James Olivier, Ph.D

Dr. Olivier is a Hunt Institute Fellow, a researcher, engineer, and educator. As an adjunct professor at SMU’s Lyle Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Dr. Olivier brings over 30 years of experience in the areas of telecommunications and computer networking to his classes. As a Fellow at the Hunt Institute, Dr. Olivier leads research efforts into the application of transformational technologies to the Hunt Institute’s mission of developing sustainable and affordable technology solutions to local and global challenges.

Dr. Olivier is the program lead for the Hunt Institute’s Maps4good/ MapInDallas effort. This project seeks to connect individuals in need with free service providers in Dallas to increase the number of eligible individuals taking advantage of local services. The maps created by MapInDallas will empower individuals to use the services available to them by providing them with tools and resources to seek out the services they require.

Dr. Olivier is also the principal researcher for the Hunt Institute’s investigation into the use of AI to provide legal services to the underrepresented. This investigation is studying the applicability of AI systems known as expert systems, integrated with Web-based technologies, to automate simple legal tasks and improve access to legal resources for the underserved in Dallas.

When asked about his motivation for working at the Hunt Institute Dr. Olivier commented, “When I was first introduced to the Hunt Institute, I was impressed from the start, the people, their commitment and even its name, ‘The Hunt Institute for Engineering and Humanity’. The idea of an institute dedicated to engineering and humanity spoke to me. I was honored when they asked if I would join them. I try to bring my experience and understanding of various advanced technologies to help out in any way I can.”

As chairman of the IEEE Dallas Blockchain group, Dr. Olivier has given numerous presentations on transformational technologies, speaking at Dallas Startup Week, Villanova’s Engineering Entrepreneurship Summer Institute, and SMU’s InpactNights. He also volunteers to serve on the board for Dallas College’s Bill J. Priest Institute’s Innovation Lab.

Over the past 20 years Dr. Olivier in addition to acting as a consultant on the design of both advanced networking equipment and the design of advanced networks, Dr. Olivier has also been an intellectual property consultant in the area of networking and telecommunications technologies. Dr. Olivier’s education and background have allowed him to be recognized as an expert in such areas as Packet Switching, Cellular Networks, and Network Security before United States District Courts and the International Trade Commission.

Dr. Olivier currently lives in Dallas, Texas with his wife Margaret. A native of Cincinnati Ohio, Dr. Olivier received his Bachelors, Masters and Ph.D. from The Ohio State University during which he was named a Kodak Fellow, one of twelve fellowships given out nationally by the Kodak Corporation in the areas of physics and engineering.

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