Ottawa invests $2.5 million in AI supercomputing hub at University of Alberta

Western Economic Diversification is contributing $2.5 million to a new Artificial Intelligence-Supercomputing Hub for Academic and Industry Collaboration (AI-Hub) at the University of Alberta. Amarjeet Sohi, federal Minister of Natural Resources, made the funding announcement last week at the university. The AI-Hub, equipped with high-performance computers capable of rapidly processing large amounts of raw data, seeks to create a collaborative link between industry and academia, in order to bring new AI products to market. Expected to open in spring 2019, the supercomputer facility will provide training in AI to companies, qualified personnel and hundreds of students. Federal funding will also support marketing initiatives to increase the profile of Alberta’s AI sector. The growth of AI technologies is projected to increase global GDP by $15.7 trillion by 2030, according to a PwC study.