Canada and the U.K. collaborate on AI
by CM Staff
The federal government says the projects will address challenges in health, labour equality and online safety
OTTAWA — On Feb. 24, Canadian and British officials announced investments of approximately $5 million and £5 million (U.K. pounds) over three years, to fund 10 interdisciplinary, international AI research teams under the Canada-UK Artificial Intelligence Initiative.
The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada says these projects, co-led by principal investigators from both countries, will advance understanding of important AI challenges, such as countering abusive online language, improving labour market equality, informing the development of AI transportation systems, helping neurosurgeons perform surgery, and creating technology to better detect and monitor global disease outbreaks.
Navdeep Bains, minister of Science, Innovation and Industry, said in a statement, “Artificial intelligence is transforming all industries and sectors, opening up more opportunities for Canadians. Today, we take one step further toward ensuring that AI innovation and growth builds competitive and resilient economies, and maximizes the social and health benefits in both Canada and in the U.K.”
The Canada-UK Artificial Intelligence Initiative is a collaboration between Canada’s three federal research funding agencies—the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council — and four U.K. research councils.
