Feds support creation of AI computing cluster at Université Laval

eAwazLocal News

Investment, along with support from the Government of Quebec, will secure advanced computing infrastructure

Ottawa – Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the greatest technological transformations of our age. Canada has been an early leader in AI, and the Government of Canada is committed to equipping Canadian researchers and industry stakeholders with the tools and services they need. Access to computing power is an increasingly critical component for AI researchers and scientists, and it will help ensure that AI has a positive and transformational impact on the world’s economies and societies.

François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, joined by Pierre Fitzgibbon, Quebec Minister of Economy, Innovation and Energy, Minister Responsible for Regional Economic Development and Minister Responsible for the Metropolis and the Montréal Region, announced a Government of Canada investment of $9.6 million in Université Laval to help support the creation of a computing cluster for AI research. Funded through the Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy (PCAIS), this investment will help support the purchase of state-of-the-art computing infrastructure that will allow Université Laval to host the Pan-Canadian AI Compute Environment (PAICE) platform. PAICE will be developed in collaboration with Mila – Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute, the Digital Research Alliance of Canada and Calcul Québec. The Government of Quebec is also providing $6.4 million to support this project.

Through PCAIS, the Government of Canada is investing in efforts to drive the adoption of AI across Canada’s economy and society. To support the objectives of the strategy, the Digital Research Alliance of Canada is providing dedicated computing capacity for artificial intelligence researchers across Canada. Together with its partners, Canada is harnessing the power of AI to spur innovation, drive economic growth and improve living standards—all while promoting the responsible development and use of AI.

“Our government recognizes that artificial intelligence represents significant technological progress. That’s why we have invested in Canada’s digital infrastructure through the Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy to support the building of advanced digital research infrastructure and maintain Canada’s position as a world leader in AI.” – François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry