Computing is becoming the core infrastructure of the AI economy. Processing power is what allows companies to train models, build products, improve services, and compete globally. However, for many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Canada, the cost of accessing that computing power remains a major barrier to growth.
Today, His Excellency Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister Responsible for the Economic Development Authority of Southern Ontario, announced support for 44 projects through the AI Computing Access Fund, representing $66 million of the $300 million fund. These companies work across key sectors of the Canadian economy, including life sciences, healthcare, energy, advanced manufacturing, agriculture, finance, natural resources and transportation.
This support will help Canadian businesses access the computing power they need to build and scale AI products across the economy. These projects demonstrate how AI is moving from research to real-world use. Recipient companies are developing technology that helps detect wildfires earlier, improve public transportation, accelerate drug discovery, power advanced manufacturing, support agricultural productivity, improve financial services, and create new tools for Canadian businesses and workers.
The AI Computing Access Fund, launched under Canada’s sovereign AI Computing Strategy, will help Canadian small and medium-sized businesses offset the costs of high-performance computing. The Fund aims to help companies overcome one of the biggest barriers to AI development and enable them to build new and improved AI products and services in Canada.
This program received many applications from companies across the country. Applications are being evaluated through a competitive process based on technical feasibility, commercialization potential, risk level and anticipated benefits to Canada. Additional funding will continue to be provided once the evaluation is complete.
By helping Canadian businesses access the computing power they need, the Government of Canada supports homegrown innovation, strengthens Canada’s AI ecosystem, and helps keep more businesses, jobs and intellectual property in Canada. This support will create high-skilled job opportunities, strengthen Canadian industry, and help preserve more economic value in communities across the country.
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