Dr. Lauren Dwyer is an Assistant Professor with Mount Royal University's Information Design undergraduate program researching the role of emerging technologies in communication studies. Dr. Dwyer holds a PhD from Toronto Metropolitan University and York University’s joint Communication and Culture program, where she explored how social robots can be designed to enhance human communication and emotional experiences. Formerly SAIT’s Academic Chair for Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics, she oversaw the development of programs that focus on utilizing data and AI to drive innovation in various fields. Her research interests currently lie at the intersection of emerging technology and human communication, particularly in relation to social robots and artificial intelligence. By approaching these complex topics through a communication studies lens, she has been able to shed new light on the potential impact of technology on human emotions and social connections.