Justin Kilb
Petroleum Engineering Technology '15, New Media Production and Design '10
Artificial Intelligence Technical Advisor and Consultant

Justin Kilb’s path has been anything but straightforward, and today he advises Fortune 500 companies and international governments on AI strategy, explores ethical applications of machine learning in fields ranging from energy to music, and is pursuing his PhD in Operations Research.  

A gifted athlete with an interest in creativity, Kilb studied New Media Production and Design at SAIT while serving as captain of the Trojans men’s volleyball team. Both experiences sparked an enthusiasm for accessible, effective communication — whether through visual storytelling or explaining an in-game strategy. 

“The most valuable and overlooked skill,” Kilb says, “is good communication.”  

Several years later, while attending Dalhousie University, Kilb’s volleyball career ended after he suffered a concussion. The realization he had no backup plan helped funnel Kilb’s competitive energies into his studies. 

“I decided to take my academic career more seriously, and to get into engineering,” he says. “I was willing to go back to SAIT and retake Grade 11 and 12 classes after four years of post-secondary.”  

Kilb completed several courses in Academic Upgrading before going on to graduate at the top of his class in Petroleum Engineering Technology. 

“It was a humbling experience,” he shares. “But I would not be where I am right now without having taken that step.” 

He believes any complex problem can be tackled with curiosity and a willingness to master the fundamentals. 

“Anything that can be taught can be learned,” he reflects. “If you’re struggling to learn something, it may be because you’re starting at too high a level and just need to back up, start with the basics, and stack them together.” 

That approach has led Kilb far beyond traditional boundaries of engineering, exploring fields as diverse as energy systems, humanitarian logistics and advanced research.  

Whether advising global organizations on AI, or briefing senior government officials, or contributing to projects involving NASA and United States National Laboratories, Kilb strives to help solve real-world problems by making complex ideas accessible. 

 His journey demonstrates the power of embracing curiosity and exploration. When Kilb reflects on his career, it all comes back to one simple idea: “The common theme across all of it is learning.”