By The Canadian Press

Alberta announces $100 million, five-year investment in artificial intelligence

Feb 14, 2019 | 5:30 AM

CALGARY —  The Notley government plans to spend $100 million over five years to attract investment from artificial intelligence-focused tech companies.

The money will go to Alberta Innovates, the province’s research development agency, and the non-profit Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute.

Some of the initial funds will go toward helping Edmonton-based Amii expand into a new office in Calgary.

Premier Rachel Notley says the spending is in addition to the $50 million announced last spring for 3,000 new high-tech post-secondary training spots.

She says it’s part of an effort to diversify the provincial economy beyond oil and gas extraction.

project will take one year

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Notley says her government is also planning a major marketing campaign to show that Alberta can be a global hub for artificial intelligence technology.

The NDP government expects the overall investment will result in:

— more than 6,000 trained, skilled Albertans
— the creation of over 140 new companies
— over 30 new multi-national offices, labs in Alberta
— over $207 million in leveraged investments by industry
— increased competitiveness and productivity of at least 150 Alberta businesses through the use of artificial intelligence (AI)T

(The Canadian Press)