Complete global dominance of the maple syrup market isn’t enough. Canada wants to be a leader in artificial intelligence (AI) too.
What happened: Scale AI, a Montréal-based group of researchers and startups focused on developing AI technology, will invest $117 million to fund 15 AI projects after securing fresh financing from the federal government and participating companies.
- Scale AI is one of five innovation clusters (alongside Digital Tech, Protein Industries, Manufacturing, and Ocean) aimed at making Canada a leader in emerging sectors.
Scale AI backs projects that include a venture with McCain to reduce potato waste on production lines and a management system for Bombardier to optimize aircraft maintenance.
Why it matters: Canada is home to some of the world’s top AI talent and invests heavily in it, but critics believe the Pan-Canadian AI Strategy has focused too much on research instead of commercialization and has been far too eager to welcome foreign players.
- According to one intellectual property lawyer, AI experts funded through Canada’s AI strategy have been granted 232 patents, 75% of which are owned by foreign entities.
With this new major investment focused on domestic commercial developments, Canada hopes to stamp out these criticisms and utilize AI to enhance productivity in sectors like construction, retail trade, logistics, inventory management, and more.