Who is Francis?
Building the Backbone of AI, Cybersecurity & Clean Energy
Francis Syms is a national voice at the intersection of technology, energy, and infrastructure. With deep expertise in AI, cybersecurity, nuclear energy, and critical digital systems, Francis is shaping the future of how Canada builds, secures, and powers its digital backbone.
As the Associate Dean of Information and Communication Technology at Humber Polytechnic, Francis leads strategy and innovation across AI, data centers, and cyber operations. He is driving next-generation workforce development in fields essential to Canada’s digital and energy sovereignty, while working directly with industry and government on initiatives that span from sustainable data center design to nuclear-powered resilience.
Francis is a sought-after commentator on national radio and television, known for making complex tech and energy issues accessible and urgent. He is also the founder of The Joule Group, a firm that brings together infrastructure, security, and sustainability to support large-scale digital transformation.
Whether building out AI-integrated cybersecurity programs, advocating for nuclear as a clean energy backbone for digital infrastructure, or advising on the resilience of Canada’s most critical systems, Francis brings deep technical fluency, strategic vision, and a passion for systems that serve the public good.
Francis is the author of a leading Canadian focused textbook on cybersecurity used in post-secondary institutions across Canada