- Founder of AI Ethics Lab conducting multidisciplinary research on AI ethics
- Northeastern University's Director of Responsible AI Practice
- Serves as an ethics expert for EU and NIH funded research projects
Dr. Cansu Canca is a philosopher who founded AI Ethics Lab in 2017 which focuses on advising practitioners and conducting multidisciplinary research on AI ethics. She also serves as Director of Responsible AI Practice and Research Associate Professor at Northeastern University.
Cansu holds a Ph.D. in philosophy with a focus on applied ethics. She advises Fortune 500 companies and serves on the World Health Organization's Technical Advisory Group on AI for Health in Europe. She co-developed the Toolkit for Responsible AI Innovation in Law Enforcement for UNICRI and INTERPOL and works with the World Economic Forum's AI Governance Alliance. She is also the founding editor of the journal AI & Ethics.
A two-time TEDx speaker, Cansu has given over 150 talks on AI ethics, including keynotes at Harvard Business School, the U.S. Department of Justice, and her TEDxCambridge talk How to Solve AI’s Ethical Puzzles. She was listed among the “30 Influential Women Advancing AI in Boston” and the original “100 Brilliant Women in AI Ethics”, nominated for the VentureBeat’s “Women in AI”, Responsible AI Institute’s “Leadership in Responsible AI”, and AIMed’s “AI Champions in Healthcare” awards, and recognized with Mozilla’s Rise25 “Change Agent” award.
Through her work with computer scientists, philosophers, and legal scholars, Cansu helps organizations move beyond abstract ethical principles to practical implementation. Her research-based approach addresses real-world challenges in AI development, from healthcare applications to law enforcement systems. She translates complex ethical frameworks into actionable strategies that organizations can apply immediately to their AI projects and governance structures.
Audiences learn specific methods for identifying ethical risks in AI systems before they cause harm. Cansu provides frameworks for building accountability into AI development processes and demonstrates how ethical AI practices strengthen both innovation and business outcomes. Her presentations include concrete case studies from multiple industries.
Cansu brings proven expertise from advising global institutions and companies on turning AI ethics from theory into practice.
Cansu's showreel and videos
Topics, sessions and talks
Navigating The Ethics Of AI In Healthcare
In this session, Dr. Cansu Canca explores the growing role of AI in healthcare, emphasizing its impact on clinical decision-making, risk assessment, and personal wellness. She highlights the ethical implications of these technologies, drawing on her expertise at the intersection of ethics, health, and technology. Attendees will gain a nuanced understanding of the diverse ethical risks associated with AI in healthcare and learn strategic approaches to effectively address and mitigate these challenges, ensuring responsible and ethical AI deployment in the health sector.
AI Governance In The Boardroom
Dr. Cansu Canca will highlight the increasing significance of AI governance at the board level, emphasizing the essential roles executives must take on to ensure ethical AI development. She will outline key questions boards should consider to align AI strategies with organizational values, manage risks, and foster long-term trust. Attendees will learn strategic tools to navigate governance challenges, enabling responsible AI integration that drives sustained innovation and competitive advantage.
A Strategic Approach To Responsible AI
Dr. Cansu Canca will discuss the ethical risks associated with AI technologies and the importance of a tailored responsible AI strategy for organizations. She will outline the three foundational pillars of an effective responsible AI framework: process, playbook, and people. Attendees will gain insights into embedding ethical decision-making throughout the innovation lifecycle and learn how to translate high-level ethical objectives into actionable steps in design and development, ensuring ethical considerations are integral to their organizational practices.
Investing In AI Responsibly
In this talk, Dr. Cansu Canca emphasizes the importance of investing in AI technologies while prioritizing responsible AI practices. She highlights the emerging risks associated with AI governance and ethical strategies that investors must evaluate. Drawing from her experience at the World Economic Forum, Cansu provides a framework for identifying and mitigating these risks, enabling decision-makers to create portfolios that balance financial returns with societal benefits. Attendees will learn how to foster innovation while ensuring trust and sustainability in their investments.
Ethical Dimensions Of AI In Law Enforcement
Dr. Cansu Canca discusses the growing use of AI technologies in law enforcement, from facial recognition for suspect identification to pattern analysis for financial crime detection. While these innovations promise improved efficiency in crime prevention, they also raise serious ethical concerns, including algorithmic bias and the risks of extensive surveillance. Drawing on her experience with the UN and INTERPOL, Cansu will highlight the ethical considerations in AI policing and provide insights on developing public safety technologies responsibly, ensuring social justice. Attendees will learn how to balance innovation with ethical responsibility in law enforcement.
Why we recommend booking Cansu
Cansu's work advising Fortune 500 companies and global institutions like the WHO gives her deep credibility on translating AI ethics into operational frameworks rather than abstract principles. Her research-based approach addresses the governance gaps many organizations face when scaling responsible AI across product teams and business units.
