ALBERTA AAIA Chapter
Connecting World‑Class AI Research with Real‑World Impact
Alberta is one of Canada’s most established and rapidly evolving artificial intelligence ecosystems, bringing together globally recognized research, applied innovation, and strong industry participation.
The Applied AI Association Alberta Chapter was founded to support the responsible, solution‑first adoption of AI, connecting organizations focused on practical implementation and real‑world impact. The chapter serves as a convening point for industry leaders, applied researchers, educators, and solution providers working across Alberta’s diverse economy.
The province is home to world‑class AI research through organizations such as the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii), one of Canada’s national AI institutes, known for advancing machine learning research while supporting industry adoption. This research strength is complemented by Alberta’s post‑secondary institutions, which play a critical role in developing talent and applied research capacity aligned with workforce and industry needs.
The Northern Alberta Institute of Alberta (NAIT) is the founding member of the Alberta Chapter, reflecting its long‑standing role as a leading polytechnic institution focused on applied research, industry partnership, and technology adoption. NAIT’s involvement brings an implementation‑focused perspective that connects research, technical expertise, and education with real‑world organizational use across workflows and decision‑making.
With strong representation across sectors such as energy, agriculture, healthcare, clean technology, and financial services, Alberta offers a unique environment for applied AI collaboration. The AAIA Alberta Chapter exists to strengthen these connections, share practical insights, and support organizations as they move from interest to impact in their AI initiatives.
Alberta Chapter Team
Mike McCready, Chapter President
Maryam Mirzaei, Vice President
-
President, mike@aaiaglobal.com
Mike McCready is an academic leader and builder of industry-aligned technology programs in Alberta. As Associate Dean in the School of Media and Information Technology at NAIT, he leads emerging initiatives in AI, game development, immersive media, and design, with a focus on connecting talent development to real workforce needs. With more than 25 years in immersive technologies and digital innovation, Mike has worked at the intersection of education, applied research, and industry partnership, translating complex technologies into practical, human-centered outcomes.
He is passionate about ensuring AI is implemented thoughtfully and responsibly, not just as a technological shift but as a capability that strengthens organizations and communities. Through cross-sector collaboration, he works to position Alberta as a leader in applied, industry-driven AI adoption.
-
Vice President
Maryam Mirzaei is an applied AI researcher and strategist, and the Applied Research Chair at NAIT Industry Solutions, where she leads the Centre for Data Management and AI. Her portfolio covers 10+ industry research projects across healthcare, energy, agriculture, and clean tech.
She holds a PhD in Computer Science from the University of Alberta, where she also completed a postdoctoral fellowship with the Telerobotic and Biorobotic Systems Group, working on task planning for surgical robot automation using large language models. Her work has been recognized with the 2024 AsTech Award and a 2025 TELUS ESSF Fellowship nomination. She has built 20+ industry partnerships and trained over 200 professionals through AI workshops and experiential learning programs across Alberta.
Upcoming Events
See all events here.