Who we are
Built around the belief that
people come before platforms.
Athabasca AI was founded to give Canadian organizations a more considered path into artificial intelligence — one that respects their teams, their industry context, and the communities they serve.
Back to homeOur story
A different kind of AI consultancy
Athabasca AI was established in Calgary with a straightforward premise: that the most valuable AI integration isn't the fastest one, but the one your organization can actually sustain. We watched too many technology rollouts create confusion, resistance, and wasted investment — not because the tools were wrong, but because the people and processes weren't ready.
Our founders brought together backgrounds in organizational development, data privacy, and enterprise technology consulting. What connected them was a shared conviction that AI adoption, done well, is as much about culture and communication as it is about software.
We focus exclusively on Canadian organizations, which means we design every engagement with Canadian regulatory frameworks in mind — particularly PIPEDA — and with sensitivity to the diverse industries and regional contexts that shape how businesses here actually work.
6+
Years of advisory experience
80+
Organizations supported
3
Distinct engagement programs
100%
Canadian client focus
What drives us
Mission and values
We believe AI should expand what organizations can do for their people — not create new layers of confusion or risk.
Clarity before complexity
We explain AI concepts in plain language and help leadership teams understand what they're committing to before any deployment begins.
Accountability at every stage
Responsible AI use isn't a box to check. We build governance, transparency, and ethical considerations into every engagement we run.
Capability that stays
Our goal isn't repeat engagement — it's building enough internal understanding that your team can carry AI initiatives forward independently.
Who you'll work with
Our team
A small, experienced group with backgrounds that span organizational design, data law, and enterprise technology.
David Sharma
Principal Advisor & Co-Founder
Former enterprise technology strategist with 14 years advising regulated industries across Alberta and British Columbia on digital transformation.
Mireille Côté
Privacy & Governance Lead
Specialist in Canadian data privacy law with extensive experience designing PIPEDA-aligned frameworks for organizations undergoing technology change.
James Larkin
Change Management Director
Organizational psychologist and change practitioner who has supported workforce transitions at companies ranging from 20 to 1,200 employees.
How we operate
Our standards and protocols
PIPEDA Compliance
Every engagement is designed in alignment with Canada's Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act, including data minimization and consent standards.
Documented Deliverables
Every engagement produces clear, written documentation that your team can reference independently long after our work together concludes.
Stakeholder Inclusion
We involve the right people at the right stages — from executive decision-makers to front-line staff — so that adoption reflects real organizational experience.
Metrics-Tracked Outcomes
We measure efficiency, accuracy, and satisfaction throughout pilots and training programs — so you have tangible data, not just impressions.
Vendor-Neutral Guidance
We do not receive referral fees from AI tool vendors. Our recommendations are based on your organization's specific context, not commercial arrangements.
Post-Delivery Support
Our engagements include formal review sessions after delivery — ensuring the work holds up in practice and addressing any questions that emerge during implementation.
About our expertise
AI advisory rooted in the Canadian business landscape
Athabasca AI draws on practical experience with organizations across Alberta and beyond — energy companies exploring data efficiency, healthcare administrators navigating AI ethics, post-secondary institutions modernizing operations, and professional service firms managing client-facing workflows. This breadth of exposure shapes how we approach each new engagement.
Our methodology prioritizes organizational readiness over technical ambition. We assess your current processes, the comfort level of your workforce, and the regulatory environment of your industry before recommending any tools or timelines. This front-loaded investment in understanding pays dividends throughout the engagement and beyond.
We hold memberships with several Canadian technology and governance bodies, and our team stays current with developments in AI policy at both the federal and provincial level. This ongoing commitment ensures that the frameworks we help build don't just reflect today's regulatory environment, but are structured to adapt as that environment continues to develop.
Want to know more about how we work?
We're happy to walk you through any of our programs and discuss whether they'd be a good fit for your organization.
Get in touch