Alberta pumps $50 million into Amii, its AI centre

CALGARY – Alberta’s government is investing $50 million in the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii) to put AI to work across public services and grow the economy.

This $50-million investment over five years is expected to strengthen Alberta’s position as a global leader in artificial intelligence and accelerate the economic and societal benefits of AI across the province, including advancing AI adoption across healthcare, public services and industry.

“Alberta began investing in AI research more than two decades ago. That early bet paid off. Today Amii is home to some of the best minds in the field, including Richard Sutton, a winner of the Turing Award, computing’s highest honour. This $50-million investment is a vote of confidence in that team,” said Nate Glubish, Alberta’s minister of technology and innovation.

Five ministries are partnering to support the total $50-million investment over five years:

• Technology and Innovation: $15 million
• Advanced Education: $15 million
• Assisted Living and Social Services: $10 million
• Primary and Preventative Health Services: $5 million
• Education and Childcare: $5 million

“Alberta’s primary and preventative health system depends on getting the right information to the right provider at the right time. By investing in Amii, we are supporting made-in-Alberta AI solutions that can help improve screening, earlier detection, system navigation and front-line decision-making,” said Justin Wright, minister of primary and preventative health services.

He added, “Used responsibly, this technology can reduce administrative burden, strengthen prevention-focused care and help Albertans access timely, high-quality services closer to home.”

Amii is one of Canada’s three national AI institutes and a global centre for research in reinforcement learning, a field in which Alberta is recognized as a world leader. Its work connects researchers, students and companies, helping turn Alberta’s AI strengths into benefits for people across the province and contributing to Canada’s standing as a global AI leader.

“Artificial intelligence is one of the defining technologies of our time, and Alberta continues to demonstrate global leadership in its development and application. This investment enables Amii to strengthen the foundations of Alberta’s AI ecosystem by supporting startups, accelerating AI adoption across industry and the public sector, and building the AI literacy needed to prepare the workforce of the future. Together, we are ensuring Alberta remains a destination for AI talent, innovation and investment while creating lasting economic and societal benefits for Albertans,” said Cam Linke (pictured), CEO, Amii.

Canada produces world-class AI research but has historically struggled to commercialize and keep it; Canadian startups eventually relocate outside the country, taking their people and patents with them.

Commercializing the investments that are made in research and development are a core part of the province’s ATIS 2.0 strategy. This investment will leverage the recently established Alberta Intellectual Property Office to ensure that intellectual property created with provincial funds is owned, protected, and commercialized in Alberta.

This commitment adds up to new jobs, new private investment, and keeping the ideas, patents and people Alberta develops right here at home.

Alberta’s government has invested about $100 million in Amii since 2002. Amii sustains more than 500 active researchers and 71 Amii fellows and Canada CIFAR AI chairs.