Ottawa, Ontario
Canada is a world leader in artificial intelligence (AI). Our vast AI ecosystem includes researchers, academics, entrepreneurs and more than 1,500 innovative companies, many of which are small or medium-sized enterprises (SME), serving a wide variety of economic sectors that include health, financial services and agriculture.
Today, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, on behalf of the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, announced the launch of two programs to grow Canada’s AI ecosystem by supporting the development of new generative AI applications and enabling AI adoption among SMEs to increase productivity. These programs are part of a $2.4 billion package of AI-focused initiatives announced in Budget 2024 to accelerate job growth, boost productivity and ensure AI is used responsibly.
First, the Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII) will invest $200 million to help bring new AI technologies to market and help accelerate AI adoption by SMEs and sectors across the country.
Second, the AI Assist Program is investing $100 million to help innovative Canadian SMEs that are building or actively incorporating generative AI and deep learning solutions into their core products and services.
On behalf of Minister Champagne, Deputy Prime Minister Freeland also thanked all the businesses, researchers and AI innovators who responded to the public consultation on artificial intelligence computing infrastructure, which closed in September. The consultations engaged more than 1,000 Canadians and Canadian businesses both online and in person through surveys, roundtables and meetings. This feedback is informing the design and implementation of two initiatives: the new AI Compute Access Fund and the Canadian AI Sovereign Compute Strategy.
“Small and medium-sized businesses are the backbone of Canada’s AI ecosystem. The investments announced today are designed to serve as a catalyst for quicker AI adoption by this vital section of the economy, be a source of significant Canadian innovation, and enhance productivity and exports. The government will build on this with Canada’s first sovereign compute strategy that will reflect the voices of Canadians from coast to coast to coast.” – François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
“AI is not science fiction; it helps businesses get more done—like software that scans a piece of lumber to help a mill increase its yield. It will empower businesses across our region and help grow our economy.” – Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency