This past August 2025, I had the incredible opportunity to embark on an IEEE ComSoc Distinguished Lecturer Tour across Canada — from the Atlantic shores of Halifax all the way to the foothills of Calgary, with a vibrant stop in the AI capital of Montreal in between.

What made this trip so memorable wasn’t just the lectures, but rather the story of the journey: Halifax, North America’s largest natural harbor, reminded me of our past, of those who pioneered modern means of communication; Calgary, with the main hub for oil and gas in Canada, was the present, where industrial might meets digital transformation; while Montreal, abuzz with AI research, was the future, where technology, creativity, and innovation meet.

As the world is surfing the third wave of AI, I couldn’t think of a better place or time to explore how AI is reshaping communication technologies in the service of humanity.

Campus Connections Across Canada

My DLT stops included three fantastic universities:

• Saint Mary’s University in Halifax

• University of Calgary in Calgary

• Concordia University in Montreal

Beyond the formal talks, I treasured the small group discussions with faculty and students. These conversations yielded deep insights into the state of communications technology in the AI and machine learning era — and even provoked ideas for potential transatlantic collaborations.

A big thank-you to the IEEE Canadian Atlantic, Montreal, and Southern Alberta Chapters for promoting the tour through VTools! I was delighted to meet attendees who traveled from other universities just to join these sessions.

Special appreciation goes to:

• Prof. Yujie Tang, IEEE Canadian Atlantic Chapter Chair

• Dr. Anader Benyamin-Seeyar, IEEE Montreal Communications & IT Chapter Chair

• Prof. Zahra Abbasi, IEEE Joint APS/MTTS/ComSoc Southern Alberta Chapter Chair

Your coordination and outreach indeed made this DLT a success!

What I Spoke About: Neuro-Symbolic AI — The Third Wave

My tour focused on one emerging theme: neuro-symbolic AI for communications and networking.

In three talks, each titled “Neuro-symbolic AI: The Third Wave of AI,” I discussed how the integration of neural networks with symbolic reasoning opens new doors for secure, open, and resilient NextG intelligent network systems.

Here’s how the schedule looked:

• Aug 15, 2025: Saint Mary’s University (Hosts: Prof. Qiang Ye & Prof. Xichen Zhang)

• Aug 18, 2025: University of Calgary (Host: Prof. Henry Leung)

• Aug 21, 2025: Concordia University (Host: Prof. Jun Cai)

During the talks, I traced my own journey from the Internet of Things to Explainable AI, from Transfer and Incremental Learning to Neuro-symbolic AI. We explored the what, why, and how of this exciting field; discussed how it strengthens AI’s grounding, instructibility, and alignment; and reflected on its past, present, and future.

Each session concluded with an overview of the IEEE ComSoc Distinguished Lecturer Program and opportunities for U.S.-Canada research collaboration.

Moments Beyond the Lectures

No great tour is complete without a little adventure.

I spent a long weekend exploring the Banff National Park, which was absolutely breathtaking. On August 16, I took the Banff Gondola up Sulphur Mountain to soak in the sweeping views of the Rockies. On Sunday, I went canoeing under the clear mountain sky — a peaceful counterpoint to the busy tour schedule.

Of course, no journey is without its surprises. In flying from Calgary to Montreal, I caught the Air Canada flight attendant strike of 2025, so flight rebooking and delayed luggage (the ultimate adventure!) were added to the mix.

But things, indeed, took a turn for the better in Montreal. I crowned the evening, on August 20, with the AURA Experience at the Notre-Dame Basilica, an amazing sound-and-light show by Moment Factory that balanced technology and art so well.

Final Thoughts: Why the DLP Matters

More than just a speaking tour, the IEEE ComSoc DLP is an opportunity to bridge the gap between people, ideas, and continents. My appointment as a ComSoc Distinguished Lecturer is one of the most rewarding milestones in my career. Such an opportunity offers a medium for professional growth, global networking, and sharing knowledge at the cutting edge of communications technology. For IEEE Chapters and conferences, DLTs are a direct gateway to the most timely and transformative topics of our field — from AI-driven networks to technologies shaping the future of human connectivity.