The biggest commercial opportunity in today's economy. Artificial Intelligence is positioned to become the primary catalyst of transformation, disruption, and competitive advantage in today's rapidly evolving economy.
According to recent studies, the first phase of AI will be used more to augment the labour force and productivity, and eventually, the majority of its economic gains will stem from creating enhanced products with deeper personalization, variety, attractiveness, and affordability over time.
The first country in the world to launch a national AI strategy. According to the Global AI Index, Canada is now ranked fifth globally for commercial AI-focused ventures.
Decades of machine learning research and top AI talent
5th globally for commercial AI-focused ventures
$443.8M investment for next 10 years
Canada's government support and strong R&D base, coupled with a patent-forward approach, have ensured continuous growth. Canada reportedly produced the most AI patents per capita among G7 nations and China between 2015 and 2018.
Home to the world's densest cluster of AI startups. Companies located in Ontario find themselves in the thick of a very mature AI ecosystem, with the province having the largest number of AI firms in Canada.
Modern AI is said to have started from Ontario. Geoffrey Hinton, often referred to as the 'godfather of deep learning', first discovered neural nets while working in Ontario.
Ontario's AI ecosystem is a magnet for local investment and FDI. CAD $2.86 billion in venture capital investments were made to the AI industry between 2021-22, a 206% increase from 20-21.
Over 45 companies have invested in AI research labs in Canada including Microsoft, Google, Uber, Thomson Reuters, Samsung, IBM, Amazon, Intel, NVIDIA, LG Electronics and General Motors.
Has a long history with AI. The Toronto-based Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR) first introduced the Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Society program in 1983.
Has over 130 AI companies and a dozen related research institutes. The Waterloo Artificial Intelligence Institute is one of Canada's top two AI research centres.
A leader in applied artificial intelligence with cutting-edge, industry-ready solutions in energy-grid optimization, public-opinion tracking, and supply-chain management.
Canada's flourishing AI ecosystem is anchored in 3 National AI Institutes: Amii in Edmonton, Mila in Montreal, and the Vector Institute in Toronto.
The Vector Institute for Artificial Intelligence, located in the Toronto Region in Ontario, is a global epicentre for R&D in AI backed by more than approx CA $151 million in public and corporate funding.
• University of Toronto - Consistently ranking among the world's top 5 for research output
• 110+ faculty members including seven Canada Research Chairs
• 18 Canada CIFAR AI Chairs and 540 graduate students
• 22,458 new AI positions created in 2021-22 (210% increase)
Canada's trade agreements cover markets valued at over US $50 trillion with 1.7 billion consumers. Canada has free trade agreements with the largest manufacturing markets in the world.
Your business can have access to 187 million consumers within a day's drive of the Greater Toronto Area, with world-class infrastructure and international connectivity.