Foteini Agrafioti
About Foteini Agrafioti
Foteini Agrafioti serves as the Head of Borealis AI and the Chief Science Officer at RBC, with a strong background in biometric security systems and artificial intelligence. She has contributed to the field through research, mentoring, and leadership roles, including her position as Co-Chair of the AI Council for the Government of Canada.
Work at Borealis AI
Foteini Agrafioti has served as the Head of Borealis AI since 2016. In this role, she leads initiatives focused on advancing artificial intelligence research and applications. Borealis AI is a research institute that aims to drive innovation in AI and machine learning, contributing to the broader goals of the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC). Under her leadership, the organization has engaged in various projects that enhance AI capabilities and promote responsible AI practices.
Education and Expertise
Foteini Agrafioti holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Electronics and Computer Engineering from the Technical University of Crete, obtained from 2001 to 2006. She further pursued her education at the University of Toronto, where she earned a Master of Applied Science and a Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering between 2006 and 2011. Her academic background provides a strong foundation for her expertise in AI and biometric security systems.
Background
Before her current role at Borealis AI, Foteini Agrafioti was the Founder and CTO of Nymi from 2011 to 2014, where she focused on biometric authentication technologies. She also served as the Chief Information Officer at Architech from 2014 to 2016. Additionally, she has been the Chief Science Officer at RBC since 2016, where she has contributed to the development of AI solutions, including NOMI Forecast for cash flow predictions.
Achievements
Foteini Agrafioti co-authored a paper on biometric security systems published in a leading scientific journal. She holds a patent for a novel biometric authentication technology, showcasing her contributions to the field. Agrafioti delivered a keynote speech at the International Conference on Machine Learning (ICML) in 2022, highlighting her expertise in AI. She is also involved in mentoring young professionals in AI through a program at the University of Toronto and serves on the advisory board of a non-profit organization focused on advancing women in technology.
Involvement in AI Initiatives
Foteini Agrafioti has been active in promoting responsible AI through her involvement with the RESPECT AI platform. Additionally, she has served as Co-Chair of the AI Council for the Government of Canada since 2019, contributing to national discussions on AI policy and ethics. Her work in these roles reflects her commitment to advancing the field of artificial intelligence while ensuring its responsible application.