Keynote Speaker

Dr. Siobahn Day Grady, a 2005 graduate of Winston-Salem State University, is an associate professor in the School of Library and Information Sciences at North Carolina Central University and the founding director of the Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Research—the first dedicated artificial intelligence institute of its kind established at a Historically Black College or University.
In this role, Dr. Grady provides strategic leadership at the intersection of artificial intelligence, digital education, and workforce readiness. Under her direction, IAIER has secured national technology partnerships, launched a campus-wide seed grant program, and convened high-impact public engagement events that strengthen institutional capacity, trust, and innovation. Her work reflects a belief that emerging technologies must be human-centered, accessible, and responsive to real-world needs.

Dr. Grady’s research spans artificial intelligence, human-computer interaction, and algorithmic bias, with applied work addressing misinformation, autonomous systems, and bias in healthcare technologies. She also serves as Faculty Fellow Lead Partner for e-Learning Excellence at NCCU, holds multiple Quality Matters certifications, including Master Reviewer, Peer Reviewer, and Facilitator, and is widely recognized for leadership in digital pedagogy and institutional transformation.

She is an alumna of the AAAS IF/THEN Ambassador program, and her statue — originally part of the largest exhibit of women’s statues in the United States — is permanently housed at North Carolina A&T State University’s College of Engineering. In 2025, she was inducted into the NC A&T Graduate College Hall of Fame in recognition of her national contributions to STEM, education, and academic leadership.

A dedicated advocate for student access and success, Dr. Grady has established six merit-based, STEM-focused endowed scholarships across every HBCU in the University of North Carolina System. She serves on several advisory boards, including the Winston-Salem State University Foundation and the National Girls Collaborative Project, and is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Her leadership philosophy centers on innovation, service, and strategic collaboration to build a just, technologically empowered future.

To learn more about Dr. Grady’s work and ongoing initiatives, visit her official website.