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Dr. Sidney Shapiro

AI and Us: Building a Human Future in a Machine World

What happens when intelligence itself becomes a shared resource, no longer limited to people, but distributed across systems, algorithms, and machines? Artificial intelligence has evolved beyond novelty to become an integral part of modern life, shaping how decisions are made, creativity is expressed, and power is distributed. 

This talk explores the current state of AI, a moment marked by the tension between rapid capability growth and the need for human-centered governance. Drawing on examples from business, education, and public policy, it examines how organizations are leveraging AI to augment productivity and decision-making while grappling with ethical, environmental, and cultural implications. More importantly, it asks how we can ensure that in building intelligent machines, we also strengthen the intelligence, empathy, and accountability of the humans who guide them.

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.