Today, Montréal is recognized as one of the international leaders in artificial intelligence. This reputation is not a coincidence. The city has an extraordinary ecosystem that brings together world-renowned businesspeople, researchers and governments. Collaboration between these people is one of the main reasons why this sector is flourishing.
Collaboration, a key to success
Montréal has over 300 researchers and doctoral students in fields related to AI and almost 11,000 students in artificial intelligence and data processing. In the business world, the city is home to around 30 incubators and accelerators as well as many global stakeholders who have chosen Montréal to develop their AI expertise.
An ecosystem like this is already a favourable environment, but the collaboration between research labs and the business world is key to the growth and vitality of this sector. It is the most important factor in the creation of businesses and applications with national and international opportunities.
“In today’s world, where 85% of the professions of 2030 don’t yet exist, we must do more than just change the way we operate. We need to reinvent it entirely. It is essential that the research and business worlds break their silos, embrace disciplinary diversity and create positive, vibrant, respectful collaboration models. With such big changes in such a short period of time, no industrial or academic talent can hope to succeed alone.”
“Partnerships between research labs and the business world are critical to ensuring a better alignment between economic development and the social impact of new technology like artificial and digital intelligence.”
Collaboration at the heart of the second Strategic Forum on AI
In January 2018, over 850 people attended the first Strategic Forum on Artificial Intelligence organized by the Chamber. It was a resounding success, and so a second edition of the Forum is planned for February 18, with the goal of accelerating the appropriation of AI by companies of all sizes and all sectors, as well as strengthening collaboration between stakeholders.
The event will give attendees the chance to discover how companies can concretely integrate AI, improve their competitiveness and seize new business opportunities. It will also be an opportunity to get acquainted with the new supercluster, SCALE AI, and how its calls for projects work.