Our Principles
Duologue has fundamental belief systems that guide our technology development
Radical Accessibility
Support should meet people where they are—without requiring specialized technology, consistent internet access, or complex navigation.
Personalization with Purpose
Each person's journey is unique; technology should adapt to individual needs while maintaining consistent quality of information.
Ethics by Design
Responsible AI development means building systems with clear boundaries, privacy protection, and trauma-informed approaches from the ground up.
Evidence-Based Innovation
Our solutions are built on rigorous research and continuously refined through real user experiences and outcomes.
Dignity through Technology
Technology should amplify human potential, not replace human connection—serving as a bridge to resources while preserving individual agency and dignity.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
The Team
Who We Are
Shay Sharma
Founder
3 time founder, social innovator, digital transformation and technology enthusiast.
An engineer by training, Shay specializes in simplifying complex problems to deliver practical, field-ready solutions, with a particular focus on AI applications.
Arad Ashrafi
Lead Hapi Engineer
Machine Machine Learning Researcher and Developer with a Master's in Computing Science from the University of Alberta. His expertise spans Responsible and Explainable AI, focusing on Natural Language Processing and on-device solutions
Arad's commitment to ethical AI, demonstrated through research on mitigating gender bias and work on explainable AI, aligns with Duologue Systems' goal of creating transparent, trustworthy AI assistants for vulnerable populations.
Yasaman Yazdandoust
Technical and Product Documentation
Yasaman Yazdandoust is a technical content strategist and AI systems specialist who leads comprehensive analysis and documentation of conversational AI technologies.
With expertise in AI for public health and her understanding of NLP/NLU/NLG systems, she conducts thorough quality assurance testing on AI platforms, evaluates model performance, and translates complex technical concepts into accessible content for diverse audiences.
Duologue's Advisors
Experts Guiding our Development
Jessica DeVries
Evaluation of AI within Justice
Research and evaluation specialist with over 12 years of experience supporting public sector organizations across Canada. Since the inception of Duologue, Jessica has served as an advisor to Duologue Systems, contributing to the development of the tools that supports individuals navigating reentry after incarceration.
Her work is also shaped by nearly a decade of volunteer service with Correctional Service Canada and The Mustard Seed, supporting individuals as they transition back into the community.
Andrea Monteiro
Ethical Corrections Expert
Andrea Monteiro is the founder of Ethical Correctional Consulting Inc., a social enterprise providing solution-focussed advice on safe and humane, criminal, health, and social justice policy and operations. Prior to establishing ECC, she held public service positions across Canada including Director of Corrections, Superintendent, Manager of the Independent Review of Ontario Corrections, Deputy Superintendent, and Senior Policy Advisor.
Ms. Monteiro has worked nationally and internationally with agencies supporting justice-involved individuals for over 23 years.
Iridian Grenada
Lived Experience and Reintegration Expert
Iridian brings transformative lived experience to AI development. After spending 30 years incarcerated, Iridian dedicated their life to service as a certified trauma-informed life coach, educator, and transformation consultant.
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Within 19 months of release, Iridian addressed over 1,000 corrections officials from 70 nations in Singapore. Currently serving global communities including the ICPA, John Howard Society of Canada, and McMaster University's Department of Family Medicine, Iridian guides AI development with wisdom born from humanity's deepest struggles and highest aspirations.
