Elissa Strome

Elissa Strome. She is a Canadian science executive and administrator known for her leadership in national artificial intelligence strategy and research policy. Strome has played a pivotal role in shaping and implementing the Pan-Canadian AI Strategy as a senior leader at the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research. Her work focuses on building collaborative ecosystems between academia, industry, and government to advance AI research and its ethical application.

Early life and education

Elissa Strome completed her undergraduate studies in environmental science at the University of Toronto. She then pursued graduate education, earning a Master of Science degree from the University of British Columbia. Her academic research focused on climate change impacts and environmental policy, providing a foundation in interdisciplinary science and systems thinking. This background in complex global challenges later informed her approach to steering large-scale scientific initiatives in the field of technology and innovation.

Career

Strome began her professional career in science policy and program management within the federal government of Canada. She held significant positions at Natural Resources Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada, working on issues related to clean energy and sustainable development. Her transition to the forefront of AI policy came with her move to the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research in Toronto. At CIFAR, she initially managed programs before rapidly ascending to leadership roles responsible for the execution of major national strategies.

Research and contributions

Elissa Strome's primary contributions are in the design and orchestration of large-scale research ecosystems rather than direct laboratory science. She was instrumental in operationalizing the Pan-Canadian AI Strategy, the world's first national AI strategy launched by the Government of Canada and administered by CIFAR. Her work involves fostering the Vector Institute, Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute, and Mila as central AI research hubs. She advocates for a "AI for good" framework, emphasizing responsible AI, equity, diversity, and inclusion in tech sectors, and the societal implications of emerging technologies.

Leadership roles

Strome holds the position of Executive Director for the Pan-Canadian AI Strategy at the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research. In this capacity, she oversees the strategy's research, talent, and innovation programs, coordinating with partners across the National Research Council, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, and the three major national AI institutes. She also serves on numerous advisory boards and committees, influencing national policy through bodies like the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence and the Council of Canadian Academies.

Awards and recognition

For her leadership in Canadian science and technology, Elissa Strome has received notable recognition. She was named one of Women's Executive Network's Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada. Her work on the Pan-Canadian AI Strategy has been cited internationally as a model for national innovation strategy, garnering attention from organizations like the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the World Economic Forum.

Category:Canadian science administrators Category:Artificial intelligence policy Category:Year of birth missing (living people)