big Data and AI Toronto - Advanced analytics and modern technology to create intelligent predictions - 2023-10-19
View on YouTube — https://youtu.be/4SjjK70f2tI

Interview on the Change Itself podcast
View on YouTube — https://youtu.be/Pg2Th42T84Y

Thinking Data
View on YouTube — https://youtu.be/QBUewDK9Wio

The modern artist project
View on YouTube — https://youtu.be/XNYjNW_xw64

Our Business People Make the Difference - Cambrian College Social Media

One-on-One with Dr. Mike: A Q&A with Data Scientist Sidney Shapiro
On chicken dashboards and gaining insight through data science
Sudbury Star Nov 5, 2019

Cambrian College pleased with research efforts
Project will analyze and integrate statistics that can be used to better predict and prevent potential workplace injuries
Sudbury Star November 16, 2019

Sudbury tech firm, Cambrian mining centre working together
Project will analyze and integrate statistics that can be used to better predict and prevent potential workplace injuries
Sudbury Star November 19, 2019

Sudbury college, tech firm partnering on mine safety research
Cambrian College and Sofvie Inc. will use data analytics to prevent workplace injury
Sudbury Star November 20, 2019

Cambrian College students from the business, crime, and health analytics programs are helping organizations on two continents as part of their capstone projects.
Cambrian analytics students' capstone projects help organizations on two continents
Sudbury Star July 7, 2021