Canada CIFAR AI Chairs program surges past 100
Canada CIFAR AI Chairs are advancing research in AI for health, climate change and responsible AI.
Canada welcomes 29 international researchers to its world-class AI research and training community. The newly-appointed Canada CIFAR AI Chairs are advancing research in a wide range of areas, including machine learning for health and responsible AI.
Read about some of the Chairs who are advancing AI research in areas that will benefit society.
“On behalf of CIFAR, I am delighted to welcome and congratulate the newest cohort of Canada CIFAR AI Chairs. They will join a vibrant network of talented researchers across Canada who are responding to some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Their contributions will transform the future and promote an AI world that benefits all,” says Dr. Elissa Strome, Executive Director, Pan-Canadian AI Strategy, CIFAR.
The Canada CIFAR AI Chairs program, a cornerstone of the Pan-Canadian AI Strategy, aims to attract outstanding researchers to Canada by providing them with long-term, dedicated funding to pursue innovative ideas.
“With today’s announcement, we have now attracted more than 100 of the world’s top AI researchers to Canada. That’s an important milestone for the Pan-Canadian AI Strategy as it continues to strengthen Canada’s leadership in responsible AI, reflecting our values of human rights, inclusion and diversity. The Canada CIFAR AI Chairs have far-reaching impacts on Canada’s growing AI capabilities including contributing to the development of new start-ups, well-paying jobs for Canadians and innovative products and services that will enrich Canadians’ lives,” says the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.
AI in Canada:
- Since 2017, 57 researchers have taken up their first faculty position in Canada as Canada CIFAR AI Chairs.
- 1,200 graduate and postdoctoral fellows have been trained at the AI institutes (Amii, Mila and the Vector Institute).
- 45 + new AI R&D labs have been established in Canada by multinational firms, and a 50% growth in foreign direct investment in Canadian ICT.
- Canada is fourth in the world for AI skills migration.
- Canadian AI startups received $658 million in venture capital funding in 2019, a 49% year-over-year increase.*
*Data from
2021 Cohort of Canada CIFAR AI Chairs:
Amii
Mila
Vector Institute
About the CIFAR Pan-Canadian AI Strategy
In 2017, the Government of Canada appointed CIFAR to develop and lead the Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy. The Canada CIFAR AI Chairs Program is a cornerstone of the Strategy. The Canada CIFAR AI Chairs are named in partnership with Canada’s three national AI institutes: Amii (Edmonton), Mila (Montreal) and Vector Institute (Toronto), as well as universities and hospitals across the country.
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