In 2024, Aaloak Jaswal (BScCS’93, D-TME’93) returned to Fredericton and UNB to take on the role of innovation director for the newly established Research Institute in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (RIDSAI). Established with the support of the faculty of computer science and the McKenna Institute, RIDSAI is home to leading experts in the research, application and impact of data science and artificial intelligence, and is a focal point for fundamental and applied research in all areas of data science and AI. We checked in with Aaloak two years later for an update.

RIDSAI has become a hub for applied AI and real-world impact. How would you describe the institute’s role today compared to when it was first established in 2023?

When RIDSAI was first established, the vision was to build a multidisciplinary institute that could help position UNB and Atlantic Canada at the forefront of AI and data science research. Over the past few years, that vision has evolved into something much more operational, collaborative and outward-facing.

Today, RIDSAI’s role extends beyond research alone. We support interdisciplinary AI and data science research, help industry and public sector partners adopt emerging technologies responsibly, contribute to workforce and talent development and engage in broader public conversations around AI governance, ethics and societal impact.

A major focus for us has also been ensuring that innovation translates into meaningful outcomes, not only economically, but socially as well, including work connected to health care, sustainability, public services and other broader societal challenges. RIDSAI is also part of a broader Atlantic AI consortium involving nine universities across the region, reflecting the growing recognition that collaboration will be essential to building a strong and globally competitive AI ecosystem in Atlantic Canada.

What has changed most since 2023 is the level of urgency and practical engagement around AI. Early conversations were often exploratory. Today, organizations are looking
for guidance on implementation, productivity, governance, workforce transformation and how to apply AI in ways that create meaningful value while remaining ethical and responsible.

You’ve helped position RIDSAI as a connector across university, industry and government. What progress have you seen in building that ecosystem in New Brunswick?

The biggest shift has been the growing recognition that AI is becoming an economic and societal capability issue, not simply a technology trend. RIDSAI has helped create spaces across sectors, and we’ve seen much stronger engagement as a result, including increased participation from SMEs, stronger government involvement and growing interest in collaborative research, workforce development and AI adoption initiatives. The ecosystem feels far more connected and ambitious today than it did even a few years ago.

How has your thinking evolved around making AI more accessible to businesses?

One of the biggest lessons has been that businesses don’t need more hype around AI. They need clarity, trust and practical starting points. My earlier work with the United Nations and other large institutional environments reinforced that successful technology adoption is rarely just about the technology itself. It’s about accessibility, governance and meeting organizations where they are. Increasingly, the challenge is less about technical capability and more about confidence, capacity and knowing where to begin.

There’s growing momentum around positioning Atlantic Canada as a leader in applied AI. What role has RIDSAI played in shaping that regional ambition?

RIDSAI has helped create momentum by bringing together researchers, industry leaders, government and community partners around a shared vision for applied AI in Atlantic Canada through partnerships, collaborative research, public engagement and initiatives like the Atlantic AI Summit. We’re also proud to be part of the Atlantic AI consortium, which, as mentioned earlier, is a collaboration involving nine universities working to strengthen AI capacity and expertise across the region.

More broadly, we’ve worked to position Atlantic Canada not simply as a consumer of AI technologies, but as an active contributor to innovation, talent development and the responsible adoption of AI.

How important is regional collaboration to advancing AI innovation today?

It’s non-negotiable. AI is evolving too quickly and becoming too foundational for organizations or provinces to operate in isolation.

Having worked across multiple countries and international systems earlier in my career, I’ve seen firsthand that complex challenges are rarely solved alone. Atlantic Canada has a real advantage here because collaboration between universities, government, industry and communities tends to happen more naturally and more closely than in many larger ecosystems.

RIDSAI continues to emphasize ethical and responsible AI. How has that conversation changed over the past two years and what challenges remain?

Even as little as two years ago, ethical AI discussions were often more theoretical. Today, those conversations have become much more practical as organizations grapple with how to deploy AI in ways that are trustworthy, transparent and aligned with their values. One of the biggest challenges now is ensuring organizations of all sizes, not just large enterprises, have access to the tools, expertise and governance frameworks needed to adopt AI responsibly and thoughtfully.

What progress have you seen in building the next generation of AI talent?

One of the most encouraging developments has been the level of student engagement across disciplines, not just computer science. Students increasingly recognize that AI will influence nearly every sector and profession, including health care, business, engineering, public policy, science and the arts and humanities. We’re also seeing growing interest from students in gaining practical experience through applied research, industry engagement and interdisciplinary collaboration. Creating more opportunities for students to work alongside researchers, organizations and community partners remains an important priority, helping them develop the skills needed to thoughtfully evaluate, build and apply AI technologies in real-world settings.

RIDSAI works across multiple sectors. Where have you seen the most tangible impact so far?

One of the most tangible areas of progress has been helping move organizations from curiosity about AI toward practical exploration and implementation. We’re seeing increasing interest from industry, government and community organizations that are actively exploring how AI can be applied to real-world challenges. Along the way, RIDSAI has helped facilitate new collaborations, support applied research opportunities, expand AI education and workforce development initiatives, and create forums such as the 2026 Atlantic AI Summit that bring together stakeholders who might not otherwise be in the same room.

One example is an executive-focused AI leadership program that RIDSAI will be offering for senior leaders responsible for strategy, innovation and organizational transformation. While many organizations are still early in their AI journey, we’re increasingly seeing a shift from curiosity toward more structured adoption and implementation.

Looking ahead, what does success for RIDSAI look like in the next five to 10 years, both for UNB and for New Brunswick’s innovation economy?

The pace of advancement in AI is accelerating so quickly that it’s difficult to predict exactly what the next five to 10 years will look like. What is crystal clear, however, is that AI will massively shape how we work, learn, govern, conduct research and interact with the world around us.

From my perspective, success means ensuring that UNB, New Brunswick and Atlantic Canada are active participants in shaping that future rather than simply reacting to it. That includes strengthening research capacity, helping organizations adapt responsibly, building and retaining talent and ensuring the region remains competitive and resilient as these technologies evolve.

Having said that, my biggest hope is that Atlantic Canada becomes known for a thoughtful and human-centred approach to AI, one that balances innovation with responsibility, inclusion, public trust and meaningful societal impact. If AI is going to shape how we work, learn and govern, then success isn’t simply building smarter systems. It’s ensuring those systems help people live better lives and strengthen the communities they serve.