By Florian Hirzinger - www.fh-ap.com - Own work (Florian Hirzinger), CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6212692www.hirzinger.cc
EDMONTON — The federal government is expanding its Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative with an additional $500 million over five years, including support for businesses and organizations across Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
The expansion brings total federal funding for the initiative to $700 million.
Prairies Economic Development Canada says the funding will help businesses adopt and integrate artificial intelligence technology, while also supporting Canadian AI companies working to commercialize and scale their products and services.
The initiative is part of AI for All, Canada’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy.
PrairiesCan says adoption funding will place particular emphasis on health and life sciences, energy and natural resources, transportation, agriculture, and manufacturing and robotics.
“Through the Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative, our government is helping businesses across Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba adopt AI, commercialize Canadian-made solutions and compete in a rapidly changing global economy,” said Eleanor Olszewski, minister responsible for PrairiesCan.
The program will also support organizations including incubators, accelerators and other non-profits that provide specialized assistance to small- and medium-sized businesses adopting or commercializing AI technology.
The federal government says the initiative is intended to improve productivity, competitiveness and resilience while helping Canadian AI companies attract investment and find customers.
Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation Minister Evan Solomon said the expanded program is intended to accelerate responsible AI adoption and help Canadian companies bring their technologies to market.
The original five-year, $200-million Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative was launched in 2024.
PrairiesCan says the expanded program will also seek to improve access to AI opportunities for Indigenous Peoples, youth, underrepresented groups and communities across Canada.
Applications in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba are now open and will be accepted continuously until Dec. 31, 2029, or until available funding has been fully committed.
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