The Canadian government has announced a $2.4 billion package for the development of the artificial intelligence sector, which includes investments in «computing capacity and technological infrastructure» aimed at accelerating the work of AI researchers, startups and other firms.
Other sums will be allocated to accelerate the adoption of AI in sectors such as agriculture and health, according to the statement cited by Bloomberg. The funds «will help unlock the full potential of artificial intelligence so that Canadians, and especially young Canadians, can get good-paying jobs while increasing our productivity and growing our economy,» said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
The prime minister made the announcement in Montreal, one of several artificial intelligence hubs springing up in Canada. Quebec’s largest city has developed expertise in fundamental research, partly due to the presence of renowned AI researcher Yoshua Bengio.
Bengio said during the event in Montreal that many researchers «are very concerned about the trajectory that AI is taking.» He also welcomed the proposed Canadian AI safety institute, which the government announced with a $50 million budget. «Canada is placing itself on the right side of history with this announcement.»
Canada has yet to pass a law to regulate artificial intelligence. The Artificial Intelligence and Data Act was introduced in 2022 but is still being examined by members of parliament.
More than 140,000 people were known to be active AI professionals in Canada as of last year, according to the government. In 2022, nearly 30% of all venture capital activity in Canada, or about $8.6 billion, was related to AI.
