Ashley Casovan
Adjunct Professor
A recognized technology policy leader, Ashley has been dedicated to ensuring data and technology are used in a manner that protects individuals, our society and the planet. Through roles in the public sector at the municipal and federal levels, she developed expertise in responsible AI, standards, policy, open government and data governance — key elements she believes are necessary to provide safe, responsible technology that is equitable and safe for all. As the Director of Data and Digital for the Government of Canada, Ashley previously led the development of the world’s first national government policy for responsible AI.
Ashley now serves as the Executive Director of the Responsible AI Institute (RAII), a multi-stakeholder non-profit dedicated to mitigating harm from the use of AI systems through the development of the first accredited responsible AI certification program. As an expert and trusted advisor, Ashley also acts as a member of OECD’s AI Policy Observatory Network of Experts, as the chair the World Economic Forum Global AI Action Alliance’s Responsible AI Certification Program, as an Executive Board Member of the International Centre of Expertise in Montréal on Artificial Intelligence (CEIMIA), and as a member of the IFIP/IP3 Global Industry Council (GIC) within the UN. She also lends her time as an expert advisory committee member for the Global Index on Responsible AI.
Ashley also acts as a technical subject matter expert for multiple government organizations and standards organizations, including the US Department of Defense and Government Accountability Office, Canada’s AI Strategy Council Public Awareness Working Group, ISO, OCEANIS and IEEE. She has lent her voice to a myriad of working councils, lecture series and conferences with the goal of educating the public on the adoption of responsible AI in practice.
Ashley is an adjunct professor at Carleton University’s School of Public Policy and Administration, a role through which she strives to advance research on new and critical topics such as the governance of AI systems. In the summer 2022 Ashley was recognized by the Future of Good’s Top 25 Young Impact Leader for her active work to influence change within AI and tech governance, and she won’s CogX’s Global Leadership Award.
Ashley is known for her capacity to bring experts together to solve important challenges and to implement meaningful change in both government and industry.