Dr. Laura Sikstrom is a Scientist with the Krembil Centre for Neuroinformatics (KCNI) and the Office of Education at The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. She is also an Assistant Professor (status-only) in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Toronto. 

As a medical anthropologist, much of Dr. Sikstrom’s current research draws on ethnographic methods to examine how advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI) are supporting the transformation of data into clinically relevant predictions and decision-making tools. By drawing out the ways that human values and aspirations propel technological innovation and change, this approach provides the critical context for understanding how a machine learning model might be successfully integrated into clinical workflows. As part of this work, she co-leads the Predictive Care team with Dr. Marta Maslej, which also develops interdisciplinary methods to anticipate the impacts of AI applications on patients and providers, with a focus on promoting compassionate and equitable care.