CCI Statement on the Federal Government’s Pre-Budget Announcement on Artificial Intelligence Funding

Today in Montreal, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced $2.4 billion in funding for artificial intelligence initiatives, most notably a AI Compute Access Fund to give companies and researchers access to the computing hardware they need to innovate.

On behalf of our members across Canada, CCI President Benjamin Bergen issued the following statement:

“For years, we’ve encouraged the government to take a more active role in supporting homegrown Canadian technology companies, working hand-in-glove with innovators, and strategically engaging in ways that play to Canada’s strengths. We need to better understand how Canadian companies will be able to access the computing power that the federal government is building with this $2 billion investment, but if this gives Canadian companies the resources to compete globally, today’s announcement is a step in the right direction

“However, this kind of investment must be paired with smart industrial strategy which ensures that the intellectual property that results from Canadian innovation in artificial intelligence is owned by Canadians and commercialized for the benefit of the Canadian economy. In past decades, we have seen world-leading Canadian research flow to foreign multinationals with minimal benefit for the Canadian economy, and we see the results of this showing up in Canada’s lacklustre productivity metrics.

“Done right, today’s announcement could be an important step in ensuring Canada’s continued AI leadership; we are eager to work with the federal government to ensure success for the future.”

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Media Contact:
James McLeod
Director of Communications and Content
jmcleod@canadianinnovators.org

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