The Government of Canada has announced $6.8 million in funding through the Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII) to support five projects in Alberta. The announcement was made by Minister Eleanor Olszewski of Prairies Economic Development Canada during the Upper Bound AI conference in Edmonton. The funding is intended to strengthen Canada’s leadership in artificial intelligence, improve productivity, and help businesses commercialize AI solutions.
The investment will support more than 70 jobs in Alberta and enhance Canada’s domestic capacity for technology and innovation. By helping organizations bring AI technologies to new markets, the funding will improve competitiveness and provide opportunities for research and testing to drive growth. These projects are part of a broader federal strategy to build a resilient economy and accelerate the development of national AI and data infrastructure.
Minister Olszewski emphasized Alberta’s growing role as a leader in AI, noting the province’s world-class talent and ambitious companies. Minister Evan Solomon, responsible for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation, highlighted that RAII is helping Canadian organizations move innovation from discovery to commercialization, creating high-quality jobs and strengthening Canada’s digital economy.
The RAII program was introduced in Budget 2024 as part of a $2.4 billion national investment to secure Canada’s AI advantage. PrairiesCan received $33.8 million over five years to deliver RAII, beginning in 2024–25. Applications remain open, with businesses encouraged to submit expressions of interest to access funding opportunities.
