Prof. Kong is a Canada Research Chair in Community-Oriented Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Disease and a member of the college of the Royal Society of Canada (RSC). He is also a professor in the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, cross-appointed to the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, the Mathematics Department, and the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation at the University of Toronto, where he serves as the Director of the Artificial Intelligence and Mathematical Modeling Lab (AIMMLab) (aimmlab.org).

Additionally, he is the Director of the Africa-Canada Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Innovation Consortium (ACADIC) (acadic.org) and the Global South Artificial Intelligence for Pandemic and Epidemic Preparedness and Response Network (AI4PEP) (ai4pep.org). He also serves as the Regional Node Liaison to the steering committee of the Canadian Black Scientist Network (blackscientists.ca).

Prof. Kong obtained his Ph.D. in Mathematics with a certificate in Artificial Intelligence from the University of Alberta, his MSc in Mathematical Engineering (Ingegneria Matematica) from the University of L’Aquila, Italy, and an MSc in Technomathematik/Industrial Mathematics from the University of Hamburg, Germany. He holds a B.Sc. in Mathematics (major) and Computer Science (minor) from the University of Buea, Cameroon, and a B.Ed. in Mathematics Education from the University of Yaounde I, Cameroon. He completed two years of postdoctoral research at Princeton University.

Prof. Kong is an expert in AI, data science, mathematical modelling, and mathematics education. His principal research program focuses on developing and deploying innovative AI, mathematical, and data science methodologies and technologies to support decision-making in communities, public health, government, and industry. His work provides critical insights into both local and global socio-ecological challenges.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Prof. Kong led a team of over 52 researchers across nine African countries using AI to help contain and manage the virus. In 2022, he founded the AI4PEP network, now comprising over 210 researchers from 21 countries, which focuses on leveraging Southern-led, responsible AI solutions to enhance public health systems for more effective prevention, preparedness, and response to disease outbreaks.

Prof. Kong’s many research contributions and exceptional leadership have earned him numerous prestigious awards and recognitions. These include the York University (YU) Research Leader Award in 2020; recognition as one of Canada’s Innovation Research Leaders in 2021; recognition as a Black Hero of Operational Research by the Operational Research Society in 2021; the YU Community Change Maker Award in 2022; a feature in YU Magazine for inspiring Black students in 2022; a nomination for the 2022 Postdoc Supervisor of the Year Award; the 2022 YU Faculty of Science Early Career Researcher Award; the YU 2023 Research Leader Award; and the 2023 YU President’s Emerging Research Leadership Award.

In 2024, he was recognized by ScholarGPS as being among the top 0.5% of scholars worldwide—an honour based on his outstanding publication record, the impact of his research, and the exceptional quality of his scholarly contributions. In 2025, he was recognized for Excellence in Research by the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto.

He currently serves as an editor for several high-impact journals, including Data & Policy, Royal Society Science, Scientific Reports, and Big Data and Information Analytics.