FRANCIS SYMS IS CANADA'S GO-TO EXPERT FOR MAKING SENSE OF TECHNOLOGY AND ENERGY TRENDS
1000+ Media Appearances | 28 CBC Stations Nationwide | Television, Radio & Print
Francis Syms is one of Canada's most frequently featured technology and energy commentators, appearing regularly on CBC/Radio-Canada programs from Victoria to St. John's, CTV News, Global News, Bell Media, and in The Globe and Mail. His expertise spans artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, clean energy infrastructure, and digital policy, making him the trusted voice Canadian media turns to when technology meets society.
As Head of the School of Clean Energy and Associate Dean of ICT at Humber Polytechnic, Francis combines academic leadership with industry experience (BlackBerry, Rogers Communications) and proven media communication skills.
As Featured In
CBC Interviews
CP24
‘It’s time to meet the moment’: Humber Polytechnic announces new school of clean energy
Humber Polytechnic’s Francis Syms on the launch of the program and the importance of preparing a new generation of skilled workers to fit into green jobs.
Nov 10, 2025
The Ben Mulroney Show
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity
Discussion around cybersecurity and the new Applied Masters in Cybersecurity at Humber Polytechnic
Dec 04, 2025
Clean Energy
Cybersecurity
The Real Story Behind Ontario's Power Price Increase
Discussion around energy and new School of Clean Energy at Humber Polytechnic
Nov 13 2025
The Real Story Behind Ontario's Power Price Increase
Air travel is about to get a lot harder for Canadians going to US
The Real Story Behind Ontario's Power Price Increase
Are hydro rates going up?
Nov 07, 2025
Air travel is about to get a lot harder for Canadians going to US
Air travel is about to get a lot harder for Canadians going to US
Air travel is about to get a lot harder for Canadians going to US
Anthropic Copyright Settlement
Sep 08, 2025
Air travel is about to get a lot harder for Canadians going to US
Air travel is about to get a lot harder for Canadians going to US
Air travel is about to get a lot harder for Canadians going to US
On this segment from today's "The Ben Mulroney Show," Ben welcomes Francis Syms, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology at Humber Polytechnic to discuss the evolution of airport security, particularly focusing on the increase in device searches at borders and the implications for travellers' privacy.
Aug 27, 2025
Cheating with A.I.
Say goodbye to teachers, hello to A.I.?
Canadian universities grapple with evaluating students amid AI cheating fears with Guest: Francis Syms, Associate Dean in the Faculty of Applied Sciences & Technology at Humber Polytechnic
Jun 08, 2025
Say goodbye to teachers, hello to A.I.?
Say goodbye to teachers, hello to A.I.?
Discussion regarding recent tech CEO around teachers being replaced by artifical intelligence
Guest: Francis Syms and Dave Smiderle, Associate Deans in the Faculty of Applied Sciences & Technology at Humber Polytechni
May 23, 2025
Powerschool Breach
Student info stolen in PowerSchool data breach not deleted despite ransom being paid with Guest: Francis Syms, Associate Dean in the Faculty of Applied Sciences & Technology at Humber Polytechnic
May 08, 2025
Technology Discussion
School Boards Social Media Lawsuits
How technology will solve the problem of lost people Guest: Francis Syms, Associate Dean in the Faculty of Applied Sciences & Technology at Humber Polytechnic
Apr 24, 2025
School Boards Social Media Lawsuits
School Boards Social Media Lawsuits
School Boards Social Media Lawsuits
Group of Ontario school boards says lawsuits against social media giants can proceed with Guest: Francis Syms, Associate Dean in the Faculty of Applied Sciences & Technology at Humber Polytechnic
Mar 13, 2025
Drones
School Boards Social Media Lawsuits
School Boards Social Media Lawsuits
Drones will one day become one of the single largest Industries in Canada
Guest: Shaun Ghafari, Dean of Engineering at Humber Polytechnic
Guest: Francis Syms, Associate Dean in the Faculty of Applied Sciences & Technology at Humber Polytechnic
CTV
Ontario's Nuclear Plans
Ontario's Nuclear Plans
Ontario's Nuclear Plans
Ontario plans to build a new nuclear power plant in Port Hope. Here is why some experts think it could just be the beginning.
Jan 16, 2025
AI Runs Wild
Ontario's Nuclear Plans
Ontario's Nuclear Plans
From AI running wild to collapsing ecosystems, government report outlines future disruptions
May 21, 2024
Fake Honda Site
Ontario's Nuclear Plans
Fake Honda Site
Fake website selling Honda lawn mowers for 90% off
May 10, 2024
Geek Squad Scam
Geek Squad Scam
Fake Honda Site
An Ontario senior thought he called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
Apr 24, 2024
Romance Scams
Geek Squad Scam
Romance Scams
Canadians lose $50 million to romance scams in 2023: CAFC
February 14, 2024
Kijiji Scam
Geek Squad Scam
Romance Scams
Woman tries to sell phone on Kijiji, gets scammed out of $12K
May 24, 2023
Now Toronto Stories
Let Amazon Open Your Garage - October 09, 2024
Police Warning on Email Scams - September 24, 2024
Police Warning on Email Scams - September 24, 2024
Amazon can now deliver packages inside your garage, but Toronto tech expert questions how secure it is
October 09, 2024 (as written on Now Toronto)
Police Warning on Email Scams - September 24, 2024
Police Warning on Email Scams - September 24, 2024
Police Warning on Email Scams - September 24, 2024
‘It’s very easy to know your information,’ Toronto police warns public of Canada-wide email scam, cybersecurity expert shares tips on how to stay safe.
September 24, 2024 (as written on Now Toronto)
PC Optimum - July 25, 2024
Police Warning on Email Scams - September 24, 2024
Cyber Auto Thefts - February 13, 2024
Some Canadians are concerned about being unable to delete their PC Optimum accounts, but a cybersecurity expert says the onus is on the organization.
July 25, 2024 (as written on Now Toronto)
Cyber Auto Thefts - February 13, 2024
Cyber Auto Thefts - February 13, 2024
Cyber Auto Thefts - February 13, 2024
Toronto cybersecurity expert says it takes 1 minute for car thieves to get into your vehicle using this common tactic
February 24, 2024 (as written on Now Toronto)
Online Harms Bill - February 26, 2024
Cyber Auto Thefts - February 13, 2024
Online Harms Bill - February 26, 2024
Tech expert says Canadian government’s online harms bill is effective but digital literacy for kids is crucial
February 26, 2024 (as written on Now Toronto)
Toronto.com
Navigating the AI Age: protecting ourselves amid great promise and high risk
Navigating the AI Age: protecting ourselves amid great promise and high risk
Navigating the AI Age: protecting ourselves amid great promise and high risk
Whether or not you are willing to embrace AI, there is no stopping it, writes Francis Syms
October 17, 2023
Cyber attacks to be on the watch for in 2023
Navigating the AI Age: protecting ourselves amid great promise and high risk
Navigating the AI Age: protecting ourselves amid great promise and high risk
The best defence against cybersecurity attacks is to arm yourself with information, writes Francis Syms
January 26, 2023
Maclean's Magazine
How Canadian colleges rose to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic
CHCH News
Four Ontario school boards sue Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok
Four Ontario school boards sue Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok
Four Ontario school boards sue Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok
Story about four of Ontario’s largest school boards suing the parent companies of Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok alleging the social media platforms are disrupting student learning.
March 28, 2024
Other municipalities on high alert in wake of Hamilton cyberattack
Four Ontario school boards sue Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok
Four Ontario school boards sue Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok
Story on the City of Hamilton cyberattack
March 5, 2024
Holiday Shopping Scams
Four Ontario school boards sue Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok
Holiday Shopping Scams
Story on cyber scams during the holiday season
December 9, 2022
NewsTalk 1010
Ticketmaster Data Breach
Is AI Coming for Your Job?
Is AI Coming for Your Job?
Live Interview with Richard Crouse on Ticketmaster's data breach
June 05, 2024
Is AI Coming for Your Job?
Is AI Coming for Your Job?
Is AI Coming for Your Job?
Live Interview with Jim Richards on the Federal Government's Horizon Report
May 23, 2024
Global / 640|Toronto
Top Secret Data Cloud
Research AI Modifying it's Own Code
Top Secret Data Cloud
Toronto This Weekend with Ben Mulroney
Oct 05, 2024
Technology Discussion
Research AI Modifying it's Own Code
Top Secret Data Cloud
John Oakley
Full Episode (Segment Within)
Oct 04, 2024
Research AI Modifying it's Own Code
Research AI Modifying it's Own Code
Cloudstrike's Global Outage and Impact
John Oakley Show
Full Episode (Segment Within)
August 16, 2024
Cloudstrike's Global Outage and Impact
Cloudstrike's Global Outage and Impact
Cloudstrike's Global Outage and Impact
Toronto This Weekend with Ben Mulroney
July 20, 2024
Technology Discussion
Cloudstrike's Global Outage and Impact
Technology Discussion
John Oakley Show
Full Episode (Segment Within)
July 09, 2024
The Jerry Agar Show
Canada's AI Strategy
Ottawa’s new AI strategy includes more than $2.3‑billion for training, adoption, and startups. @JerryAgar1010 talks with Francis Syms of Humber Polytechnic about what this investment means for the future of AI in Canada.
June 04, 2026
Passkeys
Towards the end of the segment...
Is it time to ditch passwords altogether? Jerry speaks with Francis Syms, Associate Dean of Information and Communications Technology at Humber Polytechnic, about a phishing‑resistant alternative that experts say is the future of digital security.
May 04, 2025
AI and Tragedy
In the middle of the segment...
Francis Syms joins to discuss reports that OpenAI employees raised concerns about the Canada shooting suspect months before the attack.
February 24 2026
AI Chatbots
Jerry Agar delves into the dangers of AI chatbots with @FrancisSyms. Are there enough guardrails to protect children?
Nov 04, 2025
Drones over The Blue Jays
The associate dean of information and communications technology at Humber Polytechnic, @FrancisSyms speaks with @JerryAgar1010 about people being charged for flying drones over The Blue Jays games.
Oct 20, 2025
AI Topics in the News
Francis Syms, the Associate Dean of Information and Communications Technology at Humber Polytechnic joined the Jerry Agar show to talk about how difficult it is to determine if something was created by AI. Plus - Anthropic agrees to pay authors at least $1.5 billion in an AI copyright settlement.
Sep 08, 2025
85% of Canadians Want AI Regulation
A poll suggests that 85% of Canadians want governments to regulate AI, Francis Syms from Humber Polytechnic weighs in on AI regulation on the Jerry Agar Show.
Aug 28, 2025
AI Blackmail
Associate dean of information and communications technology at Humber Polytechnic, Francis Syms, explains how AI started lying, scheming, and blackmailing its creators.
Jun 26, 2025
Latest Tech Stories
Francis Syms joins the show to talk about the latest technology stories
Jun 11, 2025
Can A.I. Replace Teachers?
Francis Syms discusses the possibility of AI replacing teachers
May 22, 2025
PowerSchool Breach
We talk to Francis Syms, Associate Dean of Information and Communications Technology at Humber Polytechnic about the PowerSchool Breach
May 08, 2025