The federal government recently announced that it is investing nearly $2 million into the Integrated Marketplace to fuel AI-powered innovation.
“Using AI to drive and accelerate productivity through robust investments in innovative companies is critical in this moment of crisis,” believes Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation.
“With this investment, PacifiCan is unlocking the growth and security we need for the future of Canada, powering AI for scale, efficiency, and sovereignty,” he said.
In 2023, Pacific Economic Development Canada poured $10M into Innovate BC to launch the Integrated Marketplace, which helps local companies test technologies in real-world environments.
Since then, the Marketplace has powered over 30 projects.
This latest investment will help the Integrated Marketplace support two new projects, according to a statement from Innovate BC.
“The Integrated Marketplace is a powerful example of how we can accelerate innovation, like AI technologies, and economic growth at the same time,” stated Peter Cowan, CEO of Innovate BC.
At Vancouver International Airport, self-driving robotic pods designed to help travellers move around the airport are being tested.
And the Provincial Health Services Authority is testing AI to analyze digital images of tissue, facilitating the detection and identification of diseases through the digitization of pathology and other cancer diagnosis processes.
“By connecting B.C. companies with real-world adoption opportunities, we’re helping them prove and refine their technologies while also delivering transformative solutions for some of our most important industries,” Cowan said. “This model not only strengthens our provincial economy but also creates a launchpad for these companies to access new markets and scale globally.”
British Columbia’s tech sector currently has 2,000 companies employing more than 182,000 skilled workers.
“British Columbia’s tech sector is a powerhouse, driving prosperity not only across the province, but across Canada,” commented Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada.
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