Google.org
Mar 18, 2024
[[read-time]] min read
Canada has long been a leader in AI. From its first-rate education system to world-class researchers, there’s been a surge in AI knowledge and expertise in the country over the last decade. We’re now at a pivotal moment, and Canada has the unique opportunity to harness the technology to support economic growth and address some of society’s most pressing challenges. However, embracing Canada’s AI opportunity demands a joint effort. We’ll need educators, academics, civil society, and governments to work together, ensuring benefits for all Canadians.
With a bold and responsible approach, AI has the potential to be helpful for everyone. Whether it’s helping doctors detect diseases earlier or enabling people to access information in their own language, AI helps people, businesses, and communities unlock their potential. And it opens up new opportunities that could significantly improve billions of lives.
Supporting critical AI research in Canada
We’re committed to helping Canada pave the way for the future of AI. To do this, today we’re announcing new research grants to bolster Canada’s AI ecosystem. Google.org will provide a total of $2.7 million in grant funding to the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR), Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii) and the International Center of Expertise of Montreal on AI (CEIMIA) to support critical AI research in areas such as sustainability and the responsible development of AI.
The Google.org grant to CIFAR will support its Accelerated Decarbonization program, which brings together experts in carbon capture, storage, and utilization, biochemistry, chemistry, biology and more to address the carbon cycle and offer new ways of solving climate-related problems. The funding will also support CIFAR’s work to promote responsible AI research and development. Finally, the grant will help foster the next generation of AI scientists by supporting programs and training, including for individuals who identify as members of underrepresented groups in AI.
Google.org’s grant to Amii will support its Autonomous Drinking Water project, which enables the deployment of modular water treatment systems into underserved regions using reinforcement learning. While this project aims to support underserved communities in Canada, the insights learned will help reduce the overall water treatment energy use globally through automation driven optimization.
Lastly, Google.org’s grant to CEIMIA, as part of the Digital Futures Project, will fund work that explores opportunities to deepen collaboration and increase interoperability between governments globally on their policy approaches to AI. Announced last year, the Digital Futures Project was created to support researchers, academics, and organizations creating research, analysis, and promoting debate on public policy solutions for the responsible development of AI.
When we work together, we create a research and knowledge ecosystem that brings fresh perspectives and new opportunities. We believe AI is a transformational technology that can bring meaningful and positive change to people and societies across the world. We look forward to supporting Amii, CEIMIA and CIFAR to propel Canada’s AI momentum and shape a brighter future.
Today’s blog post is guest-authored by Julia Blackburn, Chief Executive Officer of NPower Canada. Google has been working with NPower Canada since 2020, when NPower Cana…
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