Quebec’s Government grants Mila $21 million to support socially beneficial AI research

Picture of Pierre Fitzgibbon, Valerie Pisano and Yoshua Bengio

MONTREAL, April 12, 2023 - Mila had the pleasure of welcoming Pierre Fitzgibbon, provincial Minister of Economy, Innovation and Energy. Fitzgibbon announced a financial contribution of $21 million over three years to Mila - Quebec AI Institute to help it further its network of excellence in socially beneficial AI research as well as train and attract AI talent in Quebec.

This financial contribution is part of the Quebec Research and Innovation Investment Strategy (SQRI2) 2022-2027. It will ensure the growth of Mila's activities – including accelerating investment and the adoption of AI innovations in companies– as well as to cement Quebec's leadership in the ethical and responsible development of AI.

Fitzgibbon and other provincial government representatives also participated in a roundtable meeting with –among others– Yoshua Bengio, Founder and Scientific Director of Mila, and Valérie Pisano, President and CEO of Mila, to discuss recent technological developments in AI and the need to better govern its development to ensure that it benefits everyone.

 

Quotes

 

 

"The development of responsible AI is essential to ensure its acceptability and integration into business. Through our funding to Mila, we are supporting applied research initiatives that allow Quebec to remain a leader in this field." - Pierre Fitzgibbon, Minister of Economy, Innovation and Energy, Minister Responsible for Regional Economic Development, Minister Responsible for the Metropolis and the Montréal Region

 

 

"Artificial intelligence will allow us to tackle some of the most important challenges of our time, such as future pandemics, health and the fight against climate change. With this government support, Mila will continue to develop projects with high potential impact for both research and business. We also believe that AI should be developed for the benefit of all, and we are putting a lot of effort into our research and international collaborations to contribute to the discussions on governance and ethics related to this technology. We are pleased to feel the confidence of the Quebec government in this regard." - Yoshua Bengio, Founder and Scientific Director of Mila