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I am an academic and applied research leader with more than 25 years of experience across…
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Mike McCready, MSc shared thisAn impressive AI demo is a great start. But it's not the finish line. What happens when that technology needs to work with an organization's existing systems? When people need to trust it? When someone needs to know whether it's actually delivering value? Canadian AI organizations like Cohere and Amii (Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute) are advancing what's possible with this technology. But realizing that potential also requires people who know how to put AI to work in real organizations. These are some of the questions that shaped how we designed NAIT's new Applied AI diploma. We wanted the word applied to mean something. It's not just about building AI solutions. It's about integrating them into real workflows, designing systems that work for people, and understanding how technology can solve meaningful problems. That's why I'm particularly excited about our curriculum's focus on AI development, systems integration, human-centred design, and real industry challenges. Because the future needs more than people who understand what AI can do. We need people who can actually put it to work. And we're making that education accessible. Our two-year Applied AI diploma starts in September 2027, with fully online, evening delivery. Learn from anywhere, without having to relocate. Know someone who loves solving problems and wants to build a career in AI? I'd really appreciate you sharing this with them. https://lnkd.in/gZR5QBas NAIT (Northern Alberta Institute of Technology) Danielle Gifford Dana Marsh Applied AI Association (AAIA) DAMA Edmonton #AppliedAI #NAIT #AI
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Mike McCready, MSc shared thisMaybe the AI-ready graduate isn't the graduate with the strongest AI skills. When we asked industry to choose between otherwise equal entry-level candidates, 88% chose stronger disciplinary fundamentals over stronger AI fluency. That doesn't mean AI fluency isn't important. Industry respondents also identified it as an expected entry-level capability. But their comments pointed to something deeper: graduates need enough disciplinary knowledge to evaluate what AI produces, recognize errors, solve problems, and decide when AI should or shouldn't be used. So perhaps AI readiness isn't about choosing between expertise and AI. It's about having enough expertise to use AI well. Carrie Vos and I will share more from our industry and faculty research at the Higher Education Strategy Associates' AI-CADEMY 2026 next month in Vancouver. #AIReady #AIInEducation #HigherEducation #FutureOfWork #NAIT
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Mike McCready, MSc reposted thisMike McCready, MSc reposted thisGreat VR experiences take more than code. They take artists, animators, 3D modellers and developers bringing different skills to the same challenge. That’s what VR Build Lab is about: collaborating with other student creators, learning from mentors and exploring what your skills can contribute to an immersive experience. Together with TECHNATION, we’re inviting post-secondary students to build, experiment and make new connections. 💻 November 9 or 10: Virtual training & kickoff 📍 November 14–15: In-person challenge | Edmonton Not a student? Help us find the people who should be in the room. Share this with your networks or send it to a student whose skills come to mind. Learn more and apply by November 4: https://lnkd.in/gy6g_--p #VRBuildLab #XRDevelopment #EdmontonTech #YEG
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Mike McCready, MSc shared thisWhat does it actually mean to be “AI-ready” when you graduate? Carrie Vos and I surveyed faculty and industry across media and IT, and in three weeks we’ll be sharing what we learned at the Higher Education Strategy Associates AI-cademy. I’m increasingly convinced that preparing students for AI isn’t simply about teaching them more AI. Looking forward to the conversation on November 9th. #AIcademy2026 #AI #HigherEd #FutureOfWork #NAIT
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Mike McCready, MSc reposted thisMike McCready, MSc reposted this🎮 What’s the "X Factor" that makes Edmonton a powerhouse in the global games industry? This Wednesday, as part of Edmonton Startup Week, join us at Edmonton Unlimited for "Community Coffee: Leading the Future of the Games Industry". We’ll be breaking down the structural, cultural, and talent-driven advantages that help our city punch well above its weight on the global stage. We are thrilled to have Mark Darrah (Former EA VP / BioWare) representing Digital Alberta on this powerhouse panel, alongside an incredible lineup of local tech and gaming leaders: 🎙️ Host/Moderator: Ronnie Villanueva (Edmonton Screen & Digital Alberta) 🗣️ Panelists: • Mark Darrah (Former EA VP / BioWare) • Nathaniel Rossol (Co-Founder & CTO, vrCave) • Kris Schoneberg (Design Director, Studio Reset) • Alex Kearney (Co-Founder & CTO, Artificial Agency) Whether you’re a game developer, a tech founder looking to learn resilience and scaling strategies from game studios, or just curious about what's happening in the local tech ecosystem, come grab a coffee and join the conversation! ☕️ 📅 When: Wednesday, October 7 | Doors open at 7:30 AM 📍 Where: Edmonton Unlimited (10107 Jasper Ave, Edmonton) 🔗 RSVP to save your spot: https://luma.com/l9539l9s Stay for the whole morning or pop in to say hi—we’d love to see you there! Let's keep building the future of Alberta's interactive media sector together. #DigitalAlberta #YEGStartupWeek #EdmontonTech #GameDev #AlbertaTech #EdmontonGames #TechCommunity #Innovation #GameDevelopment
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Mike McCready, MSc reposted thisMike McCready, MSc reposted thisThe future of health care training is immersive. At Red Deer Polytechnic, Extended Reality (XR) is helping nursing and allied health learners develop the skills, confidence, and readiness they need for the real world. Join our team - we are seeking an Extended Reality (XR) Technician in the School of Health and Wellness. https://lnkd.in/e5q9nqhv- Red Deer Polytechnic- Red Deer Polytechnic
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Mike McCready, MSc shared thisThanks Tom Viinikka and Edmonton Unlimited for the cool hat. I really do dig Alberta tech. But more importantly, thank you for all you do to support innovation in Edmonton and Alberta. Without organizations like Edmonton Unlimited, innovation would stifle and in some cases, not even get started. #NAIT #DigitalAlberta #ABTech #coolhat
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Mike McCready, MSc shared thisI might be getting myself into something... It's something I've been thinking about for quite a while, and the more seriously I consider it, the more exciting (and slightly intimidating) it becomes. It's been a while since I've felt this combination of curiosity, anticipation, and "what am I getting myself into?" Nothing to announce. Just taking a chance on something that's been on my mind for some time. We'll see where it leads. Some things are hiding in plain sight. 😉
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Mike McCready, MSc reposted thisMike McCready, MSc reposted thisOne of the best parts of my work is getting to know people who are making a real difference in their industries, organizations, and communities across Canada. It also makes me think about the people in my own network who have opened doors for others, mentored emerging leaders, created opportunities, and given back in meaningful ways. Their impact often extends far beyond what appears on a résumé. I am sure you know someone like that too! NAIT is currently accepting nominations for Honorary Degrees, which recognizes individuals whose achievements, leadership, and community contributions have made a lasting impact. Take a moment to think about who has inspired you or made a difference in your field or community, and I encourage you to consider nominating them before November 9. (Note: They do not have to be NAIT alumni!). 🔗 Guidelines and nomination Submissions: https://nait.ca/honorary Please feel free to share this with others who may know someone deserving of recognition.
Mike McCready, MSc replied to a comment
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Mike McCready, MSc For those interested, here’s the program page: https://www.nait.ca/programs/applied-ai
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Mike McCready, MSc liked thisMike McCready, MSc liked thisHappy Halloween Alberta 👻 🎃 Had a nice stop at Mr. Mikes to see friends before handing out candy to the kiddos.
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Mike McCready, MSc liked thisMike McCready, MSc liked thisArizona will be the wettest state by volume with over 3.2 Trillion gallons of additional rainfall over the next 3-days. Risk of flooding -- be careful in canyons and on the roadways in Phoenix. Anytime we see trillions on the map for Arizona, all of the lizards and cacti get excited. https://lnkd.in/g-aGViig
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Mike McCready, MSc liked thisA warm welcome to the first cohort of Sheridan College’s Master of Animation, Games, and Immersive Experiences (MAGIE): Canada’s first master's program bridging animation, interactive games, and immersive media. We’ve been waiting for you!Mike McCready, MSc liked thisA new chapter begins. 📖 This week, we welcomed the first cohort of students in Sheridan's Master of Animation, Games and Immersive Experiences program. From campus tours and community building to meeting faculty, staff and college leaders, orientation was an opportunity to connect, explore and prepare for the journey ahead.
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Mike McCready, MSc reacted on thisMike McCready, MSc reacted on thisI'm so sick and tired of the posts about AI slop v human writing (as if much of human writing and the ideas within aren't also slop), so here's a little experiment. The topic is career advice to women. Which is AI written and which isn't? Which includes ideas worth being birthed into the world with the help of AI and which doesn't? Paragraph 1: Want to advance your career? Build your network, find a mentor, and develop your executive presence. Raise your hand for stretch assignments and make sure your contributions are visible. Confidence is key - advocate for yourself and don’t be afraid to ask for what you want. Paragraph 2: Research shows women are missing the business acumen piece of leadership. Susan Colantuono’s TED talk - with over 4 million views - identifies business, financial and strategic acumen as the Missing 33% of career advice. Women who develop these skills advance faster. If you want to close the gap, focus on understanding the financial side of your organization and building strategic thinking skills. Paragraph 3: Most career advice for women focuses on the same third of the leadership equation: personal skills, relationships, visibility. What it rarely addresses - and what quietly stalls careers at senior levels - is business, financial and strategic acumen: the ability to think like an owner, read the numbers and connect your work to enterprise value. That missing third isn’t a personal gap. It’s a gap in what women are told matters. Analysis in comment below. #AIWriting #TheMissing33Percent #WomenLeaders #CareerSuccess
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Mike McCready, MSc liked thisMike McCready, MSc liked this📢 Call for Papers: FLAIRS-40 Special Track on Artificial Intelligence and Education We invite researchers, educators, and practitioners to submit their work to the Artificial Intelligence and Education special track at the 40th International FLAIRS Conference (FLAIRS-40)! This special track brings together the AI and education communities to explore innovative research, practical applications, and the responsible use of AI in teaching and learning. We welcome contributions on AI in education, including machine learning, generative AI, educational technology, human-computer interaction, learning analytics, intelligent learning systems, and related areas. Submissions may include original research, empirical studies, educational applications, case studies, emerging research, position papers, and vision papers. 📅 Important Dates Abstract Deadline: January 22, 2027 Paper Submission Deadline: February 1, 2027 Conference: May 24–27, 2027 📍 Location: St. Pete Beach, Florida 🔗 Special Track Details: https://lnkd.in/gQhaK33Q 🔗 Conference CFP: https://lnkd.in/gyCPK88G For questions, please contact Bill Eberle (weberle@tntech.edu) or Ingrid Russell (irussell@hartford.edu). We look forward to your submissions and to seeing you in Florida! #FLAIRS40 #CallForPapers #AIinEducation #ArtificialIntelligence #EducationalTechnology #AIResearch #GenerativeAIFLAIRS-40: AI and EducationFLAIRS-40: AI and Education
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Mike McCready, MSc reacted on thisMike McCready, MSc reacted on this🎓 AI in education is four different things, and most institutions treat it as one. A faculty member drafts an email with AI. A student works through calculus with an AI tutor. A CS instructor teaches students to generate code that passes a security review. Same label, different purposes, different decision-makers. My new EDUCAUSE Review piece proposes a four-layer framework: ⚙️ "AI for education": Operations and routine educator work, such as scheduling, degree audits, and LMS automation. IT and administration lead. Answers question: Is AI improving institutional operations and educators' routine work? 🧠 "AI in education": AI built into teaching so it deepens learning instead of replacing it. Faculty and curriculum committees lead. Answers question: How can AI deepen learning rather than replace it? 💼 "AI of the profession": The AI students will meet in their careers, whether it works as a tool or a competitor. It has no natural owner, so it is often left out of strategy. Answers question: Do students know about the AI they'll encounter in their careers? 📚 "AI literacy": How AI works, including bias, hallucinations, and probability. General education leads. Answers question: Do people understand how AI works? 📊 Students feel underprepared to use AI professionally. Only 17% agreed that their instructors were well equipped to guide them in a DEC survey. ⚠️ The investment trap: You can streamline invoices and room scheduling and still graduate students who aren't ready for AI-shaped professions. Adoption is not readiness. A few lines from the article: 💬 "AI for medicine is a turbocharger. AI in medicine is a new literacy." 💬 "This instructor has done everything right, and an entire category is still missing." 💬 "'AI workforce education' assumes AI is an ally. For some disciplines, it is an adversary." 💬 "Institutional AI adoption is not the same as institutional AI readiness." 📖 Full article on EDUCAUSE Review: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/g7_pEPdT More in a substack article: https://lnkd.in/gjGZRGaK Based on Chapter 5 of the Learn-It-All Educator book: https://lnkd.in/gwFZSEHW #AIinEducation #HigherEd #AIReadiness #AILiteracy #EdTech #EDUCAUSE #FacultyDevelopment
Experience & Education
Licenses & Certifications
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Generative AI for Business Leaders
LinkedIn Learning Community
IssuedCredential ID f4921b142f966e5b9cd525cfd681e40d65cd63022c24613b766367b6636352c7 -
Respect in the Workplace
Respect In The Workplace Training
Issued ExpiresCredential ID LETH-15271763-1-Z3M
Publications
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Staying safe and discrete as you post and tweet
The Concordian
Tips on how to protect yourself online. NOTE: I am not the author, but quoted throughout the article. The article is written by Evan LePage.
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