by Angela Guess

According to a new press release, “Accenture announced it is a founding sponsor of the new Vector Institute for artificial intelligence (AI) in Canada. The relationship is based on a shared mission to identify new business models for artificial intelligence and to position Canada as a global leader in the digital era. The goal of the new Vector Institute – a non-profit enterprise funded by industry and the federal and Ontario governments – is to help build and maintain Canada’s position at the scientific forefront of the global shift to artificial intelligence (AI). Together with industry and educational organizations including the University of Toronto, the Vector Institute will promote and nurture Canadian talent and research excellence in deep learning and machine learning, and actively seek ways to enable and sustain AI-based economic growth in Canada.”

The release goes on, “The Vector Institute launch was led by Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, federal Minister of Finance, Bill Morneau, Ed Clark, Chair of the Vector Institute, and Chief Scientific Advisor Geoffrey Hinton. An Accenture demonstration showcased the latest in AI technology, featuring the IPsoft Amelia AI platform and virtual assistant, as well as a DAQRI Smart Helmet and Microsoft HoloLens. ‘We are excited to work with the Vector Institute on this unprecedented collaboration in Canada, to explore how business, government, academia and innovators can continue to master AI – which increasingly is becoming the predominant way to create new business, economic and social value,’ said Bill Morris, senior managing director and Canada president of Accenture. ‘Accenture is focused on helping our Canadian corporate and government clients better understand how to apply AI to help reinvent business models, unlock the trapped value of data, and improve the way we live and work as a society’.”

Read more at Business Wire.

Photo credit: Accenture