Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative to Support AI Innovation and Adoption in British Columbia
October 28, 2024
The British Columbia government has announced a new Regional Artificial Intelligence (AI) Initiative to support AI innovation and adoption in the province. The initiative will provide funding, resources, and support to businesses, researchers, and organizations working in the field of AI.
The initiative is a collaboration between the provincial government, the University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, and the BC tech sector. It will be led by a newly created AI Advisory Council, which will provide strategic direction and oversight.
The AI Advisory Council will be chaired by Dr. Yoshua Bengio, a world-renowned AI researcher and the Director of the Mila Institute, a leading AI research center in Montreal. The council will also include representatives from industry, academia, and government.
The Regional AI Initiative will focus on three key areas:
- AI research and development: The initiative will support research and development of new AI technologies and applications, with a focus on areas such as healthcare, natural resources, and transportation.
- AI adoption: The initiative will help businesses and organizations adopt AI technologies to improve productivity, innovation, and customer service.
- AI talent development: The initiative will invest in training and education programs to develop a skilled AI workforce in British Columbia.
The provincial government has committed $100 million over five years to the Regional AI Initiative. The funding will be used to support research projects, provide grants and loans to businesses, and develop new AI education and training programs.
The University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University will also be contributing resources to the initiative, including research infrastructure, faculty expertise, and student talent.
The BC tech sector has welcomed the announcement of the Regional AI Initiative. The initiative is expected to create jobs, boost economic growth, and make British Columbia a leader in the field of AI.
“The Regional AI Initiative is a game-changer for British Columbia,” said Bruce Ralston, Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation. “It will help us harness the power of AI to create jobs, grow our economy, and improve the lives of British Columbians.”
“The University of British Columbia is committed to being a leader in the field of AI,” said Santa Ono, President and Vice-Chancellor of UBC. “The Regional AI Initiative will provide us with the resources we need to conduct cutting-edge research, develop new AI technologies, and train the next generation of AI experts.”
“Simon Fraser University is proud to be a partner in the Regional AI Initiative,” said Joy Johnson, President and Vice-Chancellor of SFU. “We believe that AI has the potential to transform our world for the better, and we are committed to working with our partners to make sure that British Columbia is at the forefront of this revolution.”
The Regional AI Initiative is part of the government’s broader strategy to support innovation and economic growth in British Columbia. The strategy also includes investments in clean energy, life sciences, and digital technology.
The government believes that AI has the potential to be a major economic driver for British Columbia. The province is home to a number of leading AI companies, including Hootsuite, Finastra, and D-Wave Systems. The government is confident that the Regional AI Initiative will help to create a vibrant AI ecosystem in the province and make British Columbia a global leader in the field of AI.
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