Canada's leadership in artificial intelligence (AI) is grounded in a thriving research and innovation ecosystem. The federal government's $2.4 billion investment to bolster AI research has positioned Canada to not only lead but shape the global AI landscape.

Across Canadian post-secondary institutions, AI researchers are engaging with industry, government and community partners to leverage the transformative power of AI to develop cutting-edge technologies that address real-world challenges and expand Canada's AI talent pipeline.

From AI-driven diagnostic tools in medicine and manufacturing to building state-of-the-art supercomputing infrastructure to supporting the revitalization of Indigenous languages, Canadian AI researchers are focusing on socially responsible innovations.

The following vignettes spotlight research at post-secondary institutions that embodies the spirit of Canada's AI research community - each pushing the frontiers of AI and demonstrating Canada's distinctive blend of leading-edge science and responsible innovation. Through these efforts, Canadian researchers and their industry partners are working to ensure that AI serves as a positive force, enhancing the quality of life for Canadians and reinforcing the country's international standing in the field.

Durham College

Helping Canadian companies successfully navigate the AI landscape

With Canadian companies facing an increasingly complex AI landscape, Durham College's AI Hub offers clients access to a purpose-built team of technology leaders, developers and students and state-of-the-art computing facilities, to help them develop and integrate AI tools to optimize internal processes or create market-ready AI products.

"We are really attempting to help them navigate [AI] successfully," says Natalie Arthurs, Senior Manager. As a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) funded Technology Access Centre, the AI Hub operates under NSERC's 'three-legged stool of productivity model', focusing on adoption, commercialization and training.

Arthurs shared recent projects, highlighting the Hub's impact.

Merging AI with sustainability, the AI Hub worked with an energy management company. The collaboration resulted in an AI-driven energy optimization platform that achieved a 30% reduction in energy consumption in large-scale commercial buildings. The company won an innovation award for the technology.

The AI Hub collaborated with a digital marketing company to develop a predictive engine tailored for specific industries, such as real estate and corporate training. The AI-driven tool aids clients by presenting relevant options to users, thereby improving conversion rates.

In healthcare, the AI Hub worked with a company to develop a staffing optimization tool that automates scheduling for hospitals, a critical need in the wake of COVID-19.

The AI Hub is committed to training the next generation of AI professionals. Students gain practical skills working closely with industry partners to tackle real-world challenges.

To address a key barrier in AI adoption - executive hesitation due to the risks around responsibly and ethically adopting AI - the AI Hub recently launched the AI G.U.I.D.E (Governance, Utilization, Innovation, Data & Ethics) Program, a training initiative for non-technical leaders. Developed with the Council of Canadian Innovators, the program provides foundational AI concepts, governance frameworks, and guidance on ethical data use to empower executives to make informed decisions about integrating AI in their businesses.

Looking ahead, Arthurs sees the AI Hub as a vital resource for Canadian businesses.

"As knowledge around AI's potential increases, the number of use cases and sectors that can take advantage of the technology are really starting to diversify", Arthurs said.

Ontario Tech University

AI with a conscience: driving societal change

At Ontario Tech University, artificial intelligence research aligns closely with a mission to deliver "Tech with a conscience."

"We believe AI has the potential to fundamentally improve people's lives, but we're also keenly aware of the associated risks," Dr. Les Jacobs, Vice President, Research & Innovation stated, highlighting the university's balanced approach.

Ontario Tech's AI initiatives focus on practical applications, with the Mindful Artificial Intelligence Research Institute (MAIRI) leading the way. MAIRI integrates efforts across its six faculties in high-impact fields like healthcare, automotive and energy. With an existing Canada Research Chair (CRC) in mindful AI, three proposed CRCs in AI and four newly appointed internal Research Chairs with an AI focus, the University is building considerable depth in AI research that not only advances technology but addresses societal challenges, from healthcare efficiency to environmental sustainability.

With a focus on developing practical AI-based solutions, Ontario Tech's research is grounded in deep industry partnerships. Among Ontario Tech's prominent collaborations is Project Arrow, Canada's zero-emission all-electric vehicle initiative, where the University is helping integrate "mindful AI" to address public concerns around safety and social acceptance.

In healthcare, the University is partnering with Lakeridge Health, focusing on AI-based solutions for improving patient and clinician experiences, as well as logistical challenges such as managing staffing shortages. There is also a collaboration with Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences to create 'caring' autonomous robots and AI systems that monitor medication adherence to assist patients with memory impairments.

One area that Jacobs sees as a strategic research priority is the "looming, but not fully thought-out implication of the immense energy use involved in AI". Jacobs explained that an AI-assisted search requires almost tens times more energy than a typical Google search. To address this challenge, the university is developing nano scale nuclear reactors to supply power for data centres and AI applications.

"We're always thinking about not just tech for its own sake but really, how can tech improve people's lives, improve society." We are reasonably optimistic that AI, if harnessed responsibly, can really improve people's lives in so many dimensions", Jacobs said.

University of British Columbia

Grassroots AI initiatives drive cross-disciplinary innovation

As AI becomes increasingly integrated into diverse fields, universities are working to harness its potential across disciplines.

At the University of British Columbia (UBC), two initiatives lead the charge: the Centre for AI Decision-making and Action (CAIDA), and AI Methods for Scientific Impact (AIM-SI). Together, these initiatives focus on advancing fundamental AI research and integrating it into disciplines such chemistry, the social sciences, and economics.

We're building around the core research and teaching in AI to enable scientific collaboration.

Dr. Kevin Leyton-Brown
Director of CAIDA and AIM-SI, University of British Columbia

"We're really thinking about how AI fundamentally impacts and leads to advances in other disciplines," said Dr. Kevin Leyton-Brown, director of CAIDA and AIM-SI.

CAIDA brings together over 120 faculty members across 30 departments to explore the ways AI is transforming other academic disciplines and to advance AI as an emerging discipline, in its own right. It is a grassroots initiative driven by a community of researchers working collaboratively across disciplines to realize the potential of AI.

AIM-SI, organized as a cluster of faculty members within CAIDA, addresses the increasing demand for research, teaching, supervision and collaboration capacity in AI at UBC. Six faculty have been hired to meet this need; they join 20 existing faculty as AIM-SI members. All of these researchers are both AI experts and also committed to making interdisciplinary connections with other disciplines.

"We're building around the core research and teaching in AI to enable scientific collaboration," explained Leyton-Brown, who is also a Canada CIFAR AI Chair.

This approach emphasizes enhancing capabilities in both teaching and application of AI across diverse disciplines, driving innovative solutions to scientific inquiries.

Leyton-Brown sees the recent recognition of Geoffrey Hinton with a Nobel Prize in Physics as a pivotal moment for AI, demonstrating its impact on other sciences. "I think this will shake things up in terms of funding," Leyton-Brown stated.

Looking towards the future, Leyton-Brown expressed an optimistic outlook for Canadian AI research. "Canada is uniquely well-positioned in AI", Leyton-Brown said. "We have a really amazing lead in AI, relative to our size and level of investment."

Queen's University

Positioning Canada as an international leader in supercomputing capacity

As Canada seeks to build on its leadership position in AI research, a significant challenge looms: the nation's low supercomputing capacity compared to other countries. Canada's total capacity stands at 41 petaflops (a petaflop is a measure of computing speed equal to a million billion floating-point operations per second), making it the only G7 country without a top 30 supercomputing system.

Dr. Ryan Grant, a Professor in Smith Engineering at Queen's University, is working to address this gap. With over a decade of experience building some of the world's largest supercomputers, he's back in Canada, aiming to position the country as an international leader in AI infrastructure.

Grant specializes in building high-performance computing systems that enable AI to process vast amounts of data at unprecedented speeds. His designs minimize communication bottlenecks so that AI can spend more time computing than communicating. These sophisticated systems are critical to training AI models at scale, which accelerates AI advancements, driving innovation and adoption.

Green computing is another focus of Grant's research. His team is currently developing new controls for liquid cooling, combined with consumption and time-based computations to optimize energy usage and efficiency. They are also exploring ways to recycle heat from computers to heat buildings, which would make supercomputers net carbon negative.

Grant emphasized the importance of building Canada's AI infrastructure to strengthen its role as a global leader. He notes that while Canada is known for its world-class AI research, with internationally recognized experts and breakthroughs, the country currently lacks the advanced infrastructure and expertise necessary to develop and scale AI solutions domestically.

"What we're really missing is that end-of-innovation pipeline. How do we get AI from the research system to industry?" said Grant.

He is advocating for a public-private partnership to build supercomputing capacity and train experts within Canada, where industry can contribute to maintaining and updating the infrastructure while accessing it at affordable rates.

"We can do it, it's possible," he said with optimism. "If we start right now, we can build into a world leader in this space...and I'm confident we can make it happen."

Lakehead University

Developing AI solutions for social challenges

As Canada grapples with pressing societal issues such as healthcare inefficiencies, industrial productivity and sustainability, Lakehead University is at the forefront of leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to develop impactful solutions.

The speed of AI advancements is almost exponential.
As long as we stay current with it, AI will become central to productivity and innovation.

Dr. Andrew Dean
Vice President of Research and Innovation, Lakehead University

Dr. Andrew Dean, Vice President of Research and Innovation, noted Lakehead's diversity in AI research in areas such as healthcare, engineering, transportation, economics, nursing, gaming and resource management. He shared three projects that demonstrate Lakehead's breadth in AI-related research.

Dr. Thiago de Oliveira, Assistant Professor, Computer Science is developing AI-driven robots designed to navigate unstructured, dynamic environments, such as cluttered hospital spaces and long-term care settings and interact with objects using a sense of touch similar to human capabilities.

In the field of sustainable transportation, Dr. Abdulsalam Yassine, Assistant Professor, Software Engineering, is developing a platform for AI mapping of smart charging capabilities for electric vehicle (EV), creating an "Airbnb model" where EV owners can access charging stations from local residents, which addresses growing need for reliable electric vehicle infrastructure Dr. Aislin Mushquash, Associate Professor in Psychology, uses AI to evaluate digital mental health solutions for youth in Northwestern Ontario, leveraging technology to support underserved communities.

Dean sees Lakehead's AI research as integral to broader effort to leverage technology for both economic and societal benefits.

"The speed of AI advancements is almost exponential," noted Dean. "As long as we stay current with it, AI will become central to productivity and innovation."

However, Dean emphasized that key challenges to development and adoption of AI-base technology, including regulatory and ethical questions, cyber-security, and data processing, needed to be addressed to ensure secure, reliable, and ethical AI systems.

Looking ahead, Dean is optimistic about AI research in Canada, especially considering Geoffrey Hinton's Nobel Prize win in Physics, which he believes could boost the country's international standing in AI research and attract more global interest and investment in Canadian AI research.

"This kind of international recognition is something Canada can hold up as a badge of honour to show that we are leading on the international stage, which could lead to more global interest and investment," Dean said.

University of Manitoba

Symbolic AI brings cultural nuances to translating humour

In an era where movies, novels, plays and other literary forms of expression are increasingly shared globally, the ability to capture the essence, humour and cultural nuances of the story for diverse linguistic audiences is essential.

Dr. Tristan Miller, Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Manitoba is taking on this challenge by developing symbolic AI-based tools that assist human translators in tackling one of the most complex elements of language: humour.

"Humour is all about the unexpected," Miller explained, "It's all about using language and imagery in ways that are not expected, that are actually subversive to the way it normally works."

Thus, relying solely on conventional machine learning, which is based on statistical pattern recognition and prediction, proves inadequate for grasping the complexities inherent in humour. Rather than providing literal translations, the aim is to support human translators in interpreting humourous content and generating ideas for culturally relevant translations, which is crucial when dealing with intricate wordplay and cultural references. Miller and his team use symbolic AI, which relies on hand-crafted computer programs that mimic human behaviour, and extensive collaborations with linguists, sociologists, psychologists, comedy writers and professional translators.

The implications of this work go beyond translation. Advanced computational humour models could also enhance automated moderation on social media, by distinguishing between playful banter and genuine abuse, reducing cases of users being penalized for innocent jokes.

In addition to computational humour, Miller is developing AI-based tools to help scientists do research more efficiently, support Indigenous language revitalization efforts, and to make historical digital archives, such as Usenet, more accessible.

Looking forward, Miller highlighted the priorities for AI research: integrating diverse AI methodologies for problem-solving and supporting multi-disciplinary research, recognizing that successful AI depends on theories and data from other disciplines.

In reflecting the importance of responsible development and the potential benefits of AI, said Miller, "What's really important is that we fund and investigate how to develop it and use it responsibly. This is where a lot of work needs to be done."

University of Alberta

Bridging fundamental and applied AI research for real-world impact

Dr. Adam White, Assistant Professor and Principal Investigator in the Reinforcement Learning and Artificial Intelligence Lab at the University of Alberta, argues that both fundamental and applied research are critical to realizing the promise of artificial intelligence-based technologies.

As AI becomes more integrated into fields like physics, biology, sociology, and education, it will revolutionize how researchers ask and answer fundamental scientific questions they have always posed.

Dr. Adam White
Assistant Professor and Principal Investigator, Reinforcement Learning and Artificial Intelligence Lab
University of Alberta

His work in reinforcement learning leverages inspiration from animal learning, psychology, and neuroscience to answer fundamental questions about how intelligence works - how humans and animals learn as they interact with the world. He uses these ideas to build algorithms and artificial intelligence systems that explore their world and learn in a natural way. He then applies these interactive artificial intelligence systems to solve critical social and economic challenges. White hopes "that leads to a better understanding of how intelligence works in a more general sense and can hopefully feed into real-life applications."

For example, in a new collaboration with biological sciences professor, Dr. Glen Uhrig, an artificial intelligence system will be trained to optimize plant growth by managing lighting regimes (colour, intensity, timing) in controlled environment agriculture.

"The collaboration we're starting is using artificial intelligence to control lighting to figure out how to grow plants, basically as fast and as high yield as possible", said White.

The artificial intelligence developed for this project will be interactive, which White says means that the AI will learn by continuously 'watching' the plants, tracking their responses to changes in lighting and adjusting the lighting regime, accordingly, based on its 'understanding' of plant growth. The expectation is that the AI will find a lighting regime that no one (human) would have thought of.

Reflecting on the barriers to AI development and adoption, White highlighted the need for lightweight AI solutions that operate with low computational power, which would lead to more sustainable adoption across various sectors.

White emphasized that integrating AI into fundamental sciences is crucial: "As AI becomes more integrated into fields like physics, biology, sociology, and education, it will revolutionize how researchers ask and answer fundamental scientific questions they have always posed". He advocates for more funding to bridge AI with fundamental sciences, saying this integration will become a "big horizon" going forward.

Carleton University

Transforming surgical precision and safety with AI-driven robots

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into medical robotics is an evolving frontier that promises to reduce surgical complications, shorten hospital stays, and expand minimally invasive procedures.

Dr. Carlos Rossa, an Associate Professor in the Department of Systems and Computing Engineering at Carleton University is at the forefront of this innovation, focusing on enhancing existing surgical procedures and pioneering AI-driven techniques that current methods cannot accomplish.

His team's primary focus is on creating robotic systems that can perform or assist in complex surgical tasks. For procedures like prostate cancer biopsies, the team is converting regular biopsy needles into imaging tools that can measure and image tissue in real time to detect cancerous tissue more accurately. Another focus is AI-based surgical trainers for complicated and sophisticated procedures such pediatric laparoscopic surgeries and a type of kidney stone removal that involves an incision in the patient's back. To develop the training simulators, Dr. Rossa uses a unique approach where skills are transfer from an expert to a trainee through the simulator. He has expert surgeons 'teach' the simulator, and then the simulator teaches the surgical trainees.

Rossa highlighted some of the challenges for future development and adoption of AI-driven medical robots. The first is the inability of robots to generalize when confronted with unfamiliar scenarios and adapt in real time to changing environmental conditions. Currently, robots cannot make decisions beyond the databases they are trained on. The second challenge is ensuring that these 'decisions' are explainable and safe in clinical settings.

"Sometimes the models make decisions, and we don't necessarily know why they're making that decision. We need to know exactly why the algorithm is taking that specific design", Rossa explained.

"We bring robots into the operating room to either help the surgeon do something or take over," said Rossa. "The ultimate goal is to teach the robot how to do certain procedures by itself", he explained. We're bringing a level of intelligence to robots to let them make some decisions, which could eventually lead to safer, more effective surgeries."

University of Guelph

Real-World AI Solutions for a Safe and Authentic Canadian Food System

The University of Guelph is leveraging its unique agri-food expertise to develop AI-powered solutions that address pressing societal challenges in agriculture, food safety and security, disease prediction, and biodiversity.

"Our strength lies in applying AI to address real-world problems," explained Dr. Shayan Sharif, Interim Vice-President, Research & Innovation. "From improving agricultural practices to studying the impacts of climate change on biodiversity and predicting the emergence and spread of diseases, we are focused on the practical application of fundamental AI discoveries in real-world scenarios."

The university's transdisciplinary, collaborative philosophy is key to its success. Working with organizations and funders like the Vector Institute, Canada First Research Excellence Fund, Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance, Horizon Europe, NSERC, and the Canadian agricultural industry, Guelph is applying AI-powered technologies to build and maintain the safety and authenticity of Canada's food system.

This is truly a time for us to act and seize the moment, take ownership and assert our leadership role in AI.

Dr. Shayan Sharif
Interim Vice-President Research & Innovation, University of Guelph

The University's AI research is coordinated through several core initiatives, including:

CARE-AI, the university's Centre for Advancing Responsible and Ethical AI, is tasked with looking at the human aspects of AI and ensuring that safe, reliable and trustworthy AI is developed and implemented.

The AI4Casting Hub is applying advanced AI approaches to model, forecast and predict the emergence and spread diseases.

AI4Food is mobilizing advances in AI to drive agri-food innovation that improves the safety, sustainability, resilience and productivity of agriculture and food systems.

Grounded in the One Health concept, which emphasizes the interconnectedness of human, animal and environmental health, Guelph's AI research in forecasting and predicting the emergence and spread of animal diseases, such as avian influenza, has direct implications for protecting human and public health.

Sharif highlighted the importance of validating the performance, reliability and trustworthiness of AI under operational conditions, especially for Canadian farmers, who face unique challenges to adoption. Canadian farms are small, family-owned businesses. With limited resources to invest in new technology, farmers are looking for AI-solutions that are proven and reliable.

Sharif believes Geoffrey Hinton's Nobel Prize is a testament to Canada's global leadership in AI: "This is truly a time for us to act and seize the moment, take ownership and assert our leadership role in AI."

Sheridan College

Harnessing the transformative power of AI for social and economic impact

As Canadian small businesses, entrepreneurs and community organizations increasingly embrace the promise of AI, Sheridan College serves as a research and innovation hub harnessing the transformative power of AI technology to build real-world solutions and drive social and economic impact.

"Advancing and leveraging generative AI is a priority for us because it's a priority for the partners and communities we serve," explained Andrea England, Sheridan's Vice Provost Research.

Within Sheridan's five research and entrepreneurship centres, faculty, staff and students collaborate on applied AI research projects with industry, government and community partners across diverse sectors from healthcare to manufacturing. An advantage of partnering with colleges and polytechnics for applied research is that businesses retain ownership of the intellectual property, accelerating their path to market and enhancing commercialization potential.

The Centre for Applied AI's work with industry partner Naryant, an Oakville-based data-driven software developer and Osteoporosis Canada, highlights the potential of AI in healthcare. With its deep AI expertise and considerable track record, the Centre used machine learning and algorithms to develop an AI-driven automated pre-screening tool for osteoporosis risk, identifying those likely to experience fractures. The team has secured further funding for the next phase of development to enhance the tool's predictive capabilities.

A collaboration between the Centre for Intelligent Manufacturing and industry partner A. Berger Precision, a precision machined components manufacturer in Brampton, developed a proof-of-concept AI-driven robotic imaging inspection system that detects manufacturing defects faster and more accurately than traditional methods.

Demonstrating the potential of AI in supporting mental health, the Centre for Elder Research worked with LUCID, a Toronto-based developer of music-based machine learning therapeutics for mental health. The collaboration led to LUCID's Affective Music Recommendation System, an AI-powered tool that personalizes music to support individuals with dementia and their care teams. The patent-pending invention is currently being piloted in home-based trials.

Looking to the future, England advocates for increased support for applied research to ensure Canada maintains its internationally recognized leadership in AI and to secure the future of our research ecosystem. "Continued investment in applied AI research is essential for ensuring Canada's competitive edge," noted England.

Université Laval

Responsible AI research drives positive societal impact

Université Laval is advancing artificial intelligence research by focusing on responsible and impactful applications across various sectors.

We’re not just developing AI, but we’re ensuring that its societal implications are understood and addressed.

Dr. Eugénie Brouillet
Vice Rector of Research, Creation, and Innovation, Université Laval

With a unique approach covering the entire data life cycle - from real-world data collection to data science, internet of things, robotics expertise to engaging civil society - Université Laval's researchers are focusing on both technical AI innovations and their societal impacts.

"We're not just developing AI, but we're ensuring that its societal implications are understood and addressed," said Dr. Eugénie Brouillet, Vice Rector of Research, Creation, and Innovation. "If we want to develop responsible AI, we have to take into account what the impacts of the technology will be".

The driving force for Université Laval's AI research is its Institute for Intelligence and Data (IID). The IID is a multidisciplinary research center with 88 researchers and more than 300 students dedicated to advancing artificial intelligence (AI) and data science. With strong industry and public partnerships, IID promotes responsible AI applications, talent development, and knowledge-sharing to address real-world challenges and foster innovation in AI technology.

"It's in this Institute that we are developing multiple fields of application for AI, from the Internet of Things and intelligent devices to sensor networks, smart cities, medical imaging, genomics, sustainable development, and health." Explained Brouillet.

Université Laval has an instrumental role in Obvia - The International Observatory on the Societal Impacts of AI and Digital Technologies. Funded by the Fonds de Recherche du Québec, this interdisciplinary network, is a collaboration of 19 universities and colleges and more than 250 researchers. Its mandate is to explore the societal implications of artificial intelligence and to foster an inclusive approach to AI development and adoption. In addition to active research collaborations, Université Laval faulty are participating on Obvia's Executive Committee and Scientific Committee.

Beyond ethical and responsible governance, Brouillet highlighted several priorities for the successful development and adoption of AI in Canada, including interdisciplinary collaboration, talent development, and expanded computing infrastructure.

Looking ahead, Brouillet envisions a future where AI not only transforms society but does so in a way that promotes "positive societal impact" while addressing the challenges of the present.

Seneca Polytechnic

Empowering Canadian businesses with data-driven AI solutions

The Centre for Innovation in AI Technology (CIAIT) at Seneca Polytechnic supports businesses in developing AI solutions, working closely with them to understand their data capabilities and operational needs.

"Our expertise has always been around the data side of things," said Namrata Barai, Director of Research Partnerships, highlighting CIAIT's strength in data-driven AI solutions.

Barai shared two recent CIAIT projects with Research Infosource.

CIAIT collaborated with TGT Solutions, a Stratford-based systems integrator specializing in technology-driven solutions. This multi-partner project successfully developed an AI-based tool for predictive maintenance, allowing production floors to anticipate equipment downtimes. To build the prototype, the research team used a massive dataset of four million examples from 34 machines provided by Memex, a manufacturing process monitoring software developer based in Burlington and a low code/no code AI platform from Braintoy, a machine-learning company based in Calgary. The tool is slated to be pilot tested by three manufacturers in the United States.

More recently, an art consulting firm approached CIAIT looking for a solution to streamline the process of finding artwork for public spaces, such as condos and commercial buildings. CIAIT is considering an AI-powered matchmaking tool that scans artist portfolios online, matching them with client specifications like artwork size, theme, and style. The tool is expected to enhance the consultant's workflow by automating the search process, improving efficiency and reducing manual effort.

CIAIT, like all college/polytechnic applied research prioritizes training the next generation of AI experts, equipping students with the skills to thrive in the evolving AI landscape. "All of our research projects have students in them…they're not volunteering their time; they're hired as research assistants," Barai explained. When asked about barriers, Barai noted, "Many companies approach us with enthusiasm but are not always ready for AI, needing a clearer strategy for implementation."

This reflects the ongoing challenges businesses face in integrating AI while navigating technical and ethical considerations.

Looking ahead, Barai is optimistic about CIAIT's role in advancing AI adoption across sectors. "With the right partnerships and training, we can play a significant role in the AI revolution happening here in Canada," Barai said.

University of Waterloo

Accelerating advances in biomedical imaging with AI

With breast cancer rates rising among women under the age of 50, early and more accurate detection is key to effective treatments and improving survival rates.

Dr. Omar Ramahi, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Waterloo is advancing the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in breast cancer detection, aiming to make diagnoses faster, more reliable, and less invasive. The technology is based on low-frequency mammography that uses a benign form of radiation. Unlike traditional mammography, this approach could improve detection accuracy, particularly for patients with dense breast tissue, a group that often faces challenges with standard screening methods.

Ramahi's team is developing diagnostic and imaging modalities based on electromagnetic fields and waves and acoustics for biomedical and industrial applications that integrate AI to accelerate both the development of the technology and diagnoses under clinical or field conditions. "Our advances in technology are due to having things done much faster," Ramahi explained. "It's not that AI is discovering new things - it's improving our current knowledge and making diagnostics more efficient."

In addition to breast cancer detection, Ramahi and his team are working on bone fracture detection, respiratory/cardiac diagnoses and blood sugar monitoring.

Ramahi is also collaborating with industry to apply the technology in the detection of cracks or faults in physical infrastructure and aircraft.

In all cases, the technology leverages AI to handle large datasets, allowing for more precise and faster diagnostics through pattern recognition and enhanced image processing.

Despite AI's potential, Ramahi acknowledges challenges, such as securing adequate funding and navigating the regulatory landscape for medical devices in Canada. Ramahi also stressed the need for rigorous research underpinning ethical frameworks and public trust.

Ramahi sees these AI-based innovations as powerful allies, rather than replacements for human ingenuity, which will drive innovation and lead to essential medical discoveries.

Reflecting on Geoffrey Hinton's Nobel Prize win, he was optimistic about its potential to enhance funding for AI research in Canada, asserting that this recognition of AI's significance "is going to be a game-changer."

Saskatchewan Polytechnic

Driving sme competitiveness and sustainability with AI solutions

Saskatchewan Polytechnic's Digital Integration Centre of Excellence (DICE) is tackling the critical challenge of helping Canadian companies harness artificial intelligence to improve efficiency, competitiveness, and sustainability. As a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council-funded Technology Access Centre all its work involves industry-led partnerships.

The breadth of AI is massive. It’s like electricity, it impacts a lot of different aspects of Iife.
The reality is, is it’s coming.

Dr. Terry Peckham
Director and Research Chair of DICE, Saskatchewan Polytechnic

DICE's mandate is twofold: to encourage industry, particularly small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs), to adopt a research and development mindset, and to provide these businesses with the technical expertise they often lack.

Dr. Terry Peckham, Director and Research Chair of DICE noted that even with Canada's strong standing as a leader in AI, with over 30% industrial adoption, there's an urgent need for businesses to "get ahead" and harness AI's competitive advantages effectively. By supporting these companies, DICE empowers them to integrate cutting-edge AI solutions that optimize their operations and prepare them for future growth.

Two prominent DICE projects showcase this commitment.

The first is a collaboration with Cameco, a uranium mining company, where AI is used to improve robotic mining operations. The system, which is in use in Cameco mines, has led to increased productivity, as well as reduced waste and energy consumption.

The second project, a collaboration with agriculture company Ground Truth Ag, integrates hyperspectral imaging and multimodal AI to grade wheat and other grains. The system creates spectral profiles of grains, capturing distinct characteristics that determine quality, including disease and damage.

Through DICE, students are given applied learning opportunities. By engaging students in industry-led research projects, DICE enables them to apply what they've learned in the classroom to practical challenges, thereby enhancing their skills and preparing them for the workforce. Peckham remarked, "we're taking them beyond what they've learned in the class and giving them skills that will help them in their search for new jobs that are out there"

Reflecting on the potential of AI, Peckham stated, "The breadth of AI is massive. It's like electricity, it impacts a lot of different aspects of Iife. The reality is, is it's coming. I'm hoping companies are proactive in trying to get ahead and be competitive and stay competitive and gain from the advantages of AI".

Thales Canada Inc.

Trusted AI solutions grounded in humancentric principles

As AI continues to redefine industries, Thales, a global tech leader in defense, aerospace, cyber and digital, is building 'TrUE AI' solutions, which ensure that humans are at the centre of the decisionmaking process. "We think of AI as augmented rather than artificial intelligence," said Chris Pogue, Thales Canada CEO. "Our AI solutions augment how humans interact and work, rather than replace how humans interact and work." Thales develops what Pogue calls 'TrUE AI', which means their AI solutions are grounded in four core principles: validity, explainability, security and responsibility.

Thales is developing 'TrUE AI' solutions across diverse sectors, including naval operations. For example, its Maintenance Optimizer tool uses AI to streamline naval ship maintenance schedules, reducing downtime and extending operational lifespan.

Our AI solutions augment how humans interact and work, rather than replace how humans interact and work.

CHRIS POGUE
CEO, Thales Canada Inc

In addressing the environmental responsibility dimension of 'TrUE AI', Thales is pioneering hybrid and frugal AI solutions that rely on smaller, higher quality datasets. This approach responds to growing concerns over limited data access and the environmental impacts of traditional AI systems.

Collaboration and open innovation are cornerstones of Thales' approach for which it was recently recognized with NSERC's Synergy Award for Innovation and the Mitacs Canadian Enterprise Innovator of the Year. Partnering with Canadian universities, SMEs, startups, and innovation hubs like the Centre for Ocean Ventures and Entrepreneurship (COVE) in Atlantic Canada and Centech and Confiance.IA in Montreal, Thales accelerates research and deployment of cutting-edge AI applications, while supporting the growth of Canadian SMEs and start-ups. In partnership with COVE, Thales established the Naval Technology Innovation Challenges program, which led to the development by Datiflex, an Atlantic Canada-based company, of the DigitalDockyard ™, an AI-driven system that manages the complex operating environment of naval dockyards.

Looking ahead, Thales is committed to trusted AI, emphasizing trust, ethics, and cyber resilience. "AI has the potential to solve challenges we haven't imagined yet," said Pogue. "It will allow us to predict with longer timeframes, and higher confidence levels, the challenges that are ahead of us, which gives us more time to try and solve them. Time is one thing we lack in solving the future challenges. AI gives us more time to solve those problems."

Charting Canada's AI future

The research efforts profiled in these vignettes reflect the tangible impact AI can have across economic sectors and society, signalling a future where AI is a tool for public good. Looking forward, Canada's AI researchers are not only focused on advancing science and technology but also on ensuring that AI applications are ethical, inclusive, and aligned with societal needs. Canada's vision for AI research is paving the way for transformative innovations that address the most pressing challenges of our time.

Dr. M.A. (Amy) Lemay (alemay@vistast.com) is a Science Analyst and Advisor providing strategic expertise on the development, commercialization, acceptance and adoption of research and innovation.