Welcoming Mike McCready as the Founding Chapter President of the Applied AI Association – Alberta Chapter
Mike McCready, MSc, Alberta, Canada Chapter President
At the Applied AI Association (AAIA), our global expansion is driven by one belief: the most powerful AI communities are built locally, then connected globally. Today, we're proud to take that belief one step further north — into the heart of one of Canada's most dynamic innovation ecosystems.
We are thrilled to announce the launch of the AAIA Alberta Chapter officially, and to introduce its founding Chapter President: Mike McCready, Associate Dean in the School of Media and Information Technology at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT).
You can request information on joining the Alberta Chapter here:
Meet Mike McCready
Mike McCready is not just an academic leader — he is a builder. With more than 25 years of experience at the intersection of immersive technologies, applied research, education, and industry partnership, Mike has spent his career doing what the Applied AI Association stands for: translating complex, emerging technologies into practical tools that strengthen organizations and communities.
As Associate Dean at NAIT, Mike leads initiatives in AI, game development, immersive media, and design — always with a sharp focus on connecting talent development to real workforce needs. He doesn't just study AI; he architects the pathways that help people actually use it.
His approach is grounded in a belief that will resonate with anyone who has tried to implement AI inside a real organization: technology is only as powerful as the people prepared to use it responsibly.
Why Alberta? Why Now?
Alberta is at a pivotal moment. The province is home to a growing cluster of AI developers, tech startups, enterprise innovators, and world-class academic institutions — all building momentum in parallel, often without a shared platform to accelerate that momentum together.
Mike has seen this firsthand. "There's so much potential in Alberta," he says, "and that potential needs to be shared with the world."
The AAIA Alberta Chapter is designed to be exactly that platform — a local hub connected to AAIA's global network of chapters, industry committees, events, and enterprise relationships.
As Mike puts it:
"AI is transforming how we learn and work, and Alberta's talent and innovation position us well for this shift. With years of experience helping organizations adopt emerging technologies, I've seen firsthand how critical it is to turn complex tools into practical, human-centred solutions. NAIT is proud to be a founding member of the Alberta Chapter of the Applied AI Association. Preparing students and industry for the opportunities ahead is essential to meeting Alberta's growing demand for applied AI talent."
What Mike Plans to Build in Year One
When asked what he hopes to accomplish in his first year as Chapter President, Mike is clear and energized:
"In my first year, I hope to build on the local momentum that has organically been happening with meetups and such — by bringing groups together under an umbrella and encouraging connections beyond Alberta."
That means formalizing the grassroots AI community activity already happening across the province, creating structured touchpoints for professionals and organizations to connect, and building bridges between Alberta's talent pool and the broader global AI industry.
Expect events. Expect conversations. Expect collaboration.
What Excites Mike About This Role
Mike shared his enthusiasm for joining the AAIA family with characteristic directness:
"I'm excited to be the Alberta Chapter President for AAIA to support the growing AI ecosystem in Alberta through talent development, fostering connections, and supporting organizations developing and applying AI solutions."
This isn't a ceremonial role — Mike is diving in with a hands-on, community-first approach rooted in decades of doing exactly this kind of bridge-building work.
NAIT as a Founding Member of the Alberta Chapter
One of the most exciting elements of this launch is that NAIT joins as a founding institutional member of the Alberta Chapter. This signals something important: the applied AI community in Alberta is being built on a foundation that integrates education, research, and industry from day one — not as an afterthought.
For AI solution providers, this means access to emerging talent pipelines. For enterprise organizations, it means connections to applied research. For students and early-career professionals, it means a direct line into the professional AI ecosystem.
Join the Alberta Chapter — and the Global AAIA Community
Whether you're a startup building AI solutions, an enterprise leader evaluating adoption strategies, an academic researcher, or a professional looking to future-proof your career — the AAIA Alberta Chapter is your home base.
And the Alberta Chapter is just one node in a growing global network. AAIA members gain access to:
Local chapter events and networking in their region
Global industry committees across verticals including healthcare, finance, manufacturing, and more
Curated introductions between AI solution providers and enterprise buyers
The AAIA AI Beat Newsletter, keeping you current on industry developments
Discounts, speaking opportunities, and exclusive member resources
Alberta's AI moment is here. Mike McCready is leading the charge — and the AAIA Alberta Chapter is open for business.
👉 Learn more and join the Applied AI Association at www.aaiaglobal.com 📬 Connect with Mike directly at mike@aaiaglobal.com
The Applied AI Association (AAIA) connects AI companies and solution providers with enterprise buyers through a global network of chapters, industry committees, and curated events. To explore chapter opportunities near you or learn about membership, visit www.aaiaglobal.com.