AI Announcement: Canada's Investment & Its Impact

TechImpact  launched our "Tech Today" webinar series, a fresh initiative designed to bring the latest in tech innovation to the IT community of New Brunswick and Atlantic Canada. Kicking off in March 2023, this series aims to bridge the gap between our local companies and the forefront of technological advancements, with an emphasis on artificial intelligence (AI). For more information on the series, click here.

Coinciding with our efforts to empower and inform, the Canadian government has announced a significant investment in AI, positioning the country as a leader in this critical field. Here's a breakdown of the recent announcement:

• Investing $2 billion to build and provide access to computing capabilities and technological infrastructure for Canada’s world-leading AI researchers, start-ups, and scale-ups. As part of this investment, they will soon be consulting with AI stakeholders to inform the launch of a new AI Compute Access Fund to provide near-term support to researchers and industry. They will also develop a new Canadian AI Sovereign Compute Strategy to catalyze the development of Canadian-owned and located AI infrastructure. Ensuring access to cutting-edge computing infrastructure will attract more global AI investment to Canada, develop and recruit the best talent, and help Canadian businesses compete and succeed on the world stage.
  
  
• Boosting AI start-ups to bring new technologies to market, and accelerating AI adoption in critical sectors, such as agriculture, clean technology, health care, and manufacturing, with $200 million in support through Canada’s Regional Development Agencies.
  
  
• Investing $100 million in the NRC IRAP AI Assist Program to help small and medium-sized businesses scale up and increase productivity by building and deploying new AI solutions. This will help companies incorporate AI into their businesses and take on research, product development, testing, and validation work for new AI-based solutions.
  
  
• Supporting workers who may be impacted by AI, such as creative industries, with $50 million for the Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program, which will provide new skills training for workers in potentially disrupted sectors and communities.
  
  
• Creating a new Canadian AI Safety Institute, with $50 million to further the safe development and deployment of AI. The Institute, which will leverage input from stakeholders and work in coordination with international partners, will help Canada better understand and protect against the risks of advanced or nefarious AI systems, including to specific communities.
  
  
• Strengthening enforcement of the Artificial Intelligence and Data Act, with $5.1 million for the Office of the AI and Data Commissioner. The proposed Act aims to guide AI innovation in a positive direction to help ensure Canadians are protected from potential risks by ensuring the responsible adoption of AI by Canadian businesses.

For our community in Atlantic Canada, these developments offer a window into the future of technology, where AI plays a pivotal role in shaping economic and social landscapes. The "Tech Today" webinar series is just one of the ways we're contributing to this dialogue, providing a platform for learning, discussion, and growth.

As we navigate these exciting times, TechImpact remains committed to ensuring our community is well-informed and prepared to embrace the opportunities that lie ahead. 

To read the full announcement, click here