We are at a turning point — and it’s time to choose ambition.
New Brunswick has the talent, the tech, and the tenacity to lead in the global digital economy. But to get there, we need a bold vision for the next decade — one where technology isn’t just embraced but embedded in everything we do. From AI to cybersecurity, from scaling local start-ups to exporting made-in-NB solutions, the opportunity is massive — and the momentum is already here.
At TechImpact, our focus as an industry group is driving technology adoption to enable new, innovative approaches and solutions to getting work done, creating value, and enabling productivity improvements. We are committed to expanding the IT sector and developing tech talent to connect people with meaningful jobs, while building exportable solutions for the global stage.
We live in a province that has been punching well above its weight in technology start-ups and scaling companies. The tech sector is an important industry as technology plays a role in the future evolution of the workplace for all industries. In 2024, revenue from the NB tech industry was $931 million. That is just shy of a billion-dollar industry that has been growing steadily for over 10 years! There are approximately 300 tech companies with ambition, drive, and a vision of being globally successful. Growing the number and size of our tech companies is critically important as is exporting our IP to new markets.
TechImpact has been surveying tech companies about barriers to growth, opportunities that lie ahead, and where change is needed. One concerning statistic is the current trade imbalance in IT: New Brunswick imports more tech products and services than it exports, highlighting a gap in the global reach of our locally developed tech solutions.
Is it because our tech companies aren’t well known so New Brunswick businesses aren’t buying from them? Is it because companies lag in the adoption of technology, so they are not buying as much IT? Are the market development activities complex, and the companies lack skills to go into new markets? These may all be reasons and that’s what we’re trying to better understand through our research.
What the tech companies have told us is that they are very interested in a BUY NB Tech campaign and focus to help drive sales and awareness of their capabilities. I can’t think of a better time to focus on buying New Brunswick made technology solutions. Doing so fuels our local economy, creates jobs, generates success stories, and helps organizations evolve and thrive. Ambition starts at home.
An economy that is rich in its use of technology is a must. We are at an inflection point with technology and in particular artificial intelligence (AI). All I see when I look ahead is potential and opportunity. That is what AI and technology enables regardless of where you live, what industry you’re in, or the size of your company. You may have noticed Prime Minister Mark Carney’s new cabinet announcement this week and that Evan Solomon has been appointed Canada’s first minister of artificial intelligence, a newly created role. A sign of the importance of AI for productivity improvements, economic enablement and growth for Canada’s economy.
Small and medium businesses can leverage AI to get expertise they couldn’t get before. The barriers to entry for this generation of AI technology are being eliminated as technology keeps getting more accessible and affordable.
Just last week, I was in St. John’s at an AI and Small Business conference. A small business owner and panelist said: “There are two things that everybody hates – the way things are and change!”
How true is that? Change gets uncomfortable, leaves us feeling vulnerable and unsure of our decisions. As you dig into the possibilities of AI and see the examples where it can be applied, you will quickly realize that the tech is the easy bit. The hard parts are the education, communications, change management, and team engagement.
We’ve all heard the warnings that AI will eliminate jobs, and that can create fear and stifle employee engagement. I suggest we reframe the conversation. AI is changing the way we work, learn, and live. There are New Brunswick companies operating now and IP developed with AI at its core. There are examples where AI can help enable better customer service, sales, marketing and operational results because AI solutions are easy to install and implement. But we must also remember not every problem is solved by AI. The value add in every company lies in the human capacity and talent and the team’s ability to thrive and make good business decisions.
AI is a tool for people to use to make their work lives easier and more productive. As a business owner, if you don’t understand what the possibilities with AI are, you are not maximizing your organizations potential. And that can only happen when you train your teams and engage them in creating the solutions. The workforce of the future, your new hires, will come ready with AI knowledge, practice, and experience. The AI tools will keep getting better and adoption will skyrocket.
We have an incredible New Brunswick tech sector that is embracing AI with no plans of slowing down innovation and growth. Let’s be the province known for embracing and implementing AI in every corner of our economy and province. Let’s support and buy NB Tech solutions and hire NB tech talent to drive our ambitious digital economy.
At that same conference someone said, “You can ride the tidal wave or get crushed by it.” With the highest tides in the world in New Brunswick, we know a thing or two about their rise and fall.
We have an important decision to make, and I hope there are lots out there like me with a great surfboard and are ready to paddle out and ride this great big wave! We haven’t seen anything yet.
Check out www.collabhubatlantic.com and learn more about New Brunswick’s tech sector including TechImpact’s Digital Boost 3.0 program for cyber, data, and AI. There, you can also explore a directory of New Brunswick tech companies.
Cathy Simpson is the CEO of TechImpact and has spent her career focused on growing the tech sector in Atlantic Canada.