Government-backed innovation cluster grants $128 million for AI projects
Summarize this article with:
AI and Digital Innovation Minister Evan Solomon said AI is opening new opportunities for Canadians. Photo by Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press filesArticle contentA government-backed innovation cluster called Scale AI has made its largest-ever funding round of $128.5 million to support 44 new applied artificial intelligence (AI) projects across the country.Sign In or Create an AccountEmail AddressContinueor View more offersArticle contentThe funds will be directed toward 45 companies working on AI applications in industries from health care and energy to insurance and media.Article contentWe apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Play VideoArticle content“Today’s announcement underscores the need to double down on the commercialization and the rapid, yet responsible, adoption of enterprise AI,” Scale AI chief executive Julien Billot said. “The projects announced this week will help build more competitive companies.”Article contentArticle contentAI and Digital Innovation Minister Evan Solomon said AI is opening new opportunities for Canadians and helping them work more efficiently, tackle real-world challenges and improve living standards.Article contentTop StoriesGet the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.There was an error, please provide a valid email address.Sign UpBy signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.Thanks for signing up!A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againInterested in more newsletters? Browse here.Article content“Applied AI is where that impact is felt most clearly: on factory floors, in supply chains, in hospitals and across the companies building the next wave of innovation,” he said.Article contentHeadquartered in Toronto and Montreal, Scale AI helps both AI startups to grow and companies to adopt the resulting technologies. It has committed more than $226 million over the past six months to AI projects.Article contentThe projects include health-tech vendors helping hospitals and health-care providers build and adopt various machine-learning tools, as well as other companies using AI and machine learning to automate management for projects such as municipal infrastructure and inspecting oil and gas pipelines.Article contentFor example, Ottawa Hospital has implemented an AI tool from Gray Oncology Solutions Inc. (doing business as GrayOS) to automate and improve patient scheduling. NERv Technology Inc. (doing business as Fluid AI Medical) is collaborating with Hamilton Health Sciences to develop an AI-driven tool to help clinical researchers sift through data faster and more accurately.Article contentArticle contentThe latest funding round comes as Ottawa prepares to release an updated national AI strategy in 2026. In November, the federal government launched a 30-day national “sprint” to collect feedback from industry, academia, community groups and the public to revamp the strategy by opening a webform for public feedback and assigning a task force to gather recommendations from their networks.Article contentRead More What is quantum computing and can Canada remain a hotbed for the futuristic technology? Ottawa promises up to $92 million for four Canadian quantum companies under new Champions program Article content“We heard from about 100 stakeholders and … from 11,300 Canadians on (the public) survey,” Solomon said.Article contentHe said the government is prioritizing support for both companies that build foundational AI models alongside those that build AI applications.Article content“We have an incredible application ecosystem,” he said. “We’re absolutely supporting that. Scale AI is really important to boost and commercialize.”Article content• Email: ylau@postmedia.com Article contentTrending The Federal Reserve’s rate cut was a clear signal to investors Investor Posthaste: A metric that tells how Canadians are really doing is improving for the first time in three years News Garry Marr: How raiding your TFSA before the end of year could save you thousands Personal Finance CRA's 100-day plan results are not the presents Canadians want or need Taxes McKinsey plots thousands of layoffs in consulting slowdown Work Share this article in your social networkCommentsYou must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments.Create an AccountSign in Join the Conversation Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.
The Federal Reserve’s rate cut was a clear signal to investors Investor Posthaste: A metric that tells how Canadians are really doing is improving for the first time in three years News Garry Marr: How raiding your TFSA before the end of year could save you thousands Personal Finance CRA's 100-day plan results are not the presents Canadians want or need Taxes McKinsey plots thousands of layoffs in consulting slowdown Work