Mila > News > Mitacs teams with Mila, streamlines AI research access for businesses

3 Oct 2019

Mitacs teams with Mila, streamlines AI research access for businesses

Partnership powers innovation in the field of artificial intelligence

Mitacs announced an agreement with Mila, a research institute that creates a fast track for industry to access state-of-the-art research in the field. The agreement is especially beneficial for small- to medium-sized enterprises, enabling direct application to their business needs. Mila is the result of a partnership between the Université de Montréal, McGill University, Polytechnique Montréal, and HEC Montréal.

Recognizing the unique reality and needs of Canadian AI hubs operating in a constantly evolving environment, especially in Montreal, Mitacs created a model that streamlines support for this important and highly competitive sector.

The agreement establishes a process that allows for a quick turnaround on a high volume of interns trained in leading-edge technologies. This is especially beneficial for start-ups and small- and medium-sized companies that don’t readily have access to this kind of highly skilled expertise (given its scarcity and cost).

Mitacs works closely with Mila’s team, partner companies, and future interns to scope, structure, and match the innovation projects to the most qualified research interns in the field. The Mitacs Business Development team offers all of the necessary resources for the development of artificial intelligence projects.

Quotes:

Eric Bosco, Chief Business Development Officer, Mitacs
“Mitacs is extremely pleased to partner with Mila and expedite the process for infusing industry with highly skilled research talent. Mitacs powers innovation by connecting researchers with industry, and we are pleased to support an important player in artificial intelligence in Montreal.”

Valérie Pisano, Chief Executive Officer, Mila
“This agreement with Mitacs creates a streamlined approach for Mila’s AI researchers to address real-world challenges. Through this partnership, innovation in artificial intelligence and technology transfer advances.”

Mitacs quick facts:

  • Mitacs is a not-for-profit organization that fosters growth and innovation in Canada for business and academia. Working with 70 universities, thousands of companies, and both federal and provincial governments, Mitacs builds partnerships that support industrial and social innovation in Canada.
  • Open to all disciplines and all industry sectors, projects can span a wide range of areas, including manufacturing, business processes, IT, social sciences, design, and more.
  • Mitacs is supported by the Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec, along with industry and not-for-profit partners, and academic partners.

About Mila
Founded in 1993 by Professor Yoshua Bengio of the Université de Montréal, Mila rallies the highest academic concentration of research and development in deep and reinforcement learning. Since 2017, Mila is the result of a partnership between between the Université de Montréal, McGill University, Polytechnique Montréal, and HEC Montréal. In its premises, Mila creates a unique space for innovation in artificial intelligence and technology transfer that will make use of interactions with industry and spark the emergence of start-ups while integrating the social impacts of technology in its projects.

For information about Mitacs and our programs, see mitacs.ca/newsroom.