Siobahn Day Grady

Dr. Siobahn Day Grady is an Assistant Professor of Information Science/Systems at North Carolina Central University (NCCU) and serves as the Founding Director of the Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Research (IAIER), which she established in 2025. She also holds leadership roles as Co-Director of The Center fOr Data Equity (CODE), Program Director of the Information Science Program, and Faculty Fellow in the Office of Faculty and Professional Development. Dr. Grady reports to the Provost with oversight of a $1M+ annual budget and $3M+ grant portfolio, managing a staff of 5 plus advisory boards.

• Ph.D. in Computer Science, North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University (2018)
• M.S. in Computer Science, North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University (2018)
• M.S. in Information Science, North Carolina Central University (2009)
• B.S. in Computer Science, Winston-Salem State University (2005)

Dr. Grady's research focuses on the ethical implementation of artificial intelligence, with particular emphasis on fairness, bias mitigation, and equity in AI systems. Her work bridges technical AI development with social justice considerations, especially in healthcare applications and educational contexts. She has pioneered initiatives to increase AI literacy at HBCUs and developed frameworks for operationalizing fairness in AI governance. Her research interests include natural language processing, machine learning applications for social good, digital literacy programs for marginalized communities, and strategies to increase diversity in STEM fields through her STEM-It-Yourself program.

Analysis of Dr. Grady's recent publications reveals a strong trajectory toward practical applications of AI ethics in real-world settings, particularly in healthcare and education. Her work demonstrates a consistent focus on creating frameworks that translate theoretical AI ethics principles into actionable guidelines for practitioners. There's a clear progression from technical AI research toward more interdisciplinary work that bridges computer science with social sciences, nursing, and education. Her publications increasingly address the needs of underrepresented communities and focus on practical implementation strategies rather than purely theoretical contributions.

• Winston-Salem State University 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award
• Durham Section of the National Council of Negro Women 2024 Distinguished Educator
• Sigma Iota Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® 2022 Soaring to Greater Heights in Science Technology Engineering Arts Mathematics Honoree
• The Links, Inc., Raleigh (NC) Chapter 2022 Emerald Award Honoree
• Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) Culture, Learning, and Technology (CLT) Division 2023 Outstanding Publication Award

Dr. Grady has secured significant grant funding totaling over $3 million, including a $1 million Google.org investment, $100K+ from Cisco, $15K from FICO, and funding from NTIA and NIH. She serves as Principal Investigator for the Digital Equity Leadership Program (DELP) and the Genomic Research and Data Science Center for Computation and Cloud Computing (GRADS-4C). Her mentoring extends to numerous students through programs like STEM-It-Yourself, which focuses on cultivating STEM identity among adolescent girls. Dr. Grady has established three endowed scholarships supporting economically disadvantaged students at multiple HBCUs, demonstrating her commitment to educational access.

As Founding Director of the Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Research (IAIER), Dr. Grady leads North Carolina Central University's strategic vision for AI education, research, and policy. The institute includes the AI Emerging Scholars and Leaders Programs, which engage students, faculty, and staff in cross-disciplinary AI innovation. She has developed NCCU's first AI minor (pending approval) and serves as co-facilitator for the UNC AI Faculty Learning Community. Dr. Grady also holds leadership positions on the Governor's AI Council and multiple advisory boards, positioning NCCU as a national leader in responsible AI development and implementation.