Canada has announced a significant investment of 2.4 billion Canadian dollars ($1.76 billion) from its federal budget to bolster the country’s artificial intelligence (AI) sector and uphold its competitive standing in the global AI landscape.
This comprehensive initiative encompasses a range of measures aimed at fortifying Canada’s position as a leader in AI innovation. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau underscored the transformative potential of generative AI, emphasizing its capacity to drive economic growth, enhance productivity, and streamline repetitive tasks.
The cornerstone of this endeavor is the establishment of the AI Compute Access Fund, with an allocation of $1.47 billion to bolster computing capabilities and support AI-related infrastructure development. This fund will provide crucial backing to Canada’s foremost AI researchers and startups, fostering an environment conducive to innovation and technological advancement.
These measures include:
- 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, we 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. We 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.
Recognizing the importance of supporting workers amidst the AI revolution, Canada will allocate $36.8 million through the Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program to facilitate re-training and re-skilling initiatives. This proactive approach aims to mitigate the impact of AI-driven automation on various industries, ensuring that workers are equipped with the skills needed for the jobs of the future.
Furthermore, Canada will establish the Canadian AI Safety Institute with an investment of $36.8 million, underscoring its commitment to promoting the responsible development and deployment of AI technologies. This initiative underscores Canada’s leadership in fostering ethical AI practices and addressing potential societal implications.
Canada’s steadfast dedication to advancing AI innovation is evidenced by its pioneering efforts, including the introduction of the Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy in 2017. With a thriving AI market currently valued at $7.4 billion, Canada is poised to capitalize on emerging opportunities and solidify its position as a global AI powerhouse.